Wholesale Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life

Here Dr. Mark Epstein, a psychiatrist, explores a key component of therapy that sometimes isn’t explored in depth — the therapeutic relationship between therapist and patient. He reflects on the sessions he carries out over the courses of a year, drawing from his classical Western psychotherapy and medical knowledge and his own knowledge of Buddhism. He was careful to keep his buddhist beliefs separate from his practice. He’s shifted in perspective and found he’s been able to encourage himself and others to have the willingness to understand and face life’s difficulties bravely through mindfulness and meditation. Through this he’s come to interpret therapy as a sort of “two person meditative practice”. He explores how this can be a tool to stop clinging to false constructs, ground oneself, and find inner peace. (This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)