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The Misleading Mind: How We Create Our Own Problems and How Buddhist Psychology Can Help Us Solve Them
Buddhism asserts that we each have the potential to free ourselves from the prison of our problems. As practiced for more than twenty-six hundred years, the process involves working with , rather than against, our depression, anxiety, and compulsions. We do this by recognizing the habitual ways our minds perceive and react — the way they mislead. The lively exercises and inspiring real-world examples Cayton provides can help you transform intractable problems and neutralize suffering by cultivating a radically liberating self-understanding.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 9, 2019
I typically do not post reviews of professional books that I read on Goodreads - I reserve this for books I read for pleasure. But Karuna Cayton's outstanding book is a bit of a hybrid - I expect that it will be helpful to me both personally and professionally. Cayton reviews basic tenants of Buddhist psychological thought, and how we can apply it to resolving problems that commonly afflict us, such as anxiety, depression, and other widespread issues. I found it to be extremely illuminating and have already begun to apply some of these lessons to my life. Extremely well-written and interesting book that rings true - highly recommended!
April 15, 2012
It is the Buddhist perspective that we all suffer not because life is difficult or that suffering is our destiny but because we are looking outside ourselves to end that suffering. We seek material possessions, lovers, and experiences. Yes, we may gain some enjoyment from these things but ultimately they fall short or they end.
Truly ending suffering comes from a different way of thinking and of experiencing the world. It requires stepping back rather than automatically judging things as good or bad. Moreover, you have to be willing to really look within and learn from yourself.
The Misleading Mind is a very good introduction to Buddhist thought. It presents the basics in a hands-on way that not only explains the philosophy but also the how and why of such concepts. In this way, readers can try out these techniques to fit them into their own ways of thinking and being.
Truly ending suffering comes from a different way of thinking and of experiencing the world. It requires stepping back rather than automatically judging things as good or bad. Moreover, you have to be willing to really look within and learn from yourself.
The Misleading Mind is a very good introduction to Buddhist thought. It presents the basics in a hands-on way that not only explains the philosophy but also the how and why of such concepts. In this way, readers can try out these techniques to fit them into their own ways of thinking and being.
May 23, 2012
What a great title: The Misleading Mind! Rings true to me… The subtitle of Karuna Cayton’s new book makes its intention clear: “How We Create Our Own Problems and How Buddhist Psychology Can Help Us Solve Them.” Cayton is a “psychotherapist, business therapist and coach to help people lead a more balanced life,” and a student and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. He’s also a board member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, a Buddhist organization with “over 160 centers and projects throughout the world.”
Impressive credentials, then. Cayton’s book comes from the perspective of years of both personal, spiritual practice and clinical work with patients, helping them to address the challenges in their lives and relationships. No surprise, then, given this background, that he follows the dharma in identifying the suffering we human beings experience, the source of that suffering, and the path that can lead us to the end of it. It’s the lies, ignorance and delusions of the “misleading mind” that are the prime suspects in the creation of what we see to be our “problems,” and it’s in training the mind that we can learn to overcome them.
I think that Cayton might have a quarrel with those who practice Buddhism as a religion in his belief that it is “a system of thought and ideas rather than a religion or dogma.” This has become almost an article of faith (excuse the term!) among those who preach a Westernized version of Buddhism that is “more science and philosophy than religion.” I myself, however, am not about to quarrel with the sound psychological counsel that his book embraces: if the mind is powerful enough to create what Cayton calls the “disturbing emotions” that cause our psychological imbalance and distress, it is surely powerful enough to enable us to identify and make our peace with them.
I say “make our peace” because after all it's inner peace we're looking for. And as Cayton makes clear, the work of emotional healing is not a matter of doing battle with our demons or overpowering them. It’s more a matter of learning about their strategies and habits through close, clear-eyed, mindful observation and, once having come to know them, making friends with them. The reactive patterns—of anger, fear, depression, to name only the most prevalent—are very often precisely those the mind invents, misguidedly perhaps, for our comfort or protection. They may have our best interests at heart. We cling on to them for dear life because our minds mislead us into mistaking them for the truth about ourselves.
