Buddhism and Psychology:Basics of Integration

Both Buddhism and psychology support the view that emotions strongly influence people's thoughts, words, and actions. Both help people to pursue transient pleasures and satisfaction. Buddhist believes in nurturing the happiness called "sukh" and relieving the humanity from sufferings (dukh). Buddhists believe that "sukh" can be achieved through training of mind. It rises from the attentional, emotional and cognitive balance of the mind. Buddhist does not advocate the suppression or repression of destructives states of mind but seek their origin and identify how they are experienced. Buddhism teaches how a person can transform and free himself from all afflictive states. In this process one learn to refine one's ability and introspectively monitor one's own mental activities. Such rigorous and sustained training in mindfulness and introspection help a person to cultivate attentional stability and vividness. All these practices of Buddhism bring it closer to psychology. Buddhism practices related to emotional life make three very distinct contributions to psychology. These issues have been ignored by many psychologists. Buddhist provides some practices that can help a person to report on his own internal practices and such practices might provide crucial data which is not possible through psychological techniques. Buddhism practices provide therapies not just for the disturbed, but for all who seek to improve the qualify of their lives.