A Comparison of Rational Emotive Therapy and Tibetan Buddhism 9
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL CONSULTATION AND THERAPY ©2013, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2013, VOL. 7, NO. 4 ISSN: 1555–7855 A Comparison of Rational Emotive Therapy and Tibetan impartial research which is neither credulous nor dogmatically skeptical.” Buddhists conduct scien- Buddhism: Albert Ellis and the Dalai Lama tific research into religious experience, near death experiences, out-of-the-body experiences and other Susan A. Holt and Carol Shaw Austad areas of exploration, even rebirth (Wilson, 1986). Central Connecticut State University Personal reasoning and experience are one’s ul- timate truths. Both REBT and TB encourage the individual to approach living his or her life from a Abstract scientific perspective and to use empirical, logical This article explores conceptual and methodological similarities between Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and methods of inquiry. Tibetan Buddhism (TB). The authors examine some of the values and concepts they share. They compare the two sys- tems on a number of issues: philosophical underpinnings, concepts of what causes human psychopathology, techniques Philosophical Underpinnings to bring about change, outcome expectancies and goals. The purpose of this exploration is to increase awareness of the Both REBT and TB encourage human beings to need for Western psychotherapists to develop a comprehensive science of the mind to help humans overcome difficulties pursue happiness and eliminate suffering, when and to live more fulfilling lives. possible.. They have an existential humanistic ori- entation, and stress holism.. At the same time, both Keywords recognize human limitations.. They consider that Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, REBT, Tibetan Buddhism (TB), comparison, similarities humans are frail and need to accept human nature for what it is with an unconditional acceptance of reality. Although humans are frail, they also possess What do Albert Ellis and the Dalai Lama have in of life (Dalai Lama, 1991; Goleman, 2003). Most the potential to improve themselves. Both systems common? This article examines some of the values recently, the Dali Lama has participated in a num- adhere to the idea that humans are self determined and the concepts that they share. It will illustrate ber of mind-body conferences with a wide variety and create their own mental health and mental ill- that Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) of world renowned neuroscientists. They explored nesses as well as espouse ethical humanism and self and Tibetan Buddhism (TB) have similarities in a how to focus and control concentration and atten- actualization. number of areas such as how and what they study, tion, activities Buddhists have practiced for thou- For REBT, self actualization means attaining total their philosophical underpinnings, their concepts sands of years (Mind-Life Institute, 2008). rationality. The motivation for doing this is to pro- of what causes psychopathology, techniques to At a surface level, Buddhist philosophies and West- mote one’s own well being. It is in each person’s best bring about change, and outcome expectancies and ern psychotherapy seem to be worlds apart. How- interest to treat others well and to respect others goals. ever, if we strip away dissimilar vocabulary and at- rights, because it makes one’s own life easier. For In the way of background, psychotherapists became tend to the conceptual meanings, it becomes readily TB, the highest motivation is to become selfless and more aware and interested in the commonalities be- apparent that some forms of psychotherapy have spiritual. TB claims the achievement of selfless hap- tween Eastern Buddhism and Western psychother- much common with particular forms of Buddhism. piness occurs by focusing on service toward others apy in the 1960s. Two pivotal works fostered these For example, conceptual concurrences between Ra- (Ellis, 2001a, 2001b). The person who is progressing realizations. In his book, Psychotherapy East and tional Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Ti- toward enlightenment, the Bodhisattva, is a noble West, Watts (1961) compared concepts and meth- betan Buddhism (TB) exist. Albert Ellis himself, in and courageous figure, who ceaselessly works for ods of Eastern Buddhism with Western psycho- his last few years of life, saw the similarities between the benefit of others whereby he or she sacrifices therapy and demonstrated how both possess deep REBT and TB and wrote about them. He pointed self interest for other interest (Powers, 1995). One’s human wisdom. In his book, The Relaxation Re- out how both systems help people to consistently own happiness occurs but as a by-product of help- sponse, Harvard physician Herbert Benson (2000, work at forgiving self, others, and tolerating an of- ing others. 