Upon its first publication, this pathbreaking book launched an explosion of interest in how Eastern spirituality can enhance Western psychology. Since then, the worlds of Buddhism and psychotherapy have been forged into a revolutionary new understanding of what constitutes a healthy emotional life. In his insightful introduction, Mark Epstein reflects on this revolution and considers how it is likely to evolve in the future. “Mark Epstein’s book is inspired in its lucidity . . . After Thoughts Without a Thinker, psychotherapy without a Buddhist perspective looks like a diminished thing.” — Adam Phillips, author of On Kissing, Tickling, and Being Bored “A groundbreaking work…The book will take its place among the classics of the literature of meditation.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are “A marvelous book that is at once scholarly and fresh, informative and personal.” — Stephen A. Mitchell, author of Freud and Beyond “A most lucid and expert account of the wedding of psychotherapy and meditation. And Eastern-Western psychology that truly speaks from the inside of both worlds.” — Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart “I loved thoughts Without a Thinker. Mark Epstein has given us a brilliant account of how an ancient science of mind, based on a rich meditative tradition, can complement therapy and lead to new dimensions of wisdom and wholeness.” — Joan Borysenko, author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind “Instructive and impressive.” — Robert Coles, author of The Mind’s Fate
Thoughts Without A Thinker
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
From Amazon
Drawing upon his own experience as therapist, meditator and patient, Mark Epstein, a New York-based psychiatrist trained in classical Freudian methods, attempts to integrate Western psychotherapy and the teachings of Buddhism. Repressed memories, painful emotions, narcissism and destructive energies can all be uprooted through Buddha's teaching on suffering, delusion, wisdom and non-attachment. Epstein argues that in recognizing his or her self-created mental suffering, a patient can overcome neurotic behaviors and even overcome a deeply ingrained negative sense of self.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Epstein, a New York City psychiatrist trained in classical Freudian methods, has studied Buddhist meditation in India and Southeast Asia. In a highly personal, thoughtful, illuminating synthesis, he draws on his own experience as therapist, meditator and patient in an unusual attempt to integrate Western psychotherapy and Buddha's teachings on suffering, delusion, wisdom and nonattachment. According to Epstein, Buddhist meditative practices can help people release repressed memories, work through painful emotions, uproot narcissism and redirect destructive energies. By recognizing his or her self-created mental suffering, the patient is able to overcome neurotic behavior patterns and may ultimately shed a deeply ingrained negative sense of self. Patients, psychologists and meditators willing to explore the arduous path outlined here will find much spiritual nourishment.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By "aaghevli"
Format:Audio Cassette
I think this book is an absolutely wonderful introduction to a particular subset of Buddhist philosophy, and done so in such a way that it may benefit our own lives as well as the academic and practices of psychology today.
Specifically, the examination of the Buddhist Realms of existence (of which there are 6 I believe) and its relation to our states of mind. In doing so, we are treated to stories of the personal struggles of his patients as well as their parallels to Buddhist concepts (most notably the 6 realms).
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good INTRODUCTION (as the depth could be expanded further of course)to Buddhist philosophy within our current scientific concepts, as well as psychologists looking to expand their world view and see ancient Buddhists as their predecessors. A well written and caring book.
By L. Heiser
Format:Paperback
I picked this book off the shelf in 1995, when it was published, and have read it about five times since. Although I have an advanced degree and am used to difficult books, I found it very challenging, though readable and interesting. I don't think I developed a coherent sense of the profound and helpful ideas in "Thoughts Without a Thinker" until my third or fourth read.
I'd like to thank Mark Epstein for the 20 years of experience, study, practice, thought, and compassion he put into this book. In our anti-intellectual culture it's a pleasure to read a consummately intellectual book that is packed with feeling, humanity, and a dynamic sense of purpose and discovery.
It's reductive to say what I got out of this book, and, in a way, against the spirit of the book. But what I derived from my readings is a profound argument (that has stayed with me, really helped me) for not taking myself, my "tragedies," or, even, anyone else's, too much to heart. To understand that I and my culture burden me with a sense of identity and history that are simply irrationally heavy; to understand that many of my "burdens" can be eased by blending analysis and understanding with a less rational "bare attention" and letting go.
Are you berating yourself for anything? Epstein's marvelous quotes from Buddhist texts speak eloquently for him: "Things are not what they seem. Nor are they otherwise. Deeds exist, but no doer can be found."
It's amazing how much the reviewers of this book agree with one another. I think this speaks to the tremendous integrity of Mark Epstein's effort in this book. Among other things, "Thoughts Without a Thinker" inspires me to try (as non-neurotically as possible) to create something as excellent in my life.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Epstein's book is certainly a solid treatment of Buddhist thinking and psychology. He does an excellent job in connecting many of the bohemian-seeming Eastern concepts into a Western framework. However, one must always be careful when procuring information on "psychology" from a psychiatrist. Epstein's bent is consistently psychoanalytic. Had he gone so far as to mention that this perspective is only one of many (and notably, one held by a rapidly shrinking minority of psychotherapists), this book would have been an entertaining read on the combination of psychoanalysis and Zen.
This oversight is particularly noteworthy as many behavioral psychologists (now comprising the bulk of evidenced-based psychotherapy practitioners) have been incorporating Eastern philosophy into their practice for at least the last 20 years. Notable among them are Marsha Linehan, Steve Hayes, and (more closely tied to Zen) Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Overall, this is a well-written book. Readers will enjoy it if taken with a grain of salt and the understanding that Epstein's view represents a minority. If you are looking for an even-handed treatment of the incorporation of Eastern and Western psychology, I strongly recommend reading works by a psychologist.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 57 reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Still trying to figure it all out? This book does a wonderful job of synthesizing modern psychotherapy with buddhism and buddhist psychology. Read more
Published on July 2 2002 by C. Garcia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Still trying to figure it all out? This book does a wonderful job of synthesizing modern psychotherapy with buddhism and buddhist psychology. Read more
Published on July 2 2002 by C. Garcia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Still trying to figure it all out? This book does a wonderful job of synthesizing modern psychotherapy with buddhism and buddhist psychology. Read more
Published on July 2 2002 by C. Garcia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable information, genuine inspiration.
Here is a book, scholarly but not intimidating, to educate and inspire psychotherapy clients and psychotherapists alike. Read more
Published on Jun 22 2002 by Tw Rutledge
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Wandering through the Wheel of Life."
A friend loaned me this book, and from the notes in its margins, it looks like it has passed through many hands before mine. Read more
Published on Dec 21 2001 by G. Merritt
4.0 out of 5 stars
Buddha meets Freud
This books explores the profound links between psychotherapy and Buddhism. Starting from a very simple premise (in the Dalai Lama's words who writes a preface to this book)... Read more
Published on July 8 2001 by Tanya Gupta
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good introduction to Buddhism
This book is a terrific introduction to Buddhism. It puts Buddhism into psychological framework and makes it more accessible. Read more
Published on Jun 7 2001 by Nagel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Embracing the dark
I found this book while struggling with a severe bout of depression. I was stunned in someway and heartened by the intuitive and thorough writings. Read more
Published on May 20 2001 by "pemapal"
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM
Most people have heard of Buddhism, but not everyone understands what its philosophy is all about. Many books have been written on the subject but this is one of the most straight... Read more
Published on May 8 2001 by Sandra D. Peters
5.0 out of 5 stars
Succinct, Lucid, Beautifully Written.
Mark Espstein explains the heart of Buddha and the mind of Freud simultaneously, and with greater clarity than ever I had read about either before. Read more
Published on Jun 30 2000 by Mark Wieczorek
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
