And another by Mark Epstein. I found Epstein almost two years ago now when a good friend and (unfortunately former) colleague told me about The TraumaAnd another by Mark Epstein. I found Epstein almost two years ago now when a good friend and (unfortunately former) colleague told me about The Trauma of Everyday Life. I immediately devoured the book, though can now hardly tell you what it was about. I enjoyed his writing so much that I began to read his other works, starting with the most popular. Eventually, within a year or so, I had consumed them all - including his most...um, mundane, collection of rather academic essays on psychotherapy and Buddhism.
But, that's exactly what draws me to his reading. Epstein, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and practicing Buddhist (is that the term?), writes about the intersection of East and West in these worlds. Seemingly a joke from California in the 1970's, his insight offers calming perspectives on so much of what is felt, but not immediately grasped.
As I began gently scratching the surface of a meditation practice, I found Epstein's writings a helpful sort of guide. In in the practical sense of 'how to,' but as to what is being sought, or the driving force behind the seemingly benign practice of sitting around doing nothing!
Of all his texts, at least in my memory, this one deals most directly with meditation and Buddhism and their applicability to modern life. It is broken into Eight Chapters, corresponding to the Eight Fold Path, which I cannot being to try to reiterate or summarize for an admitted lack of understanding. What you do end up with is Right View, Right Motivation, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
The book is seemingly premised around realigning one's relationship to oneself, or one's ego: "a guide to getting over yourself." And, the eight paths offer various perspectives and opportunities to do so. A quick read that is likely most valuable if re-read, in order to better relate and apply each of the concepts.
The Full Catastrophe Living is just a big too big for me to get through without actually going through a full MBSR program - so, someone recommended tThe Full Catastrophe Living is just a big too big for me to get through without actually going through a full MBSR program - so, someone recommended this instead!
Wherever You Go, There you Are offers great little vignettes and reflections on various aspects of mindfulness in meditation practice and in everyday life. It is quick and easy to read, with thoughtful 'tips' to carry forward into ones day, or ones practice.
In short, it's a perfect sitting by the bathroom book :)...more