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Buddhist megastars in conversation.Today, we're dropping a recording of a live event we held earlier this year, during which Joseph Goldstein and Dr. Mark Epstein came on stage for a fascinating set of conversations. We did this event to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Dan's first book, also called 10% Happier. The night was structured like a late night show, so there was a monologue, and live music with the band Mates of State. Dr. Mark Epstein is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, and is the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Going on Being, Open to Desire, Psychotherapy without the Self, The Trauma of Everyday Life and Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself, and The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University. He has been a student of vipassana meditation since 1974.Joseph Goldstein is a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society and the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, both in Barre, Massachusetts. He is the author of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, A Heart Full of Peace, One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism, Insight Meditation and The Experience of Insight: A Simple and Direct Guide to Buddhist Meditation. Joseph has studied and practiced meditation since 1967 under the guidance of eminent teachers from India, Burma, and Tibet and he leads Insight Meditation retreats around the world.In this episode we talk about:The three month solo silent meditation retreat Joseph had just finishedHow to not suffer in the face of unwanted experiences Three exercises for slowing downPragmatic applications of retreat practice for life in the real world How to see outside yourselfHow Mark came to Buddhism 50 years agoThe relationship between Buddhism and psychotherapy The Buddhist concept of the two levels of reality And a guided meditation from a surprise guestRelated Episodes:Nirvana | Joseph GoldsteinDr. Mark Epstein On: How To Transform Your Neuroses Into “Little Shmoos”I Just Did A 10-Day Silent Meditation Retreat With Joseph Goldstein. Here's What I LearnedSign up for Dan's newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/joseph-mark-liveAdditional Resources:The New York Insight Meditation Centerhttp://markepsteinmd.com/Going to Pieces without Falling Apart: A Buddhist Perspective on WholenessThe Trauma of Everyday LifeMates of StateDownload the Happier app today: https://my.happierapp.com/link/downloadSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A Buddhist psychiatrist (and one of the key players in Dan's meditation career) talks about the overlap between Freud and the dharma.Mark Epstein M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, is the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Going on Being, Open to Desire, Psychotherapy without the Self, The Trauma of Everyday Life and Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself. His latest work, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life, was published in 2022 by Penguin Press. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University. He has been a student of vipassana meditation since 1974.In this episode we talk about:The insubstantial nature of thoughts Staying present through anything without clinging or condemning. Turning down the ego and focusing on othersHow you transform your neuroses from monsters to little shmoos. And whether 10% is the right number?Related Episodes:Click here to listen to the previous episodes in our tenth anniversary series. Sam Harris on: Vipassana vs. Dzogchen, Looking for the Looker, and Psychic PowersFor more information on Dan & Mark's retreat in Arizona: we don't have the link available yet but will update here as soon as we do!To order the revised tenth anniversary edition of 10% Happier: click here For tickets to Dan Harris: Celebrating 10 Years of 10% Happier at Symphony Space: click hereSign up for Dan's weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/mark-epstein-10thAdditional Resources:Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/installSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What is the intersection between psychotherapy and Buddhism? For decades, Mark Epstein, MD, a practicing Buddhist and psychiatrist, has deeply explored how Buddhist philosophy can be integrated into therapy to help patients heal from trauma. His key insight is that Buddhism grants us the wisdom to reshape our relationships with our personal stories, through which we conceptualize and contextualize our emotions and identities. Dr. Epstein is the author of Thoughts Without a Thinker, The Trauma of Everyday Life, Advice Not Given, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life, and other books. Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Epstein shares how he discovered Buddhist meditative and mindfulness practices during his formative years, how he helps patients reframe their understanding of suffering, and what it's like to be allowed into the most vulnerable, intricate, and even spiritual spaces in the minds and hearts of other people.In this episode, we discuss:2:12 - Dr. Epstein's reluctant path to medicine after growing up as the child of a doctor10:08 - The lessons Buddhism has taught Dr. Esptein about himself and his relationships with others and the world17:12 - Differences between “medical materialists” and “medical humanists”19:33 - How Dr. Epstein's humanistic views of medicine have affected his approach to treating patients 23:45 - An overview of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis28:12 - How Dr. Epstein's approach to working with patients differs from other psychiatrists due to Buddhist influences36:54 - The extent to which Dr. Epstein's patients are aware of the source of his approach and techniques39:42 - How Dr. Epstein grapples with the high stakes involved when treating the mental suffering of his patients46:12 - Dr. Epstein's advice for medical students and clinicians on managing the mental distress of patientsDr. Mark Epstein is the author of many books, including:The Zen of Therapy (2022)Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself (2018)The Trauma of Everyday Life (2013)Going On Being (2008)Psychotherapy Without the Self, Open to Desire (2008)Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart (1998)Thoughts Without a Thinker (1995)Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor's Art Podcast 2023
God's Hidden Kindness: Why Jesus is the real answer to racial injustice (This sermon was preached in June 2020, shortly following the death of George Floyd).We wanted to share this Ruth sermon series from the archives with you, titled "God's Hidden Kindness". We hope that it will encourage you to keep trusting in the Lord's kindness through all situations.For more info about Grace Church and to find other talks and resources, visit greenwich.churchIf you're enjoying GRACE POD don't forget to subscribe or even leave a review!
