MARK EPSTEIN, MD, is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York
City and the author of a number of books about the interface of
Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts Without a Thinker
and Psychotherapy Without the Self. He received his undergraduate
and medical degrees from Harvard University.
MarkEpsteinMD.com
Epstein's book is a guide to viewing trauma realistically, not
striving to avoid it or even suss out its cause, but use it as a
means of understanding "the texture" of our own suffering. If, as
the Buddha said, life is suffering, why not suffer wisely?
Nancy Haught, The Portland Oregonian
Mark Epstein s book is a rare and remarkable achievement. It fuses
deep scholarship with deep tenderness in the spirit of the greatest
Buddhist teachers to investigate the nature and psychic
repercussions of trauma. The fact that Epstein can effortlessly
transit between the ancient truths of Buddhism and the most
contemporary understanding of trauma is a testament to his agility
as a thinker. This is a wise and important book.
Siddhartha Muhkerjee, author of The Emperor of All Maladies
This daring psychobiography of the Buddha divines in tales of his
life the sources of his early emotional pain and finds in the
Buddha s methods a balm for the human psyche. In a breathtaking
display of the therapeutic art, Epstein does ingenious
psychodynamic detective work, deducing what ailed the Buddha, and
why his remedies work so well. The Trauma of Everyday Life reads
like a gripping mystery one told by your warm and reassuring, but
utterly candid, analyst. What s true for the Buddha, Epstein
explains, applies to us all.
Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence
Written with authentic originality, from the author s own inward
struggles and achievements, it is the most loving, gentle, brave,
insightful, and exquisite presentation of the all too fully human
process of enlightenment I have seen. Reading it engages us to look
deep within to the heart as we expand our mind to appreciate the
Buddha s example in the only real way with the joy of natural
relational knowing. Buddha would have loved it I love it! I
recommend it a transforming pleasure!
Robert A. F. Thurman, Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Buddhist
Studies, Columbia University; author of Essential Tibetan
Buddhism
Mark Epstein is one of the very few writers who has been able to
make the connections between psychoanalysis and Buddhism seem not
merely interesting, but somehow riveting and useful. Written with
Epstein s characteristic lucidity and passion, this inspired and
illuminating book clarifies a lot of our presuppositions about
trauma and, indeed, about everyday life. It should be of
considerable interest to a great many people.
Adam Phillips, author of Missing Out and Winnicott
In this intriguing and deeply moving meditation on the human
condition, Mark Epstein offers a psychoanalytic reading of the
Buddha s life that illuminates the same tragedies and joys that are
just as much part of our life today.
Stephen Batchelor, author of Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
Mark Epstein has managed to bring to life a sensitive and subtle
understanding of human suffering and how traumatic the human
condition is, and how transcendent and liberative it can be. His
exploration of the subject draws beautifully and candidly on his
own life, his own meditation practice, and his love for the Buddha
s life story and embodied wisdom teachings. He weaves these threads
and themes together with his love of Winnicott and psychotherapy in
the most magical of ways. It is a remarkable and poetic achievement
and goes to the heart of the relational nature of human awareness,
reflected, as he shows, in our own implicit memory.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living and Mindfulness
for Beginners
As always, Mark Epstein meditates on experience his own and that of
others with exemplary intelligence, sensitivity, and tact. It is
hard to imagine a book this year with more lucid and bracing
wisdom.
Pankaj Mishra, author of An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the
World"
Advance Praise for The Trauma of Everyday Life
Mark Epstein s book is a rare and remarkable achievement. It fuses
deep scholarship with deep tenderness in the spirit of the greatest
Buddhist teachers to investigate the nature and psychic
repercussions of trauma. The fact that Epstein can effortlessly
transit between the ancient truths of Buddhism and the most
contemporary understanding of trauma is a testament to his agility
as a thinker. This is a wise and important book.
Siddhartha Muhkerjee, author of The Emperor of All Maladies
This daring psychobiography of the Buddha divines in tales of his
life the sources of his early emotional pain and finds in the
Buddha s methods a balm for the human psyche. In a breathtaking
display of the therapeutic art, Epstein does ingenious
psychodynamic detective work, deducing what ailed the Buddha, and
why his remedies work so well. The Trauma of Everyday Life reads
like a gripping mystery one told by your warm and reassuring, but
utterly candid, analyst. What s true for the Buddha, Epstein
explains, applies to us all.
Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence
Written with authentic originality, from the author s own inward
struggles and achievements, it is the most loving, gentle, brave,
insightful, and exquisite presentation of the all too fully human
process of enlightenment I have seen. Reading it engages us to look
deep within to the heart as we expand our mind to appreciate the
Buddha s example in the only real way with the joy of natural
relational knowing. Buddha would have loved it I love it! I
recommend it a transforming pleasure!
Robert A. F. Thurman, Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Buddhist
Studies, Columbia University; author of Essential Tibetan
Buddhism
Mark Epstein is one of the very few writers who has been able to
make the connections between psychoanalysis and Buddhism seem not
merely interesting, but somehow riveting and useful. Written with
Epstein s characteristic lucidity and passion, this inspired and
illuminating book clarifies a lot of our presuppositions about
trauma and, indeed, about everyday life. It should be of
considerable interest to a great many people.
Adam Phillips, author of Missing Out and Winnicott
In this intriguing and deeply moving meditation on the human
condition, Mark Epstein offers a psychoanalytic reading of the
Buddha s life that illuminates the same tragedies and joys that are
just as much part of our life today.
Stephen Batchelor, author of Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
As always, Mark Epstein meditates on experience his own and that of
others with exemplary intelligence, sensitivity, and tact. It is
hard to imagine a book this year with more lucid and bracing
wisdom.
Pankaj Mishra, author of An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the
World"
Advance Praise for "The Trauma of Everyday Life"
Mark Epstein s book is a rare and remarkable achievement. It fuses
deep scholarship with deep tenderness in the spirit of the greatest
Buddhist teachers to investigate the nature and psychic
repercussions of trauma. The fact that Epstein can effortlessly
transit between the ancient truths of Buddhism and the most
contemporary understanding of trauma is a testament to his agility
as a thinker. This is a wise and important book.
Siddhartha Muhkerjee, author of "The Emperor of All Maladies"
This daring psychobiography of the Buddha divines in tales of his
life the sources of his early emotional pain and finds in the
Buddha s methods a balm for the human psyche. In a breathtaking
display of the therapeutic art, Epstein does ingenious
psychodynamic detective work, deducing what ailed the Buddha, and
why his remedies work so well. "The Trauma of Everyday Life "reads
like a gripping mystery one told by your warm and reassuring, but
utterly candid, analyst. What s true for the Buddha, Epstein
explains, applies to us all.
Daniel Goleman, author of "Emotional Intelligence "
Written with authentic originality, from the author s own inward
struggles and achievements, it is the most loving, gentle, brave,
insightful, and exquisite presentation of the all too fully human
process of enlightenment I have seen. Reading it engages us to look
deep within to the heart as we expand our mind to appreciate the
Buddha s example in the only real way with the joy of natural
relational knowing. Buddha would have loved it I love it! I
recommend it a transforming pleasure!
Robert A. F. Thurman, Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Buddhist
Studies, Columbia University; author of "Essential Tibetan Buddhism
"
Mark Epstein is one of the very few writers who has been able to
make the connections between psychoanalysis and Buddhism seem not
merely interesting, but somehow riveting and useful. Written with
Epstein s characteristic lucidity and passion, this inspired and
illuminating book clarifies a lot of our presuppositions about
trauma and, indeed, about everyday life. It should be of
considerable interest to a great many people.
Adam Phillips, author of "Missing Out" and "Winnicott "
In this intriguing and deeply moving meditation on the human
condition, Mark Epstein offers a psychoanalytic reading of the
Buddha s life that illuminates the same tragedies and joys that are
just as much part of our life today.
Stephen Batchelor, author of "Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
"
As always, Mark Epstein meditates on experience his own and that of
others with exemplary intelligence, sensitivity, and tact. It is
hard to imagine a book this year with more lucid and bracing
wisdom.
Pankaj Mishra, author of "An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the
World""
Ask a Question About this Product More... |