Customer Reviews:
I generally don't go for books of this type...........2005-03-01
But when all things are considered the book is not really that bad, in fact certain quotes are very uplifting. I would rather read this then one of the 5 thousand Chicken Soup for the Souls any day of the week.
Inspiring and Motivational.......2003-10-01
You can make a significant, positive difference! That's the message of this book. It is filled with quotable insights from a wide variety of sources. "Great success demands great sacrifice" we're told on page 16 and many of these contributors have paid their fair share. This book inspires one to give. We're reminded on page 21 that "Ultimately we are remembered for what we give, not for what we take." In terms of cultivating the relationships in our lives, we're told "The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the people in your life." There are so many good quotes throughout this whole book that it is a delight to go through and try to select a few to give a flavor of what one will find. Consider the quote on page 32, "Everybody works hard when they feel like it, but only the best do it when they don't feel like it." In summary I'd just say "buy it and read it." It's well worth the money and effort.
A Hero In Every Heart-Great Book!.......2001-12-19
I thought that the book a hero in every heart was GREAT! I play alot of sports and when i was in doubt i would just open the book and read it until i felt better again. I think that everything in that book is absulotly true, i enjoyed it alot and i think that everyone athletic, or not should read this book, it is something to really get your self-eestem up if your in doubt! Overall I think this is a great book!
A great inspirational book for athletes and non-athletes........1998-05-14
This is a great book. It was given to me as a member of the United States delegation at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta. I stayed up the first night after receiving it and read the entire book. I have read it several times and gete something from it every time. It provides me with the inspiration I sometimes need when I don't feel like training. GREAT BOOK!!!!!
Excellent for building character. Mottos for life........1998-04-03
This text is excellent for young and old, athlete and non-athlete. "Don't quit" and "character" messages can be applied throughout life.
Amazon.com
The Hero's Walk, the second novel by Anita Rau Badami, is a big, intimate book, the kind that seldom strays beyond the doors of a single residence. Set in the sweltering streets of Toturpuram, a small city on the Bay of Bengal, The Hero's Walk, which won the 2001 Commonwealth Writers Prize for best book in Canada and the Caribbean, explores the troubled life of Sripathi Rao, an unremarkable, middle-aged family man and advertising copywriter.
As The Hero's Walk opens, Sripathi's life is already in a state of thorough disrepair. His mother, a domineering, half-senile octogenarian, sits like a tyrant at the top of his household, frightening off his sister's suitors, chastising him for not having become a doctor, and brandishing her hypochondria and paranoia with sinister abandon. It is Sripathi's children, however, who pose the biggest problems: Arun, his son, is becoming dangerously involved in political activism, and Maya, his daughter, broke off her arranged engagement to a local man in order to wed a white Canadian. Sripathi's troubles come to a head when Maya and her husband are killed in an automobile accident, leaving their 7- year-old daughter, Nandana, without Canadian kin. Sripathi travels to Canada and brings his granddaughter home, while his family is shaken by a series of calamities that may, eventually, bring peace to their lives. --Jack Illingworth
Book Description
In a small, dusty town in India, Sripathi Rao struggles as a copywriter to keep his family afloat in their crumbling ancestral home. But his mother berates him for not becoming a lawyer, his son prefers social protest to work, his unmarried sister seethes with repressed desire, and his wife, though subservient, blames him for refusing to communicate with their daughter Maya, who defied tradition, rejecting her proper Brahmin fiancé for a Caucasian husband. Then a phone call brings tragedy: Maya and her husband have been killed in an accident leaving Sripathi to be their daughter’s guardian. Sripathi reluctantly travels to Vancouver to bring the child back to India. Nandana has not spoken a word since her parents’ death. Terrified, she resists her distant grandfather. Filled with guilt about his daughter but unable to express his feelings, Sripathi finds everything in his life falling apart. But with Nandana’s arrival, his world slowly, unexpectedly, finds new hope.
The Hero’s Walk is a remarkably intimate novel that fills the senses with the unique textures of India. With humor and keen insight, Anita Rau Badami draws us into her story of the graceful heroism of the ordinary.
