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Adaptation Practice introduces an ancient way of understanding and dealing with emotional problems.
Our conventional ways of understanding and so of dealing with emotional problems (such as depression, anxiety, anger, stress, etc.) are often based on the assumption that there is something fundamentally wrong with us: weak or bad personality, traumatic past, faulty chemicals in the brain or erroneous thoughts. This way of thinking is deeply embedded in our culture, which is based on the concept of original sin and a misunderstanding of cause and effect in human psychology.
Far eastern psychology, and in particular Buddhist psychology, is different because it is not based on these concepts and misunderstandings. In this view we are all born without such faults but because of our mistaken views we have come to behave in ways that produce our own emotional problems and suffering. Although we are born weak, dependent and sensitive these are not considered to be faults even when they persist into adult life. An inner strength can be developed through suitable training and with this we can learn to become independent: to stand on our own two feet. We can learn to cope with being sensitive and to live with our emotions (all of which are natural and normal - although often unpleasant, painful, overwhelming and frightening). Adaptation Practice brings in us a clearer understanding of emotional problems and a more effective way of dealing with them without resorting to drugs, analysis of thoughts and memories or adjusting our thoughts but by changing how we react to what we dislike in life, which, inevitably, includes upsetting and disturbing emotions.
The assumption that there is something wrong with us is regarded as an example of how our judgments and opinions are so often based on misunderstandings and misinterpretations - that is, they arise from our theories without awareness or understanding of the underling conditions of cause and effect.
Recently there has been a growing number of scientific studies in the West showing the benefits of Buddhist-style meditation. They all show that it is better to be quiet inside - that is, not to pay attention to thoughts and not to engage in thinking.
Adaptation Practice is the preliminary practical preparation for Zen Buddhist training. However, in this context it is entirely secular. We could say that it is nothing to do with Buddhism or any other religion or belief system but in practice it is the basic training for all of these and for simply living a better life. Adaptation Practice offers a structured program for daily life practice, which, traditionally, meditation is based on.
The latest movement in clinical psychology (called mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) is based on this and yet, even though without the foundation of daily life practice, it has, nevertheless, been shown to be more effective than antidepressant drugs for recurrent depression.
More about this can be found at http://www.adaptatiopractice.org