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Going On Being (Abridged): Buddhism and the Way of Change--A Positive Psychology for the West Audiobook
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(3.11) - 246 listener ratings
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Before Mark Epstein became a medical student at Harvard and began training as a psychiatrist, he immersed himself in Buddhism through experiences with such influential Buddhist teachers as Ram Dass, Joseph Goldstein, and Jack Kornfield. The positive outlook of Buddhism and the meditative principle of living in the moment came to influence his study and practice of psychotherapy profoundly. Going on Being is Epstein's memoir of his early years as a student of Buddhism and of how Buddhism shaped his approach to therapy, as well as a practical guide to how a Buddhist understanding of psychological problems makes change for the better possible. In psychotherapy, Epstein discovered a vital interpersonal parallel to meditation, but he also recognized Western psychology's tendency to focus on problems, either by attempting to eliminate them or by going into them more deeply, and how this too often results in a frustrating "analysis of analysis." Buddhism opened his eyes to another way of change. Drawing on his own life and stories of his patients, he illuminates the concept of "going on being," the capacity we all have to live in a fully aware and creative state unimpeded by constraints or expectations.
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"This was a great book to listen to in the car. Dr. Epstein brought a lot of clarity to some of the more mysterious aspects of Buddhism. He is a psychiatrist and thus, for my western mind which is more familiar with therapy speak, he is able to bridge the gap between psychoanalysis and mindfulness. "
— Karen (5 out of 5 stars)
Going On Being Listener Reviews
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" Thought provoking book about Winnicott/object relations theory and Buddhism "
— Kate, 3/15/2013 -
" Very honest book. Great exploration of psychology and Buddhism "
— Chad, 1/26/2013 -
" This was a great book to listen to in the car. Dr. Epstein brought a lot of clarity to some of the more mysterious aspects of Buddhism. He is a psychiatrist and thus, for my western mind which is more familiar with therapy speak, he is able to bridge the gap between psychoanalysis and mindfulness. "
— Karen, 6/18/2012 -
" so far i like the authors style of writing and the content "
— Shawna, 4/15/2012 -
" I LOVED this book. :) It was one I bought hardcover and have read over and over. "
— Lauren, 2/27/2012 -
" A life changing book. Profound and, perhaps paradoxically, an easy and pleasant read. "
— Andrée, 2/15/2012 -
" This is essentially Epstein's spiritual autobiography. It weaves a convincing fabric from the threads of Buddhist philosophy and psychotherapy. I found it highly readable and entertaining, and very helpful in understanding more of Buddhist psychology. Epstein is one of my favorite Buddhist authors. "
— Zaven, 12/12/2011 -
" For some reason, the author and I are not quite on the same wavelength. "
— Bea, 7/4/2011 -
" Yet another startling book from Epstein, this on re-read was more enlightening that the first time through. I cannot reocmmend his books enough, starting with the breakthrough THOUGHTS WITHOUT A THINKER. Buddhist psychology and western psychology has no better friend and matchmaker. "
— John, 9/22/2010 -
" One of my earlier favorites "
— Kathryn, 6/1/2010 -
" Philosophical rather than pragmatic. This is not a self-help book. It is about the author's journey in Buddhism, meditation, and psychotherapy. "
— Barbara, 5/8/2010 -
" Decent ideas, short on pragmatic application (beyond 'meditate'). "
— Rob, 4/29/2010 -
" lucid and thoughtful. great introduction to Buddhism "
— Meg, 1/12/2010 -
" Epstein's writing style is earnest and accessible. Anyone interested in the intersection of Buddhist psychology and Western psychotherapy will gobble up Epstein's books like leftover Thanksgiving turkey. "
— Jeremy, 7/24/2009 -
" Need to reread the chapter on "The Klesha of I am not" and the one that follows. "
— Alexis, 6/27/2009 -
" Yet another startling book from Epstein, this on re-read was more enlightening that the first time through. I cannot reocmmend his books enough, starting with the breakthrough THOUGHTS WITHOUT A THINKER. Buddhist psychology and western psychology has no better friend and matchmaker. "
— John, 3/29/2009 -
" One of my earlier favorites "
— Kathryn, 1/7/2009 -
" I LOVED this book. :) It was one I bought hardcover and have read over and over. "
— Lauren, 3/13/2008 -
" Thought provoking book about Winnicott/object relations theory and Buddhism "
— Kate, 11/24/2007 -
" lucid and thoughtful. great introduction to Buddhism "
— Meg, 9/24/2007 -
" so far i like the authors style of writing and the content "
— Shawna, 8/20/2007 -
" Very honest book. Great exploration of psychology and Buddhism "
— Chad, 3/6/2007
About Mark Epstein
Mark Epstein, MD, is a psychiatrist in private practice and the author of Thoughts without a Thinker. He is a contributing editor to Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and clinical assistant professor of psychology at New York University. He lives in New York City.