Buddhism Research Center

Once the client has accepted the concept of mortality then they need a set of principals in which to change their frame of reference that they hold now to one that would give them a more settled and fulfilling existence in their lives whether they live for one more day or many years to come. This is where a Buddhist outlook can help them to focus on a way of life that might bring them peace, joy and enlightenment. It is not the therapist’s place to convert the client to a Buddhist belief system or to insist on some wisdom that the client should attain in order to live as the Buddha lived in poverty and denial. It is based on an adult to adult conversation about the principals of Buddhism to see if the client can understand the benefits to themselves by adapting these ideas to their own philosophy of life. We live in a world where we all have to work, pay rent or mortgages, buy food, shelter and clothing. We cannot as the real Buddha wonder the world freely and experience a life of tranquility and denial. A sense of realism has to pervade our thinking in that we can live perhaps a better overall quality of life by being less selfish, less materialistic and more giving. In order to do this the therapist and client work together to discuss the Buddhist principals and their outlook on life and how they could perhaps use the wisdom in their current lives to give some focus to the everyday problems they face. This could include the meaning of the word, success, the purpose of ownership, why we gather material objects about us and many other issues of modern life. The media talk about lifestyles that we should all want to achieve that somehow we will feel better, live better and have more fulfilled lives if we own an I pad or the latest plasma television? Materialism is of course the driving force behind capitalism and the circulation of money and wealth. We buy in order to create a society in which work plays a central role in our being. When young we strive to earn enough to create and live the lifestyle the media would have us believe is necessary to our well-being and happiness. However the great majority of mental breakdowns concern the pursuit of material possessions through over- work and unobtainable expectations for success and money.

It is not the purpose of this paper to convince therapists to become philosophers or spiritual guides but instead to awaken those to the aspect of the wisdom of many of the Buddhist principals that can help guide a client to a more enlightened lifestyle that can encompass modern reality and pressures. To enable some insight above the normal clinical aspects of treatment to the mentally challenged individual who cannot understand that life is a mortal thing, that time is limited and that while we exist we should endeavor to make the most of that time in being the best person we can. Many therapists and counselors came to this profession with a belief that they wanted to help people in trouble to overcome their problems and lead a more happy life. If all you are interested in is a successful outcome to a therapeutic relationship in which the client solves the one issue they came to see you for – then perhaps you are only doing half a job? Giving the client a set of ideas in which to guide their entire lives is a genuine open caring attitude that Buddha would have seen as a reason to work in this profession. As a caring, empathetic human being who cares about the client long after they have left your office.