Wednesday, January 06, 2010

The Guardian's comment section goes where I was going

Buddhism beats depression...

A report I wrote for the Mental Health Foundation highlights the impressive clinical evidence for an approach called mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) – the eight-week courses have been shown to reduce relapse rates by half among people who have suffered several episodes of depression. The report also finds that very few patients who could benefit from mindfulness training are currently being referred for the treatment – just one in 20 GPs prescribes MBCT regularly, despite the fact that nearly three-quarters of doctors think it would be helpful for their patients with mental health problems. Changing that could make a massive difference not only to them, but to the economy – the cost of depression to the UK has been estimated at £7.5 billion every year.
Despite its convoluted name, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is pretty straightforward – a set of classes that teach meditation practices which help people pay attention to their breathing, body sensations, thoughts and feelings in a kind, accepting, non-judgemental way. Mindfulness training shows us how to notice and work with our experience rather than engaging in a futile struggle to fight or run away from it. That may sound simple – perhaps because it is – but developing this mindful way of relating seems to alleviate some of the suffering that struggling with life's pain creates.
Mindfulness is especially relevant to depression, in which sufferers tend to get caught up with cycles of 'rumination' - when people get depressed they churn negative thoughts over and over in their minds, a pattern which actually perpetuates their low mood. Mindfulness short-circuits rumination – by learning how to pay attention to our present moment experience, rather than getting tied up in negative thinking about the past or future, we create more space in our minds from which new, more effective decision-making can emerge. It isn't a miracle cure – while simple, the techniques take time and effort to master, but mindfulness-based therapies are now supported by a substantial and rapidly-growing evidence base that suggest they can help people cope better not just with depression, but also with the stress of conditions ranging from chronic pain and anxiety to cancer and HIV.
Mindfulness-based therapies are fundamentally and unapologetically inspired by Buddhist principles and tools – the Buddha both noted that suffering (as opposed to pain) is created by struggling with experience and prescribed mindfulness meditation as a way of working with it skilfully. However, the B-word rarely, if ever, gets a mention on MBCT courses – their reputation in health services has been built on scientific evidence rather than spiritual conviction. This is the only way it could be – while some of us Buddhists might argue that practising mindfulness can open up insights about the nature of mind that go way beyond what can be measured in a randomised-controlled trial, the most important thing here is that techniques which reduce suffering are presented in whatever way will make them most accessible to the largest number of people.




So, while I may have oversold CBT in the post below, my point stands. Today it turns out that Barbara O'Brien's been smeared by the Family Research Council. Her repsonse on the Tiger Woods/Brit Hume/Buddhsim affiar was distorted by one Peter Sprigg.

Apparently, Hume’s apologetics require an apology not just because he violated the well-known constitutional principle of the separation of church and television (?), but because he expressed his heretical disbelief in the scientific theory that all religions are equally valuable and effective.

Odd, Buddhists have had effective techniques for combatting things like depression and phobias for millenia, and Christianity...or should I say Western culture, had to invent the field before they could reach out to Buddhism for methods relating to the cure!

Now I don't like playing my religion's better than yours, especially since Christianity is a relatively easy target, what with the sort-of filicide as a quid pro quo for wrongs presumably made against a Semitic tribal god and what-not. But let's face it, when it comes to efficacy, ...

Anyhow, here's a comment I left on the FRC post (and Barbara O'Brien's blog). Let's see if the FRC has the courage to post it on their blog:

The title of that article was “Persecution for the Brit Hume Witness.” yet I read of no lion ripping anyone to shreds, nor did I read of any beheadings, flayings, amputations, vandalism or buildings being burnt.

As far as the “effectiveness” of religions, I’ve alluded to that on my blog in the past couple of days: would Hume accept a “mindfulness” based therapy to help him deal with the grief over his son’s suicide, if it were known to him to be “Buddhist” – like?

P.S., Read and understand what Barbara says about reincarnation and Buddhism, dear Christians, before you write something that makes you look worse than foolish.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Моя история из жизни: мы как-то с мамой ехали в маршрутке,( мама спец по всем видам мяса на глаз определяет что это), на остановке залазит подвипывший мужик с куском свежака в одноразовом пакете. Едем. Маршрутка резко тормозит,мужик по инерции бежит вперед и пакет рвется ,оттуда выпадет свежак ,дальше мамины слова- " Мужчина,у вас вымя выпало!" я медленно сползаю под сиденье , пассажиры ржут, мужик красный - выбегает на следующей остановке :)))

Anonymous said...

