Exploring the Connection Between [Freud's Psychoanalysis] and Buddhist Mindfulness
Freud’s psychoanalytic model, which includes the id, ego, and superego, parallels the relationship between emotions and intellect found in Buddha’s teachings—the foundation of the original mindfulness practice. The id represents primal desires and emotions, the ego mediates these impulses with reality, and the superego incorporates moral values. This dynamic is similar to how mindfulness helps balance emotions and intellect in Buddhism
In Buddhism, mindfulness is a powerful tool for regulating emotions and desires, much like the ego moderates the impulses of the id in psychoanalysis. The Buddha’s teachings encourage cultivating awareness and equanimity, which is similar to the ego’s role in balancing emotional drives with ethical and rational guidance—much like Freud’s superego. Both psychoanalysis and Buddhist mindfulness emphasize the importance of harmonizing emotions and intellect for overall well-being and balance.