Therapy, then, seen in this light, becomes the healing process through which we learn to “change our minds”—to teach them, kindly and through constant repetition and practice, to do those things we want them to do rather than those they decide to do, reactively, of their own accord. It’s the process by which we learn to relinquish our grip on imagined identities that no longer serve us, and to acknowledge the impermanence of the selves that we invent, or that others invent for us. With the dharma as his model, Cayton walks us through this process with both wisdom and patience, leading us toward the true revelation that it is indeed possible for us to choose compassion over anger, and inner contentment over depression and despair.
Eventually, it is not the doctor or the therapist who heals us, it is we who heal ourselves, and the single most powerful instrument at our disposal is the human mind. Cayton offers us a valuable gift in leading his reader thoughtfully along the path to self-knowledge and self-healing, with the persuasive, serviceable and user-friendly logic of proven Buddhist principles.
Impressive credentials, then. Cayton’s book comes from the perspective of years of both personal, spiritual practice and clinical work with patients, helping them to address the challenges in their lives and relationships. No surprise, then, given this background, that he follows the dharma in identifying the suffering we human beings experience, the source of that suffering, and the path that can lead us to the end of it. It’s the lies, ignorance and delusions of the “misleading mind” that are the prime suspects in the creation of what we see to be our “problems,” and it’s in training the mind that we can learn to overcome them.
I think that Cayton might have a quarrel with those who practice Buddhism as a religion in his belief that it is “a system of thought and ideas rather than a religion or dogma.” This has become almost an article of faith (excuse the term!) among those who preach a Westernized version of Buddhism that is “more science and philosophy than religion.” I myself, however, am not about to quarrel with the sound psychological counsel that his book embraces: if the mind is powerful enough to create what Cayton calls the “disturbing emotions” that cause our psychological imbalance and distress, it is surely powerful enough to enable us to identify and make our peace with them.
I say “make our peace” because after all it's inner peace we're looking for. And as Cayton makes clear, the work of emotional healing is not a matter of doing battle with our demons or overpowering them. It’s more a matter of learning about their strategies and habits through close, clear-eyed, mindful observation and, once having come to know them, making friends with them. The reactive patterns—of anger, fear, depression, to name only the most prevalent—are very often precisely those the mind invents, misguidedly perhaps, for our comfort or protection. They may have our best interests at heart. We cling on to them for dear life because our minds mislead us into mistaking them for the truth about ourselves.
Therapy, then, seen in this light, becomes the healing process through which we learn to “change our minds”—to teach them, kindly and through constant repetition and practice, to do those things we want them to do rather than those they decide to do, reactively, of their own accord. It’s the process by which we learn to relinquish our grip on imagined identities that no longer serve us, and to acknowledge the impermanence of the selves that we invent, or that others invent for us. With the dharma as his model, Cayton walks us through this process with both wisdom and patience, leading us toward the true revelation that it is indeed possible for us to choose compassion over anger, and inner contentment over depression and despair.
Eventually, it is not the doctor or the therapist who heals us, it is we who heal ourselves, and the single most powerful instrument at our disposal is the human mind. Cayton offers us a valuable gift in leading his reader thoughtfully along the path to self-knowledge and self-healing, with the persuasive, serviceable and user-friendly logic of proven Buddhist principles.
June 22, 2012
A beautiful book about a beautiful way to live. This author creates an easy to understand rationale for taking control of our emotions, complete with relevant stories and simple exercises. While he does caution that it is a long, arduous journey to gain control of your own happiness, he certainly shows us that it is a worthwhile venture for all of us. I highlighted many sections and plan to revisit this text as I apply the teachings to my difficult relationship with my mother. However, now I know not to "cling" to any expectations for the outcome!
February 12, 2021
"الناس في مستويات مختلفة"
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في السبعينيات وأوائل الثمانينيات من القرن الماضي ، كانت «لاما يشي» رئيس دير كوبان في نيبال وكان مصدر إلهام لدورة التأمل القوية لمدة شهر واحد والتي تقام كل شتاء على أراضي الدير.