God's Hidden Kindness: God's Kindness that enables us to break with our past lives.We wanted to share this Ruth sermon series from the archives with you, titled "God's Hidden Kindness". We hope that it will encourage you to keep trusting in the Lord's kindness through all situations.For more info about Grace Church and to find other talks and resources, visit greenwich.churchIf you're enjoying GRACE POD don't forget to subscribe or even leave a review!
God's Hidden Kindness: God's Kindness for all who take refuge in him.We wanted to share this Ruth sermon series from the archives with you, titled "God's Hidden Kindness". We hope that it will encourage you to keep trusting in the Lord's kindness through all situations.For more info about Grace Church and to find other talks and resources, visit greenwich.churchIf you're enjoying GRACE POD don't forget to subscribe or even leave a review!
God's Hidden Kindness: God's Kindness when life is bitter.We wanted to share this Ruth sermon series from the archives with you, titled "God's Hidden Kindness". We hope that it will encourage you to keep trusting in the Lord's kindness through all situations.For more info about Grace Church and to find other talks and resources, visit greenwich.churchIf you're enjoying GRACE POD don't forget to subscribe or even leave a review!
Daily Morning Class- Zehirut pt. 10- 07/11/23
Our words matter. We live in conversation. The words we hear are filtered with our biases, opinions, and prejudices, so we need to question and understand. Chuck Wisner sits down with Kevin to discuss 4 types of conversations. We often get stuck in the storytelling or the commitment. We need to do a better job with collaborative and creative discussions. New and good things can be created when we take the time to share our thoughts and debate. Key Points Chuck Wisner shares 4 types of conversations: Storytelling—Acknowledging and investigating the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and others. Collaborating—Exploring the way our stories interact with other people's stories. Creating—Cocreating possibilities and discovering unforeseen solutions to sticky problems. Committing—Coordinating our actions with others to get things done. He talks about the roles of emotions, facts, and opinions in our stories. He discusses advocacy and inquiry. Meet Chuck Name: Chuck Wisner His Story: Chuck is the author of The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact. He is currently working as an advisor with leaders and their teams at Google, Ford, DTE Energy, and Tesla (all Fortune 200 companies). His client list has included PSEG, Harvard Business School, Toyota, the Detroit Mayor's Office, General Motors, Shell, and Chrysler Motor Company. Worth Mentioning: https://chuckwisner.com/ https://twitter.com/chuck_wisner This episode is brought to you by... Remarkable Masterclasses. Each masterclass is designed to help you become the remarkable leader and human you were born to be. Details on how to get on board for a specific skill or get discounts each month can be found on our website. Book Recommendations The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact by Chuck Wisner Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Harari The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life by Mark Epstein M.D Related Episodes Communicate Like a Leader with Dianna Booher Using Communication Tools to Transform Work Relationships with Katie McCleary Crucial Conversations for Business Transformation with Richard Hawkes
“A monk asked, ‘What is meditation?' The Master said, ‘It is not meditation.' The monk said, ‘Why is it “not meditation”?' The Master said, ‘It's alive, it's alive!'” –Chao-Chou, 8th century Buddhist master How can traditional psychotherapy, with its emphasis on the self, work with Zen practices like meditation, with their de-emphasizing of the ego, to make us feel better? In this episode of Book Dreams, Dr. Mark Epstein–psychiatrist, Zen practitioner, and author of The Zen of Buddhism: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life–joins Julie and Eve to talk about ways in which Buddhist thought and Western psychotherapy can work in tandem. Their conversation ranges from the Dalai Lama's surprising insistence on the significance of self; to the benefits and limitations of a Zen approach in times of political turmoil; to the tension between a desire to make our mark, on the one hand, and our inconsequentiality in the scope of the universe, on the other. Dr. Epstein also explains to Julie why “the self is just a construct” is maybe not the most helpful advice for teenage children during stressful moments. Dr. Mark Epstein is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis at New York University. He is