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"A potent source of inspiration for anyone interested in the therapeutic potential of Buddhism. David Brazier writes with clarity and authority about the Zen way."--Mark Epstein, M.D. author of Thoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective."Comprehensive and readable . . . should appeal to anyone broadly interested in Buddhism."--Helen Sieroda psychosynthesis psychotherapist.In this book, psychotherapist David Brazier offers readers in the West a fresh perspective on Buddhist psychology and demonstrates how Zen Buddhist techniques are integrated into psychotherapy. Writing from the viewpoint of a Western psychotherapist, Dr. Brazier successfully demystifies Buddhist psychology, explains the conceptual foundations of Buddhist thought, and with the help of vivid case studies, clearly demonstrates how a Buddhist approach can provide a practical path to personal growth.… (more)
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The book is full of practical wisdom
For instance, Brazier writes about guilt, not as a way station on an internal road to punishment since he says that we have been punished enough by the consequences of our actions in the past. But it helps us to bring about "a change of heart" and without this real forward movement beyond our past towards the future, is harder to achieve. "A person can practice as much meditation as they like, give to charity and so on but if there is no contrition, there will be no real change. A change of heart comes by searching our lives and being willing to make changes in ourselves. It involves giving up the habit of self defence." (185)
He tells us: "to really do something for yourself you have to start by doing something about yourself. Until you experience the need to do so, nothing will really change." (135) "Good habits become a springboard for high achievement." (155) The phrase "Most of us miss most of our life!" (67) sums up a core tenet of Zen - the practice of mindful awareness. Brazier reminds us that failing to use the energy of the here and now means that "an opportunity has been lost which will never return." (68). The secret is to act, after due time spent thinking and planning. Action is what brings results and ultimately success.
Reassuringly he writes that the evidence is "that at your core you are essentially trustworthy. (34) "If you view the world as a whole `then you are part of something greater than your self," (33) This is both a book about the practice of therapy and a book about the practice of spirituality. Both lead us to what Brazier describes as a full life, one filled with wisdom and which is not wasted. Essentially this is to "live authentically, to live from ones depths, whether in simple matters or in those we are apt to call heroic."(183)