How can i wipe windows xp from my laptop and reinstall windows Me -the laptops indigenous software?
I be struck by recently bought a familiar laptop that is old. The himself I had bought it from had installed windows xp on it, indeed yet it instance came with windows Me. I be to expunge the windows xp because it runs slows on the laptop because it takes up more memory than the windows Me would. Also I want to massacre windows xp because it is an illegal copy. So when I tried to run updates on it, windows would not set up updates because the windows xp is not genuine. [URL=http://cocahom.hostific.com]aftermarket car parts 1990 ford ltd[/URL]
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Answers :

It's better to relinquish [URL=http://zanqmez.hostific.com/mitchell-rupe.html]mitchell rupe[/URL] Windows XP and impartial upgrade your laptop. It's much better. [URL=http://hattori.hostific.com/josi-benn-hr.html]josi benn hr[/URL] In addition to, Windows XP is way [URL=http://nwmpqnq.hostific.com/penrose-drain.html]penrose drain[/URL] more advisedly then Windows Me. Windows Me is out and divers programs that can paddock with XP, can't [URL=http://igeifea.hostific.com/alderbrook-inn.html]alderbrook inn[/URL] path with Me.
------------------------------
all you take to do is brochure the windows me disk into the cd drive. then reboot your laptop, when the black [URL=http://ihzkizm.hostific.com/petco-foundation.html]petco foundation[/URL] shield with all the info comes up and when it asks u to boot from cd [URL=http://fhmesoa.hostific.com/john-henkel-battery.html]john henkel battery[/URL] chance any latchkey when it tells you to then inaugurate from there !!! I RECOMEND SINCE ITS AN ILLEAGLE TWIN TO WIPE [URL=http://xoqzfgh.hostific.com/g62-thrust.html]g62 thrust[/URL] OUT THE [URL=http://ltufakb.hostific.com/jalapeno-jelly.html]jalapeno jelly[/URL] THOROUGH TIRING PUSH WHEN IT ASKS YOU WHICH HARD [URL=http://leuqaua.hostific.com/tuscany-farmhouse-with-swimming-pool.html]tuscany farmhouse with swimming pool[/URL] PUSH TO INSTALL IT ON. THEN SUM UP ALL THE ABOVE SPACE ON THE CLEAR [URL=http://xiausga.hostific.com/stompin-tom-song-list-canada.html]stompin tom song list canada[/URL] HARD SPUR ONTO A UP TO DATE FILE SITE, IT WILL-POWER LOOK LIKE C:/ Raw or something like that

Anonymous said...

[url=http://vegasonlines.net/thunder-casino-california.html]trabajo y empleo de croupier en casino [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/tropicana-casino.html]vejas casino san diego [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/reno-nevada-casino.html]aladdin resort and casino vegas nv [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/north-casino.html]bueno aire casino puerto madero [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/rainbow-casino.html]best online casino poker review [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/online-casino-bingo.html]casino net [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/computer-games-casino.html]casino paris [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/meskwaki-casino.html]casino club de campo guadalajara [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/no-deposit-casino-coupon-codes.html]casino hollywood [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/argosy-casino-lawrenceburg-indiana.html]casino aranjuez actuacion [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/casino-brooks-california.html]bogota casino in atlantic city [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/casino-craps-gambling-online.html]casino las vega [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/odawa-casino-resort.html]casino roulette black jack slot machine [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/casino-schools.html]cannes sofitel mandelieu royal casino [/url]
[url=http://vegasonlines.net/quinault-beach-casino.html]bso casino [/url]
casino babe image
[b]mapa ruta casino tabasco[/b]
casino web com co
online casino game
[b]caesars palace casino[/b]
grand casino http united states grandcasino com
[u]imperial palace casino biloxi[/u]
the mirage casino
tropicana vegas casino
[b]euro grand casino[/b]
eurobet casino
casino roulette download

Anonymous said...

[url=http://seghan.ru/go.php?sid=35][img]http://s003.radikal.ru/i203/1001/17/1008f12c7936.jpg[/img][/url]












[url=http://cauvzah.weinend.de/sitemap.html]buying cigarettes online legal [/url]
buy doral cigarettes online where to buy wave cigaretts to buy newport cigarettes
[url=http://mlwqdwu.xn--baldmglichst-8ib.de/sitemap.html]buying cigarettes in ireland [/url]
where can i buy lake cigarettes buy winston cigarettes online buy cartons of cigarettes
[url=http://ubpscsn.pro.ac/]buy cigarettes at a [/url]
age to buy cigaretts buy cigarettes online marlboro only best buy cigarette 2652
[url=http://wcsoius.biz.co.nl/sitemap.html]carton cigarette marlboro order [/url]
buy players menthol 100 cigarette canada titan cigarette buy buy cigarettes at
[url=http://vonzura.misslich.de/sitemap.html]order cheap cigarette [/url]
buy bubble gum cigarettes can buy cigarettes at order mexican cigarettes
[url=http://vjzvmeu.il.gp/]buy duty free cigarettes in [/url]
minimum age to buy cigarettes buy cigarettes online camel buy cigarettes california
[url=http://deuaexj.naheliegend.de/]buy cigarettes for minors [/url]
buy misty cigarettes online buying russian cigarettes online in uk buy cigarettes in new
[url=http://tioozua.connection24.de/sitemap.html]to buy discount cigarettes [/url]
buy hassan cigarette cards buy fantasia cigarettes age to buy cigarettes in florida
[url=http://uvfaquc.akzentuiert.de/sitemap.html]buy cigarettes online from kentucky [/url]
buy ultra buy premier cigarettes online ordering cigarettes from canada splash cigarettes buy nonline
[url=http://ubpscsn.pro.ac/]buying cigarettes in europe [/url]
buy cigarettes from buying cigarettes in canada cigarettes buy cheap duty free online

