calvinjdorsey's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
roma9062's review against another edition
4.0
“A guide to getting over yourself” is an incredibly fitting title. My having a strong interest in Buddhism going into this book, I think, made me incredibly receptive to the message he was conveying as he walked us through the eightfold path. But, I do think the walkthrough was incredibly well planned and actionable to the point that I’d consider an excellent crash course into Buddhism.
I’d recommend this book to anybody interested in how to improve their interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships, are interested in learning about Buddhism, or how psychiatry can change in the future.
I’d recommend this book to anybody interested in how to improve their interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships, are interested in learning about Buddhism, or how psychiatry can change in the future.
katrinadalythompson's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
kerrynicole72's review against another edition
4.0
Good insights but not a lot of new territory- just helpful illustrations of concepts that may refine your perspective. I enjoyed the book though and will likely read more of the author's work.
marval100's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
Good overview of the eightfold path and meditation and how it can work with and be different from psychotherapy. It was a nice guide and informative.
dazmanda's review
2.0
There are many books now that take Buddhist and eastern philosophy but present it in a more Western, secular-friendly sort of way. I love many of the books in this canon. But not this one.
Mark Epstein is a clinical psychotherapist and practicing Buddhist of many decades. In Advice Not Given, he describes the similarities between Freudian psychotherapy and the Buddha’s teachings.
The book has 8 chapters. Each chapter represents one step on the eight fold path as taught by the Buddha. In each chapter, Epstein illustrates the step with stories from his life, clinical practice, and the Buddha’s teachings.
My main issue was that none of his stories were interesting or relevant to me. I think a lot of therapists are fascinated with trauma and the challenge of dealing with tough things in life. After all, that’s usually when their profession is called in to help. But I’m interested not in trauma or dealing with difficulties, but rather in flourishing. This book didn’t seem very relevant or instructive for my mission.
Mark Epstein is a clinical psychotherapist and practicing Buddhist of many decades. In Advice Not Given, he describes the similarities between Freudian psychotherapy and the Buddha’s teachings.
The book has 8 chapters. Each chapter represents one step on the eight fold path as taught by the Buddha. In each chapter, Epstein illustrates the step with stories from his life, clinical practice, and the Buddha’s teachings.
My main issue was that none of his stories were interesting or relevant to me. I think a lot of therapists are fascinated with trauma and the challenge of dealing with tough things in life. After all, that’s usually when their profession is called in to help. But I’m interested not in trauma or dealing with difficulties, but rather in flourishing. This book didn’t seem very relevant or instructive for my mission.
camillesarah's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
sarahdenn27's review against another edition
4.0
Felt kind of aimless and unsure of what it was about. But I always love the melding of Western psychology and Buddhism.