Breaking news Sept 11, 2017....it is being reported that new emotions have been discovered. In recent reporting, scientists have discovered that there are 27 emotional states rather than 6. (http://www.countryliving.co.uk/wellbeing/news/a2454/27-human-emotions-new-study/) and (http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2017/08/30/1702247114).
Buddhist psychology, which as been around for around 2500 years, first identified 51 states of mind. These have been talked about and many of them have been experienced directly by mediators for years. It is great that Western psychologists are talking to humans and gaining a deeper understanding. Perhaps some day, they will use the same techniques as passed down for generations to recognize their own emotions directly. This self research has been the norm for generations and is alive and well today in contemplative traditions throughout the world.
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Recently, Western Psychologists, leaders and founders of the Positive Psychology movement have altered/updated a key foundation belief about the nature of helplessness. Apparently, rather than being a learned state, Helplessness is a default mode. This means, in the most simplistic of interpretations, that we do not learn "helplessness" but it is a natural "go to" for our way of being, when we encounter overwhelming feelings. (Read more here: https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/sites/ppc.sas.upenn.edu/files/learnedhelplessnessat50.pdf)
The great tradition of Myanmar, frequently referred to as the Mahasi Technique of mindfulness, and even the Buddha's words himself talk about the need for energy and effort as the foundation for progress in developing mindfulness. This dovetails perfectly, with the "recent" findings of positive psychologists. To over come this "helplessness" we don't need to do anything other than "make effort" to direct our mind to the object of meditation. This will help us break out of this default "helplessness" and develop positive states of mind. The guidance we enjoy from great teachers who have first applied these techniques and practices in their own life and then gone on to instruct others, is that they are practical and effective. Now, even modern scientists can infer the benefits of the ancient practices. So let's get on and put them to work! |
AuthorAndrew has dedicated nearly 30 years studying mindfulness with many of the world's greatest teachers. He has taken the most beneficial of the practices that he has studied and verified and integrated them into a life with children, and a career in wealth management at global corporations . He is now dedicating his time to sharing these methods with people in all walks of life who are interested to discover ancient wisdom that is applicable and beneficial to modern life. Archives
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