also the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Advice Not Given, The Trauma of Everyday Life, Thoughts Without a Thinker, Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart, and The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. Find us on Twitter (@bookdreamspod) and Instagram (@bookdreamspodcast), or email us at contact@bookdreamspodcast.com. We encourage you to visit our website and sign up for our newsletter for information about our episodes, guests, and more. Book Dreams is a part of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate network, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. For more information on how The Podglomerate treats data, please see our Privacy Policy. Since you're listening to Book Dreams, we'd like to suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows about literature, writing, and storytelling like Storybound and The History of Literature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Author and Psychotherapist Mark Epstein, M.D. returns to the Metta Hour Podcast for Episode 182.Today's podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mettaA longtime friend and colleague, Mark and Sharon first met in 1974 at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, CO. Mark is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City and a longtime Buddhist practitioner. He is the author of several books that explore the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Going to Pieces without Falling Apart and his 2022 release, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. In this conversation, Mark and Sharon discuss:• Their backstory meeting in 1974 in Boulder, CO• Mark's new book, The Zen of Therapy• The Buddha's origin story through Mark's therapeutic lens• How COVID is impacting Mental Health• Exploring COVID as a collective trauma• Mark's insights while on a meditation retreat• How to create a healthy holding environment for ourselves• The importance of kindness in therapy• The limitations of kindness• How to find a good therapist The episode closes with Mark leading a short guided meditation practice. To learn more about Mark's work, you can visit his website. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Check out our sponsors: ButcherBox: Sign up at ButcherBox.com/impact Athletic Greens: Go to athleticgreens.com/impact and receive a FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase! CuriosityStream: Go to https://curiositystream.com/impact and use code IMPACT to save 25% off today, that's only $14.99 a year. “Awakening does not mean a change in difficulty, it means a change in how those difficulties are met.” - Dr. Mark Epstein When we think of Buddhism, Taoism, and other Eastern philosophies, we often imagine achieving a state of permanent inner peace - being completely untroubled by the concerns of this world. Unfortunately, we need to be able to deal effectively with the realities of everyday life, rather than shrink away from them. According to Dr. Mark Epstein, most people have a fundamental misunderstanding about what Buddhism is trying to teach us. It isn't about dissolving the ego completely, or becoming totally detached from our past and future. Rather, the point of the Buddha's teachings is to use fundamental psychological truths to become more effective at actually engaging with the difficulties of everyday life. So if you're struggling with difficult relationships, have difficulties with past trauma, or simply have never been able to understand the point of meditation, then you're sure to find something valuable in today's episode. And if you like what you see here, then you should definitely order Mark's latest book: The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life: https://amzn.to/3NDZxk5 SHOW NOTES:00:00 | Introduction01:27 | Why Eastern Philosophy Is So Attractive09:16 | The Core Tenets of Buddhism19:50 | How Buddhism Heals Trauma35:04 | The Four Noble Truths51:05 | What is the Ego?56:49 | The Eightfold Path1:04:39 | Struggling With Meditation1:19:06 | Psychedelics and Therapy QUOTES:“There's something beneficial in allowing ourselves, and in training ourselves, to be with that which is difficult in ourselves, in our partners, in life.” [13:34] “It's not what you're experiencing, or what you've experienced, that matters. It's how you relate to it.” [23:42] “The Buddhist teaching is such a help, because it's what it's saying is, this aspect of experience is unavoidable. And we can find our best selves by staying with it, rather than trying to get away from it.” [40:11] “The ego doesn't need or doesn't actually want to be in control all the time. We just need it for certain things, and then we have to learn to let it go.” [55:23] “Why don't you leave yourself alone? Why don't you just let yourself be? Why don't you see who you are that way? Why don't you discover who you are by relating naturally to the world, to other people, to yourself?” [1:03:08] Follow Dr. Mark Epstein:Website: http://markepsteinmd.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mepstein108Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markepstein108Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markepsteinmd/Order The Zen of Therapy: https://amzn.to/3NDZxk5
