Spirituality, coping and resilience of the Lhotsampa

This chapter is based on a primary qualitative study that began as an idea from the second author, and received an impetus from a combination of the following—our independent beliefs in spirituality and in the innate strengths of people; our interest in human rights; and empathy for people of other cultures. It grew from these shared ideas about the importance of spirituality and from a desire to go beyond the contemporary bounds of Western social work and commonly held views on the future of the profession. Upon meeting the people whose stories we share below, we could not but be awed at their resilience. Despite the blatant human rights abuses they faced in their homeland, they have remained positive about their future and are pleased with what Australia, the third country, has offered them. It was natural that great affection for this gentle and humble community would follow alongside our passion to ensure that their story, through the telling, would not be repeated elsewhere in the future. It was indeed an honor to have been welcomed into their world, to share their stories, and learn about their spiritual coping.