Mark Epstein Knihy

Cesta k dosažení vnitřního klidu. Trauma nezažívá jen několik málo nešťastných lidí. Ve skutečnosti je jedním ze základních stavebních kamenů našeho života a v té či oné podobě ho zná každý z nás. Trauma patří neodmyslitelně k lidské existenci, můžeme si však vybrat, jak se k němu budeme vztahovat. Můžeme se mu snažit vyhýbat, nebo ho můžeme využívat jako zdroj životního rozvoje. Zatímco západní psychologie nás přesvědčuje, že trauma lze zvládnout, zbavit se ho tím, že nalezneme a pochopíme jeho příčinu, příznivci východních praktik často vidí v meditaci prostředek k povznesení nebo distancování se od nepříjemných a obtěžujících emocí. Oba přístupy jsou podle Epsteina chybné, protože neuvažují o traumatu jako o neoddělitelné součásti života, která však může sloužit jako živná půda dalšího růstu a pomáhat hlubšímu pochopení života. Epstein vysvětluje, že trauma je univerzální zkušenost, která se neřídí lidskou logikou a nemusí nás nutně zničit, naopak v nás může probudit schopnost vztahovat se a být vnímavý vůči utrpení druhých. Trauma má velký transformační potenciál, může nás stejně jako Buddhu učinit lidštějšími, laskavějšími a moudřejšími.

Před desetiletím tato průkopnická kniha spustila explozi zájmu o to, jak může východní spiritualita vylepšit západní psychologii. Od té doby světy buddhismu a psychoterapie vytvářejí revolučně nové pochopení, z čeho se skládá zdravý emocionální život. Ve svém bystrém úvodu k desátému výročí vydání Mark Epstein přemítá o této revoluci a zvažuje, jak se pravděpodobně bude vyvíjet v budoucnosti. Mark Epstein, M. D. je absolventem Harvard College a Harvard Medical School. Je rovněž autorem knih: Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart (Zhroutit se a nerozpadnout se přitom na kusy), Going on Being (Dál být?) a Open to Desire (Otevřený touze). Má psychiatrickou praxi v New York City, kde také žije.

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. This is Mark Epstein's memoir of his early years as a student of Buddhism and of how the teachings and practice of 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. Going on Being is an intimate chronicle of the evolution of spirit and psyche, and a highly inviting guide for anyone seeking a new path and a new outlook on life. "Mark Epstein gets better and better with each book; Going on Being is his most brilliant yet. He weaves a mindful cartography of the human heart, tying together insights from Buddhism and psychoanalytic thought into an elegant, captivating tapestry. Epstein shares the spiritual and emotional insights garnered from his own life journey in a fascinating account of what it can mean to us all to go on being." -Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

"Most people will never find a great psychiatrist or a great Buddhist teacher, but Mark Epstein is both, and the wisdom he imparts in Advice Not Given is an act of generosity and compassion. The book is a tonic for the ailments of our time."--Ann Patchett, New York Times bestselling author of Commonwealth Our ego, and its accompanying sense of nagging self-doubt as we work to be bigger, better, smarter, and more in control, is one affliction we all share. But while our ego is at once our biggest obstacle, it can also be our greatest hope. We can be at its mercy or we can learn to work with it. With great insight, and in a deeply personal style, renowned psychiatrist and author Dr. Mark Epstein offers a how-to guide that refuses a quick fix. In Advice Not Given, he reveals how Buddhism and Western psychotherapy, two traditions that developed in entirely different times and places, both identify the ego as the limiting factor in our well-being, and both come to the same conclusion: When we give the ego free rein, we suffer; but when it learns to let go, we are free.

Immersed in Buddhist psychology prior to studying Western psychiatry, Dr. Epstein first viewed Western therapeutic approaches through the lens of the East. This book wrestles with the complex relationship between Buddhism and psychotherapy and offers nuanced reflections on therapy, meditation, and psychological and spiritual development.