Customer Reviews:
Too hot for comfort.......2007-07-30
A modern day Brahmin family living on the eastern coast of southern India with all the attendant social ills and personal failings of real people who struggle along in every country to survive political corruption, loss of status, changing times, family death and their own pride. Told with great sympathy and gentle humor, this is a wonderful book about all of us.
What an amazing book, I was instantly hooked........2007-04-18
I cannot rave about this book enough. I was hooked from page one. The author's use of language was just beautiful, and I loved how the story tied together and had a most satisfying ending.
In fact, toward the middle I started getting antsy about how it would end, so I turned to read the last few pages (yeah, I do that). However, the author had apparently anticipated this move, and the answer to the question I had was nowhere to be found in the last few pages. I had to actually finish the book before I found out what happened. Excellent.
Other reviewers have given you the plot, so I won't do the same. I just wanted to chime in and say what a wonderful story this was, how utterly fascinating, and gripping from start to finish. I highly recommend it.
a hero walking.......2006-05-28
ever read. The depth of understanding of human emotion and angst was impressive, especially as all the characters had to face their roles from what is expected from them as following old rules of behavior and bending and fitting them into more modern rules. The part where Nirmala finally asks herself why she This is one of the best Indian authored non-fiction books I have never thought to question listening to mother-in-law, husband, without thinking about what SHE wanted is where most of end up finding ourselves at some point in life. The characters were explained and developed that I could recognize them as real people who were finding their way in life as it unfolded to them and still carrying on. I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK.
Not what I expected.......2006-03-10
*** Spoilers to follow ***
The back cover of the book describes how the granddaughter brought 'unexpected hope' to a depressed household. But honestly, she doesn't. At least Mrs. Badami doesn't tell us how. She eloquently tells a story that doesn't really seem to go anywhere.
Sripathi is the main character and key to the entire book. Sripathi's change of feelings seem to be triggered by his fever and while I fully understand how serious illness can change a person, I didn't like how the change wasn't complete. For example, he didn't really learn his lesson with Maya, which is demonstrated by how he allows his mother to treat Putti concerning Putti's engagement. He does, however, begin to appreciate Arun better, and that's good to see. He shows that he's going to raise litle Nandu differently from Maya, even though she seems to be the spitting image of her mother (in temperament, at least.)
My favorite character has to be Nirmala. Although it takes her 3/4 of the book to do it, she finally becomes a person in her own right. When she accepts Gopaul's mother's proposal of a match between Gopaul and Putti without consulting anyone, the reader wants to applaud.
All in all, a readable book, but I was slightly disappointed in the ending. It seemed happy, but for very little reason. I'm looking forward to reading other books by this author.
Rich in dialogue, characters and culture!.......2005-10-01
Heroe's Walk is a pleasing story told in third person, about a family in India. There is engaging dialogue and entertaining characters with detailed cultural information.
The setting is India where a man Sripathi, 50ish, shares a big house with his bitter, aging mother Ammayya; his unmarried sister Putti, an unemployed son Arun, his wife Nirmala, and a newcomer to the home, a 7 year-old granddaughter whose parents were killed.
As the reader, we experience the conditions, we feel for the people and have hope for their future. Characters are very well-described and consistent to their history.
The author has a gifted way of weaving the present with past histories. The reader learns plenty about Sripathi's past and his own parents lives. Chapters are easily identifiable to their content. The interesting story, real characters, are conflict and tension while the plot flows evenly.
There are plenty of bitter events in this family's lives. When his daughter Maya failed to complete an arranged marriage in India, Sripathi was shamed, further in debt, and disowned her. However, wife Nirmala was the communicative strength.
We never get to know Maya, but through flashbacks we learn a little. And now, she and her husband were killed in Vancouver and the Indian family gains a granddaughter who is internally traumatized and doesn't speak.