A remarkable exploration of the therapeutic relationship, Dr. Mark Epstein reflects on one year's worth of therapy sessions with his patients to observe how his training in Western psychotherapy and his equally long investigation into Buddhism, in tandem, led to greater awareness—for his patients, and for himself For years, Dr. Mark Epstein kept his beliefs as a Buddhist separate from his work as a psychiatrist. Content to use his training in mindfulness as a private resource, he trusted that the Buddhist influence could, and should, remain invisible. But as he became more forthcoming with his patients about his personal spiritual leanings, he was surprised to learn how many were eager to learn more. The divisions between the psychological, emotional, and the spiritual, he soon realized, were not as distinct as one might think. In The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life (Penguin, 2022), Dr. Epstein reflects on a year's worth of selected sessions with his patients and observes how, in the incidental details of a given hour, his Buddhist background influences the way he works. Meditation and psychotherapy each encourage a willingness to face life's difficulties with courage that can be hard to otherwise muster, and in this cross-section of life in his office, he emphasizes how therapy, an element of Western medicine, can in fact be considered a two-person meditation. Mindfulness, too, much like a good therapist, can “hold” our awareness for us—and allow us to come to our senses and find inner peace. Throughout this deeply personal inquiry, one which weaves together the wisdom of two worlds, Dr. Epstein illuminates the therapy relationship as spiritual friendship, and reveals how a therapist can help patients cultivate the sense that there is something magical, something wonderful, and something to trust running through our lives, no matter how fraught they have been or might become. For when we realize how readily we have misinterpreted ourselves, when we stop clinging to our falsely conceived constructs, when we touch the ground of being, we come home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychoanalysis
A remarkable exploration of the therapeutic relationship, Dr. Mark Epstein reflects on one year's worth of therapy sessions with his patients to observe how his training in Western psychotherapy and his equally long investigation into Buddhism, in tandem, led to greater awareness—for his patients, and for himself For years, Dr. Mark Epstein kept his beliefs as a Buddhist separate from his work as a psychiatrist. Content to use his training in mindfulness as a private resource, he trusted that the Buddhist influence could, and should, remain invisible. But as he became more forthcoming with his patients about his personal spiritual leanings, he was surprised to learn how many were eager to learn more. The divisions between the psychological, emotional, and the spiritual, he soon realized, were not as distinct as one might think. In The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life (Penguin, 2022), Dr. Epstein reflects on a year's worth of selected sessions with his patients and observes how, in the incidental details of a given hour, his Buddhist background influences the way he works. Meditation and psychotherapy each encourage a willingness to face life's difficulties with courage that can be hard to otherwise muster, and in this cross-section of life in his office, he emphasizes how therapy, an element of Western medicine, can in fact be considered a two-person meditation. Mindfulness, too, much like a good therapist, can “hold” our awareness for us—and allow us to come to our senses and find inner peace. Throughout this deeply personal inquiry, one which weaves together the wisdom of two worlds, Dr. Epstein illuminates the therapy relationship as spiritual friendship, and reveals how a therapist can help patients cultivate the sense that there is something magical, something wonderful, and something to trust running through our lives, no matter how fraught they have been or might become. For when we realize how readily we have misinterpreted ourselves, when we stop clinging to our falsely conceived constructs, when we touch the ground of being, we come home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
