Buddhism and

Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy
Presented By Dolly Gupta.
CUSB2307112006.
 Buddhism originated
2,500 years ago in
India. Buddhists believe
that the human life is
“Offend in one of suffering, and
neither word
nor deed.” that meditation, spiritual
and physical labour, and
DSNM
good behaviour are the
ways to achieve
enlightenment,
VISA or nirvana.
LEMC
According to James, Buddhism was the “psychology everybody will be studying 25 years from now.” James’s prediction was
accurate, though he placed the current Buddhist-informed revolution in Western psychology 100 or so years too early.
How Buddhism Benefits Mental Health

“Buddhism is known as the science of the mind,”

The practice of Buddhism puts the individual in the role of “scientist,”
running experiments on their own mind to see what works for them. The
idea is that through this process (known as mental training), a person can
achieve inner peace. And according to Buddhist doctrine, happiness
comes from inner peace.
 -Aron Beck

CBT focuses on how people’s thinking patterns affect their emotions and behaviours. By changing these
patterns, people can become better able to manage their emotions and alter their behaviours, and they can
learn to deal more realistically and effectively with the problems and stresses in their lives.
In 2000s CBT introduced approaches like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) (Zindel Segal,
Mark Williams, and John Teasdale) incorporated mindfulness and acceptance strategies, expanding the
therapeutic toolkit.
Buddhism and Psychotherapy.
BUDDHISM AND
PSYCHOTHERAPY.
The main goal of mindfulness meditation is enlightenment but because a by-
product of the practice is improvement in the psychological health of
The main goal of mindfulness meditation is enlightenment, but
the meditator, such meditation has been considered useful in psychotherapy.
because a by-product of the practice is improvement in the psychological health of
themeditator,
the use of mindfulness meditation
such meditation has beenhas at its aim
considered the alleviation
useful of psychological
in psychotherapy,
distress in the person as compared to its use in Buddhist.
• Negative automatic thoughts are challenged. And overcome by techniques
such as reasoning.
Psychotherapeutic applications of Buddhist mindfulness practice aim to regulate
attention, develop an attitude of tolerance toward negative affect, and to reduce
behavioural avoidance
Buddhism and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy.
The integration of Buddhism and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) involves combining principles from
Buddhist philosophy, particularly mindfulness and compassion, with the cognitive and behavioural techniques
employed in CBT. Both approaches share common ground in addressing mental suffering and promoting well-
being.
Some common practices:
• Mindfulness: central concept in Buddhism and CBT as it helps individuals observe and detach from negative
thought patterns.
• Cognitive Restructuring: understanding the nature of thoughts and recognizing their impermanence,
replacing them with more balanced and constructive thoughts.
• Impermanence and Change: recognizes the mutability of thoughts and emotions, encouraging individuals to
understand that negative states are not permanent and can be modified.
• Compassion and Self-Compassion: treating oneself with the same kindness as one would offer to a friend.
• Acceptance: A core principle in Buddhism, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) help individuals
accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to positive behavioural changes.
• Non-Attachment: individuals learn to detach emotionally from irrational beliefs or overly negative thoughts.
the integration of Buddhism and CBT involves drawing on the wisdom of Buddhist philosophy, particularly
mindfulness and compassion, to complement the cognitive and behavioural strategies employed in CBT. This
integration aims to provide a holistic approach to understanding and alleviating mental suffering.
Application of Buddhism and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

• Mindful Behaviour Implementation:

1. Buddhism: Integrates mindfulness into daily activities, promoting
intentional and conscious behaviour.
2. CBT: Encourages the implementation of mindful behaviour, where
individuals intentionally engage in positive actions and responses.
• Holistic Approach to Behaviour Modification:
1. Buddhism: Offers a holistic perspective, addressing the
interconnectedness of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
2. CBT: Takes a comprehensive approach by considering cognitive,
emotional, and behavioural components in the modification process.
This integrated approach recognizes the dynamic interplay between
thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, providing a robust framework for
effective and sustainable behaviour modification.
This case study explored the use of mindfulness meditation in psychotherapy for
a 21-year-old male named Namal, diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The
three-stage treatment included baseline assessment, mindfulness meditation and
cognitive therapy sessions, and follow-up. Namal showed improvement in mood,
concentration, social skills, and overall well-being, though some challenges with
handling unpleasant emotions were noted during follow-up sessions (Analayo,
2003; Greenberger & Padesky, 1995; Kabat-Zinn, 1990).
Conclusion:

The integration of Buddhism and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) offers a synergistic
approach to mental well-being. By combining Buddhist principles of mindfulness, impermanence,
compassion, and non-attachment with the cognitive and behavioural techniques of CBT, individuals
can cultivate a balanced perspective, enhance self-awareness, and promote positive behavioural
change. This fusion provides a holistic framework that acknowledges the importance of both
acceptance and active cognitive restructuring in the pursuit of mental health and inner peace.