In CBT and practically all schools of therapy, the guiding principle is to reduce suffering. And who can argue against trying to wipe out depression that is so excruciating in its level of pain that you think of anything you might do to stop it; OCD that takes up the better part of your days… [Read More]
Here’s a Happiness Tip For You: Set Your Baseline at Suffering
“To accept that pain is inherent and to live our lives from this understanding is to create the causes and conditions for happiness.” — Suzuki Roshi The thesis here is: beware of the assumption that (with a little right- headedness) we can and should minimize the impact of adversity in our lives; or that inner… [Read More]
Paradox Of Choice: Not Just About Jams and Jeans
The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz, published in 2004, presents the thesis that our social and economic culture of abundance has diminished our satisfaction. He starts his argument by acknowledging the central premise of the American experience: the way to maximize welfare is to maximize individual freedom; and the key… [Read More]
CBT & Anger
The CBT position on anger is an empowering one: events of the world or other people are not the primary determinants of anger, rather your own thoughts are the biggest contributor. Specifically, your judgments — a polite way of saying your demands — are the primary culprit.How is this empowering? The notion that you are… [Read More]
