Course

Introduction to Buddhist Psychotherapy Foundations

Ended Feb 25, 2022
20 credits

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Full course description

Course Description

Interest in mindfulness and use of meditation in psychotherapy has steadily increased over the past few decades.  Research on mindfulness and meditation has proven it to be efficacious in treatment of a variety of illnesses ranging from cancer to stress.  The theoretical basis from which mindfulness and meditation were derived have been either largely misunderstood or ignored.  These series provide exposure and knowledge of early Buddhism and its theory of mind, which is the theoretical bases of mindfulness and many of the 3rd waive treatment interventions.  Understanding the theoretical bases of mindfulness increases the range of useful techniques derived from Buddhism for psychotherapy. 

Participants will gain an understanding of theory of mind in early Buddhist teachings, be introduced to early Buddhist meditation practice and use many of early Buddhist practice techniques in psychotherapy. Method for each unit will start with a sutta from the Nikāya, followed by detailed exploration of the meaning of the sutta from the stance of Early Buddhism, and conclude with exploration of various applications to psychotherapy.

Course Dates:

  • Sessions #1 and #2   February 26, 2022  8:30 am – 12:30 pm PT
  • Sessions #3 and #4   March 12, 2022      8:30 am – 12:30 pm PT
  • Sessions #5 and #6   March 26, 2022      8:30 am – 12:30 pm PT
  • Sessions #7 and #8   April 9, 2022           8:30 am – 12:30 pm PT
  • Sessions #9 and #10 April 23, 2022         8:30 am – 12:30 pm PT
Content for each of the 10 workshops

#1: History and philosophical context of Buddhism

#2: Pali Nikāyas and the three marks of existence: impermanence/anicca, suffering/dukka and not-self/anattā

#3: dependent arising and impermanence/anicca

#4: suffering/dukkha, the First Noble Truth

#5: definition of person = nāmarūpa + consciousness

#6: construction of notion of self by way of the aggregates

#7: construction of self: 5 aggregates subject to clinging

#8: Meditation as directed in the Satipatthana sutta: deconstruction of the self

#9: Mind state – the 5 hinderances

#10: Kamma

Course Instructor