This story will keep you interested throughout!.....MzRizz
Average customer rating:
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Hero's walk,
Bernard Glemser
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007DW6PC |
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Hero's Walk
Robert Crane
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GLUD5K |
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Hero's Walk
Robert Crane
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000TYSN38 |
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Hero's Walk
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HUEN6K |
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Hero's Walk
Robert Crane
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000BD7X8I |
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Hero's Walk
Robert Crane
Manufacturer: EDGEWEAR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VG6A6Q |
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Hero's Walk
Robert Crane
Manufacturer: Cressett Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GLKDRI |
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Heros Walk
Anita Rau Badami
Manufacturer: ALGONQUIN BOOKS@OF CHAPEL HILL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UCVLEM |
Average customer rating:
- Reforming a Reader
- I loved it!!!!!!
- Maybe 3 & 1/2 -- Lucien's great; best as part of series
- Fun, witty and deep, but little heat!
- Actually, 1 1/2 stars. l gave it 2 for Lucien.
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Reforming a Rake: With This Ring (With This Ring, 1)
Suzanne Enoch
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Meet Me at Midnight (With This Ring, 2)
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A Matter of Scandal (With This Ring)
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The Rake: Lessons in Love
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Taming Rafe
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England's Perfect Hero
ASIN: 0380809168 |
Amazon.com
Setting: Regency England
Sensuality Rating: 8
Lucien Balfour, the sixth earl of Kilcairn Abbey, is compelled by his father's last will and testament to launch his cousin into society. A confirmed bachelor and acknowledged rake, Lucien can barely tolerate his country cousin (let alone her obnoxious mother); determined to marry her off as soon as possible, he advertises for a finishing governess.
Alexandra Beatrice Gallant is a highborn lady who has been forced to earn her keep as a governess and desperately needs employment. Nevertheless, when she realizes that the handsome man interviewing her is the notorious earl, she has grave misgivings about accepting his job offer. Indeed, it soon becomes apparent that Lucien is not only committed to polishing his cousin's social skills, he's also dead set on bedding the lovely Alexandra. Unfortunately for Lucien, Alexandra is as strong willed and levelheaded as she is beautiful, and although Lucien doesn't believe in love, he finds himself wanting to slay dragons for the gorgeous governess. For her part, Alexandra has increasing difficulty refusing the earl's kisses. Still, despite scandal and interfering dowagers, the biggest barrier to a happy conclusion is Alexandra's own self-doubt, and winning her hand will test Lucien's determination to the limit.
Author Suzanne Enoch doesn't miss a beat in this charming Regency tale. The dialogue snaps with wit, the plot possesses interesting twists and turns, and the secondary characters are unforgettable, especially the horrid aunt. The heroine is intelligent and well educated, sensible as well as warmhearted, and is the perfect foil for the hero's cynicism and intellect. Reforming a Rake is sure to delight. --Lois Faye Dyer
Book Description
A governess must never be alone with a man. Her reputation mustn't have even a hint of scandal. She must never reveal personal emotions. No matter how strong the provocation by her employer. A governess never questions her employer's commands. Even when he's tempting her to forsake respectability for desire? She must never, ever, fall in love with someone above her station. Especially a rake—no matter how devastating his kisses may be . . .
Alexandra Gallant is a governess extraordinaire—and if it weren't for that unfortunate incident at her last position, she wouldn't now be forced into the employ of Lucien Balfour, the most notorious rake in London. Though the sinfully attractive earl hired her to teach his young cousin, his seductive whispers and toe-curling kisses suggest he has something far less respectable in mind . . . And that will never happen. For although Lucien seems determined to teach her about pleasure, she has a few lessons to teach him about love!
Customer Reviews:
Reforming a Reader.......2007-01-09
First of all, let me just say that I have only been reading historical romances for about 5 months. I would always make fun of my friend for reading them, until she finally convinced me to try "just one." "Reforming a Rake" is the first book she loaned me. It took me about 6 hours to read it and I immediately called her. I couldn't stop talking about Lucien and Alexandra and how amazing these characters were. I couldn't believe that a romance novel could have characters with such depth, witty banter, hilarious encounters (there were moments where I was actually laughing out loud) and just enough drama to make me cry. But this one does. And I for one am glad it was my first!
