Becoming Your Own Therapist: An Introduction to the Buddhist Way of Thought; And, Make Your Mind an Ocean: Aspects of Buddhist Psychology

by Thubten Yeshe

Book Overview

The Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive (LYWA) is the collected works of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. The Archive was founded in 1996 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, its spiritual director,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1891868136
• ISBN13: 9781891868139
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications, U.S
• Length: 123 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.

Customer Reviews

short but good presentation of Buddhist psychological view

This book combines two previously published works based on two series of lectures in Australia & New Zealand in 1975: 1st in Apr/Jun; 2nd in Mar. Almost all include Q & A sessions; one with psychiatrists is only Q & A. The 1st set is exceptional, addressing Buddhism's psychological nature (p. 5: "From the Lama's point of view, Buddhist teachings are more in the realm of philosophy, science, or psychology"), our mostly unconscious state (p. 7: "We do almost everything unconsciously"), human/religious differences (p. 18: "People are not the same; everybody is different. Each of us needs different methods according to our individual psychological makeup, mental attitudes & personality; each of us needs a different approach in order to attain enlightenment. That's why Buddhism completely accepts the existence of other religions & philosophies. We recognize that they are all necessary for human development. You can't say that any one way of thinking is right for everybody. That's just dogma"), & projection (p. 47: "Evil is a projection of your mind. If evil exists, it's within you"). He seems to greatly agree with Jungian psychology. IMHO, however, the 2nd series wasn't as excellent. He indicates that East & West have the same mental problems, but says p. 74: "There's no problem that cannot be solved by human wisdom. If you are wise, you can solve them all." He describes a Buddhist approach to mental problems but admits they don't always work. He appears to address common problems rather than severe mental disease (e.g. schizophrenia, psychosis, or catatonia). He seems to discount material progress due to its drawbacks yet pp. 76 & 90 references the 4 elements, fire/air/water/earth, per Medieval Europe. Nevertheless, overall he makes a great deal of sense (p. 23: "In my opinion, the most important aspect of any religion is its methods: how to put that religion into your own experience") & some humor (p. 56: "Shouldn't your goal in life be higher than those of dogs & chickens?") such that, as editor Nicholas Ribush states: p. 51: "Lama's timeless wisdom shines through."

A good first reading

Tibet brought forward many great yogis. One of them is Lama Yeshe (1935-1984) of the Tibetan Buddhist Gelugpa school. This small booklet is an example of the great capacity of Lama Yeshe to convey Buddhism to Westerners in an accessible way for both beginners and advanced students. It serves very well as a first reading on the Buddhist way of thought. You will not regret buying this book.