Buddhism and Psychotherapy

College Emmanuel College
Instructor(s)
Course Code EMP2015HF
Semester First Semester
Section 9101
Online Yes
Credits One Credit
Location Online – Synchronous
Description

In recent years a voluminous literature has appeared that has examined the numerous commonalities between western psychotherapy and counselling and Buddhism. This has been possible because Buddhism, in addition to its religious aspects, can also be described as a philosophy and psychology of transformation. The Buddhist teachings are replete with analyses of human behavior, emotion, cognition, interpersonal and psychological functioning that closely resemble the models of human behavior and mental illness that have emerged in western culture. In this comparative course the convergence between Buddhism and the major systems of psychotherapy will be surveyed. Specifically, the key features of psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, existential-humanistic, emotion-focused, mindfulness-based interventions, and the emerging field of positive psychology will each first be described. Convergences and divergences with the key elements of Buddhist psychology as described in the teachings on skillful living (i.e., the 8-fold path), harmful emotional states (i.e., the 5 nivaranas), the psychophysical nature of the self (i.e., the 5 skandhas), psychological causality (i.e., dependent origination), and the analysis of the human condition (i.e. the 4 Noble Truths) will be underscored. Students will critically study the key representative texts for each form of psychotherapy and the major Buddhist sutras/teachings that elaborate the Buddha's psychology with the goal of evaluating how the study of Buddhist psychology may enhance our understanding of emotional suffering and its alleviation.

Schedule Mon
Start & End Date May 2, 2022 - Jun 27, 2022
Start Time 17:00
End Time 21:00
Hours Per Week Intensive
Minimum Enrolment 10
Maximum Enrolment 30
Enrolment Notes

Last day to register: April 15; last day to pay: April 29; last day to drop: May 11

Schedule Notes

<p>Full attendance is mandatory.</p>

Teaching Method
Seminars
Means of Evaluation
Class Participation
Research Paper
Previously Offered Summer 2019
Currently Offered Summer 2022