Understanding the Relationship Between Western Psychology and Eastern Religions

🔍Western therapy and Western religions are not well-equipped to deal with individuals who have had mystical or altered states of consciousness.

🌌Psychiatry and psychotherapy share more common interests with Eastern religions than with Western religions.

🌊Changing consciousness is often seen as a form of therapy in modern psychology.

🧘‍♀️Psychological thinking is still influenced by 19th-century scientific naturalism and metaphysical assumptions.

🔮There is a concern that psychiatry and psychotherapy are becoming the new religion of the West.

Why are Western therapy and Western religions not equipped to deal with altered states of consciousness?

—Western therapy and Western religions focus more on behavior, doctrine, and belief rather than on the transformation of human awareness.

What interests do psychiatry and psychotherapy share with Eastern religions?

—Both are interested in changing states of consciousness and exploring altered realities.

How is psychological thinking influenced by 19th-century scientific naturalism?

—Psychological thinking is often based on the assumptions and principles of scientific naturalism, which emerged in the 19th century and views human consciousness as a result of mechanical processes.

What is the concern about psychiatry and psychotherapy becoming the new religion of the West?

—There is a concern that psychiatry and psychotherapy may exercise similar controls over human life as institutional religions did in the past. They can potentially restrict individual freedom and perpetuate dogmas and orthodoxies.

What are the limitations of Western therapy and Western religions?

—Both Western therapy and Western religions are limited in their ability to understand and address individuals who have had mystical experiences or altered states of consciousness.

00:07This video explores the common ground between Western psychology and Eastern religions.

12:38Psychiatry and psychotherapy are beginning to exercise similar controls over human life as institutional religions did in the past.

15:56The psychological establishment may arbitrarily deprive individuals of their civil rights and incarcerate them in inhumane conditions.

16:50Many individuals with unorthodox states of consciousness are not dangerous until provoked by neglect and mistreatment.