ABSTRACT
Whatever model therapists use to work with, insights from inner science and outer science as to how the process of compassion works will always benefit them. Buddhist psychology has produced a wealth of knowledge from inner science in 2,500 years history, which offers deeper insights in the common roots of human suffering. It concerns transdiagnostic processes that can be helpful for many clients conditions or disorders. The Buddhist view can help shift the perspective from the holding environment offered by the therapist to developing the capacity for an open and compassionate awareness in the clients themselves. Therapeutic schools rooted in positive and solution-focussed psychology have quite rightly been pointing out for some time that successful therapy involves more than reducing complaints or symptoms. The Four Illimitables of Buddhist psychology offer a way to move towards well-being and to practise kindness and sympathetic joy without excluding inevitable adversity and suffering and to meet the latter with equanimity and compassion.
