Buddhist Background to MBCT

What is the Nature of suffering What can be done about it

The story of Siddharta

The Four Ennobling Truths Social Context – Noble by how you live your life rather than by position of birth Question of Suffering “ I only teach suffering and its cessation” The nature of the self

Noble truth Not truths in conceptual sense – like dogma More to explore in your own experience – precepts to be checked All have an action i.e. Dukkha is to be fully known Why is it important when teaching MBCT ?

“ The patterns of mind that keep people trapped in emotional suffering are, fundamentally the same patterns of mind that stand between all of us and the flowering of our potential for a more satisfying way of being “

The first noble truth “ There is Dukkha “ Image of wheel Not personal – applies to everyone Comes with an instruction “ To fully know Dukkha”

Two Arrows

Different levels of Dukkha Most obvious physical pain Subtle sense of unease Pleasure – will end Impermanence Our minds want things fixed Not personal – group effect in MBCT Habitual response to Dukkha

Second Noble truth Immediate cause of Dukkha is tanha Literally means unquenchable thirst, a craving that you can’t let go Pleasant sensations – have to hold onto Unpleasant sensations – have to get rid of Can’t let go of need for things to be in a particular way

Action point Let go Nothing should be grasped at or clung to as me or mine

“that was a bad mindfulness session, I can't get the this whole thing, Perhaps I'm not cut out for teaching MBCT. But I mustn't be that because ten I would feel a useless person. I cannot let myself think that because then I will never be happy”

Third truth “ If Dukkha and craving arise due to one set of conditions, it will cease with a different set of conditions “ Action point – observe the lessening of suffering with the lessening of craving

Fourth Noble Truth Eight fold path Right intention Right action Right livelihood Right Mindfulness

Relevance to MBCT/MBSR Reduces Mindfulness to a series of techniques Transform the process that underlies suffering When difficulty arises – provides a road map

1. Generality Wide generality – we all experience suffering- basic underlying structure is the same Work with lower intensity suffering before moving to more difficult issues Experience of 8 week course can begin a process

Universal and unavoidable Unavoidable – reduces personal identification with suffering Makes clear that any quick fix i.e. – better car, partner,job,house etc Evidence base – uses this

Co –dependent Origination

Exercise – imagine your boss rings you at 9.30 pm – critical tone Wants you to fix a problem

Three Strategies for Change 1. Change the input – i.e. From thoughts/rumination to breath body sensation 2. Keep the input the same – change the processing – attending to unpleasant experiences 3. Change of view –

Change of input Habitual patterns i.e. –what did I do wrong Selective retrieval from memory – basis of ruminative thinking -> depressed mood. Change the input to neutral – sensation of the breath

Implicit v propositional meaning Implicit meaning Oh what can ail thee, knight at arms Alone and palely loitering The sedge has withered from the lake And no birds sing

Explicit meaning What is the matter old fashioned soldier standing by yourself and doing nothing with a pallid expression? The reed like plants have decomposed by the lake, and there are not any birds singing

Change the how of processing Instead of changing input Bringing mindful awareness to the experience itself Going beneath the story to the body sensation – acceptance

Change the View Common finding - these thoughts and feelings aren’t me Provide direct experiential data – body as body, thoughts as thoughts Rather than independent existing self