Mindfulness and Psychotherapy: Working with Anger and Nourishing Inner Peace Each and Every Day--Especially for Psychotherapists

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Course objectives:
• List ways in which you can practice mindful living
Identify how mindfulness can be used in psychotherapy
• Discuss how to utilize mindfulness from the perspective of both client and therapist

Before you can help others, Thich Nhat Hanh teaches, you must first bring peace and a deep love of life into your own consciousness. On this breakthrough workshop especially for psychotherapists, Thich Nhat Hanh explores how to find and nourish an inner peacefulness, and maintain it through the day no matter what your caseload is.

Mindfulness and Psychotherapy includes an illuminating discussion about how to work with anger, in which Thich Nhat Hanh recommends breathing and walking meditation as more beneficial in many situations than directly expressing anger.

Genres: Psychology, Buddhism, Audiobook, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Counselling, Self Help

3 pages, Audio CD

First published July 1, 1991

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is definitely something extra special about listening to TNH's teachings as opposed to reading them, their simplicity more striking. Here he goes into issues for therapist's such as cultivating compassion, joy and peace in oneself to work with others effectively. I found the last teachings on interbeing and bija (karmic seeds) the most engaging. The problem I find with this however, as with many Buddhist teachings, is that there is much depth and subtly to the lessons that is not given. Not a problem if one has a solid foundation and understanding of the process and our human nature that is ego, and the idea of emptiness on the whole. I don't think enough is made of this in this set of teachings to give a context for people to understand the implications and intentions of these teachings. Thus if therapists are to directly adopt and apply TNH's words to client situations, some help may be given, but difficulties may arise. There is so much more to be spoken of in regards to what he says, I can only hope individuals use it all as information to meditate upon, deeply, and ongoing.

[Dat Huynh · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I wasn't paying that much attention listening to this but I think that a lot of the things that were said were a bit hard to apply or grasp a true lesson or take-away from. It was very calming to listen to though :).

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

good but this is on CD and it takes a while for the brain to adjust to Thich and his accent. Some words are difficult to follow. Worth having though simply for tracks 9 and 10 on CD3

[Danee]

from a week-long seminar for psychotherapists - valuable, but not mind-blowing.

[Chris Lohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This audiobook was more of a Ted Talk than a book. Thich Nhat Hanh presented to an audience. It felt like an audiobook with the exception of the audience laughing at times.
As a psychotherapist, I was very excited about this book. There were certainly a few gems within, and I especially enjoyed hearing the author speak.
Some of the jokes were a bit corny but the audience dutifully laughed.
There were many parts where I questioned his ability to give therapists advice on practicing. I took particular issue with the author/presenter implying people only sought out a therapist when they did not have a good friend or family member they could go to and that the therapist would fill that role.
The mindfulness and self-care for the therapist were all good but mostly things I have heard before.

[Elizabeth Burton, LCSW, PMH-C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely treasured listening to these sessions by audiobook. Thich Nhat Hanh’s soothing voice alone is worthy of listening, as he provides an experiential way of learning. This audio is packed with profound wisdom on the benefits of mindfulness, particularly in the practice of psychotherapy, and IMO by far one of the best lectures or trainings I have heard in my 10 years of practice.

[Becca Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a great jumping off point for therapists to learn about Buddhism, mindfulness, and mindful living. However, I don’t think this book was as powerful as some of his other books and was not as specific to therapists as I had hoped. I would recommend some of the other mindfulness books by this author before this one.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favourite points:

- therapists should work on themselves first

-the aim of therapy is to empower the patient: make the student into the teacher

-therapists should also be peace workers, to prevent suffering because if we don't work at the roots of the problem we'll reap its fruits down the line.

[Chris Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Q

[Naty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes it extra especial when listening to his voice.

[Lisa November · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to looking within.

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

🙏🙏🙏❤️

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title is misleading. I would not recommend this for psychotherapists. It is mostly about mindfuless in general.

[AttackGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aren’t we all just children. See the child with love in everyone else’s.

[Sammy Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat to hear Thich Naht Nahn’s voice for this teaching. He has such a good sense of humor.

[Mads P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version. This wasn't my favorite Thich Nhat Hanh book, but he gives a good overview of mindfulness, interbeing, and joyfulness. I was hoping he would talk more about how a therapist can use mindfulness training and meditation with clients, but this wasn't a training guide in that way.

[Jessica Brodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely that this recording is an actual, live seminar given by Thich Nhat Hanh. His tone and cadence add a lot to the words.
Nice and short, which makes it easier to hold some of the ambiguity inherent to the content.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story about the river at the end of this audiobook is gold.

[Tim Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suffering is not enough. We must also understand how to cultivate happiness.