Anonymous said...

[url=http://seghan.ru/go.php?sid=35][img]http://s002.radikal.ru/i200/1001/f0/0ddd2280d906.jpg[/img][/url]












[url=http://bmouavc.rostet.de/]buy philip morris cigarettes [/url]
buy cigarettes with buy flavored cigarette electric cigarettes where to buy
[url=http://laubree.club-area.de/]buy cigarettes in nh [/url]
buying russian cigarettes on line order cheap cigarette buy cigarettes online money order
[url=http://bdfaago.eo3.de/]buying cigarettes in italy [/url]
buy marlboro cigarettes online for buying blank cigarette boxes and contaners onlin buy treasurer cigarettes
[url=http://emeqzos.anschauen.in/sitemap.html]buy duty free cigarettes [/url]
buying cigarettes from missouri buy belmont cigarettes buy empty cigarette packs on line
[url=http://pbfeeba.cs-clan.org/]buy cobra cigarettes [/url]
buy 555 cigarettes buy cigarettes online with credit card buy sweet dreams cigarettes
[url=http://uyjrnue.bqt.de/]where to buy cheap cigarettes online [/url]
where to buy non fsc cigarettes where to buy the cheapest cigarettes eclipse cigarettes where to buy
[url=http://oicinoc.server3.eu/sitemap.html]where to buy non fsc cigarettes [/url]
buy cigarettes with check account cigarettes buy europe buy value pride cigarettes
[url=http://pbfeeba.cs-clan.org/]and buy cigarettes [/url]
cigarettes no tar buy cigarettes discount buying shopping buy cigarettes indian reservation in florida
[url=http://laubree.club-area.de/sitemap.html]buy single packs of cigarettes [/url]
buy american spirit organic light cigarettes smokeless cigarettes where to buy buy cigarettes online out of state
[url=http://bdfaago.eo3.de/sitemap.html]flavored cigarettes buy online [/url]
buying cigarettes online buying cigaretts online california cigarette tax stamp purchase order

Anonymous said...

Good dispatch and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you seeking your information.

Anonymous said...

Order [url=http://buy-cialis.icr38.net/Retrovir]retrovir online[/url] easy - Incredible Offer azulfidine online here - Advantageous Offer

Anonymous said...

Well I agree but I think the brief should secure more info then it has.

Anonymous said...

Good morning
[URL=http://allopurinol.8k.com/parvo]tamiflu for parvo[/URL] [URL=http://alphagan.s5.com/enalapril]enalapril maleate tablet[/URL] [URL=http://alkeran.8m.net/ointment/map.html]Beast online erythromycin ophthalmic ointment[/URL] [URL=http://diabeticdiet.warp0.com/alli/map.html]Beast online alli orlistat 60 mg[/URL] [URL=http://alkeran.8m.net/colostrum/map.html]Beast online colostrum transfer factor[/URL]
Welcome

Anonymous said...

[color=#940f04]
Не знаеш который час в этом городе? Может-быть... есть cупер предложение по[url=http://www.pi7.ru] видео[/url] порталу Думаю вам понравится

[url=http://www.pi7.ru]сайт порнографии [/url]
aнекдот для разнообразия :)

Со мной девушка порвала... Причем еще прислала фотки где она с моим друготм трахается...
- Иты что?
- Отослал этифотки ее отцуу...

Я 8 часов булждаал по стеии, потка не вышлеа на ващ форум! Думаю, я здесь останусь надолго!
прошу прощения за опечатки.... очань амленькая клавиатура у PDA!

[/color]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://seghan.ru/go.php?sid=2][img]http://banners.servized.com/current/gif/tam_720x90_1.gif[/img][/url]

[url=http://old-drugstore.net/]What is/are Zovirax Tablets?[/url]
What are acyclovir tablets or capsules?
ACYCLOVIR (Zovirax®) treats assured types of viral infections, specifically herpes infections. Acyclovir
will not medicament herpes infections; it desire cure the sores rejuvenate faster and help to release the pang or discomfort.
Now acyclovir is confirmed to help enjoin the infection from coming back. Acyclovir also treats shingles
and chickenpox infections. Generic acyclovir tablets and capsules are available.

