ACT and Buddhism SIG

ACT and Buddhism Special Interest Group

Affiliated 2024

Click Here to Join the ACT and Buddhism SIG and its Listserv!

You will be added as a member to the SIG and to the SIG's email listserv. You will receive those messages in daily digest form (by default). If you would like to change your email delivery preference, you can do so here.

SIG Officers

Andy Santanello - President
Brent Hogarth - Vice President 
Michael Eisen - Secretary
Robert Johansson - Member-at-Large
John Freese - Member-at-Large

General Interest Area to be Specifically Addressed

Areas of convergence and divergence between Buddhist practice and philosophy and the theory and practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as Contextual Behavioral Science in general.

Mission/Objectives

The ACT and Buddhism Special Interest Group's mission is to foster and maintain a community for anyone interested in facilitating an ongoing conversation among SIG members about the areas of convergence and divergence between Buddhist practice and philosophy and the theory and practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Furthermore, we aim to provide resources, support, and a platform for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners to explore how these two approaches can complement each other and contribute to the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. In addition to this, we strive to organize events, workshops, and seminars that enable direct interaction and learning opportunities for our members.

SIG Activities

We hope to explore possibilities for SIG members to interact with each other and the greater ACBS community.
● The Buddhism and ACT SIG will facilitate an ongoing discussion via the SIG's email listserv.
● Other activities might include SIG meetings, an annual meeting at the ACBS World Conference, and opportunities to engage in Buddhist practice together (e.g., meditation).

The Buddhism and ACT SIG aims to foster a deeper understanding of the common ground shared between Buddhist philosophy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). For example, we plan to host online discussion groups that delve into the theoretical and practical synergies between Buddhism and ACT, examining how principles like mindfulness, compassion, and acceptance play out in both contexts. 

Description of Membership

We welcome any ACBS member from any religious, ethnic, cultural, or racial background as well as individuals from the LGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent communities with an interest in participating in conversations about Buddhism and ACT including:
● Non-Buddhist professionals working with Buddhism clients who wish to learn more about ways to integrate ACT into their work with these clients.
● Buddhist professionals who are interested in developing a greater sense of integrity between their personal Buddhist practice and the practice of ACT in their professional lives.
● Researchers who are curious about specific questions related to the relationships between Buddhist concepts/practices and ACT/CBS.
● CBS enthusiasts who wish to engage in in-depth conversations about the areas of philosophical compatibility between Functional Contextualism and Buddhist philosophical traditions.
● Professionals, researchers, and students with a casual interest in Buddhism who are curious and want to learn more.