في بعض الأحيان يكون هناك أكثر من مائتي زائر أجنبي يحضرون الدورة: الهيبيين ، والعلماء ، والدارما بومز ، والباحثين ، والفضوليين. لعدة سنوات ، كان لي ولزوجتي أدوارًا محورية في إدارة الدورات ، حيث كنا اثنين من الغربيين المقيمين القلائل الذين يعيشون في الدير.
ذات يوم سئمت من سلوك العديد من المشاركين الذين انتهكوا القواعد الصارمة للدورة. كنا نسمع عن أناس يغادرون "التل" ويذهبون إلى المدينة لتناول وجبة جيدة والاستحمام ، ويدخنون بعض الحشيش ، ثم يعودون إلى الدير. كنت أشتكي إلى لاما يشي من الأشخاص الذين يتسللون إلى الخارج ، وكان يستمع بصبر إلى مزاوداتي الأخلاقية. عندما انتهيت من حديثي الصاخب ، نظر إلي بهدوء من مقعده في مسكنه وقال بهدوء ، كبيان للتعاطف : "الناس في مستويات مختلفة ، يا عزيزي".
ما قاله كان بسيطًا جدًا لكنه كشف الكثير. يمكن لـ Lama Yeshe ، مثل معظم المعلمين البوذيين ، أن يمسك بإمكانياتنا العظيمة في يد ، بينما يحتفظ في اليد الأخرى برؤية واقعية لقدراتنا الحالية.
إنه منظور فريد يتسم بالتعاطف والأمل. أصبح إعلان Lama ، بالنسبة لي ، تصريحًا آخر لا يقدر بثمن لا يزال يرن في أذني وروحي وقد أرشدني في الكثير من عملي الإرشادي والاستشاري.
بعبارة أخرى ، علينا أن نبدأ برؤية واقعية لوضعنا في الحياة. يتطلب الأمر شجاعة للإنفتاح على كل صفاتنا ، القوية والملهمة ، التي تسكن في كياننا. إذا وجدت أنك قد تركت "التل" في أي وقت لتناول وجبة جيدة والاستحمام ، فلا تضغط على نفسك. لا تقارن نفسك بالآخرين. فقط تعرف على ما حدث واستمر في المحاولة. وجود حدود ونقاط عمياء هو جزء من الإنسان. اعترف بأي عمى وحاول إبقاء عينيك مفتوحتين في المرة القادمة. نحن بحاجة إلى اتخاذ "الطريق الوسط". يمكننا أخذ إجازات من أجل إنعاش أنفسنا للعودة إلى العمل. ليس من خلال الجهل يمكننا أن نصبح أقوى ومتحررين - بل بالحكمة والمعرفة والانفتاح.
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Karuna Cayton
The Misleading Mind
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
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في السبعينيات وأوائل الثمانينيات من القرن الماضي ، كانت «لاما يشي» رئيس دير كوبان في نيبال وكان مصدر إلهام لدورة التأمل القوية لمدة شهر واحد والتي تقام كل شتاء على أراضي الدير.
في بعض الأحيان يكون هناك أكثر من مائتي زائر أجنبي يحضرون الدورة: الهيبيين ، والعلماء ، والدارما بومز ، والباحثين ، والفضوليين. لعدة سنوات ، كان لي ولزوجتي أدوارًا محورية في إدارة الدورات ، حيث كنا اثنين من الغربيين المقيمين القلائل الذين يعيشون في الدير.
ذات يوم سئمت من سلوك العديد من المشاركين الذين انتهكوا القواعد الصارمة للدورة. كنا نسمع عن أناس يغادرون "التل" ويذهبون إلى المدينة لتناول وجبة جيدة والاستحمام ، ويدخنون بعض الحشيش ، ثم يعودون إلى الدير. كنت أشتكي إلى لاما يشي من الأشخاص الذين يتسللون إلى الخارج ، وكان يستمع بصبر إلى مزاوداتي الأخلاقية. عندما انتهيت من حديثي الصاخب ، نظر إلي بهدوء من مقعده في مسكنه وقال بهدوء ، كبيان للتعاطف : "الناس في مستويات مختلفة ، يا عزيزي".