What should I tell my healthiness mindfulness provider in front of I be involved this medicine?
They needfulness to recollect if you have any of these conditions:

•dehydration
•neurological disease
•kidney disease
•seizures (convulsions)
•an bizarre or allergic response to acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•expectant or trying to receive in a family way
•breast-feeding



[url=http://best-drugstore.aoaoaxxx.ru/][img]http://i079.radikal.ru/0910/b9/3f666eb40896.jpg[/img][/url]
























[url= ]purchase Zovirax Windsorpurchase Zovirax Kitchener [/url]
purchase Zovirax Montrealpurchase Zovirax Quebec City
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Gatineaupurchase Zovirax Outaouais [/url]
purchase Zovirax Sherbrookepurchase Zovirax Estrie
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Saguenaypurchase Zovirax Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean [/url]
purchase Zovirax Trois-Rivierespurchase Zovirax Mauricie
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Vancouverpurchase Zovirax Victoria [/url]
purchase Zovirax Kelownapurchase Zovirax Abbotsford
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Kamloopspurchase Zovirax Nanaimo [/url]
purchase Zovirax Prince Georgepurchase Zovirax Chilliwack
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Vernonpurchase Zovirax Courtenay [/url]
purchase Zovirax Calgarypurchase Zovirax Edmonton
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Red Deerpurchase Zovirax Lethbridge [/url]
purchase Zovirax Winnipegpurchase Zovirax Australia
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Austriapurchase Zovirax Argentina [/url]
purchase Zovirax Belgiumpurchase Zovirax Bulgaria
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Brasiliapurchase Zovirax Great britain [/url]
purchase Zovirax Hungarypurchase Zovirax Germany
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Greecepurchase Zovirax Denmark [/url]
purchase Zovirax Egyptpurchase Zovirax Korea

Anonymous said...

[url=http://seghan.ru/go.php?sid=35][img]http://i066.radikal.ru/1001/38/f22daff34e6d.jpg[/img][/url]












[url=http://membres.multimania.fr/dnnuctg/]buy cheap cigarettes in the [/url]
buying marlboro cigarettes buy discount cigarettes d buy tax free cigarette
[url=http://utenti.multimania.it/peexcal/]e cigarette buy online [/url]
new york cigarettes indian order discount cigarette store buy discount cigarettes buy euro cigarettes
[url=http://utenti.multimania.it/haisjzu/]buy chunghwa cigarette [/url]
age to buy cigarettes in florida buy newport cigarettes online discount buy cigarettes paypal
[url=http://utenti.multimania.it/pxioeei/]buy japan cigarettes [/url]
buy tax free cigarette age you can buy cigarettes buying cigarettes in south carolina
[url=http://utenti.multimania.it/xbftjof/]buy cigarettes on [/url]
order cigarettes online paypal discount mail order cigarettes can i order cigarettes online
[url=http://utenti.multimania.it/faoozxa/]buy cigarettes online from indians in usa [/url]
buying cigarettes online arizona buy glamour menthol cigarettes buy cigarette online canada
[url=http://members.multimania.nl/weljgzi/]buy cigarettes from the us [/url]
where to buy electronic cigarette buy cigarettes online south carolina where is the cheapest place to buy cigarettes

Anonymous said...

wow guys! counter the latest unbind [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]casino[/url] games like roulette and slots !endorse completely like a light the all stylish redeem [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casino[/url] games at the all trendy www.casinolasvegass.com, the most trusted [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casinos[/url] on the entanglement! complicated our [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/download.html]free casino software download[/url] and carry out impress upon the bacon money.
you can also check other [url=http://sites.google.com/site/onlinecasinogames2010/]online casinos bonus[/url] . check out this new [url=http://www.place-a-bet.net/]online casino[/url].

Anonymous said...

cool guys! coincide the latest for free [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]casino[/url] games like roulette and slots !study show the all stylish unburden [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casino[/url] games at the all untrained www.casinolasvegass.com, the most trusted [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casinos[/url] on the cobweb! dig our [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/download.html]free casino software download[/url] and gain a victory in money.
you can also discontinuation other [url=http://sites.google.com/site/onlinecasinogames2010/]online casinos bonus[/url] . check out this new [url=http://www.place-a-bet.net/]online casino[/url].

Anonymous said...

Именно мы первыми полетели в космос и первыми прилетели из него.
п»їincore-media

Anonymous said...

Привет. Странаня ситуация, пытаюсь зайти на блог, меня постоянно выкидывает. Сейчас зашел через прокси и все нормально. Можно попросить разблокировать ип адрес 192.48.250.80
Так уже с недели две не могу попасть со своего ип в блог.

Anonymous said...

Интересное замечание.