PSYCHOLOGY OF BUDDHISM: A practical guide to self-knowledge.

with clients. It will be of interest to mental health professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the human psyche. And, of course, it will be valuable for a wide range of readers interested in Buddhism, psychology and philosophy, for those who are looking for answers to eternal questions about the meaning of life and the nature of consciousness.

      In today's world, where external stimuli are constantly bombarding us and the pace of life is steadily accelerating, Buddhist psychology offers an island of calm and wisdom. It reminds us of the importance of inner peace, the need to develop awareness and compassion, and the fact that true happiness does not depend on external circumstances, but is within us.

      I will give an example from life. Imagine a person who is constantly anxious and worried. He tries to control everything around him, but this only increases his suffering. In Buddhist psychology we find the doctrine of impermanence (anitya). Everything in this world is constantly changing, and trying to hold on to what is unstoppable is doomed to failure and suffering. Accepting this truth, understanding that anxiety and worry are also transient, can be the first step to liberation.

      Or consider the parable of the arrow. The Buddha taught that when we are struck by the arrow of suffering, we often pierce ourselves with a second arrow – the arrow of anger, resentment, self-flagellation. Buddhist psychology teaches us not to pierce this second arrow, but instead to focus on healing the wound, understanding the causes of suffering, and developing compassion for ourselves and others.

      In Western psychology, we often talk about the importance of cognitive behavioral therapy in helping to change negative thoughts and behaviors. Buddhist psychology offers a similar approach, but with a deeper emphasis on mindfulness and acceptance. Instead of fighting negative thoughts, we learn to observe them without judgment, understanding that they are only temporary phenomena and not a reflection of our true selves.

      As the sage Patrul Rinpoche said, "If you can't change the situation, change your attitude towards it." This statement perfectly illustrates one of the key principles of Buddhist psychology – the ability to find inner peace and balance even in the most difficult circumstances.

      Buddhist psychology is not just a theory, it is a practical guide to life that can help us find inner harmony, overcome suffering, and reach our potential. It is a journey to yourself, to understanding the deep workings of your mind, and to discovering the source of true happiness that is always within us. I invite you to this fascinating journey, where ancient wisdom meets modern needs, and where everyone can find a way to a more conscious, happy and fulfilling life.

      Chapter 1. Buddhist psychology (Tib. blo rigs)

      Why study the mind?

      Like a traveler lost in a thick forest, we often wander in the labyrinths of our own mind, not understanding its nature and power. But why should we embark on this journey within ourselves, into this mysterious world of thoughts and feelings? Imagine a wise helmsman, confidently leading a ship through turbulent waves. In the same way, our mind is the steering wheel of our life. Our every word, every action, every thought – all this is subject to his commands. Whether it is joy that illuminates our path or sadness that darkens our horizon, it is the mind that colors our experiences and determines our reaction to the world.

      The ancient wisdom imprinted in the Buddhist canon "Dhammapada", like an echo of centuries, conveys the truth to us:

      "The mind is the master, the mind is the creator, all thoughts are its children. If anyone speaks and acts with an evil mind, Suffering follows him like a wheel follows the hoof of an ox. The mind is the master, the mind is the creator, all thoughts are its children. If anyone speaks and acts with a pure mind, Happiness follows him like a shadow, relentlessly."

      This metaphor, like a vivid picture, draws before us the connection between our thoughts and our fate. Imagine an ox-drawn cart. Wherever the ox goes, the cart follows him relentlessly. In the same way, our sufferings or joys are inextricably linked with the quality of our thoughts.

      The great Buddhist scholar Acharya Vasubandhu, like a skilled jeweler, reveals the mystery of the universe in his work "Abhidharmakosa", saying that all the diversity of our world arises from our actions, and actions, in turn, are generated by intentions. Intention is an internal command, a mental impulse that sets in motion a chain of our actions.

      "From deeds is born the diversity of worlds. This is the intention created by him. Intention is a mental act, and bodily and verbal acts are performed by it."

      In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we often see how a person obsessed with the pursuit of material goods experiences only anxiety and dissatisfaction. His mind, like an insatiable beast, constantly demands more, generating thoughts of lack and fear. And, as a result, he reaps the fruits of stress and unhappiness. The other, who devotes himself to helping others, experiences a deep sense of satisfaction and joy. His mind, like fertile soil, cultivates compassion and the desire to do good.

      Acharya Chandrakirti, like a wise seer, goes even deeper in his Madhyamaka-avatara, asserting that our very consciousness creates both the world of sentient beings and the world around us.

      "Consciousness creates very diverse Worlds of living beings and Worlds of vessels. It is said that all beings are born through action – karma. Having rejected consciousness, we have no action – karma."

      Everything we see and feel is a reflection of the workings of our minds. It is said that all beings are born through their actions, their karma. But if we give up consciousness, then there will be no karma itself.

      Imagine an artist who, with the help of a brush and paints, creates an entire universe on canvas. Our mind is a brush, and our thoughts and intentions are paints. What picture do we paint with our life?

      In a meeting with Western scholars in 1991, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama emphasized, like a wise teacher:

      "There are two main reasons why it is important to understand the nature of the mind. First, there is a fundamental connection between the mind and karma, our actions. Second, the state of our mind plays a crucial role in how we experience happiness and suffering."

      This wisdom, like a jewel, is especially relevant in our rapidly changing world. We often look for happiness in external things, forgetting that the true source of joy and peace is within us, in our own minds.

      To understand this truth more deeply, imagine the parable of two monks who met a woman who did not dare to cross a turbulent river. One monk, without saying a word, carried her to the other side. The second monk, who followed him in silence, after a while broke down and asked, "Brother, are we not forbidden to touch women?" The first monk replied, "I left this woman on the bank of the river a few hours ago. And you seem to be carrying it to this day."

      This parable, like a mirror, reflects how our minds can cling to impressions and thoughts, even when events have long passed. And it is this clinging that often becomes the source of our suffering.

      Therefore, the study of the mind is not just an academic exercise, but an urgent necessity in order to learn how to manage our lives, to free ourselves from the shackles of suffering and to find true happiness. Just as a gardener tends his garden by pulling weeds and watering flowers, we can learn to purify and transform our minds in order to cultivate virtues and wisdom that lead to awakening. But every step of the way brings us closer to understanding ourselves and to living a more harmonious and happy life.

      Definition and Nature of Mind

      So, we have found out that the study of the mind is like a key that opens the door to understanding ourselves and the world around us. But what is the mind? How to identify this elusive entity? In Buddhist psychology, the mind, or consciousness, is described as having two key characteristics, like the two wings of a bird: clarity and the ability to know.

      His Holiness the Dalai Lama, like a wise teacher, explains this inner connection very figuratively:

      "Knowing nature, or knowing agent… is called the mind, and it is immaterial… Cognitive acts have the nature of knowledge