How To Use Psychology and Buddhism To Handle Your Inner Critic | Amita Schmidt - Ten Percent Happier Recap

Podcast: Ten Percent Happier

Published: 2026-01-07

Duration: 1 hr 2 min

Guests: Amita Schmidt

Summary

Amita Schmidt discusses the integration of Buddhism and psychology through Internal Family Systems to address mental health challenges like depression and the inner critic. She emphasizes acceptance, surrender, and accessing a 'wise self' to transform how we relate to our inner struggles.

What Happened

Amita Schmidt, a seasoned meditation teacher and psychotherapist, blends Buddhist meditation practices with Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to offer a unique approach to handling mental health challenges. IFS focuses on self-leadership, where a wise self, characterized by attributes such as curiosity and compassion, guides us rather than our fragmented inner parts. Schmidt shares her personal journey of overcoming deep-seated depression that began at age five, which she navigated through therapy and meditation, eventually arriving at a pivotal realization that depression is not as solid as it feels.

Schmidt introduces the 'tend, befriend, transcend' framework, which integrates psychology and Dharma to address and transform emotional pain. She argues that states like depression are often precursors to deeper understanding and letting go of attachments to the thought mind. Her transformative moment came with a profound insight into the transient nature of depression, allowing her to move past it through acceptance and surrender.

The role of the inner critic is reexamined in this episode, with Schmidt describing it as a protector part within IFS, rather than a foe to be vanquished. She suggests that by bringing compassion and curiosity, two of the 'eight C's' of IFS, one can reframe the inner critic's role and mitigate its negative impact. This approach helps in accessing the sanest and wisest version of oneself, which is essential for personal growth.

Amita Schmidt also emphasizes the importance of envisioning a wise elder or future self to tap into this 'wise self.' This practice not only fosters a sense of calm and connection but also helps in addressing the inner critic's demands. By recognizing that depression and other mental states are not permanent, individuals can begin to relax their resistance and tap into a deeper state of awareness.

Acceptance and surrender are highlighted as transformative processes that allow individuals to soften their resistance to difficult patterns. Schmidt explains that this process involves recognizing and relaxing one's parts, pain, and tension, which paves the way for healing and self-transcendence.

Schmidt stresses that awareness is always present and can be cultivated to quiet the mental noise that often dominates our lives. She offers simple pointers for sensing this 'aware presence,' which can lead to greater clarity and peace. By encouraging listeners to engage with their inner world in this way, Schmidt provides a path to truth, love, peace, and joy through self-awareness practices.

Key Insights