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52nd out of 61 books
—
30 voters
Going on Being: Buddhism and the Way of Change
by
Mark Epstein
The bestselling author of Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart combines a memoir of his own journey as a student of Buddhism and psychology with a powerful message about how cultivating true self-awareness and adopting a Buddhist understanding of change can free the mind.
Before Mark Epstein became a medical student at Harvard and began training as a psychiatrist, he imme...more
Before Mark Epstein became a medical student at Harvard and began training as a psychiatrist, he imme...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
February 12th 2002
by Three Rivers Press
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This is a spiritual biography of sorts. It outlines Mark Epstein's introduction to Buddhism and the ways in which his Buddhist outlook intersects with his work as psychotherapist. It's both straightforward and engaging, probably a lot like Epstein, who seems to be the type of therapist we all wish we'd had at some point in our lives. It's said that the Buddha was the first psychologist, and Epstein supports that claim. He's particularly articulate on the development of his meditation practice, a...more
I started this book immediately after reading Stephen Cope's The Wisdom of Yoga, and I think I was just looking for an extension of that book because I enjoyed it so much. While Epstein deals with very similar material--the intersection of Western psychotherapy and Eastern philosophy--his writing isn't nearly as compelling as Cope's, and I found myself understanding the material more on an intellectual level rather than glimpsing how it would transform my life when put into practice. He also see...more
I started to read this book and found that the most meaningful bit was a bookmark I found inside with the following on it:
Walking the Labyrinth
A Journey of Presence
My life is a sacred journey.
It is about change, growth,
discovery, creativity, transformation,
continuously expanding my
vision
of what is possible,
stretching my soul
learning to see clearly
and deeply,
listening to my intuition, taking courageous risks,
embracing challenges
at every step along the way.
I am on the path,
exactly where I am meant...more
Walking the Labyrinth
A Journey of Presence
My life is a sacred journey.
It is about change, growth,
discovery, creativity, transformation,
continuously expanding my
vision
of what is possible,
stretching my soul
learning to see clearly
and deeply,
listening to my intuition, taking courageous risks,
embracing challenges
at every step along the way.
I am on the path,
exactly where I am meant...more
This is second time I've ventured into Epstein's spiritual autobiography which includes Buddhist teachings and reflections on psychotherapy. Epstein is without doubt one of my favorite writers - his "Going to pieces without falling apart" a book that was a doorway to the spiritual path for me; and Going on Being doesn't let me down.
He takes us through the obstacles we come up against when trying to live in a manner that is present and in contact with our world, ideally not creating excess suffer...more
He takes us through the obstacles we come up against when trying to live in a manner that is present and in contact with our world, ideally not creating excess suffer...more
This is essentially Epstein's spiritual autobiography. It weaves a convincing fabric from the threads of Buddhist philosophy and psychotherapy. I found it highly readable and entertaining, and very helpful in understanding more of Buddhist psychology. Epstein is one of my favorite Buddhist authors.
Yet another startling book from Epstein, this on re-read was more enlightening that the first time through. I cannot reocmmend his books enough, starting with the breakthrough THOUGHTS WITHOUT A THINKER. Buddhist psychology and western psychology has no better friend and matchmaker.
Epstein's writing style is earnest and accessible. Anyone interested in the intersection of Buddhist psychology and Western psychotherapy will gobble up Epstein's books like leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
Need to reread the chapter on "The Klesha of I am not" and the one that follows.
A life changing book. Profound and, perhaps paradoxically, an easy and pleasant read.
Dec 14, 2008
Carrolldunham Dunham
added it
Epstein's books are wonderful intersection of pyschoanalaysis and Buddhism
For some reason, the author and I are not quite on the same wavelength.
Decent ideas, short on pragmatic application (beyond 'meditate').
May 25, 2009
Standard Schaefer
added it
Mostly good for thinking about Winnecot and child rearing
May 22, 2012
Ligia
added it
Life changing. Period.
One of my earlier favorites
Philosophical rather than pragmatic. This is not a self-help book. It is about the author's journey in Buddhism, meditation, and psychotherapy.
This was a great book to listen to in the car. Dr. Epstein brought a lot of clarity to some of the more mysterious aspects of Buddhism. He is a psychiatrist and thus, for my western mind which is more familiar with therapy speak, he is able to bridge the gap between psychoanalysis and mindfulness.
Mark has a great knack for explaining Eastern Thought to Western minds. His extensive background in psychology & Buddhism allows him to understand the Buddha's teachings from a psychoanalytic perspective.
This book reads like Freud and the Dali Lama having a conversation together.
This book reads like Freud and the Dali Lama having a conversation together.
I LOVED this book. :) It was one I bought hardcover and have read over and over.
Thought provoking book about Winnicott/object relations theory and Buddhism
Very honest book. Great exploration of psychology and Buddhism
lucid and thoughtful. great introduction to Buddhism
so far i like the authors style of writing and the content
May 04, 2013
Freedom Sadiq
marked it as to-read
May 03, 2013
Kelby
marked it as to-read
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“If things do not exist as fixed, independent entities, then how can they die? Our notion of death as the sudden expiration of that which was once so real starts to unwind. If things do not exist in their own right and are flickering rather than static, then we can no longer fear their ultimate demise. We may fear their instability, or their emptiness, but the looming threat of death starts to seem absurd. Things are constantly dying, we find. Or rather, they are constantly in flux, arising and passing away with each moment of consciousness.”
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May 23, 2012 12:14pm