Thoughts Without A Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective

by Mark Epstein

Paperback, 1996

Status

Available

Call number

616

Genres

Academic: Psychology

Religion & Spirituality

Collection

Gifts

Publication

Basic Books (1995), Edition: export ed, 242 pages

Description

Philosophy. Psychology. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML: 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..

User reviews

LibraryThing member the_hag

The blurb inside the dust jacket describes Thoughts Without a Thinker as “…a major contribution to the exploration of discussion about how Eastern spirituality can enhance Western psychology” and indeed it is. This book was probably a mind-blowing breakthrough when it was originally

published…and it still has value more than ten years later. I have no idea how this book wound up in my TBR pile, but I’m glad it did. Epstein, a psychotherapist by trade (and mediatator and Buddhist practitioner as well) draws from his own personal experience, the experiences of his patients, and his experience as an accomplished psychotherapist to illustrate how Eastern spiritual practices can enhance the therapeutic process for Westerners. Readers may want to have some familiarity with psychological terms (particularly those related to psychotherapy) and a bit of knowledge about Freud and his contemporaries wouldn’t hurt. The book is accessible even if a reader isn’t already familiar with these terms, concepts and people (especially with the computer and internet available to Google while reading). This isn’t really an introduction to meditation, mindfulness, or any tangible Buddhist practices, it does give an overview of the basics (enough so that the reader can understand it in the broader context of the book). For those people seeking an introduction to actual Buddhist practices and in depth discussion of the ideas behind it, one would definitely not want this to be the starting point. Thoughts Without a Thinker is more geared toward enlightening people about how these esoteric practices can be beneficial to and integrated in modern (Western) therapeutic practice. It was an interesting and thought provoking read that I would definitely recommend. I give it 4 stars.

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LibraryThing member kaulsu

Spiritual book club selection. Epstein is a Buddhist and also a trained psychiatrist. Very stimulating discussion of "working through" our emotions, not objectifying them. technically over my head! Mainstream Buddhist thought of elimination of self.

LibraryThing member gratefulyoga

Epstein is a meditation teacher as well as a psychotherapist, and he draws on both traditions to help explain how we get ourselves so stuck in suffering, and then how we can find a way out. Insightful and engaging.

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