There has been a growing interest in Buddhist thinking over many years, which is perhaps influenced by the popular practice of mindfulness to help with anxiety and many other emotional issues. Often people will come to psychotherapy and use the technique of mindfulness as part of their therapeutic journey. Some then become curious about the underlying philosophy that is behind the practice of mindfulness. Others are interested in exploring their spiritual side and Buddhism can be one approach that can resonate well with many people in the modern world. In this blog we will take a brief look at some of the ideas of Buddhism and consider how they might help with emotional issues and help us find inner peace.
Understanding our suffering
Right at the heart of Buddhist philosophy lies the concept of ‘dukkha’, which is often translated as suffering or dissatisfaction. Buddhism teaches that suffering is an inherent part of life, stemming from our attachment to things we desire, aversion to things we don’t like, and the impermanence of everything around us. While this might sound bleak, recognising that suffering is an inherent part of life can be empowering. It can help us to shift our perspective, and see that emotional pain is not a personal failing but a shared human experience. This insight can reduce feelings of isolation and self-blame, which are often at the core of emotional distress. Additionally, the Buddhist path is a developmental path which is aimed at leading us out of everyday suffering.
Mindfulness as a way of life
One of Buddhism’s most widely recognised contributions to mental health is mindfulness. This practice involves bringing our full attention to the present moment with curiosity and without judgement. When faced with difficult emotions, our instinct is often to suppress or ignore these feelings or react impulsively to try to get away from the painful feelings. Mindfulness offers an alternative: to observe our emotions with compassion and acceptance. By doing so, we create a space between ourselves and our feelings, reducing their power to overwhelm us.
For instance, when anxiety arises, instead of becoming consumed by it, mindfulness allows us to notice the physical sensations, thoughts, and behaviours associated with it. We might observe a racing heart, a tightening chest, or a stream of worry-filled thoughts. This act of observation can diminish the intensity of the emotion and prevent it from spiralling out of control, because if we are able to observe these feelings, then we are not fully immersed in them. To do this takes a lot of practice, which is why mindfulness needs to be a way of life and not just a discrete meditation practice. Being mindful when performing daily tasks can keep us in the present moment and takes us away from ruminating or unhelpful thoughts.
The practice of non-attachment
Another key aspect of Buddhist thinking is the idea of non-attachment. It is important to state here that non-attachment doesn’t mean detachment or indifference, but rather a balanced relationship with our emotions and experiences. Emotional suffering often arises when we cling too tightly to pleasurable experiences or resist unpleasant ones. By practising non-attachment, we learn to let emotions come and go without becoming overly caught up in them.
Compassion
Buddhism places a strong emphasis on compassion, both towards others and oneself. Some of our emotional struggles come with harsh self-criticism, which only exacerbates inner pain. Practising self-compassion involves treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we would offer a dear friend. This might include acknowledging our pain without judgement, and offering ourselves words of comfort and encouragement. Learning how to be kind to ourselves, and soothe our inner pain reduces our suffering and allows us to be more compassionate to others.
The impermanence of emotions
Buddhist philosophy also highlights the impermanence of all things, including emotions. When we’re in the grip of a difficult feeling, it can seem as though it will last forever. However, recognising that emotions are like waves—rising, cresting, and eventually subsiding—can provide hope and perspective. This understanding encourages us to ride out emotional storms, knowing they are temporary. Keeping in mind that all of our emotions will pass helps us with non attachment, and also to be more of an observer as we learn from our mindfulness practice.
Integration into everyday life
Buddhism can be seen as a religion or as a philosophy, and for some this becomes their new belief system that informs their way of being in the world. It can be a path to spiritual development and finding meaning in life. However, you don’t need to adopt Buddhism to that degree if that isn’t for you. You can work with some Buddhist practices like mindfulness meditation, journaling about impermanence, or reciting compassionate affirmations and this can make a profound difference. These tools help cultivate a deeper awareness of our inner world, enabling us to respond to emotional challenges with greater clarity and equanimity.
Incorporating some or all of these ideas into our daily life can help us to regulate our emotions, have a kinder and more compassionate view of ourselves and the world, and bring about inner peace. Combined with psychotherapy, Buddhist thinking and practices can help us find fulfilment and meaning in life and can be a key part of our healing journey.
Dr Simon Cassar is an integrative existential therapist, trained in Person-Centred Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Existential Psychotherapy. He is available in our Hove and Lewes clinics and also works online.
Further reading by Dr Simon Cassar –
