An Introduction to Buddhist Psychology and Counselling. Pathways of Mindfulness-Based Therapies (Paperback)

Description

This book, now in its fifth edition, provides a comprehensive introduction to Buddhist psychology and counselling, exploring key concepts in psychology and practical applications in mindfulness-based counselling techniques. This integrated study uses Buddhist philosophy of mind, psychology, ethics and contemplative methods to focus on the 'emotional rhythm of our lives', opening up new avenues for mental health.

De Silva presents a range of management techniques for mental health issues including stress, anger, depression, addictions and grief. He moves beyond the restriction of mental health issues to 'damage control', instead encouraging personal growth and positive emotions of compassion, forgiveness, generosity, equanimity and, ultimately, emotional balance.

This book blends Western psychology and philosophy and ancient wisdom and contemporary thought to provide a key contribution to cognitive sciences, emotion studies, moral psychology and psychotherapy counselling. This new edition contains nine new chapters and an additional second part which focuses on counselling and mindfulness-based techniques in therapy.

Contents

Author's Preface

PART I
1. Buddhist Psychology and The Revolution in Cognitive Sciences
2. Basic Features of Buddhist Psychology: An Overview
3. The Psychology of Perception and Cognition
4. Psychology of Motivation
5. Emotions: Western Theoretical Orientations and Buddhism
6. Personality: Philosophical and Psychological Issues
7. Mental Health and Sickness
8. Mental-Wellbeing
9. Body-Mind Problem: Buddhist Contextualism
10. Towards A Holistic Psychology, Blending Thinking & Feeling
11. Buddhism as Contemplative Philosophy, Psychology and Ethics

PART II
12. Nature of Counselling
13. Mindfulness-Based Therapeutic Orientations
14. Exploring the Content and Methodology of Buddhist Meditation
15. Stress Management
16. Sadness
17. Grief
18. Anger Management
19. Addictions
20. Pride and Conceit: Emotions of Self-Assessment
21. Greed, Generosity and Altruism
Chapter References & Footnotes
Glossary of Buddhist Concepts in Pali
Questions for the Class Room
Index

Authors

Padmasiri de Silva has a PhD in East-West Comparative Philosophy and an Advanced Diploma in Counselling. He is currently Adjunct Research Associate at Monash University, Australia and has been Visiting Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, USA, NUS Singapore and University of Waikato, New Zealand. His publications include Buddhist and Freudian Psychology,Buddhism Ethics and Society, Environmental Philosophy of Buddhism, Mindfulness-Based Counselling.