Harding, Brendan
THE HUNTER: A LESSON FROM A PATIENT

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 14, Number 2, 2005

KEY WORDS: sandplay therapy, clinical example, symbol, hunter, cancer, surgeon, patient, therapeutic relationship, dying, death, life, man, adult, male.

ABSTRACT: The article describes a brief relationship between a surgeon and a patient who has spent his life as a professional hunter. The patient is dying, and his acceptance of his death, and even more his life, lead the surgeon to question his ideas about his own life. Over time the surgeon becomes conscious of his own shortcomings and learns a beautiful lesson from the man who has died.