Buddhism and Psychotherapy: The Role of Self-Control Strategies

Buddhism and Psychotherapy: The Role of Self-Control Strategiesby Padmal de Silva AbstractThis paper discusses an aspect of Buddhism that has clear relevance to present-day psychotherapy. The focus is on Early or "Theravaada" Buddhism. Buddhism stresses self-development, and offers many strategies for achieving changes in behaviour and emotional reactions. These strategies have relevance to psychotherapy, where the remediation of disordered or maladaptive behaviour/emotions is one of the primary aims. It is argued that these Buddhist strategies represent a therapeutic model which treats the person as his/her agent of change, rather...

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Scientist inspired by Dalai Lama studies happiness

After hearing about his cutting-edge research on the brain and emotions through mutual friends, the Dalai Lama invited Richard Davidson to his home in India in 1992 to pose a question. Scientists often study depression, anxiety and fear, but why not devote your work to the causes of positive human qualities like happiness and compassion? the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader asked. "I couldn’t give him a good answer," recalled Davidson, a University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientist.Since then, Davidson has become a partner in the Dalai Lama’s attempts to build a connection between Buddhism and western science. This weekend, the Dalai Lama will...

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