with Fred Eppsteiner

Introduction to Buddhist Psychology (Part 1)

Buddhist meditators have investigated their minds for over 2600 years. Shakyamuni Buddha – the founder of Buddhism – saw clearly how the ways in which people think and behave contribute to their happiness or unhappiness. He also laid out the means by which negative patterns can be undone and positive ones developed. Centuries of experimentation have led to both a sophisticated philosophical and psychological understanding of life and the human mind/emotions, as well as practical and effective therapeutic interventions to produce change.

In this half day workshop, Fred Eppsteiner will present an overview of Buddhist psychology and the meditative and mindfulness techniques it utilizes to help heal, retrain and transform the individual. He will explore:

1. How Buddhism is a positive psychology, seeing all beings as intrinsically pure or unmarred, and having the goal of increasing personal happiness
2. How our misunderstanding the true nature of reality, the mind, and the self is the root of our suffering
3. How this habitual misunderstanding creates maladaptive life strategies, emotional afflictions and dysfunctional behaviors
4. How Buddhist teachings and mindfulness practices help us identify and transform problematic habits of body and mind.

This workshop is open to both members and non-members. Introduction to Buddhist Psychology: Yogacara (Part 2) will build upon these foundations and will be offered on April 22. The workshop will be offered both in person and online.

Fred Eppsteiner has been a student of the psychology of Buddhist meditation for over 50 years and was a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He has trained extensively in the Buddhist meditative traditions the U.S. and Asia. He received permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and is the editor of two books: The Path of Compassion and Interbeing. He is the founding teacher of the Florida Community of Mindfulness.

This half-day workshop is presented by the Florida Community of Mindfulness at our Practice Center, 6501 N. Nebraska Ave in Tampa. The fee for this workshop is $40 ($50 for Licensed Mental Health Professional CEUs).

* Florida Community of Mindfulness, Inc. is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling to provide continuing education credits through CE Provider # 50-14766. Total in-class time is 3.5 hours.

Florida Community of Mindfulness Grievance Procedure

Mail a statement describing your complaint to: Director of Continuing Education, 6501 N. Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604.

Questions? E-mail us at info@floridamindfulness.org or call 813-237-0746.