Mindfulness-based therapy is founded on the skill of observing our own mind. Mindfulness Therapy and Buddhist Psychology assert that learning to watch our own mind produces insight and clarity and results in less suffering.
The untrained mind is like a wild animal: powerful, unruly, and full of energy. If we let it run wild, it swings wildly between cravings (feelings, sensations, relationships, etc.) and aversions (pain, work, etc.). As our desires and aversions increase, so does our suffering.
Buddhism asserts that pain is inevitable in life, but how we respond to pain determines how much we suffer. Do we amplify our pain by trying to avoid it? Or can we gradually learn to tolerate the discomfort intrinsic to life and live meaningfully and and compassionately?
Mindfulness means observation of our own mind and body. There are countless ways to build this skill, but a meditation on the breath or body sensation is the most common way. While it sounds simple to observe the breath, it doesn't prove easy to execute for a period greater than a few seconds. We learn, by sitting quietly with ourselves, that our minds are tremendously active even when we don't want them to be. It becomes clear how thoughts become feelings and vice versa. These thoughts and feelings then become actions that become lifestyle choices, which then become our lives. Mindfulness-based therapy attempts to give us some more awareness and control over the lives we'd like to lead.
Buddhist psychology is also, fundamentally, a systems theory that is rooted in collectivism. Meaning we cannot separate ourselves from the intricate web of people and entities that constitute our modern lives. Western psychology often asserts the individual's free will is the most important factor in terms of personal happiness and understanding. But Buddhist psychology asserts the importance of understanding how our own choices, actions, words, etc., affect others and, in turn, affect our own happiness. It asserts that we must personally gain control or understanding of our own mind if we hope to be happy and not harm others. It is also psychology rooted in morality, that depending on the particular branch, believes in some tenets like non-harm (i.e., no killing, lying, stealing, or eating meat) and non-intoxication. From a more religious view, these foundational morals are the starting point for the exploration of our own minds. While these tenets are not essential to utilizing a mindfulness-based approach, they help us understand the theory's roots.
In terms of therapy, a mindfulness approach asks us to start our happiness and liberation goals by gently observing our own mind and learning what is true about ourselves.
The untrained mind is like a wild animal: powerful, unruly, and full of energy. If we let it run wild, it swings wildly between cravings (feelings, sensations, relationships, etc.) and aversions (pain, work, etc.). As our desires and aversions increase, so does our suffering.
Buddhism asserts that pain is inevitable in life, but how we respond to pain determines how much we suffer. Do we amplify our pain by trying to avoid it? Or can we gradually learn to tolerate the discomfort intrinsic to life and live meaningfully and and compassionately?
Mindfulness means observation of our own mind and body. There are countless ways to build this skill, but a meditation on the breath or body sensation is the most common way. While it sounds simple to observe the breath, it doesn't prove easy to execute for a period greater than a few seconds. We learn, by sitting quietly with ourselves, that our minds are tremendously active even when we don't want them to be. It becomes clear how thoughts become feelings and vice versa. These thoughts and feelings then become actions that become lifestyle choices, which then become our lives. Mindfulness-based therapy attempts to give us some more awareness and control over the lives we'd like to lead.
Buddhist psychology is also, fundamentally, a systems theory that is rooted in collectivism. Meaning we cannot separate ourselves from the intricate web of people and entities that constitute our modern lives. Western psychology often asserts the individual's free will is the most important factor in terms of personal happiness and understanding. But Buddhist psychology asserts the importance of understanding how our own choices, actions, words, etc., affect others and, in turn, affect our own happiness. It asserts that we must personally gain control or understanding of our own mind if we hope to be happy and not harm others. It is also psychology rooted in morality, that depending on the particular branch, believes in some tenets like non-harm (i.e., no killing, lying, stealing, or eating meat) and non-intoxication. From a more religious view, these foundational morals are the starting point for the exploration of our own minds. While these tenets are not essential to utilizing a mindfulness-based approach, they help us understand the theory's roots.
In terms of therapy, a mindfulness approach asks us to start our happiness and liberation goals by gently observing our own mind and learning what is true about ourselves.