Buddhist Psychology and its Integration into Modern Psychology
Buddhist Psychology and its Integration into Modern Psychotherapy
Cristina Michele Pina
Theories of Personality
Lynn University
Siddartha Guatma Buddha, an enlightened man who lived humbly centuries ago still lives today through his teachings. He has left a legacy of wisdom, peace and virtue that is still practiced today primarily in Eastern cultures. However there is an increasing influence of Buddhist philosophy in our Western culture today. Despite the perceived clash of cultures and ideologies, Eastern philosophy has been getting more recognition over the years. Recently Eastern practices such as Buddhism has made an impact in Western psychotherapy by integrating Buddhist philosophy and its core teachings such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eight-Fold Path and its central themes into psychotherapy and has proven to be successful in treating certain disorders and has also had a significant impact in grief counseling. The influence of Buddhist philosophy has even made certain therapies known today as “the Third Wave.” With the integration of these Eastern practices in Western psychotherapy even cognitive behavioral psychotherapy now emphasizes certain Buddhist philosophies despite the differences in their ideologies, which makes its impact even more significant. It is fascinating how these two distinct cultures and thought paradigms have made an alliance and together collaborate and help others. Buddhist psychology is now a growing paradigm in Western civilization that is getting more and more recognition each day.
In his paper I will discuss the History of Buddhism starting with Siddartha Guatma Buddha, his journey for truth that inevitably lead to the teachings still known and practiced today centuries later; and how his philosophy has been integrated into cognitive psychotherapy, a theory embedded by learned cognitions and ones culture, and how the two approaches have been integrated by some therapists
Cristina Michele Pina
Theories of Personality
Lynn University
Siddartha Guatma Buddha, an enlightened man who lived humbly centuries ago still lives today through his teachings. He has left a legacy of wisdom, peace and virtue that is still practiced today primarily in Eastern cultures. However there is an increasing influence of Buddhist philosophy in our Western culture today. Despite the perceived clash of cultures and ideologies, Eastern philosophy has been getting more recognition over the years. Recently Eastern practices such as Buddhism has made an impact in Western psychotherapy by integrating Buddhist philosophy and its core teachings such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eight-Fold Path and its central themes into psychotherapy and has proven to be successful in treating certain disorders and has also had a significant impact in grief counseling. The influence of Buddhist philosophy has even made certain therapies known today as “the Third Wave.” With the integration of these Eastern practices in Western psychotherapy even cognitive behavioral psychotherapy now emphasizes certain Buddhist philosophies despite the differences in their ideologies, which makes its impact even more significant. It is fascinating how these two distinct cultures and thought paradigms have made an alliance and together collaborate and help others. Buddhist psychology is now a growing paradigm in Western civilization that is getting more and more recognition each day.
In his paper I will discuss the History of Buddhism starting with Siddartha Guatma Buddha, his journey for truth that inevitably lead to the teachings still known and practiced today centuries later; and how his philosophy has been integrated into cognitive psychotherapy, a theory embedded by learned cognitions and ones culture, and how the two approaches have been integrated by some therapists
References: Boeree, G. (2004) Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. Personality Theories. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhapers.html Wada, K. & Park, J. (2009). Integrating Buddhist psychology into grief counseling. Death Studies, 33: 657-683 Dowd, T. & McCleery, A. (2007). Elements of Buddihist philosophy in cognitive psychotherapy: The rule of cultural specifics and universals Michalon, A. (2001). “Selflessness” in the service of the ego: contributions, limitations and dangers of Buddhist psychology for Western psychotherapy Chondron, T. (2001). Buddhism for beginners. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications. Schultz, D. & Schultz, S. (9th ed.). (2005). Theories of Personality. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.