A remarkable exploration of the therapeutic relationship, Dr. Mark Epstein reflects on one year's worth of therapy sessions with his patients to observe how his training in Western psychotherapy and his equally long investigation into Buddhism, in tandem, led to greater awareness—for his patients, and for himself For years, Dr. Mark Epstein kept his beliefs as a Buddhist separate from his work as a psychiatrist. Content to use his training in mindfulness as a private resource, he trusted that the Buddhist influence could, and should, remain invisible. But as he became more forthcoming with his patients about his personal spiritual leanings, he was surprised to learn how many were eager to learn more. The divisions between the psychological, emotional, and the spiritual, he soon realized, were not as distinct as one might think. In The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life (Penguin, 2022), Dr. Epstein reflects on a year's worth of selected sessions with his patients and observes how, in the incidental details of a given hour, his Buddhist background influences the way he works. Meditation and psychotherapy each encourage a willingness to face life's difficulties with courage that can be hard to otherwise muster, and in this cross-section of life in his office, he emphasizes how therapy, an element of Western medicine, can in fact be considered a two-person meditation. Mindfulness, too, much like a good therapist, can “hold” our awareness for us—and allow us to come to our senses and find inner peace. Throughout this deeply personal inquiry, one which weaves together the wisdom of two worlds, Dr. Epstein illuminates the therapy relationship as spiritual friendship, and reveals how a therapist can help patients cultivate the sense that there is something magical, something wonderful, and something to trust running through our lives, no matter how fraught they have been or might become. For when we realize how readily we have misinterpreted ourselves, when we stop clinging to our falsely conceived constructs, when we touch the ground of being, we come home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies
A remarkable exploration of the therapeutic relationship, Dr. Mark Epstein reflects on one year's worth of therapy sessions with his patients to observe how his training in Western psychotherapy and his equally long investigation into Buddhism, in tandem, led to greater awareness—for his patients, and for himself For years, Dr. Mark Epstein kept his beliefs as a Buddhist separate from his work as a psychiatrist. Content to use his training in mindfulness as a private resource, he trusted that the Buddhist influence could, and should, remain invisible. But as he became more forthcoming with his patients about his personal spiritual leanings, he was surprised to learn how many were eager to learn more. The divisions between the psychological, emotional, and the spiritual, he soon realized, were not as distinct as one might think. In The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life (Penguin, 2022), Dr. Epstein reflects on a year's worth of selected sessions with his patients and observes how, in the incidental details of a given hour, his Buddhist background influences the way he works. Meditation and psychotherapy each encourage a willingness to face life's difficulties with courage that can be hard to otherwise muster, and in this cross-section of life in his office, he emphasizes how therapy, an element of Western medicine, can in fact be considered a two-person meditation. Mindfulness, too, much like a good therapist, can “hold” our awareness for us—and allow us to come to our senses and find inner peace. Throughout this deeply personal inquiry, one which weaves together the wisdom of two worlds, Dr. Epstein illuminates the therapy relationship as spiritual friendship, and reveals how a therapist can help patients cultivate the sense that there is something magical, something wonderful, and something to trust running through our lives, no matter how fraught they have been or might become. For when we realize how readily we have misinterpreted ourselves, when we stop clinging to our falsely conceived constructs, when we touch the ground of being, we come home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychology
A remarkable exploration of the therapeutic relationship, Dr. Mark Epstein reflects on one year's worth of therapy sessions with his patients to observe how his training in Western psychotherapy and his equally long investigation into Buddhism, in tandem, led to greater awareness—for his patients, and for himself For years, Dr. Mark Epstein kept his beliefs as a Buddhist separate from his work as a psychiatrist. Content to use his training in mindfulness as a private resource, he trusted that the Buddhist influence could, and should, remain invisible. But as he became more forthcoming with his patients about his personal spiritual leanings, he was surprised to learn how many were eager to learn more. The divisions between the psychological, emotional, and the spiritual, he soon realized, were not as distinct as one might think. In The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life (Penguin, 2022), Dr. Epstein reflects on a year's worth of selected sessions with his patients and observes how, in the incidental details of a given hour, his Buddhist background influences the way he works. Meditation and psychotherapy each encourage a willingness to face life's difficulties with courage that can be hard to otherwise muster, and in this cross-section of life in his office, he emphasizes how therapy, an element of Western medicine, can in fact be considered a two-person meditation. Mindfulness, too, much like a good therapist, can “hold” our awareness for us—and allow us to come to our senses and find inner peace. Throughout this deeply personal inquiry, one which weaves together the wisdom of two worlds, Dr. Epstein illuminates the therapy relationship as spiritual friendship, and reveals how a therapist can help patients cultivate the sense that there is something magical, something wonderful, and something to trust running through our lives, no matter how fraught they have been or might become. For when we realize how readily we have misinterpreted ourselves, when we stop clinging to our falsely conceived constructs, when we touch the ground of being, we come home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/spiritual-practice-and-mindfulness
Dr. Mark Epstein is a hero of mine. He is a Buddhist psychiatrist and author who has been a voice of kindness and wisdom in our field for decades, and I've long looked to his work for inspiration and guidance. So it was an honor to speak with him for this episode of the Flourishing After Addiction podcast!Mark does not have a personal history of a “classic” addiction like a substance problem, but as he articulates so nicely in our interview: “from the Buddhist point of view, we're all addicted.” We talk about addiction to thinking, addiction to the self as the primary addiction, and how Mark worked with his own anxieties and insecurities—a path that led him to psychiatric training at Harvard, almost 50 years of meditation practice, and many influential books at the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy. (There were so many fun surprises in this interview, such as Mark's training with George Vaillant at Harvard, a giant of psychiatric research and a non-alcoholic member of the board of trustees of Alcoholics Anonymous.) In particular, we focus on his fantastic new book, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. It's a lovely account of meditation practice, therapy, recovery, ease, and working with the self. Mark Epstein, M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City and the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Advice Not Given, The Trauma of Everyday Life, Thoughts without a Thinker and Going to Pieces without Falling Apart. His newest book, out now, is The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University. For more, check out his website, and you can find him on Instagram and Twitter.In this episode:- Mark's most recent book: The Zen of Therapy (also discussed: Advice Not Given)- George Vaillant (a summary of his book, The Natural History of Alcoholism)- A fun book about Ram Dass and others at Harvard, The Harvard Psychedelic Club ("How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America")- Gestalt therapy- More on the Emmanuel Clinic - a repository of several articles on the early 20th century, pre-Freudian psychotherapy in the US that reported great success in working with alcoholism. (I like this article in particular)- Revenge bedtime procrastination Sign up for my newsletter and immediately receive my free guide to the many pathways to recovery, as well as regular updates on new interviews, material, and other writings.
Jonathan Bastian talks with Mark Epstein, psychiatrist, psychologist, and author of “The Zen Of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life,” about the role of Buddhism in his practice of psychotherapy. Modern psychotherapy, he says, has stepped into the void left by the abandonment of religious rituals. Epstein shares stories and anecdotes about his patients, illustrating the links between Buddhism, the theories of influential British pediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott, and Freudian psychoanalysis.