ما قاله كان بسيطًا جدًا لكنه كشف الكثير. يمكن لـ Lama Yeshe ، مثل معظم المعلمين البوذيين ، أن يمسك بإمكانياتنا العظيمة في يد ، بينما يحتفظ في اليد الأخرى برؤية واقعية لقدراتنا الحالية.
إنه منظور فريد يتسم بالتعاطف والأمل. أصبح إعلان Lama ، بالنسبة لي ، تصريحًا آخر لا يقدر بثمن لا يزال يرن في أذني وروحي وقد أرشدني في الكثير من عملي الإرشادي والاستشاري.
بعبارة أخرى ، علينا أن نبدأ برؤية واقعية لوضعنا في الحياة. يتطلب الأمر شجاعة للإنفتاح على كل صفاتنا ، القوية والملهمة ، التي تسكن في كياننا. إذا وجدت أنك قد تركت "التل" في أي وقت لتناول وجبة جيدة والاستحمام ، فلا تضغط على نفسك. لا تقارن نفسك بالآخرين. فقط تعرف على ما حدث واستمر في المحاولة. وجود حدود ونقاط عمياء هو جزء من الإنسان. اعترف بأي عمى وحاول إبقاء عينيك مفتوحتين في المرة القادمة. نحن بحاجة إلى اتخاذ "الطريق الوسط". يمكننا أخذ إجازات من أجل إنعاش أنفسنا للعودة إلى العمل. ليس من خلال الجهل يمكننا أن نصبح أقوى ومتحررين - بل بالحكمة والمعرفة والانفتاح.
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Karuna Cayton
The Misleading Mind
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
October 18, 2014
This could be labeled under "self-help" but it's really so much more.
From a Buddhist perspective, the author offers a misleadingly simple approach to problem-solving, in that problems don't really exist until we make them. And I say that it's misleadingly simple because of how we have been wired to think and feel towards ourselves and others and how individualism is nowadays considered the path to success. And it's causing us no end of trouble.
In a nutshell, this book teaches you to not be so self-centered but rather self-assuming and self-aware, to think outside of yourself and to deconstruct your thoughts and emotions when you are caught up in any disturbing emotion. Other people will never stop giving us trouble but we always have the choice to respond and react. Most often than not, we make things worse by getting angry or distressed or frustrated.
It's an eye-opener and, if you've ever had the chance to really look into yourself and realize that you feel uncomfortable with any of your reactions, then you're one step ahead of a lot of people.
Two words stuck with me the most: informed awareness. Ignorance has never been bliss.
From a Buddhist perspective, the author offers a misleadingly simple approach to problem-solving, in that problems don't really exist until we make them. And I say that it's misleadingly simple because of how we have been wired to think and feel towards ourselves and others and how individualism is nowadays considered the path to success. And it's causing us no end of trouble.
In a nutshell, this book teaches you to not be so self-centered but rather self-assuming and self-aware, to think outside of yourself and to deconstruct your thoughts and emotions when you are caught up in any disturbing emotion. Other people will never stop giving us trouble but we always have the choice to respond and react. Most often than not, we make things worse by getting angry or distressed or frustrated.
It's an eye-opener and, if you've ever had the chance to really look into yourself and realize that you feel uncomfortable with any of your reactions, then you're one step ahead of a lot of people.
Two words stuck with me the most: informed awareness. Ignorance has never been bliss.
January 19, 2016
Because we constantly and immediately superimpose our interpretation upon experience, we never really experience things as they are. We experience things as we are. Everything we experience, everything, is experienced with our biases added to it immediately in the very next moment. This projection is how we create our own story, our own sense of self. Through our projections, the world then, comes to reflect who we believe we are back to us, reinforcing the notion that we "know" the world when we really are seeing our own creation. We superimpose our likes and dislikes, we confirm our assumptions, and we react from our past experiences.
