Psychotherapy Without the Self A Buddhist Perspective

Psychotherapy Without the Self: A Buddhist Perspective by Mark Epstein, published by Yale University Press in 2007, explores the intersection of Buddhist psychology and Western psychotherapy. This edition spans 261 pages and is presented in English. Dr. Epstein, who has a background in both Buddhist and Western therapeutic practices, examines the contrasting focuses of these two systems—Buddhism’s emphasis on no-self versus the self-centered approach of Western therapy. Through a collection of writings from the past twenty-five years, he delves into the complexities of therapy, meditation, and the processes of psychological and spiritual development.

Readers will find nuanced reflections on the relationship between Buddhism and psychotherapy, as Epstein engages with the teachings of both the Buddha and influential figures like Freud and Winnicott. He addresses themes such as desire, anger, and insight, offering reinterpretations of the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths and concepts like egolessness and emptiness within a contemporary psychoanalytic framework. This book presents an opportunity to explore how these two traditions can coexist and inform one another in the pursuit of self-awareness and liberation.