FREUD MEETS BUDDHA with DR. MARK EPSTEIN (Parts 1 & 2) “Therapists are part voyeur, part gossip.” – psychiatrist Dr. Mark Epstein, Episode Summary: Another rock star guest! Dr. Amy Robbins has been admiring Dr. Mark Epstein's work for years. Mark is an MD and psychiatrist in private practice in New York city and the prolific author of books about the overlap of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including: Thoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Going on Being: Life at the Crossroads of Buddhism and Psychotherapy, Open to Desire: Embracing a Lust for Life, Psychotherapy without the Self and The Trauma of Everyday Life. His newest work, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life is out now. Mark received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard and is currently clinical assistant professor in the post-doctoral program in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis at New York University. We're talking credentials! Because this conversation was so juicy and ran long, we present it in two parts. Topics We Discuss in Part 1: [4:05] Healing occurs when therapy acts as a holding environment where anything that needs to be talked about is talked about. A spiritual friendship. [5:20] Dr. Epstein's early interest in Buddhism, studying for years in Asia before he entered Harvard medical school with the interest in psychiatry. [8:09] Dr. Epstein's foray into writing books to translate or interpret Buddhist psychological thought into Western psychodynamic language. And sharing his personal experiences to illustrate that bridge. [10:50] Free association may be Freud's version of meditation. Or maybe meditation is Freud's version of free association. [13:31] Dr. Epstein stretches the interpersonal boundaries of traditional psychotherapy, sees it as a “spiritual friendship”. While valuing boundaries as important elements of healthy psychotherapy. The delicate balance. [18:07] Anger as a stepping stone to love. The normal parent-child emotional dance around anger and love. [24:23] Western culture can be an obstacle to absorbing the benefits of meditation. What meditation could or should can do for us. [29:39] Amy's own struggle with her mind wandering during meditation. And Dr. Epstein's response to her very normal struggle. Topics We Discuss in Part 2: [1:43] Dr. Epstein sees the division between real life and meditation as artificial. [4:20] The importance of answering the question, ““How are we not living life fully?” Therapy opens people to themselves. [4:50] The three components to an insight meditation. Concentration practices Observing awareness, mindfulness Insight stages; “who am I”? Letting the ego take a rest. [11:28] A Buddhist perspective on grief and loss: every minute with your object of love is precious. [17:25] Dr Epstein's long term acquaintance with Ram Dass, formerly Richard Alpert. (Guru Ram Dass was the subject of recent Life, Death and the Space Between podcast Episode #231.) [24:55] Dr. Epstein answers Amy's speed round questions… Spirituality means…? What is something most people don't know about you? What is one thing you're looking forward to? What are you grateful for right now? What book is on your nightstand? What is your favorite healing practice? What is the most transformative experience of your life? FOLLOW Dr. Mark Epstein You can learn more about The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life and purchase your copy wherever books are sold. You can follow Dr. Mark Epstein here: Website SUPPORT DR. AMY ROBBINS: If you're enjoying the podcast and finding value in guest interviews, ghost stories, and the content I share, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patreon member for as little as $5 a month at Patreon.com/DrAmyRobbins As a member you'll get more say in the content we cover and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes goodness! Stay Connected with Dr. Amy Robbins: Instagram YouTube Fireside Website Facebook
FREUD MEETS BUDDHA with DR. MARK EPSTEIN (Parts 1 & 2) “Therapists are part voyeur, part gossip.” – psychiatrist Dr. Mark Epstein Episode Summary: Another rock star guest! Dr. Amy Robbins has been admiring Dr. Mark Epstein's work for years. Mark is an MD and psychiatrist in private practice in New York city and the prolific author of books about the overlap of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including: Thoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Going on Being: Life at the Crossroads of Buddhism and Psychotherapy, Open to Desire: Embracing a Lust for Life, Psychotherapy without the Self and The Trauma of Everyday Life. His newest work, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life is out now. Mark received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard and is currently clinical assistant professor in the post-doctoral program in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis at New York University. We're talking credentials! Because this conversation was so juicy and ran long, we present it in two parts. Topics We Discuss in Part 1: [4:05] Healing occurs when therapy acts as a holding environment where anything that needs to be talked about is talked about. A spiritual friendship. [5:20] Dr. Epstein's early interest in Buddhism, studying for years in Asia before he entered Harvard medical school with the interest in psychiatry. [8:09] Dr. Epstein's foray into writing books to translate or interpret Buddhist psychological thought into Western psychodynamic language. And sharing his personal experiences