Calamus Extension
College Ltd / Calamus International University
main website: www.unicalamus.org
COURSE UNIT DESCRIPTION LIBRARY
use the "back" arrow in your
browser to return to list of course
units
Main Course Unit Index
Please quote both the full unit number and unit title in all queries.
Unit number: CSP
406
Unit title: New
Interpretations of Buddhist Psychology
Credit value: 3 credits
Description: This unit provides an opportunity to study an important book by psychotherapist and Buddhist practitioner David Brazier. Drawing from his experience as a therapist and his long practice of and intellectual study of Buddhism, Brazier radically reinterprets the basic early teachings of the Buddha, demystifying their concepts and making them more accessible for the ordinary person as a guide to living a fulfilling life. In this presentation of fundamental Buddhist teaching, the key to equilibrium is to find a way of positively using the energy unleashed by personal suffering. The traditional meanings of karma, rebirth and enlightenment in Buddhist thought are challenged. Karma and rebirth become optional beliefs, which may or may not be true and which each person may or may not agree with. Enlightenment becomes not something difficult and needing countless lifetimes to escape, but an accessible and easy-to-understand change of outlook. Integration with life and community, rather than asceticism and self-denial, are seen as essential components of this Buddhism for today. For transpersonal psychology, this presentation of Buddhist thought formulates “a psychology of character, adversity and passion” which can influence psychotherapeutic practice.
Key textbook: Brazier, David. The Feeling Buddha: A Buddhist Psychology of Character, Adversity and Passion. London: Constable, 1997.
Comments:
Amendments may be made to the details and provision of units at any time.
|
UK
DISTANCE LEARNING CERTIFICATES/DIPLOMAS in
|
Copyright © Calamus Extension College Ltd/ Calamus International University. All rights reserved. Must not be reproduced without permission.