I loved it!!!!!!.......2004-07-28
I bought this book many months ago and I loved it! Lucien is to die for and Alexandra is so stubborn, but perfect for the Earl. The dialogue was extremely funny. Lucien is the best hero you could ever find. I loved the way he did everything for Alexandra and she was still stubborn till the very end. I've read this book many times over and I know I'll read it many more times in the future. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes romances.
Maybe 3 & 1/2 -- Lucien's great; best as part of series.......2004-04-28
Lucien IS wickedly witty and an impressive seducer. It's refreshing for the man to realize he wants a permanent commitment first; Lucien keeps after Alexandra until she finally acquieses. How on earth could she resist so long? Her refusals did get old and seemed to be based on flimsy reasoning. She's okay as a heroine, but not nearly as strong a character as Lucien. Frankly, she deserved being kidnapped.
Aunt Fiona is a woman worth getting angry with, but Rose is generally annoying. What Lucien's best friend sees in her is still beyond me. Characters who show up in later novels, like Emma Grenville, are a welcome addition. FYI, "With This Ring" nad "Lessons in Love" series reference the same characters.
Fun, witty and deep, but little heat!.......2003-10-30
There was so much I loved about this book. The best thing was that both characters were strong and intelligent. The dialogue was excellent -- Lucien's and Alex's verbal battles were so sharp and hilarious. Also, I loved the fact that both characters showed such emotional depth. By far, Lucien is one of the best romance hero ever written in an historical romance.
My only criticism is the lovemaking scenes -- they were so tame they almost put me to sleep!! I realize that not every romance author is comfortable writing graphic sex scenes, but lovemaking scenes are included in romance stories for a reason. If written well, these scenes can explore and explain the characters' growing attraction, as well as give the reader glimpses into their hearts. That didn't happen here at all. One of the lovemaking scenes was a mere three sentences long!! Talk about "wham-bam-thank-you-mam"!!! The way it was described, I don't see how the lovemaking was at all satisfying to Alexandra. And that's part of what romance is all about. Thre has to be some sizzle between the characters in order to make their physical attraction credible. This book clearly lacked that. Aside from this rather glaring shortcoming, this book had the romance, fun, wit and depth to make it a very enjoyable read.
Actually, 1 1/2 stars. l gave it 2 for Lucien........2003-09-24
This is the 3rd book I read from this author, and 2 of them have had the same problem, at least for me.
The book started out fine, I was caught up and having a lot of fun. Lucien was so charmingly rude, (if such a thing exist) that had me laughing all the time. I loved the way he makes fun of his aunt and cousin, and the way he always says exactly what he thinks, no matter who might get offended. Alexandra seemed like an intelligent, sensible and likeable person, at least until about half of the book.
When did things start to go completely wrong? When Lucien proposes marriage and she starts rejecting him for reasons that I didn't find valid at all. I totally agree with another reviewer (Fani) who said that she is the most ungrateful, selfish female ever. He does everything he can to prove his love for her, actually, half of what he did should have been prove enough for any sensible woman, and melt her heart in the process, but she keeps stubbornly rejecting him. All because when her parents died, an uncle that she had never met before, refused to love and protect her and she had to make her way on the world by herself, therefore, she is now incapable of accepting anyone's love or protection. Doesn't it sound stupid?
This ruined the entire second half of the book for me, which is a shame, because I had started liking it a lot.
Some other reviewers have mentioned mistakes regarding the time period and the use of french, however nobody has mentioned what I think is the most glaring mistake of this book. Apparently, Lucien has to marry and produce an heir, or otherwise his cousin Rose's future child will inherit his title and estates. Wait a minute! Rose is his cousin on his mother's side. She is the daughter of his mother's half brother. I admit I'm not an expert in the matter, but I am an avid reader of Regency romance novels and it is my understanding that in England titles are passed only through the paternal line. If he doesn't produce an heir, and there are no other male relatives on his father's side of the family, then at his death, his title and estates will revert to the crown, but Rose's family would never be in line to inherit. Even if he had had a sister, daughter of his father, the previous Earl, such sister offspring would never inherit either, unless there was a very rare clause on the title that would allow a female [direct descendant] to assume the title in case there was not a male child. I have never heard of the title going to the in-laws, which is what Rose's father became to the previous Earl by way of his sister's marriage. In short, if it is not a male with the same last name as the Earls, it is not in line for the title.
