Are destructive thought/emotions innately embedded in human nature?  Can they be eradicated?  Can they be transformed as a conducive factor for personal and social growth? A growing body of Western research has examined these and other questions through the perspectives of Eastern psychology and philosophy which view destructive emotions, perceptions, and behaviors as the primary source of human suffering.  To alleviate this suffering, Eastern (Buddhist) psychology has developed a rich and varied methodology for recognizing, reducing, transforming, and preventing these destructive forms of thought, emotion and behavior and cultivating mental well-being in our individual and social domains.  After examining the nature and function of the destructive thought/emotions/behaviors, students will choose one destructive thought/emotion/behavior to study in-depth and develop effective East/West interventions to transform this emotion/state of mind for the final assignment.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

4 - EastWest Psychology: Transforming Destructive Thought/Emotions