Buddhist Foundations for Counseling I: Contemplative Views and Practices

Catalog description

Buddhist-Informed Counseling is based on the view of Brilliant Sanity or Buddha Nature, the idea that health is intrinsic and unconditional. This course presents teachings from Buddhist psychology on the mind in both sanity and confusion. In particular, we examine the mistaken notion of a solid, separate self as the foundation of suffering and misunderstanding. The importance of impermanence and transition is highlighted. We begin an exploration of how habitual patterns of mind may lead to addictive patterns of behavior. Meditation practice is introduced both as a method of self-care and of self-awareness and inquiry. Self-understanding is emphasized as the basis for ethical and helpful counseling relationships.