Thoughts Without A Thinker : Psychotherapy From a Buddhist Perspective

Blending the lessons of psychotherapy with Buddhist teachings, Mark Epstein offers a revolutionary understanding of what constitutes a healthy emotional life The line between psychology and spirituality has blurred, as clinicians, their patients, and religious seekers explore new perspectives on the self. A landmark contribution to the field of psychoanalysis, Thoughts Without a Thinker describes the unique psychological contributions offered by the teachings of Buddhism. Drawing upon his own experiences as a psychotherapist and meditator, New York-based psychiatrist Mark Epstein lays out the path to meditation-inspired healing, and offers a revolutionary new understanding of what constitutes a healthy emotional life.

The line between psychology and spirituality has blurred, as clinicians, their patients, and religious seekers explore new perspectives on the self. A landmark contribution to the field of psychoanalysis, Thoughts Without a Thinker describes the unique psychological contributions offered by the teachings of Buddhism. Drawing upon his own experiences as a psychotherapist and meditator, New York-based psychiatrist Mark Epstein lays out the path to meditation-inspired healing, and offers a revolutionary new understanding of what constitutes a healthy emotional life.

Foreword / by the Dalai Lama -- Introduction : knocking on Buddha's door -- pt. I. The Buddha's psychology of mind. The wheel of life : a Buddhist model of the neurotic mind -- Humiliation : the Buddha's first truth -- Thirst : the Buddha's second truth -- Release : the Buddha's third truth -- Nowhere standing : the Buddha's fourth truth -- pt. II. Meditation. Bare attention -- The psychodynamics of meditation -- pt. III. Therapy. Remembering -- Repeating -- Working through. "A decade ago, 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 introduction to this tenth anniversary edition, Mark Epstein reflects on this revolution and considers how it is likely to evolve in the future."--Page 4 of cover "Drawing upon his own experiences as a psychotherapist and meditator, New York-based psychiatrist Mark Epstein lays out the path to meditation-inspired healing. Now with a new preface by the author."--P. [4] of cover One of the most sophisticated integrations of therapeutic and spiritual disciplines. -Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence.