Perfectionism

I completed my own MAP (Mood Assessment Program) from the Black Dog Institute recently so I could understand what my clients might go through when I get them to do it. I was surprised to discover that I have perfectionism at a 'risk' level in my personality - what does it mean?

Perfectionism is characterised by a striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high performance standards, being overly self-critical, and concerned about others' evaluations. Mmm, well it's not all bad! Perfectionism can also be a strong motivator to reach goals, provided you don't try to achieve an unattainable ideal. By that definition, most of my colleagues and clients are perfectionists! "Trying to get it right" is no bad thing, provided you know your own limits.

Buddhist Psychology!

Recently completed a one-week silent Shamatha retreat with B. Alan Wallace and 60 of our closest friends! (this picture shows Alan teaching us under the Bhodi tree in Bodhgaya). There's so much conversation going on in your head when you stop talking! One of the key lessons to "hit me" was that everything we know about our current reality consists of "appearances to the mind". In other words, my reality is what "appears" to me. It is whatever I put my attention on and expect to find!

Vulture's Peak!

For me the high point of our Buddhist Pilgrimage last month was up on Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak) outside Rajgir, physically and metaphorically! This was where the Buddha formulated and gave his most significant discourses. And those rocks and caves have remained virtually unchanged for over 2,500 years. I felt overcome by the reality of the presence of the Buddha in that place. And our friend Jay was seated a few metres away from me chanting beautifully what I later found out was the Heart Sutra! There are some experiences which pass all understanding. I wonder what yours are?

A Psychology of Enlightenment!

We were also privileged to receive a private teaching from Dr. Ravindra Panth, Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavira (Nalanda University) at Rajgir.

"Could there be a psychology of enlightenment?" I asked. "Yes", he answered. "Provided we find a common vocabulary to bridge the gap between Western Psychology and Buddhist Psychology". But Dr Panth emphasised that direct personal experience counts as much as knowledge. "There are three types of wisdom", he said:

1. Listening - acquiring knowledge,
2. Contemplating - on what you have heard, and
3. Experience - "your" experience.

"Your experience is due to your awareness. Unless you experience yourself, your faith won't work. Buddhism does not advocate blind faith".