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Some find this difficult because the key to cultivating well-being and and laugh at it, saying to myself “oh,
of what I call the “yeah buts” – a happiness in life. hello, klesha. Thanks for showing
common refrain from depressed up, but I don’t need you to stick
clients. They may say something to Having a sense of humor also around.” It really helps! A sense
the effect of “yeah but, I don’t feel helps us cultivate well-being and of humor can get us out of our
grateful about anything.” I counter happiness. A sense of humor helps ego-driven tunnel vision and self-
with “What about the fact that the us not take things – especially centeredness. It helps us see things
sun is shining? Did you hear the ourselves – so seriously. For from a bigger, more panoramic
beautiful song of that bird outside example, competitiveness is a perspective, making problems
our window?” It takes practice to habitual tendency (klesha in that seem insurmountable more
observe and take time to appreciate Sanskrit) of mine. When I see it workable. EH
the small joys of life. I believe this is rear its head, I’m able to step back

Applying Dhamma

during Counselling

By Ven. Ding Rong

Venerable Ding Rong (定融法師) is a Singaporean
monk. He was ordained in Sydney, in 1994. He is
the founder and mentor of Dot Connections Growth
Centre, an organisation aiming to propagate
Dhamma education and provide Buddhist
counselling.

After graduating from Buddhist College in 1998,
he further pursued 3-year postgraduate Buddhist
studies in Taiwan Buddhist Research Institute.
He also holds a Master’s degree in professional
counselling from Swinburne University of increasingly more people are facing mental health
Technology, Australia and a Bachelor of Science issues. Is spiritual deprivation the leading cause of
(Honours) in Psychological Studies from the the prevalent escalation of mental health issues?
University of Derby, UK. He is passionate in Zhi Yi Wong of Eastern Horizon had interviewed
integrating the Dhamma into modern psychology Ven. Ding Rong on October 10, 2022, in which the
in order to help and guide people in tackling their venerable shared his aspirations in establishing
mind and life matters more effectively.
Dot Connections Growth Centre, his experience in
applying Buddhist teachings into counselling and
Even though our modern society is richer in terms how we can practice the Dhamma to develop and
of material wealth and advancement in technology,
strengthen our mental well-being.