Humanistic Psychology, Buddhism & Health

1. Humanistic Psychology, Buddhism & Health Louis Hoffman, PhD Saybrook University

2. What is Humanistic Psychology? • Humanistic Psychology’s origins & foundation: • Concerns about the dominant approaches to psychology • Concerns about to focus only on pathology or what is wrong with people • Concerns about the reductionist approach (i.e., focusing on study parts instead of considering the whole) • Human Potential • Positive view of human nature – people, by nature, are basically good • Interested in study health, not just pathology or lack of health • How to help people grow and heal • Holistic Approach • Behaviorism and Psychoanalytic represent a part of the whole • Focus on the entire person: biology, social/cultural, experience, health and limitations, etc.

3. Humanistic Psychology, Healing & Growth • Emphasis on setting the optimal conditions for health • Rogers - therapy: • Genuineness/Authenticity/Congruence • Empathy/Compassion • Unconditional Positive Regard/Acceptance • Could expand to consider • Optimal social conditions • Creating a social environment in which people can feel safe and comfortable • Encouragement to seek one’s potential • Seeking health also helpful in treating the lack of health • Don’t just treat the symptom

4. Humanistic Psychology & Holistic Health • Consider social/cultural dimensions • Individual Aspects (subjectivity) • Spiritual dimensions (from the client’s perspective) • Behavioral • Can include meditation, mindfulness, etc. • Biological Aspects • But not just medicine – also exercise, diet, etc. • Integrative Treatments

5. Humanistic-Existential Psychology • Existential brings balance to the humanistic approach • Human Potential & Human Limitation • Potential for Good & Potential for Bad • Emphasizes that bad or uncomfortable emotions have their places as well • We all experience pain & suffering • Existential sees this as normal and works to transform our suffering so that we experience it differently • Existential adds the importance of facing the world honestly and being honest about the human condition

6. Humanistic Psychology & Effectiveness • In mental health, Rogers 3 conditions have been found to be important in successful therapy. • Other humanistic principles also important: • Therapy Alliance • Warmth/Presence • Concern • Experiencing Emotion • Experiential Therapy (active, engaged, relational) • Creating or discovering meaning • Also evidence these are important in medical side • Psychiatrist with better therapy relationships more effective • With placebo and actual medication • Bedside manner of medical doctors important in overall effectiveness in medical treatment • Likely can be applied to other setting as well, including education, social services, employment settings, etc. • In fact, humanistic psychology has been widely applied in business & organizational settings to try to increase efficiency, employee satisfaction, and work quality.

7. Humanistic Psychology, the Individual, & Culture • Humanistic Psychology has often focused on the individual • Maslow, in his original conceptions, was much more focused on the individual, particularly the individual’s concern and contributions to society • Gradually focused more on individuals • It is important for humanistic psychology to refocus on the larger culture in the future • Has begun to do this • Many important applications for society • Healthy individuals more likely to seek to contribute to society • Creating optimal conditions for growth and self-actualization in organizations & groups • Applications in education

8. Convergence Between Humanistic Psychology & Buddhism • We Cannot Avoid Suffering • Also, suffering & joy are generally connected; if we can’t experience suffering, difficult to experience true joy. • Suffering can be transformed so that we experience it differently • Experiential learning & knowledge • The Importance of Mindfulness & Awareness • Role of Compassion • Human Potential & Being Growth Oriented

9. Discussion • Webpages: • http://saybrook.academia.edu/LouisHoffman • http://www.saybrook.edu/academic-affairs/facultyprofiles/louis_hoffman Keynote given at Buddha from the Heart: Humanistic Psychology and Maitreya Culture Seminar, Fenghua, China, September, 2013