Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Mindfulness is a discipline that trains a person to be aware of the present moment and his or her place in that moment. It has a focus on the awareness which processes the mental and emotional responses of that person's consciousness. Mindfulness is often associated with Buddhist meditation.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that undertakes to change behaviour by understanding and modifying the thinking behind that particular behaviour.

What happens when Mindfulness is combined with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to form a new form of psychotherapy called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MB-CBT)?

Actually I was not surprised at this merger because Buddhism recently has become very closely involved with neuroscience.

I find this article interesting

The ‘third wave’ of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Can it be integrated into a Christian context?
By Sarah Plum and Paul Hebblethwaite

The aim of the article is to look at the possibility using Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy as a tool for treating depression and some forms of anxiety and how this may be compatible with Biblical teaching. We appreciate that some individuals may find this technique not compatible with their Christian faith, but we are not asking or expecting individuals to change their fundamental Christian beliefs or to participate in any practice that would contradict their faith but rather to look at how this tool can be used for the benefit of their clients. This article should be useful even to those that could not embrace this technique as it will at least give some useful insight.

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Buddhism in a Global Age of Technology

A distinguished scholar of Buddhism, Lewis Lancaster founded the Electronic Cultural Atlas Initiative to use the latest computer technology to map the spread of various strands of Buddhism from the distant past to the present. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion & Society"

Vesak Day

Wishing all my Buddhist readers an enlightening Vesak Day.

picture source

Confucianism and Traditional Chinese Religion

The Buddhist Hippocratic Oath

"One who cares for the sick is fit to do so if he has 5 qualities.

What 5?

He can prepare medicine,he knows what is healing and administers it BUT never administer what is harmful,he cares for the patient out of love NOT out of desire for gain, he is unmoved by excrement, urine, vomit and spittle, and from time to time he can instruct, uplift, gladden and encourage the patient with talk on the Truth."

The Buddha in Anguttara Nikaya

HT: Punna

Three Laughing Men by the Tiger Stream

Song painting in the Litang style illustrating the theme "confucianism, taoism and buddhism are one". Depicts taoist Lu Xiujing (left), official Tao Hongjing (right) and buddhist monk Huiyuan (center, founder of Pure Land) by the Tiger stream. The stream borders a zone infested by tigers that they just crossed without fear, engrossed as they were in their discussion. Realising what they just did, they laugh together, hence the name of the picture,Three laughing men by the Tiger stream.

Source: from www.npm.gov.tw

Notes on Understanding Buddhism

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3D Dialogue: Falun Gong Part 1

Jesse Hirsh host of 3D Dialogue interviews Joel Chipkar of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada about the spiritual movement that originated in China called Falun Dafa or Falun Gong

3D Dialogue: Zen and Western Society

Jesse Hirsh host of 3D Dialogue interviews Sensei Taigen Henderson from the Toronto Zen Centre regarding Zen Buddhism and how to integrate eastern spirituality with life in western society.

Buddhism in a Global Age of Technology

Burke Lecture by Lewis Lancaster at University of California Berkeley

A distinguished scholar of Buddhism, Lewis Lancaster founded the Electronic Cultural Atlas Initiative to use the latest computer technology to map the spread of various strands of Buddhism from the distant past to the present. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion & Society" [6/2008]

Vesak Day

Vesak Day, the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, is the most important annual event for the Buddhist community. It commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Final Nirvana of the Buddha. The meaning of Vesak lies with the Buddha’s universal peace message to humankind. It has become a festival for rejoicing and goodwill to all – and a moment to reflect on our spiritual development and gratitude towards everyone

On Vesak day, some buddhists observe the Eight Precepts, while others may join the communal observances by going through the ceremony of taking the Threefold Refuge (in the Buddha, Dharma- the Buddha’s Teachings and Sangha-the community of monks and nuns), observing the Five Precepts of respect for life (not to kill); respect for personal property (not to steal); respect for personal relationships (not to indulge in the senses); respect for truth (not to lie); and respect for mental and physical well-being (not to take intoxicants); making offerings at shrines and chanting of sutras. They may also participate in processions and circumambulation, and listen to sermons of the Buddha’s Teachings.

Many Buddhists also take vegetarian meals on this day as they recall the teaching of universal Compassion. This is a day when temples are colourfully decorated with Buddhist flags and lights, and shrines filled with flowers, fruits and other offerings.

卫塞节的意义

卫塞节, 农历四月十五的月圆之日, 是佛教团体每年最重要的一个节日。它纪念了佛陀出生、悟道及涅槃的三件大事。这天世界各地数以万计的佛教徒都会庆祝这个节日。卫塞的意义在于佛陀传达给全人类普遍性的和平讯息。这是一个让大家喜悦及互相祝福的美好节日，也是我们检讨自己在灵修上的进展与感恩大众的日子。

对于一些佛教徒而言，卫塞节的庆祝仪式始于早上到佛寺去受八关斋戒。有些信徒可能会集体接受三皈依 (皈依佛、法及僧)、受五戒 (尊重生命即断杀、护生；尊重个人的产业即不偷盗、乐于施舍；尊重人际的关系即不邪淫 、知足；尊重真相即不妄语、诚实; 尊重精神及身体的良好状态即不服用麻醉品)、供养三宝及诵念经文，他们也可能参加绕佛仪式并听闻佛法。
许多佛教徒也会在当天忆念广大的慈悲而持素戒杀。在卫塞节这一天，寺院挂上佛旗，张灯结彩，佛龛上摆放琳琅满目的鲜花、水果及其他供品。


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The Idiot

SOMEONE CALLS YOU AN IDIOT. Then you start thinking, "How can they call me an idiot? They've got no right to call me an idiot! How rude to call me an idiot! I'll get them back for calling me an idiot." And you suddenly realize that you have just let them call you an idiot another four times.

Every time you remember what they said, you allow them to call you an idiot again. Therein lies the problem.

If someone calls you an idiot and you immediately let go, then it doesn't bother you. There is the solution.

Why allow other people to control your happiness?

Ajahn Brahm has a degree in theoretical physics. Disillusioned, he went to the jungles of Thailand and studied under the highly esteemed meditation master Ajahn Chah. A monk for over thirty years, Ajahn Brahm is a revered spiritual guide and abbot of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the southern hemisphere.

I have also enjoyed his speeches and his writings. Though we differ in some fundamental truths, I find that there is much he can teach me to be a better Christian.

sel deo gloria