03. Eastern Ethos and Spirituality. Cofucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Hinduism

What are the oriental philosophies/religions in Ancient China, India, and Tibet?

• Confucianism (China)

• Daoism (China)

• Buddhism (India, Tibet)

Confucianism

• Emphasis and focus?

• Allocentrism or egocentrism?

• Laws and ethics are eternal and non-negotiable

• Emphasizes ethics, obedience, loyalty, respect for tradition, social hierarchy

• Focus on care and devotion to family, community, and the state

• Collectivism: prioritize allocentrism (community-centered) rather than egocentrism (self-centered)

Taoism (Daoism)

• Trust your intuition, be yourself

• Connect to world through mediation, not judgement or expectation

• Every individual is a microcosm, part of a universal macrocosm

• Be kind to yourself, embrace the sanctity of all life forms

Tao

• How to practice

• What to avoid

• Guiding principle of Taoism

• Goal: keep soul synchronized with universe and live in harmony with nature

• Balance, mindfulness through

  • decent conduct

  • inner calm

  • meditation

  • self-discipline

• Practice wu wei while avoiding

  • excessive desires

  • attachments

  • overactive drives

  • obsession with control

  • egocentrism

What are the aspects of the soul in Taoism

• Shen (divine aspect)

• Po (sensorimotor aspect)

• Qi (animating aspect)

Shen

• Divine aspect

  • spiritual, immortal part of soul

  • connected to yang principle (reason, creativity, consciousness)

  • Governs consciousness, reason, reactivity

Po

Sensorimotor aspect

• physical and instinctual part of soul

• yin principle (instincts, emotions)

• Die with body dies

Qi

Animating aspect

• Positive cosmic energy that flows through everything

• Connects body with universe, links the Shen and Po

• Responsible for health

• Unblock balance and cultivate flow of Qi with

  • Acupuncture, meditation, Tai Chi

Buddhism

• Beliefs?

• what is samsara?

• Belief in rebirth (NOT REINCARNATION)

  • The self is transient, not eternal

  • Consciousness and karmic energy continues after death, carrying memory of all actions and intentions

  • EXCEPTION

    • Spiritual masters can chose to reincarnate intentionally to guide others

• Samsara: cycle of life, death, rebirth

Core Buddhist beliefs

• Human mind (consciousness) is an intrinsic part of the Universe

• False desires and attachment → Suffering

• Excessive emotion (greed, fear, anger) → mental and social disorder

Buddhist contributions to psychotherapy

• What are the Zen Buddhist therapies (2)

• Emphasizes acceptance of reality, mental clarity, peace of mind

• Naikan and Morita therapy

Naikan therapy

self-reflection on indebtedness/gratitude

Morita therapy

focus on accepting feelings while taking action

• purposeful action regardless of feeling

Shintoism

• Where from

• Indigenous spiritual tradition in Japan

• Rooted in spiritualism and animism

• Kami: divine spirits and souls of deceased family members

  • influence world and life

  • inhabit mountain, river, trees, animals, people

  • treated with respect and trust

  • prayers written on rice paper (ema) and attached to branches of trees in front of shrines

Ethical values of Shintoism (5)

• Sincerity

• Respect for nature

• Respect for ancestors' spirits

• Gratitude and humility

• Loyalty to family and community

Major these of Hinduism

MISSING 

Major these of Hinduism