Buddhism as method

Buddhist practices such as mindfulness have been decontextualised and misrepresented, often skewed to align with commercial interests under neoliberal ideologies. In response, this article explores spiritual wisdom within Buddhism, underscoring the inherently relative, conditioned, and impermanent nature of reality. It begins by introducing a decolonial analytical framework, Buddhism as method, to critically evaluate psychological research and practice. Through this lens, the article examines how current mental health practice may inadvertently perpetuate social injustice within a neoliberal context. Additionally, it advocates for spiritual engagement within the profession, emphasising the transformative power of personal spiritual growth in driving meaningful social justice advocacy. By engaging more deeply with socially engaged forms of spirituality, this article identifies areas for improvement in psychological research and practice while underscoring the vital role of personal spiritual growth in advancing social justice.