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Exploration of Evolution-Informed Compassion-Focused Therapy and Buddhist Approaches to Insight Meditation: A Three-Way Exploration

Paul Gilbert, Malcolm Huxter, Choden Choden

Mindfulness June 21, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-023-02141-4 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Buddhism Meditation
Keywords Compassion Biopsychosocial model Psychotherapist Buddhist philosophy Happiness
Citations 12
Key points Argues that Compassion-Focused Therapy and Buddhist approaches to insight meditation share overlapping processes but differ in their conceptualizations of insight and compassion training.

Abstract

Abstract This paper explores the overlap and relationship between Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) as an evolution-informed, biopsychosocial approach to the mind and two Buddhist approaches to the development of insight and meditation. We present this exploration in terms of a three-way exposition between PG (Paul Gilbert), a clinical psychologist and compassion-focused therapist, MH (Malcolm Huxter), also a clinical psychologist and long-term meditation practitioner, primarily in the Theravada Buddhist traditions, and CH (Choden), a long-term meditation practitioner and monastic of Mahayana Buddhism. We share overlapping but different approaches to the processes of insight, understanding, and the training of compassion.

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