"Buddhism will come to the West as a psychology." - Chogyam Trungpa, 1974
Wikipedia Link
Well I'm always amazed at the relevant manner in which Buddhism effects modern thinking in science.
As some of you know my wife is a psychologist. As she was learning we started noticing alot of trending towards seeing the Buddha Dharma in alot of her western school books. In other words, there were alot of European/North American 'inventions' in methods and these people were 'great thinkers' in their field or 'innovators'. But nothing is often mentioned that 2500 years ago Buddhists had texts with very good advice on over coming difficulties.
Now I am aware that one place can't own an idea, but it's some what curious that there isn't ALOT more talk about this overlap. Buddhism simply put is
Phenomenology , speaking in western terms. Mindfullness is at the core of Buddhist means to witnessing this phenomenology. There is also a way or ways in which we are offered to practice in our overcoming of suffering/unsatisfactoriness which is inherent in all attachment to mental formations. This is where belief in methods, specifically Buddhist ones come into play, however this is alot like saying trust in your counselers methods or a guru have you. Someone who is able to instruct you in methods of attaining well being.
As a person who is in the path of spiritual counseling I find casting my roots into the Dharma has been a base that has extended into many others understanding of their own faith, beliefs, concerns. Buddhism walks the line. It's applied methods for relief are certainly privy to the reason is extends into the secular world and into science. Which I won't commentate much past how I think that is faith in consciousness itself a bit.
This is just something that I found to lay out a good explaination with a few nice charts. I am very happy and I would just like to share this.
In loving kindness,
SageTree