Techniques of psychotherapy have occasionally been influenced from outside mainstream psychological practice altogether, in particular the meditation practices associated with several Asian traditions. Interest in exotic cultures was spurred by the hippies of the 60s, who were inspired by Eastern spirituality. New age ideas followed, along with interest in yoga, tai chi, qigong, martial arts, acupuncture, Reiki, and other Eastern practices. Meanwhile, elements of Indian tradition, including the yogic methods of Hinduism and Buddhism and the contemplative practices of Jainism, became incorporated into Western pop culture.
Yoga and meditation became accepted as relaxation techniques, but psychologists realized that they also helped people to develop a ‘mindful awareness’ that allowed them to calmly observe their thoughts as though from an objective perspective. Because this was a detached and non-critical view, it could be used in cognitive therapy to detect the negative thoughts that might be creating anxiety disorders such as depression, or changing perceptions about their emotional and visceral states.
