Somatic Tracking of Aversion: Bridging Mahāsi Meditation and Modern Trauma-Informed Therapies for Dosa-Based Afflictions

Kanddala

Somatic Tracking of Aversion: Bridging Mahāsi Meditation and Modern Trauma-Informed Therapies for Dosa-Based Afflictions

Author(s)	Kanddala
Country	India
Abstract	Abstract Aversion (Dosa) represents the central focus in Theravada Buddhist Psychology as one of the three harmful roots (Akusala-mula) of suffering (Dukkha) in the Pali Canon. Anger, hate, fear, resentment and hostility are repeatedly portrayed throughout the canon as expressions of dosa that disrupt both the physical body and mind and thus serve to perpetuate the cycle of suffering. Similarly, contemporary trauma-informed psychotherapy recognizes that unresolved traumatic experiences often present themselves through ongoing bodily hyperarousal, defensiveness, emotional dysregulation and/or chronic states of perceived danger. Both traditions, although arising from distinct historical and philosophical frameworks, recognize that emotional suffering cannot be separated from embodied experience. The purpose of this paper is to identify the congruence between Mahasi Sayadaw’s satipatthana based vipassana insight meditation and modern somatic tracking methods employed in trauma-informed therapies. This will involve drawing on both traditional texts including the Chaṭṭha Saṅgāyana Tipiṭaka and the Abhidhamma along with Mahasi Sayadaw’s meditation manuals and current psychological literature. This research proposes that Mahasi’s systematic practice of mindful attention (Sati) towards bodily sensations (Vedanā), feelings and thoughts serves as an advanced contemplative model for viewing aversion without suppression, denial or reactive attachment. As such, like modern somatic therapies, which advocate for patients to develop non-reactive awareness towards their bodily sensations to regulate their defensive physiological responses. Through both qualitative textual analysis and comparative interdisciplinary methodology, this research indicates that Mahasi’s method of continuous noting (labeling) functions as a form of contemplative somatic tracking that progressively weakens the conditioned relationship between bodily sensations and reactive aversion. While there exist significant philosophical distinctions – specifically about the Buddhist aim of liberation (nibbana) versus the clinical intention of reducing symptoms – this comparison shows several areas where there can be common ground between Theravada contemplative practice and trauma-informed psychotherapy. Thus, this interdisciplinary approach could provide potential contributions to discussions surrounding embodied mindfulness, emotional regulation, and integrative models of mental health promotion while preserving the theological legitimacy of the Theravada tradition.
Keywords	Dosa (Aversion); Theravāda Buddhist Psychology; Mahasi Sayadaw; Vipassanā Meditation; Somatic Tracking; Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy; Embodied Mindfulness; Emotional Regulation.
Field	Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-17

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Somatic Tracking of Aversion: Bridging Mahāsi Meditation and Modern Trauma-Informed Therapies for Dosa-Based Afflictions

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