Hmmm. Hmm hm. I think quite a lot could be written about this, but although there are definitely some areas of overlap such as in transpersonal psychology I would say they are largely separate. Psychology has large areas dedicated to the dysfunction of mind, in for example clinical psychology, and areas like developmental psychology which don’t really fit into a spiritual worldview.
I think the person who most clearly hinted at the connection between the two was Abraham Maslow and his hierarchy of needs. A lot of psychology is aimed at the mind in the lower levels of that hierarchy, where people are concerned with survival or the social paradigms. Spirituality is the very peak, the highest level of realisation in the hierarchy.
So while they exist on the same spectrum, and to a certain extent influence each other, the understanding of one is not necessary for a good knowledge of the other. Large (and old) religions such as Christianity and Islam which account for the majority of the world population have no interest in psychology. However leading alternative figures such as Osho and Jiddu Krishnamurti are interested in the boundary line, there were a lot of psychologists and psychotherapists who came to the Osho commune early on in the 1970’s to work with him and do experimental groups.
As @how pointed out, both disciplines are concerned with suffering and helping those who suffer. You see that in psychotherapy as well as in spiritual books such as Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now which is basically a self-help manual for transcending suffering modalities of mind.
Spirituality goes into metaphysics and esoteric realms which psychology doesn’t really partake of, it has for example a view of the collective unconscious which includes astral realms where people can journey, which is more the domain of shamans and gods than that of psychologists with notepads and spectacles.
Jeroen
Both focus on the mind, and both are important tools, and can and do work well together...one just provides the means to delve a little deeper ...
Gay Watson's "The Dialogue Between Buddhism, Psychotherapy and the Mind Sciences" blends the two...
" Buddhism has always been concerned with feelings, emotions, sensations, and cognition. The Buddha points both to cognitive and emotional causes of suffering. The emotional cause is desire and its negative opposite, aversion. The cognitive cause is ignorance of the way things truly occur, or of three marks of existence: that all things are unsatisfactory, impermanent, and without essential self.
The noble eightfold path is, from this psychological viewpoint, an attempt to change patterns of thought and behavior. It is for this reason that the first element of the path is right understanding (sammā-diṭṭhi), which is how one's mind views the world. Under the wisdom (paññā) subdivision of the noble eightfold path, this worldview is intimately connected with the second element, right thought (sammā-saṅkappa), which concerns the patterns of thought and intention that controls one's actions. These elements can be seen at work, for example, in the opening verses of the Dhammapada: The noble eightfold path is also the fourth noble truth.
"All experience is preceded by mind/perception,
Led by mind,
Made by mind.
Speak or act with a corrupted mind,
And suffering follows
As the wagon wheel follows the hoof of the ox!
All experience is preceded by mind/perception,
Led by mind,
Made by mind.
Speak or act with a peaceful mind,
And happiness follows
Like a never-departing shadow!"Thus, by altering one's distorted worldview, bringing out "tranquil perception" in the place of "perception polluted", one is able to ease suffering. Watson points this out from a psychological standpoint:
Research has shown that repeated action, learning, and memory can actually change the nervous system physically, altering both synaptic strength and connections. Such changes may be brought about by cultivated change in emotion and action; they will, in turn, change subsequent experience !"
Shoshin1
I definitely tie Buddhism and Psychology together…but that’s bec I consider myself secular and don’t really dabble on the spiritual side of the shore.
Vastmind
Never Again means Never Again FOR ALL; have we not learned the lessons?
Why is this not screamingly self evident to all?
I tend to lump these two together, in the sense of a psycho-spiritual framework. But maybe there is some distinction of importance that my point of view misses?
My initial thought was maybe some sort of transcendence, but psychology does talk about that. Though it is still fairly unexplored. I don't think my technical knowledge of the two is sufficient to really play around with the comparisons.
Do others either separate or tie the two together in some way?
person
I think the two terms have both overlap and distinctions from each other.
I tend to use the word "psychology" when there is a specific focus on a controlling of one's mental and emotional factors. Psychology is goal-oriented.
I reserve the word "spirituality" for when a transcendence of the limitations of those factors is the focus. Spirituality points to the goal of goalessness.
Psychology can soften much of suffering's cause but ultimately remains hobbled by attachments to its processes.
Spirituality offers a path towards suffering's cessation through a steadfast addressing of all attachments.
how
Macklemore "Hind's Hall" ( The song's title is a reference to pro-Palestinian activists' renaming of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University to "Hind's Hall" in honour of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed along with six family members and two paramedics by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip)
Shoshin1
I just went on vacation in the Colorado Rockies and got above the tree line a couple times. It got me rethinking a bit.
If you find yourself living in such a harsh environment then you probably should be more like lichen. Therefore if you find yourself living in an ideal environment the goal maybe should be more to be like an orchid.
The metaphor breaks down somewhat as human beings and their environments move and change throughout life. So I guess I'd say strive to find a healthy balance between beauty and resilience depending on the environment you find yourself in.
person
While reading in The Power of Now I came across a chapter on surrender, which hit me quite hard. Basically it said that it makes no sense to argue with the world, but instead one should live in an inner state of surrender. There is no need to judge, to desire, to inwardly argue with the world. All of that just causes pain and resistance and discomfort. It is much better to accept reality as it is on all the levels of the mind.
That doesn’t mean we should not do anything to change it. The outward world can be affected by us, and there is no point in not using suntan lotion when the sun is burning fiercely. We still have choices in the world. It is an inward stance, a way of inner being that leads to a measure of grace. It opens us up to being in harmony with existence, because we no longer create a mind and emotions of resisting life or the world.
For me this made a lot of sense. It goes against the ego, which wishes to be proud and strive and win, but it is the way of not objecting to that which is.
Jeroen
I don’t begin to speak for the art director/or the creative minds behind such a huge show..or the French people, but I’ve never known the Olympics to be about representing the “ordinary” people. It’s usually about the overcoming of obstacles, cheering for the under dogs, and the grit and grind of being a life long athlete …….and to have a very few days where the whole world comes together to hang out, flex, show their skills, ……..and the rest of us unite in watching it and cheering and feeling a little patriotic at how innocent it all seems.
Fewer than 80% of the world’s entire population participates in that spectacle. It’s ok to be the minority once in awhile. You must not be used to that feeling. It can be very uncomfortable.
I’m in the camp (no pun intended) of diversity is always a good thing. I personally liked all the different art references and it was a Theatre show for sure!
I’m watching every event on my streaming service. I’m locked in, baby.
Not to mention, I’m also following several athletes on social media and they are sharing their experiences at the village.
Vastmind