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Being and Becoming: Psychodynamics, Buddhism, and the Origins of Selfhood
Being and Becoming is a wide-ranging analysis of the nature of being and selfhood. The book presents an original, integrated paradigm with the aim of creating a comprehensive overview of the human condition—and finding ways to alleviate suffering. In essence, the book explores the question, “What does it mean to be?”
Being and Becoming begins with fresh interpretations of the work of Martin Heidegger and Buddhist, Taoist, and Christian writings as they relate to this question. Most of Being and Becoming, however, is about the nature of self and selfhood as a process of “I-am-this,” “my becoming” rather than “my being.” Author Franklyn Sills interweaves concepts from object relations theories, psychodynamics, pre- and perinatal psychology, and Buddhist self-psychology, along with his own rich experience as a Buddhist monk, somatic therapist, and psychotherapist, into his inquiry. The works of Fairbairn and Winnicott are discussed in depth, as are Winnicott and Stern’s insights into the nature of the early holding environment, the infant-mother relational field, and early perceptual dynamics. A thoughtful guide for psychologists, therapists, counselors, and other health professionals, the book is also ideal for Buddhists and anyone looking for alternative therapy models.
Being and Becoming begins with fresh interpretations of the work of Martin Heidegger and Buddhist, Taoist, and Christian writings as they relate to this question. Most of Being and Becoming, however, is about the nature of self and selfhood as a process of “I-am-this,” “my becoming” rather than “my being.” Author Franklyn Sills interweaves concepts from object relations theories, psychodynamics, pre- and perinatal psychology, and Buddhist self-psychology, along with his own rich experience as a Buddhist monk, somatic therapist, and psychotherapist, into his inquiry. The works of Fairbairn and Winnicott are discussed in depth, as are Winnicott and Stern’s insights into the nature of the early holding environment, the infant-mother relational field, and early perceptual dynamics. A thoughtful guide for psychologists, therapists, counselors, and other health professionals, the book is also ideal for Buddhists and anyone looking for alternative therapy models.
- GenresBuddhismPsychology
328 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2008
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About the author
Franklyn Sills
18 books5 followersFranklyn Sills (b. 1947) is the author of Craniosacral Biodynamics and Polarity Process, and is founder of Karuna Institute in Devon England.
With a background in Polarity Therapy and Buddhist studies, Sills attended osteopathic college in England in 1981-1984. In college he learned of the work of W.G. Sutherland, DO, and his colleagues, and recognized many contributions of this osteopathic heritage that supported and deepened his perspective on energy therapy and esoteric experience.
Sills developed a Craniosacral Therapy curriculum oriented to esoteric principles in the late 1980s, and refined the concept through clinical experience and teaching throughout the 1990s. Craniosacral Biodynamics was first published (in two volumes) in 2001 as a summary of his findings at that point.
Sills presents his approach in seminars in Europe and North America. Information about these events can be found at the web sites of IABT schools.
from http://www.biodynamic-craniosacral.or...
With a background in Polarity Therapy and Buddhist studies, Sills attended osteopathic college in England in 1981-1984. In college he learned of the work of W.G. Sutherland, DO, and his colleagues, and recognized many contributions of this osteopathic heritage that supported and deepened his perspective on energy therapy and esoteric experience.
Sills developed a Craniosacral Therapy curriculum oriented to esoteric principles in the late 1980s, and refined the concept through clinical experience and teaching throughout the 1990s. Craniosacral Biodynamics was first published (in two volumes) in 2001 as a summary of his findings at that point.
Sills presents his approach in seminars in Europe and North America. Information about these events can be found at the web sites of IABT schools.
from http://www.biodynamic-craniosacral.or...
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February 12, 2016
wow, this was a hefty tome. i loved the insights into the dynamics of the self system, drawing from buddhism, perinatal psychology and western psychotherapy. There is detailed discussion of the various psychological strategies to cope with early wounding and these are skillfully synthesised with a description of the autonomic nervous system's functioning. There are beautiful and even poetic descriptions of being and source and lovely pointers to the field of presence required in the therapeutic setting. Although Sills doesn't mention bodywork this is a very relevant work if you are interested in this field. I was very excited to come across the concept of Displacement, in which felt discomfort in the womb or early holding environment is directed into the soma to make the inflow more managable, resulting in tensions in the tissues which have a feeling tone associated with them, and may cause issues down the line. This book is worthy of re-reading, I will definitely do so to familiarise myself with the more meaty concepts! Great to see the self-system scrutinised and exposed in such a text, much missing in mainstream psychotherapy...
Displaying 1 of 1 review