Mindfulness-based Emotion Focused Counselling

This book examines the use of Buddhist ideas, particularly mindfulness, to manage a broad spectrum of emotions and to address social and economic issues impacting the world, such as climate change. Beginning with a brief history of emotion studies, it highlights how recent developments in neuroscience and cognitive science have paved the way for exploring the utility of Buddhist concepts in addressing various psychological and social problems in the world.

It profiles a wide range of emotions from Western and Buddhist perspectives including anger, sadness, depression, pride, and compassion, and analyses the integration of Buddhist ideas into modern clinical practice. Finally, the author demonstrates the utility of mindfulness in the regulation of emotions in various settings, including psychiatric clinics, schools, and businesses. Anchored in the Buddhist tradition this book this book provides a unique resource for students and scholars of counselling, psychotherapy, clinical psychology and philosophy.

Part I: Architecture of Mind, Body and Emotions

1. Introduction

2. Emotion Profiles: Anger

3. Embodied Cognition and Emotion: Somatic Intelligence

4. The Buddhist Architecture of the Mind

5. Somatogenic versus Ideogenic Theories of Emotions: James, Darwin and Freud     

Part II: Practical Issues in Counselling

6. The Human Dimensions of Buddhist Counselling

7. The Elegance of Being Your Own Therapist

8. Counselling for Depression

9. Stress Management

10. Pain Management and Trauma     

Part III: Emotional Life

12. Fear and Anxiety

13. Destructive Emotions

Padmasiri de Silva is Adjunct Research Associate at Monash University, Australia. His previous works include: An Introduction to Buddhist Psychology and Counselling (2014), Emotions and the Body in Buddhist Contemplative Practice and Mindfulness-Based Therapy (2017), The Psychology of Buddhism in Conflict Studies (2017) and The Psychology of Emotions and Humour in Buddhism (2018).