This mistake is so noticeable, that I'm amazed it got pass the editor, and that none of the other readers mentioned it either. I could have ignored it, if the plot had stayed interesting and amusing, but this, together with a heroine so exasperating that I felt like shaking her, and a story totally lacking in originality made me want to trow the book across the room and growl in frustration.
Now the question is, should I give Suzanne Enoch another chance? I like her heroes a lot, but so far, have disliked 2 out of 3 heroines. I like the first half of her books, but have completely disliked the second half of 2 out of 3 books. That is the problem, if it were all bad, I wouldn't have any doubts about ever buying another of her books. But since she has managed to catch my attention in some ocassions, I keep thinking she has the talent to write a good book that I would enjoy in its entirety.
Book Description
As the Clone Wars rage, Jedi Master Yoda must once again face one of his greatest adversaries: Count Dooku. . . .
The savage Clone Wars have forced the Republic to the edge of collapse. During the height of the battle, on Jedi Knight escapes the carnage to deliver a message to Yoda on Coruscant. It appears that Dooku wants peace and demands a rendezvous. Chances are slim that the treacherous Count is sincere but, with a million lives at stake, Yoda has no choice.
The meeting will take place on Djun, a planet steeped in evil. The challenge could not be more difficult. Can Yoda win back his once promising pupil from the dark side or will Count Dooku unleash his sinister forces against his former mentor? Either way, Yoda is sure of one thing: This battle will be one of the fiercest he’ll ever face.
Book Description
Psychotherapy from a Buddhist perspectiveThe purpose of life is to be happy, and one's own mental attitude is the most influential factor in working toward that goal. In order to change conditions outside ourselves, whether they concern the environment or relations with others, we must first change within ourselves. Inner peace is the key. The Buddhist teachings of love, kindness, and tolerance, the conduct of nonviolence, and the theory that all things are relative, as well as a variety of techniques for calming the mind, are sources of that inner peace.Recently, psychotherapists have begun to explore the possibilities of employing Buddhist techniques in a therapeutic context. On its own, no amount of technological development can lead to lasting happiness. What is almost always missing is a corresponding inner development. This is an area in which there is increasing evidence that Buddhist assertions and modern findings have the potential to be valuable to one another.As patients and therapists find themselves reaching for new solutions to their problems, the traditional distinctions between matters of the mind and matters of the spirit are increasingly being questioned. This program is a major contribution to the explosion of discussion about how Eastern spirituality can enhance Western psychology.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent foundation of his approach.......2007-03-20
I read Epstein's book on Desire before this one. When I read this book I was struck by how foundational it is for the desire book. That said, it doesn't make this book less useful for the reader. Epstein, as always, mindfully approaches the subjects at hand with experience and theory offered up to help readers grasp the concepts.
I found his approach of cultivating openness to feeling to be really insightful and helpful in dealing with some avoidant behaviors I have. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes his other work or is looking for a different perspective.
Apropos.......2007-01-04
This book was amazingly apropos for the point I have come to on my journey of faith...It was worth the read. I have moved forward in my personal growth, due to my desire to open to more; the book encouraged this!
I loved this book!.......2006-02-15
It was one of a few required texts for a Buddhism class. I chose it because I have an interest in psychology, particularly the psychodynamic perspective (unconscious motivation) and this book added to my life in such a way! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about Buddhism and freeing one's "self" from the limitations of convention. I don't agree with everything in it, but this is a book for my collection, definitely.
A remarkable blend of Buddhism and psychology.......2005-12-18
The first chapter of this book alone is worth the purchase price. I have it dogeared, and refer back to it frequently. The author uses the Buddhist Wheel of Life as a metaphor for states of pschological suffering. His explanations are both clear and intriguing. This book will interest students of psychology and Buddhism alike.
Excellent!.......2001-10-20
I think this book is an absolutely wonderful introduction to a particular subset of Buddhist philosophy, and done so in such a way that it may benefit our own lives as well as the academic and practices of psychology today.
