Main description:

This book explores how to utilize Buddhism in psychotherapy and how Buddhism itself acts as a form of psychotherapy, using Buddhism practices as a lens for universal truth and wisdom rather than as aspects of a religion. Based on the author's over 30 years of study and practice with early Buddhism and his experiences of Buddhism with his patients, the book outlines a new form of psychotherapy incorporating three Buddhist principles: the properties of the body and mind, the principle of world's movement, and living with wisdom. This technique provides a unique perspective on mental health and offers new approaches for clinicians and researchers to effectively addressing mental health and well-being.

Contents:

Chapter 1 - What is Buddhist Psychotherapy?

The First Act of Buddhist Psychotherapy

The Second Act of Buddhist Psychotherapy

The Essence of Psychotherapy

Buddhism is a Very Complete Psychotherapy

Buddhist Psychotherapy is Wisdom-therapy

The Three Ways Suffering Arises

Why We Need to Understand the Cognitive Process

The Buddha's Analysis of and Solution for Anxiety

The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path Seen from the Perspective of Buddhist Psychotherapy

How Would the Buddha Have Provided Treatment?

The Three Principles of Buddhist Psychotherapy

Chapter 2 - The First Principle of Buddhist Psychotherapy: The Properties of the Body and Mind

Where Does Suffering Come From?

Knowing the Properties of the Body and Mind through Mindful Observation

Properties of the Body

Properties of the mind

Wise Attention and Unwise Attention

Past, Present, Future

The Principles of Making Paths in the Mind

The Body and Mind Are Not Ours

How to Prevent the Mind from Suffering When the Body Suffers

How to Prevent the Mind from Suffering Again When the Mind Suffers

The changes that come from knowing that the body and mind are not ours

Properties of thought

Creating a system of a mind without anger

What causes thoughts?

We can control our desires if we control our thoughts

Meditation is dwelling in the present

Ways to control the mind

The nature of regret

True introspection

Properties of will

The correct understanding of will

A scientific experiment on free will

How do we deal with will in psychotherapy?

Creating a system of quitting alcohol addiction

Chapter 3 - The Second Principle of Buddhist Psychotherapy: The Principles of the World's Movement

The reason why life is bound to be suffering

The composition of the world

Interactions between ourselves and things that are not alive

Interactions between ourselves and others

The image of ourselves in others determines our lives

Finding good in ourselves and in others

The Buddha's teachings on good in ourselves and in others

Five things we should prepare for when talking

Practicing empathy

The neurobiology of empathy

The Way of Unifying People's Minds

Four ways to cultivate a broad mind

Chapter 4 - The Third Principle of Buddhist Psychotherapy: Living with Wisdom

Contentment is the gift of wisdom

Three obstacles that prevent us from seeing reality

Focusing on the present

Three things that poison the mind

The importance of seeing clearly

A Beautiful Mind

Training to see reality

The Buddha's step-by-step instructions

Conditional freedom and happiness vs. unconditional freedom and happiness

Obtaining unconditional freedom and happiness: concerning physical health

Obtaining unconditional freedom and happiness: concerning money

Obtaining unconditional freedom and happiness: freeing ourselves from comparing

Living wisely: seventeen paths leading to good mental health

Chapter 5 - Understanding People with Mental Problems

How do we establish relationships?

Relaxed intervention

Special relationships placed on top of normal relationships

The therapist's state of mind during the first session

The first required task during the first session

The second required task during the first session

Dreams

Analyzing past treatments

Drug treatment and other considerations

Chapter 6 - Methods of Buddhist Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy

Drug treatment

Meditation and practice

Sleeping well

Dealing with bodily and mental pain

Escaping from obsessive-compulsive disorder

Final words