Thoughts Without A Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective
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By: Mark Epstein
Format: Paperback
From: Basic Books
Pub. Date: November 2004
From: Basic Books
Pub. Date: November 2004
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2004-12-14
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 272
Ean: 9780465020225
Isbn: 0465020224
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2004-12-14
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 272
Ean: 9780465020225
Isbn: 0465020224
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
Thoughts Without a Thinker is the landmark book that brought the worlds of Buddhism and psychotherapy into contact with each other, and changed thousands of lives. Drawing upon his own experience as therapist, meditator, and patient, Mark Epstein, a New York-based psychiatrist trained in classical Freudian methods, integrates Western psychotherapy and the teachings of Buddhism.In accessible, intimate language, this enlightening guide explains the unique psychological contributions of the teachings of Buddhism, describes the path of meditation in contemporary psychological language, and lays out the possibility of a meditation-inspired psychotherapy. Mark Epstein's new introduction reflects on the impact of the book and on the evolving relationship between psychotherapy and Buddhism.
USER REVIEWS
"The author of this book has done an outstanding job explaining the different benefits of both psychotherapy and meditation, there limits and how these approaches can help the other. He explains that "It's not what we are feeling that's important but how we relate to it that matters". The author does a great job clearing up a lot of misconceptions about meditation and the Buddha's teachings. They are very similiar to modern day psychotherapy. Meditation is a form of self therapy, observing your thoughts as they arise and insight mediation allows you to examine how your thoughts flow and why.
Buddha taught that the false ego or metaphorical self causes mental suffering. Deeds exist, but no doer can be found. Thoughts exist with out a thinker. We have thoughts, feelings, a body, senses, and consciousness; all these exist, however there is no "I" or "ego". That is mental formation we hold in our mind and give it a form, but it is a mental mirage and is an illusion and is the root of all our mental suffering. That is the main teaching of this book, and if you can grasp that you overcome the world."
~ Written on 2008-06-04
Buddha taught that the false ego or metaphorical self causes mental suffering. Deeds exist, but no doer can be found. Thoughts exist with out a thinker. We have thoughts, feelings, a body, senses, and consciousness; all these exist, however there is no "I" or "ego". That is mental formation we hold in our mind and give it a form, but it is a mental mirage and is an illusion and is the root of all our mental suffering. That is the main teaching of this book, and if you can grasp that you overcome the world."
~ Written on 2008-06-04
"Mindfulness, awareness, and all things nonreactive are discussed in this slim, useful text about the new psychology of buddhism. I loved it and immediately began rereading it upon finishing it. My question for myself is whether and how to approach the scholarly texts of buddhist thought for my own contemplation. "
~ Written on 2007-11-02
~ Written on 2007-11-02
"I read Epstein's book on Desire before this one. When I read this book I was struck by how foundational it is for the desire book. That said, it doesn't make this book less useful for the reader. Epstein, as always, mindfully approaches the subjects at hand with experience and theory offered up to help readers grasp the concepts.
I found his approach of cultivating openness to feeling to be really insightful and helpful in dealing with some avoidant behaviors I have. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes his other work or is looking for a different perspective."
~ Written on 2007-03-19
I found his approach of cultivating openness to feeling to be really insightful and helpful in dealing with some avoidant behaviors I have. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes his other work or is looking for a different perspective."
~ Written on 2007-03-19
"This book was amazingly apropos for the point I have come to on my journey of faith...It was worth the read. I have moved forward in my personal growth, due to my desire to open to more; the book encouraged this!"
~ Written on 2007-01-03
~ Written on 2007-01-03
"It was one of a few required texts for a Buddhism class. I chose it because I have an interest in psychology, particularly the psychodynamic perspective (unconscious motivation) and this book added to my life in such a way! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about Buddhism and freeing one's "self" from the limitations of convention. I don't agree with everything in it, but this is a book for my collection, definitely."
~ Written on 2006-02-15
~ Written on 2006-02-15