Specifically, the examination of the Buddhist Realms of existence (of which there are 6 I believe) and its relation to our states of mind. In doing so, we are treated to stories of the personal struggles of his patients as well as their parallels to Buddhist concepts (most notably the 6 realms).
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good INTRODUCTION (as the depth could be expanded further of course)to Buddhist philosophy within our current scientific concepts, as well as psychologists looking to expand their world view and see ancient Buddhists as their predecessors. A well written and caring book.
Amazon.com
Drawing upon his own experience as therapist, meditator and patient, Mark Epstein, a New York-based psychiatrist trained in classical Freudian methods, attempts to integrate Western psychotherapy and the teachings of Buddhism. Repressed memories, painful emotions, narcissism and destructive energies can all be uprooted through Buddha's teaching on suffering, delusion, wisdom and non-attachment. Epstein argues that in recognizing his or her self-created mental suffering, a patient can overcome neurotic behaviors and even overcome a deeply ingrained negative sense of self.
Book Description
Traditional distinctions between matters of the mind and matters of the spirit are increasingly being questioned, and people are searching for alternate perspectives on these issues. Thoughts Without a Thinker is a major contribution to today's exploding discussion of how Eastern spirituality can enhance Western psychology. In it, Mark Epstein argues that the contemplative traditions of the East can be extremely beneficial to patients, not just in helping them recognize their problems, but by giving them the strength to heal. Clearly written and very accessible, this enlightening guide explains the unique psychological contributions of the teachings of Buddhism, describes the path of meditation in contemporary psychological language, and lays out the possibility of a meditation-inspired psychotherapy.
Customer Reviews:
Required reading.......2007-02-23
I love this book. It is one that requires some time to get through; I would read a few pages a day and then digest. It is so well written and clear, but it completely turns long held assumptions on their head about Western psychology and the nature of mind. Highly recommended.
Early comparison of Freudian-base psychanalysis & Buddhism.......2005-05-29
This was probably a groundbreaking book when first published-it's referenced in many later works. It includes interesting case/client data/histories & has an interesting structure-especially the chapters arranged by six worlds--though the mapping seems a bit contrived. As stated by the Dalai Lama: p. x: "There is increasing evidence the Buddhist assertions & modern findings have the potential to be valuable to one another." The author is a Buddhist psychotherapist (based on Freud, Winnicott, et al), but he reveals the limitations of this approach: p. 160: quoting Winnicott: "absence of psychoneurotic illness may be health, but it is not life." p. 180: "the frustrating inability of psychotherapy to move beyond recognition and reconciliation to the far shore of relief." p. 183: "Freud strove to make his patients less unaware, whereas the Buddha taught his students how to become more aware." Maslow, Herzberg, Jung, etc. do not share this difficulty (see .Moacanin's "The Essence of Jung's Psychology & Tibetan Buddhism"). This greatly limits the book--Freudian psychoanalysis has far smaller scope than Buddhism. However, there are areas in which each might support the other-especially with Western practitioners. p. 30-1: "the existence of inner feelings of emptiness & unworthiness in the Western psyche has seemed all but unbelievable to teachers raised in the East...so the Western student afflicted with such feelings must make emptiness itself the object of his or her meditation. Only then can self-loathing be transformed into wisdom." This parallels Suzuki Roshi's metaphor p. 127: "Mind Weeds-pulling out the weeds we give nourishment to the plant. We pull the weeds and bury them near the plant to give it nourishment." For example, the well-known Tibetan Buddhist technique to develop compassion-to view everyone as your mother--doesn't work well for many Westerners (with Mother complex problems), but the Tibetans CAN adapt their Buddhist techniques to the West: p. 176: Sogyal Rinpoche: [it's]"not for Westerners, I always tell them like your grandmother or grandfather... [in Tibet] a positive sense of self is assumed." Thus, Epstein concludes: p. 135: "Meditation, on its own, is not particularly effective at solving people's emotional problems." Herzberg's two-factor theory explains this. He argues that there is a qualitative difference between a negative state & a neutral state [psychoanalysis] on one hand & the difference between a neutral state & a positive state [Buddhism] on the other hand. This book is worth reading but there are others with wider scope such as Seth Robert Segall's "Encountering Buddhism: Western Psychology & Buddhist Teachings."
concretely links eastern and western psychoanalytic practice.......2005-03-14
I don't know how long it was until I realized Epstein's book is an incredible read.
