Institute for Relational Buddhism

Aiming at KNOWING-SELF-&-RELATING-WISELY, Relational Buddhism is a psychological approach to the Pan-Buddhist teachings rooted in what I have coined "Ancient Greek Buddhism." Stemming from the 2nd century BCE, basic Buddhism belongs to Western civilization already for 2200 years, long before it went further East. There is therefore no compelling need for Westerners to learn peculiar Buddhist doctrines from China, Tibet, Korea or Japan with inherent exotic/cultural excess baggage. Out of Buddhist thought sprouts a secular Buddhist psychology/therapy-counselling which emphasizes interpersonal relationships as the centrepiece of its daily practice. This includes the assessment and transformation of conversational exchange with oneself through self-speech, particularly on intentional action (karma) and emotions...

Karma Transformation changes intentional thoughts and unwholesome action conform the 4-Ennobling Realities (1 there is dissatisfaction/suffering, 2 which was caused & causing stress, 3 for which there is a cure & care, 4 i.e. an 8-Fold Practice of conversation (psychotherapy) & self-talk (meditation) by balancing Views, Intentions, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Awareness & Attention (mindfulness/heartfulness). In effect, it is about changing cognition-emotion-action toward neutrality & happiness amid adversity in relational life (toward others & self) on a daily basis.