A very common difficulty in mind training is letting of desire, and many people wonder: Isn't it a good thing to want a better life and a better world? Isn't love a desire, and if so, does that make love an affliction? And further, isn't the desire to improve oneself at the heart of mind training? Indeed, Buddhist psychology makes and important distinction between desire and attachment. One could say that the distinction comes down to intention.
A very common difficulty in mind training is letting of desire, and many people wonder: Isn't it a good thing to want a better life and a better world? Isn't love a desire, and if so, does that make love an affliction? And further, isn't the desire to improve oneself at the heart of mind training? Indeed, Buddhist psychology makes and important distinction between desire and attachment. One could say that the distinction comes down to intention.
August 14, 2012
A very important book for everyone who cares about living a life with less material attachments. The author clearly describes what mental handicaps help create most of our problems and how our mind also holds the key to stress free living. A life changing book like few.
February 1, 2014
And illuminating read. We each have the power to free ourselves from conditions and others who threaten our peace of mind. We must learn how to become aware and not to react in a way that results in more personal suffering. The author explains how in this excellent book on Buddhist psychology.
June 21, 2012
Well written tool for a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
October 10, 2014
Stupendously helpful and insightful. One of the best books on Buddhist psychology I've read in ages.
July 20, 2021
Some good exercises for "training your brain" :) This book I own, so I bookmarked different exercises I'm going to continue to try to practice. Love some of the quotes in the book as well.
November 4, 2013
This book helps me to go into my inner thought from very simple but actually suggestion to some complicated ways of mind working ! I am sure I need to retread it against to grasp the very essence of this book !
February 25, 2022
I'll take Buddhist psychology over Western psychology, and Eastern philosophy over Western any day, thank you. This is a good book for someone who wants an introduction. A bit too "self-helpy" for me.
January 4, 2013
I am re-reading this book. It's wise, compassionate, humble, and immensely useful. I wish it had been available 20 years ago!
November 21, 2013
I love the way Karuna explains things. He pulls from his experience with others and himself. It's easy to identify with what he has written.
September 16, 2014
Interesting angle.
September 25, 2025
Incredibly amazing book that speaks of real life everyday examples and how to solve them. By diving into the realm of Buddhism explaining concepts such as harmful emotions and attachment it helps the reader understand how to improve their understanding of life and how they respond to stimulus. It also teaches the reader how to combat these negative emotions and attachment through clear headedness, love, compassion, humility and meditation.
September 25, 2017
"Buddhism asserts that we each have the potential to free ourselves from the prison of our problems. As practiced for more than twenty-six hundred years, the process involves working with, rather than against, our depression, anxiety, and compulsions. We do this by recognizing the habitual ways our minds perceive and react the way they mislead."
January 15, 2018
A great insightful book. It took me longer than usual to read, but that was simply because some parts of the teachings I was not yet ready to learn. It is a great stepping stone into Buddhist Psychology.
October 19, 2023
This is not a Buddhist religious text. It uses some Buddhist psychology to teach the reader how to train the mind. It provides simple and right to the point guidence in beginning to train your minds recommended.
July 2, 2024
An interesting book with plenty of down-to-earth cases and examples that can help us analyze and diagnose the defilements of our mind and cure ourselves. This is not theory book, but a practical book. A must read for all engaged in therapy of self and others.
December 27, 2017
Really good stuff, especially for anyone suffering with anxiety/depression.
May 22, 2019
Plenty to think about here. Maybe too much for the average mortal.
September 18, 2019
more like a self help book, rather than a Buddhist Psychology book. I am expecting it to elaborate on how Buddhist theory to be applied in the field of Psychology.
May 12, 2022
Down to earth examples for the lay person.
May 17, 2023
I could not finish it. It was boring, long and I felt like I was going in circles without getting to any one point. Not for me.
July 28, 2016
wonderful, practical advice
November 26, 2016
This book was very clarifying to me, especially chapter 7 "Who do you think you are."
January 10, 2017
For me, this is a truly life-changing book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews