Reframing suffering
Analítica October 27, 2025 Richa Singh
Buddhist mindfulness techniques, understood as active, value-oriented awareness rather than mere meditation, can serve as foundational values in philosophical counselling. The paper argues that both Eastern contemplative traditions and Western philosophical practice prioritize self-awareness, ethical reflection, and alleviating suffering through insight rather than clinical diagnosis. Using the Buddhist concept of the "Second Arrow," mindfulness helps individuals distinguish inevitable pain from optional suffering caused by reactive thought patterns. Grounded in the Pali concept of sati, mindfulness encompasses memory, attentiveness, and ethical clarity, making it a tool for value-based dialogue and emotional resilience. This synthesis challenges conventional therapeutic models and promotes a humanistic, integrative approach to counselling.