February 27, 1995
Epstein, a New York City psychiatrist trained in classical Freudian methods, has studied Buddhist meditation in India and Southeast Asia. In a highly personal, thoughtful, illuminating synthesis, he draws on his own experience as therapist, meditator and patient in an unusual attempt to integrate Western psychotherapy and Buddha's teachings on suffering, delusion, wisdom and nonattachment. According to Epstein, Buddhist meditative practices can help people release repressed memories, work through painful emotions, uproot narcissism and redirect destructive energies. By recognizing his or her self-created mental suffering, the patient is able to overcome neurotic behavior patterns and may ultimately shed a deeply ingrained negative sense of self. Patients, psychologists and meditators willing to explore the arduous path outlined here will find much spiritual nourishment.
February 15, 1995
Many adherents consider Buddhism a psychology rather than a religion in the Western sense. Epstein, a practicing Buddhist and psychotherapist, argues that the two schools of thought are highly complementary, with Buddhism offering practical relief for the problems of narcissism and alienation and psychotherapy dealing with the feelings of neediness and lack of self-esteem that often plague Westerners who engage in meditation. Unfortunately, Epstein offers no affordable alternative to psychotherapy for dealing with such problems. While not a complete primer on either Buddhism or psychotherapy, this book gives an evenhanded treatment of the two subjects, and its writing will be comprehensible to the general reader. Where patrons have an interest in Buddhism, academic and public librarians should add this title.-Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, Wash.
February 1, 1995
The curious but very reasonable integration of Buddhist thought and Western psychotherapy form the methodology behind Epstein's psychiatric practice in New York City. Writing with an inviting ease and considerable clarity, Epstein first establishes Buddhist fundamentals--the "wheel of life" and the "four noble truths"--then goes on to demonstrate interconnections between these spiritual precepts and pertinent psychological concepts, such as neurosis, narcissism, and ego. Epstein devotes the book's midsection to an engaging look at the practice and the paradox of meditation, following this up with a summary of how therapy and meditation together may serve the individual most effectively. Eloquent yet down-to-earth, this gem offers an exhilarating and expansive perspective on the therapeutic process. ((Reviewed February 01, 1995))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1995, American Library Association.)