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Open to Desire: The Truth About What the Buddha Taught Paperback – Jan 5 2006

by Mark Epstein M.D. (Author)

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“A masterpiece. . . . It teaches us how not to fear and repress, but to rechannel and harness the most powerful energies of life toward freedom and bliss.” —ROBERT THURMAN

It is common in both Buddhism and Freudian psychoanalysis to treat desire as if it is the root of all suffering and problems, but psychiatrist Mark Epstein believes this to be a grave misunderstanding.In his controversial defense of desire, he makes clear that it is the key to deepening intimacy with ourselves, each other, and our world.

Proposing that spiritual attainment does not have to be detached from intimacy or eroticism, Open to Desire begins with an exploration of the state of dissatisfaction that causes us to cling to irrational habits. Dr. Epstein helps readers overcome their own fears of desire so that they can more readily bridge the gap between self and other, cope with feelings of incompletion, and get past the perception of others as objects. Freed from clinging and shame, desire’s spiritual potential can then be opened up.

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Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart: A Buddhist Perspective on Wholeness by Mark Epstein M.D. Paperback CDN$ 14.96
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Product details

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Avery; Reprint edition (Jan. 5 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592401856
ISBN-13: 978-1592401857
Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 1.5 x 20.3 cm
Shipping Weight: 200 g
Average Customer Review: 1 customer review
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #88,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #85 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Buddha
- #85 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Buddha
- #126 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Counseling > Couples & Family Therapy

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Product description

Review

“A fascinating look at the urge for pleasure, with the goal of helping readers accept the sensation of wanting into their lives in ways that are helpful both spiritually and psychologically.” —Body and Soul

About the Author

Mark Epstein, M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City who lectures frequently about the value of Buddhist meditation for psychotherapy. His previous books include Thoughts Without a Thinker, Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart, and Going on Being. He is a contributing editor to Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and has written many articles for Yoga Journal and O: The Oprah Magazine.

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veronica pelicaric

Four Stars

August 16, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Love it, as I do all his books

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Amazon.com: 27 reviews

Miss D

An Interpretation of Buddhism for Modern Generations

April 29, 2013 - Published on Amazon.com

Verified Purchase

I checked this book out of the library during a 10-day Intro to Buddhism course at the Tushita Institute in Macleodganj, India.
The course was focused on suffering and and how we must not be attached.

I was looking for an interpretation of the Buddha's teachings that had a more positive perspective on life and offered a way to live Buddhism while living in the modern world - with a husband, friends, coworkers and children.
Surely there is some way to take the Buddha's teachings that is compatible with deriving true pleasure from your children, that offers instruction on healthy ways to be attached to your husband and mother, rather than holing up in a monastery?

This book gave all of that and more. Filled with human stories that make the concepts easy to understand and remember, and offering all the positive perspective that some people hope resides in buddhism

9 people found this helpful.

~b in NC

Like many of his books, this one offers good insights into Buddhism and Psychology

October 3, 2014 - Published on Amazon.com

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

If you have already read books by Epstein, this will please you as well. It shows that Buddhism isn't just about renunciation, but is very much open to desire if we handle it right.

2 people found this helpful.

Pedro Macedo

Great book for reflecting about Buddhism and desire control

December 9, 2012 - Published on Amazon.com

Verified Purchase

I know Mark's others book and when I found this one I was very excited and anxious!! A not so good beginning.
But the book has satisfied me even so. The text is dense, comprehensive and clear, although the subject is very difficult and tricky.
I gave "only" four stars because I think the Mark's others books are better in the purpose of analyzing/reflecting Buddhism and Psychoanalysis.
I think everyone who has some basic knowledge of Buddhism concepts fundamentals will benefit from reading this book.

3 people found this helpful.

Mariano Ramos

Nice reconciliation of psychoanalytic theory and Buddhsit views on desire

January 10, 2013 - Published on Amazon.com

Verified Purchase

Mark achieved a complex thought: the reconciliation of two apparent opposing theories,
on one hand the buddhist practice searching to use desire in a trascendental way
through a number of means and on the other psychoanalytic theory that postuleates the
central role of desire in all achievements in life.
Congratulations to Mark Epstein on essay.

2 people found this helpful.

S Sekar

Worthwhile, great value

January 3, 2014 - Published on Amazon.com

Verified Purchase

The book gives nice examples of desire vs craving with real cases.
Relating to Ramayana the great epic gives better connection to the time tested learning.
A new understanding with modern lifetime is felt.
Some correlation to karma yoga, I felt, when craving is differentiated from desire. Results are not in one's hands and anticipating particular result is beset with anxiety and frustration and removes the fun in karma (action)..

One person found this helpful.

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