War touches us all―leaving visible and invisible wounds on the warriors who fight, disrupting their families and communities, and leaving lasting imprints on our national psyche. In spite of billions spent on psychological care and reintegration programs, we face an epidemic of combat-related conditions such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). With Warrior’s Return, Dr. Edward Tick presents a powerful case for changing the way we welcome our veterans back from service―a vision and a path for transforming the wounds of war into sources of wisdom, honor, and growth.
After more than 35 years of working with veterans, Dr. Tick has learned that our conventional ways of addressing the trauma and woundings of war fall far short, usually focusing only on symptoms and temporary relief. Drawing on lessons from cross-cultural wisdom, mythical archetypes, and proven methods from psychology, he offers this book as a valuable resource to help families, caregivers, and returning veterans understand and cope with the life-changing effects of combat, including:
• Re-examining PTSD―why we must expand our understanding of the full psychological and spiritual impact of war’s invisible wounds.
• Archetype of the warrior―service in combat as a “journey to the underworld,” and why the return home is the most crucial stage.
• The warrior’s path―timeless wisdom from tradition, classical philosophy, great leaders, and religious and mythological sources. How cultures around the world have welcomed home their returning warriors for centuries―and what we can learn from them.
• The warrior’s initiation―how the old self dies on the battlefield and a new, more mature self evolves in its place.
• Restoration―methods for overcoming disillusionment and soul-fatigue to restore the warrior’s sense of purpose, motivation, and connection
• Coming home―specific steps for reintegrating our warriors back into our families and communities
• Honor―how a warrior can retain personal integrity and self-respect even when they have participated in a war they don’t believe in.
• Forgiveness, reconciliation, and atonement―ways for warriors to close the circle and begin healing what was destroyed.
“This is not a hopeless situation,” states Dr. Tick. “Lifelong suffering after war is not inevitable if we understand war’s impact on the heart and soul, both for ourselves and our culture.” For veterans and those who wish to support them, Warrior’s Return offers step-by-step guidance for initiating our transformed warriors into valued members of our community―with an essential map for the hero’s journey home.