to illustrate that bridge. [10:50] Free association may be Freud's version of meditation. Or maybe meditation is Freud's version of free association. [13:31] Dr Epstein stretches the interpersonal boundaries of traditional psychotherapy, sees it as a “spiritual friendship”. While valuing boundaries as important elements of healthy psychotherapy. The delicate balance. [18:07] Anger as an stepping stone to love. The normal parent-child emotional dance around anger and love. [24:23] Western culture can be an obstacle to absorbing the benefits of meditation. What meditation could or should can do for us. [29:39] Amy's own struggle with her mind wandering during meditation. And Dr. Epstein's response to her very normal struggle. Topics We Discuss in Part 2: [1:43] Dr. Epstein sees the division between real life and meditation as artificial. [4:20] The importance of answering the question, ““How are we not living life fully?” Therapy opens people to themselves. [4:50] The three components to an insight meditation. Concentration practices Observing awareness, mindfulness Insight stages; “who am I”? Letting the ego take a rest. [11:28] A Buddhist perspective on grief and loss: every minute with your object of love is precious. [17:25] Dr Epstein's long term acquaintance with Ram Dass, formerly Richard Alpert. (Guru Ram Dass was the subject of recent Life, Death and the Space Between podcast Episode #231.) [24:55] Dr. Epstein answers Amy's speed round questions… Spirituality means…? What is something most people don't know about you? What is one thing you're looking forward to? What are you grateful for right now? What book is on your nightstand? What is your favorite healing practice? What is the most transformative experience of your life? FOLLOW Dr. Mark Epstein You can learn more about The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life and purchase your copy wherever books are sold. You can follow Dr. Mark Epstein here: Website SUPPORT DR. AMY ROBBINS: If you're enjoying the podcast and finding value in guest interviews, ghost stories, and the content I share, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patreon member for as little as $5 a month at Patreon.com/DrAmyRobbins As a member you'll get more say in the content we cover and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes goodness! Stay Connected with Dr. Amy Robbins: Instagram YouTube Fireside Website Facebook
Dr. Mark Epstein returns with Raghu to discuss the Zen of Therapy—merging eastern spirituality & western psychology—in a conversation spanning Ram Dass, India, & the Self.Dr. Mark Epstein is an author and psychotherapist who has paved the way for the brimming modern cross-section of Western psychology with Buddhist philosophy, writing a number of defining books including the new, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. Learn more at MarkEpsteinMD.com.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center)
Psychotherapist Mark Epstein is often asked how he incorporates his Buddhist practice into his therapy sessions. His latest book offers an answer to that question. In "The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life," Epstein documents dozens of therapy sessions over the course of a year, tracing the Buddhist themes that arise. Weaving together psychoanalytic theory, Zen poetry, and the music of John Cage, Epstein presents a compelling model of therapy as spiritual friendship. In today's episode of Tricycle Talks, Tricycle editor-in-chief James Shaheen sit down with Epstein to discuss Zen koans, the improvisational nature of therapy, and the art of listening.
Are we in the midst of a loneliness epidemic? Well, it depends who you ask. This week's guest, Dr. Mark Epstein, a therapist in New York City and a practicing Buddhist, believes that loneliness is simply one of life's everyday traumas. A ubiquitous human condition that doesn't only visit the unlucky but almost everyone, much like sadness, fear and even death. Dr. Epstein is also the author of a number of books that bridge Buddhist teachings with Western psychology. During his interview on this episode of "Is Anybody Out There?" he offers great insight into these two traditions, simultaneously quoting Donald Winnicott, a British child psychoanalyst, and the Buddha.In dealing with everyday traumas such as loneliness, he guides us away from quick fixes and instead, offers an alternative of mindfulness and self-reflection that's grounded in Buddhism. Through anecdotes, Buddhist fables and personal practices, he informs us that meditation encourages us to sit with these uncomfortable and unpleasant emotions in order to understand our feelings of incompleteness and to find solutions to help us navigate a way out. And when we do, we might even emerge more enlightened. Meditation and mindfulness, he believes, are ways for us to unlock the transformational potential of trauma because a hidden kindness often gets woken that we can apply towards ourselves and others who might need help.LinksMark EpsteinDonald WinnicottDhammapadaDaniel GolemanJoseph GoldsteinJack KornfieldRichard Alpert Sharon SalzbergMeditation and lonelinessGuest NotesMark Epstein MD is a psychiatrist and author of 8 books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Psychotherapy without the Self, The Trauma of Everyday Life, Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself, and the forthcoming The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life to be published in January 2022 by Penguin Press. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.