1975) defined the relaxation response as a physical ten times harsh world (Ellis, 2005). state which invokes deep physical relaxation, and As this article compares these two systems, and Causes of Pathology is the opposite of the fight-flight response. He used this exploration will contribute to hopefully, this What causes pathology? Cognition is a central con- a staunchly scientific approach to show that med- exploration will the development of a comprehen- cept in both TB and REBT. Thoughts are a main itation, as well as prayer, hypnosis, and yoga were sive “inner science” (Dalai Lama, 1991) or science contributor to happiness and unhappiness in both diverse forms of the relaxation response. Benson of the mind to help humans to live more fulfilling systems. demonstrated that the Tibetan Buddhist’s medita- lives. We will compare REBT and TB, specifically, In REBT, crooked cognitions cause pathology and tive practice produced beneficial effects to the mind on their methods of study, philosophical under- take the form of self criticism or non self-acceptance. and body. Since the 1960s, publications comparing pinnings, theory of pathology, goals of treatment, Human beings tend to make unreasonable demands Eastern and Western ways of thinking have dra- theory of change, methods of change and the role on themselves, on others, and on the world. When matically increased (Tweed & Lehman, 2002) as a of therapist. an individual fails to fulfill these demands in the new era has been ushered into Western mainstream past, present or future, she becomes agitated and literature with increased attention to mind-body Method of Study damns herself She labels herself as bad, and gives interconnectedness and attention to similarities be- Both REBT and TB encourage people to think crit- herself (and others) a negative global rating. This tween Buddhist constructs and REBT (Thompson ically and to pursue truth. The scientific method is lack of self acceptance interferes with achieving her and Waltz, 2007). encouraged, and thought to be necessary. Accord- basic goals. A second cognition that can result in Gaining greater recognition now is Tibetan Bud- ing to REBT people might strive to learn to “train pathology occurs when a person does not get what dhism, promoted by the Dalai Lama, the spiritual themselves through rigorous thinking about and he wants. The individual makes a demand on self, head of Tibetan Buddhists and exiled previous po- working against some of their strongest inborn and on others and on the world that is characterized by litical head of Tibet. Scientists have collaborated environmental tendencies” (Ellis 2005, p 64.). Peo- an all-permeating attitude and dogmatic insistence with Tibetan practitioners, resulting in an increas- ple can acquire skills allowing them to debate their that life must be comfortable. When these demands ing belief, both scientific and popular, that Tibet- irrational thoughts and acquire a realistic view of are not met in the past, present or future, the per- an Buddhism is more than a religion but a form of the world. According to TB, the “Dharma can only son has negative feelings. Displeasure and dissat- inner mental science that can enhance the quality gain in strength and universality by open-minded, isfaction arise and the person is disturbed (Ellis & 8 ©2013, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ISSN: 1555–7855 A COMPARISON OF RATIONAL EMOTIVE THERAPY AND TIBETAN BUDDHISM 9 Dryden, 1987; 1997). Overall, bad mental health is the human condition, natural biological tenden- son as he or she chases the unattainable, wasting caused by cognitions which breed low frustration cies. Both believe it is natural state of human be- precious time and energy. A person needs to devel- tolerance and distort reality. Through their own ings to possess thoughts and emotions that are wild op awareness of what the person is doing and, why, thinking and through avoidance of reality, people and unruly. No matter how competent, intelligent, and to control and regulate the mind, or thinking. create their own psychological disturbances. religious, moral, or well educated and trained, hu- A cognitive reorientation which incorporates the Specifically, REBT uses the A-B-C framework. A man beings have irrational thoughts and behaviors four noble truths and the Eightfold Path is needed is a set of activating events which results in cogni- and seem to fall back into self defeating patterns to overcome suffering, and is discussed below. tive, affective, and/or behavioral consequences–or in both personal and professional lives. They fail to so the person delusionally believes. In actuality, it transcend irrationality. Techniques for Change is not the activating event (Not-A), but the belief REBT does not elaborate on the reasons why peo- The REBT therapist applies emotional, behavioral, (B) about A and how a person evaluates the event ple think crooked but rather emphasizes how to and cognitive interventions vigorously to help cli- that disrupts inner peace and brings about turmoil. stop thinking crooked! The mind has irrational be- ents make the philosophical and cognitive change REBT identifies a number of specific irrational liefs, absolutist, illusory evaluations of self others and to work at undisturbing themselves. It is diffi- thoughts and attitudes that are harmful and cause and the universe. Specific evaluations are couched cult to effect profound philosophical change in an pathology.