Co-Presented with Nicole Haubitz

Buddhist psychology supports basically four main tasks (efforts, skt. Vīrya) for mental growth: 1) to prevent the initial development of destructive mental states (which have not yet manifested in the psyche), 2) to abandon the destructive mental states that have already manifested, 3) to cultivate constructive mental states (initially create healthy mind resources), and 4) to maintain such constructive mental states (strengthen the healthy mind and subsequently build up resilience by doing so).

Much of the Buddhist psychology regarding the treatment of destructive mental states (see 1) and 2) above) has been researched and found their ways into secular therapeutic settings and methods. A key method, the application of mindfulness, is nowadays widespread researched, applied and understood and is the needed basic skill for schematherapy to detect modes (mode awareness). Furthermore the non-judgemental attitude towards the sheer existence of destructive mental states (acceptance) has also found its way into psychotherapy and schematherapy (acceptance of the biographical creation of EMS, and the corresponding modes in the present such as inner critic and a more nuanced approach towards it such as using self-compassion as its antidote and acceptance that the self-destructive critic inner-voices probably wont be diminished completely).

This skill class will furthermore present the “positive” interventions derived from buddhist psychology focusing on the initiation and the cultivation of healthy modes: the constructive mental states (in Buddhist terminology called “wholesome mental states”), i.e. 3) and 4) from above. There is a fast variety of these. Some of these constructive mental states have been researched, e.g. compassion or gratitude and are continuously applied in therapeutic settings. But what about other constructive mental states, such as joyfulness towards others which increases ones own well-being? The antidote to rejoicing is envy. How can one arouse, cultivate, or even increase the former, a capability to rejoice in the good fortune of self and others, and regulate and decrease the latter, envy? Is this even a worthwhile endeavour? How can one cultivate playfulness and cheerleader-attitude in social settings? And what is the antidote?

This presentation will offer a selective list of possible constructive mental states (and their antidotes) useful in schematherapy practice and how they can be transferred in interventions for mode work and ultimatively building up and strengthen the healthy modes. The buddhist knowledge has been acquired empirically by people who have used their life to cultivate their minds, to look inwardly with a high level of introspection. The presentation is not aimed to convince but rather to offer new perspectives on mind strengthening opportunities and methods. The knowledge is rooted in the Abhidharma (skt.) teachings of Buddhism and is of great practical value. Most of the recent “en-vogue” mindfulness-based psychotherapy methods like ACT, MBCT (Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy), DBT or CFT (Compassion-focused Therapy) are implementing this buddhist knowledge. The understanding and the original methods to cultivate the mind can be applied very well in a secular context in psychotherapy and especially in schematherapy to build up and strengthen the healthy modes and minimize the dysfunctional modes.