Reframing Limiting Beliefs: A CBT And NLP Approach Inspired By The Wisdom Of The Ashtavakra Gita

Abstract

This paper explores the potential for integrating the philosophical wisdom of the Ashtavakra Gita with contemporary psychotherapeutic modalities, specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), to address and reframe limiting beliefs. It argues that the Gita's core teachings on self-realization, non-duality, and witness-consciousness can provide a profound conceptual foundation that enhances the efficacy of established CBT and NLP techniques. By examining the synergies between these ancient insights and modern psychological practices through a conceptual analysis, the paper proposes an integrative framework aimed at fostering deeper self-awareness, psychological flexibility, and sustainable well-being beyond symptomatic relief. The discussion will highlight how principles from the Ashtavakra Gita can inform the processes of identifying, challenging, and transforming ingrained negative belief patterns, offering a path towards a more expansive and liberated sense of self. This exploration aims to contribute to a more holistic understanding of belief change, acknowledging the interplay between cognitive processes, linguistic constructs, and existential awareness, ultimately suggesting pathways toward not just altered cognitions but a transformed relationship with the self.