For those who have a pretty good understanding of the way the west has been interpreting and integrating eastern ideals and practices, this book will bring you to the next level.
This book begins by presenting how the western mind should view different Buddhist perspectives. It then begins to explain the practice of "Bare Attention."
I walked away from this read understanding how valuable Mindfulness is to Buddhism.
P. 166 "The meditative technique that became central to Buddhism was that of mindfulness"
Mark Epstein is written to be trained as a Buddhist medtitator before entering his career in psychotherapy. His unique perspective allows him to be a westerner introduced with meditative techniques, which he used as intruments in psychotherapy.
I highly recommend this book and my next book will probably be one of the following: Mindfulness by Gunaratana or Beginning Mindfulness by Andrew Weiss.
I became interested in this read when I started to understand how "distractions" are what essentially take people "out" of the awareness state. I wanted to further pursue how the west and east viewed these impulses, so I typed in "impulse;" "freud," and "buddhism."
I figured Freud more famously than any other western psychologist dealt with impulses (id) and I wanted to see if there was a western psychologist who understood the significance of a Freud-Buddhist perspective. His ties to psychoanalysis are so so brilliant that he probably didn't even plan them. That may be the point.
His walk-throughs of client cases are also really interesting.
If you are looking for a great synthesis of psychoanalytic approach and Buddhist meditative practice, definitely read this book.
Concise and Clear joining of East and West........2004-09-19
Taking two apparently opposite schools of thought, the western psychological approach and the Easter Buddist tradition, and using them to explain each other. Simply amazing.
Does require a small amount of western psychological terms...but a small amount of web research while reading the book will suffice. Examples: Freudian concept of Sublimation, Confluence in Gestalt Therapy, etc. But there is so much useful context around such references that they aren't very difficult.
a book that keeps on giving.......2002-08-05
I picked this book off the shelf in 1995, when it was published, and have read it about five times since. Although I have an advanced degree and am used to difficult books, I found it very challenging, though readable and interesting. I don't think I developed a coherent sense of the profound and helpful ideas in "Thoughts Without a Thinker" until my third or fourth read.
I'd like to thank Mark Epstein for the 20 years of experience, study, practice, thought, and compassion he put into this book. In our anti-intellectual culture it's a pleasure to read a consummately intellectual book that is packed with feeling, humanity, and a dynamic sense of purpose and discovery.
It's reductive to say what I got out of this book, and, in a way, against the spirit of the book. But what I derived from my readings is a profound argument (that has stayed with me, really helped me) for not taking myself, my "tragedies," or, even, anyone else's, too much to heart. To understand that I and my culture burden me with a sense of identity and history that are simply irrationally heavy; to understand that many of my "burdens" can be eased by blending analysis and understanding with a less rational "bare attention" and letting go.
Are you berating yourself for anything? Epstein's marvelous quotes from Buddhist texts speak eloquently for him: "Things are not what they seem. Nor are they otherwise. Deeds exist, but no doer can be found."
It's amazing how much the reviewers of this book agree with one another. I think this speaks to the tremendous integrity of Mark Epstein's effort in this book. Among other things, "Thoughts Without a Thinker" inspires me to try (as non-neurotically as possible) to create something as excellent in my life.
Books:
- Almost Doesn't Count
- And One Wore Gray
- Artists at Continent's End: The Monterey Peninsula Art Colony, 1875-1907
- Assault And Pepper (Magdalena Yoder Mysteries)
- Aura: Bilingual Edition
- Beyond the Reef (The Bolitho Novels)
- Blackbelly: A Novel
- Bloomsbury and France: Art and Friends
- Change Don't Always Come
- Complete Book of Throws
Books Index
Books Home
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