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In For A Penny, In For A Pound
AllbuddhaBound
Veteran
Is Buddhism a concept that demands you go the whole distance or forget it? What would Buddha feel if he knew his thoughts and beliefs were being used piece-meal in Psychology without as much adherence to spirituality as it is for healing?
Concepts that Buddha taught such as mindfulness, acceptance and overcoming attachment are key strategies in Psychology nowadays and I just wonder how Buddha would have looked at that.
For myself, the path towards Buddhism has been through Psychology. Buddhist thought and practices have been utilized to the benefit of many people who are not Buddhists at all. My belief is that any path that takes one towards enlightenment, would be met with approval by Buddha but I get the feeling, this path through Psychology isn't always met with approval by Buddhists.
Concepts that Buddha taught such as mindfulness, acceptance and overcoming attachment are key strategies in Psychology nowadays and I just wonder how Buddha would have looked at that.
For myself, the path towards Buddhism has been through Psychology. Buddhist thought and practices have been utilized to the benefit of many people who are not Buddhists at all. My belief is that any path that takes one towards enlightenment, would be met with approval by Buddha but I get the feeling, this path through Psychology isn't always met with approval by Buddhists.
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Comments
True, the psychologists' adoption of mindfulness, acceptance and overcoming attachment are used for healing. But isn't the dharma also used for healing ... just at a deeper level than psychology?
So I see that modern psychology helps us on the path to enlightenment ... and that is better than no steps in that direction, I think. And while a psychologist's client may not be interested in taking Precepts or following the Eightfold Noble Path, a happier person tends to be a more generous and kindly person and thereby comes closer to those ideals than one who is angry or unhappy. Probably some psyc. clients do a better job at being Buddhists than many Buddhists!
I think there is room in Buddhism for all levels of participation ... it's all good, as they say.
Besides, I don't think the Dharma Police or KBG (Karma Boys'll Getya) are going to pick up people up for Incomplete Practice.