IGX

Going to Pieces without Falling Apart: A Buddhist Perspective on Wholeness
By Mark Epstein, MD

In my ongoing study of Buddhist psychology, this guys stands out. Although nowhere near as good as his incredible Thoughts Without A Thinker, it's still a valuable book. His basic approach to psychotherapy is based in a meditative practice, as you might expect. This book focuses on therapeutic effect via letting go of our assumed identities and allowing things to be as they are (going to pieces) without feeling like a disconnected and dissatisfied failure (falling apart). Rather than building up a "self esteem" defense mechanism, he uses case examples from his own practice to demonstrate methods of letting go of our desire for a static, defined perception of self. Interesting, I would recommend it, but only as a follow up to his other work referenced above.

An interview with the author: http://human-nature.com/interviews/epstein.html

FC,

Have you looked at Naikan or Morita therapy? Will post a few links perhaps later when not in a hurry.

No, I haven't heard of either until now. I am reading the wiki entry on Naikan now and it appears to be something a little bit different, although not totally unrelated, to this. It is interesting. Thanks for introducing me to it.

I looked at the wikipedia entry and it basically has the links I would have posted. Constructive Living was something suggested to me by a one-time member of this board, when I was characterizing myself as an over-the-top suicidal hypochondriac.

I checked it out. Reynold's stuff (Constructive Living) often looked like a mixed bag for me, but he led me to Naikan and the literature concerning it.

Naikan has been helpful for me in a practical and tangible way. Here is a link to an interview with Gregg Krech on Naikan with some tough questions. It's a PDF file:

http://www.thesunmagazine.org/_media/ar ... _Krech.pdf

In any case, I hope you find some of this useful in your interest in Buddhism & psychology.

Thanks, I'll look at that book.

EDIT: Interestingly, that book is from Hawaii. Do you know if the author is from Hawaii?

onealjn wrote:In any case, I hope you find some of this useful

You lookin' for something in return?

Aren't we all?

Fat Cat wrote:Thanks, I'll look at that book.

EDIT: Interestingly, that book is from Hawaii. Do you know if the author is from Hawaii?

David Reynolds, Constructive Living) (AFAIK) lives in Hawaii. Krech lives in Vermont as AFAIK.

BucketHead wrote:

onealjn wrote:In any case, I hope you find some of this useful

You lookin' for something in return?

BH, you usually have a flair for humor. Am I missing something here? If the question you are asking is serious, I am not sure what you mean.

Just a play on Naikan. In seriousness, I find the article fascinating.

BucketHead wrote:Just a play on Naikan. In seriousness, I find the article fascinating.

Thank you for your explanation. I am sorry for not understanding your intent and causing you to use the energy and time you took to help me understand more clearly.

I have received your apology and give you back my laughter