Psychoanalysis and Buddhism: An Unfolding Dialogue »

Psychoanalysis and Buddhism pairs Buddhist psychotherapists together with leading figures in psychoanalysis who have a general interest in the role of spirituality in psychology. The resulting essays present an illuminating discourse on these two disciplines and how they intersect. This landmark book challenges traditional thoughts on psychoanalysis and Buddhism and propels them to a higher level of understanding.

Supervisor and Faculty, New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis - Emmanuel Ghent

What a joy to witness the realization in this book of a first class discussion of the relations between psychoanalysis and Buddhism! Jeremy Safran, after an excellent historical and

conceptual exposition of the two healing disciplines,  assembles an extraordinary array of contributors. Some are psychoanalysts who have been steeped in Buddhist practice over

many years. Others are leading figures in comtemporary psychoanalysis, who have an interest in exploring the areas of overlap, as well as the dissimilarities between the two worlds. The dialogue format of the book dramatically enlivens the text for the reader who is thereby afforded the opportunity to hear some of his or her most pressing questions asked and commented on by a discussant and then responded to  by the first author. The contributors cover a wide territory

in the examination of Buddhism from a psychoanalytic point of view-including the concept that is so difficult for the Western mind, the question of no-self. Jack Engler, in an exceptionally lucid and engaging chapter, "Being somebody and being nobody: A re-examination of the understanding of self in psychoanalysis and Buddhism," and in his response to Stephen

Mitchell's probing musings, provides for us a quite wonderful avenue of access to this vexing conception-No, not conception, experience. Safran has provided us with a book that will be

deeply rewarding to both psychoanalysts and Buddhists; it will extend the horizons of both