The Authority of Experience: Readings on Buddhism and Psychology / Edition 1

by John Pickering

Overview

This collection of writings presents contemporary views on the integration of Buddhism in the West. Over the past few decades Buddhism has deepened its presence in the West and as a result teachings and practices are becoming integrated with those of Western psychology in a more productive way. The decline of mechanism and positivism offers new opportunities to bring together Western Buddhist views of the mind and its relationship to its surroundings.

Written by psychologists and scholars, the essays discuss many of the difficult questions raised by Buddhism’s increased presence. In particular the issue of the balance between authenticity and accessibility is examined. Buddhist traditions are often perceived as inaccessible and too firmly fixed to a cultural framework with some people, especially women, left feeling alienated and undervalued. However, by responding to this by attempting to synthesise Buddhism with the values of contemporary culture can lead to doubts about authenticity and dilution. Examining these issues and many more, the contributors seek to bring Buddhism into a realistic and informed relationship with contemporary Western thought.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780700704507
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/22/1997
Series:	Curzon Studies in Asian Philosophy
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Making Comparisons; Chapter 1a Editor’s preface; Chapter 1 Transformation of the Wolf Man, Eleanor Rosch; Chapter 2a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 2 Authority in Buddhism and in Western Scientific Psychology, David Fontana; Textual Fundamentals; Chapter 3a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 3 Buddhist Psychology, Padmal de Silva; Chapter 4a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 4 Basic Features of Buddhist Psychology, Herbert Guenther; Towards Therapy; Chapter 5a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 5 Creating a Contemporary Buddhist Psychotherapy, Joy Manné; Chapter 6a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 6 Exploring the Vicissitudes of Affect and Working with Emotions, Padmasiri de Silva; Psychological Theory; Chapter 7a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 7 Selfhood is a Process, John Pickering; Chapter 8a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 8 The mythology of anatta, Brian L. Lancaster; Knowing and doing; Chapter 9a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 9 The Validation of Knowledge, Elizabeth Valentine; Chapter 10a Editor’s Preface; Chapter 10 Authenticity and the Practice of Zen, John Crook;

Editorial Reviews

[T]here is in the West an interest in yoking the authority of experience to the authority of science....It is thus timely and pleasant to welcome a book of collected papers on this theme from respected academic writers....There is much of value and enjoyment in this collection. —Journal of Buddhist Ethics

Gay Watson

'A very good book which includes many excellent chapters. Those in psychology who are interested, or are potentially interested, in what Buddhist theory and practice can offer to present day psychology, will find this a very rewarding book to read.' - Olwen McGregor

From the Publisher