In a profound exploration of the therapeutic relationship, Dr. Mark Epstein shares insights from a year of therapy sessions, merging his extensive experience in Western psychotherapy with his deep understanding of Buddhism. Initially, he kept his spiritual beliefs separate from his psychiatric practice, using mindfulness privately to enhance his listening skills. However, as he began to openly discuss these spiritual aspects, he discovered that many patients were eager to engage with them, revealing that the lines between psychological, emotional, and spiritual realms are often blurred. Dr. Epstein reflects on selected patient sessions, illustrating how his Buddhist background subtly influences his therapeutic approach. He presents therapy as a form of two-person meditation, where both therapist and patient confront life's challenges with courage. Mindfulness, akin to a skilled therapist, can help hold awareness and facilitate self-discovery. Through detailed dialogues and explanations of his thoughts and actions, he demonstrates that embracing our true selves can be difficult, yet essential. This personal inquiry intertwines the wisdom of psychotherapy and Buddhism, portraying the therapist as a spiritual friend who aids patients in recognizing the inherent magic and trust in their lives, regardless of past struggles. By letting go of misconceptions and connecting with our true essence, we can find peace and a sense of home

For decades, Western psychology has promised fulfillment through building and strengthening the ego. We are taught that the ideal is a strong, individuated self, constructed and reinforced over a lifetime. But Buddhist psychiatrist Mark Epstein has found a different way. Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart shows us that happiness doesn't come from any kind of acquisitiveness, be it material or psychological. Happiness comes from letting go. Weaving together the accumulated wisdom of his two worlds--Buddhism and Western psychotherapy--Epstein shows how "the happiness that we seek depends on our ability to balance the ego's need to do with our inherent capacity to be." He encourages us to relax the ever-vigilant mind in order to experience the freedom that comes only from relinquishing control. Drawing on events in his own life and stories from his patients, Going to Pieces  Without Falling Apart teaches us that only by letting go can we start on the path to a more peaceful and spiritually satisfying life.About The Author: Mark Epstein, M.D., 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.

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Trauma does not just happen to a few unlucky people; it is the bedrock of our psychology. Death and illness touch us all, but even the everyday sufferings of loneliness and fear are traumatic. In The Trauma of Everyday Life renowned psychiatrist and author of Thoughts Without a Thinker Mark Epstein uncovers the transformational potential of trauma, revealing how it can be used for the mind's own development. Western psychology teaches that if we understand the cause of trauma, we might move past it while many drawn to Eastern practices see meditation as a means of rising above, or distancing themselves from, their most difficult emotions. Both, Epstein argues, fail to recognize that trauma is an indivisible part of life and can be used as a lever for growth and an ever deeper understanding of change. When we regard trauma with this perspective, understanding that suffering is universal and without logic, our pain connects us to the world on a more fundamental level. The way out of pain is through it. Epstein's discovery begins in his analysis of the life of Buddha, looking to how the death of his mother informed his path and teachings. The Buddha's spiritual journey can be read as an expression of primitive agony grounded in childhood trauma. Yet the Buddha's story is only one of many in The Trauma of Everyday Life. Here, Epstein looks to his own experience, that of his patients, and of the many fellow sojourners and teachers he encounters as a psychiatrist and Buddhist. They are alike only in that they share in trauma, large and small, as all of us do. Epstein finds throughout that trauma, if it doesn't destroy us, wakes us up to both our minds' own capacity and to the suffering of others. It makes us more human, caring, and wise. It can be our greatest teacher, our freedom itself, and it is available to all of us

Our shared affliction of ego and self-doubt drives us to seek control and validation, yet it often sabotages our goals. In this insightful work, Dr. Mark Epstein, a renowned psychiatrist, explores the intersection of Buddhism and Western psychotherapy, both identifying the ego as a barrier to well-being. He argues that when the ego is unchecked, we suffer, but learning to let go leads to freedom. Epstein provides a guide rooted in both traditions, emphasizing the Eightfold Path—eight areas of self-reflection essential for enlightenment. Drawing from his experiences and those of his patients, he presents these ancient ideas infused with modern therapeutic sensibilities, creating a roadmap for spiritual and psychological growth. By bridging Eastern and Western thought, Epstein offers a fresh perspective on mindfulness, urging us to be more aware of our ego. This unique approach highlights the ego as both our greatest obstacle and potential ally, suggesting that we can either be at its mercy or learn to shape it. Epstein’s practical advice is accessible to all, offering wise counsel in a complex world, reminding us that "our egos can use all the help they can get."