The Buddhist Psychology of Awakening
Author: Steven Goodman
Format: Softcover
Publisher: Shambhala
Condition
Pre-loved large softcover in good condition. Light shelf wear to cover. Binding strong. Pages clean and intact.
On the Back
“The Buddhist Psychology of Awakening shines new light on the profound fundamentals of Buddhism with original insight, vibrant reasoning, and pristine clarity. It is a great gift of scholarly exposition and a cause for celebration.”
—TULKU THONDUP RINPOCHE, author of The Healing Power of Mind
“I’ve been waiting for the book that would detail the Tibetan branch of Buddhist psychology with authority and clarity. At last, here it is. Steven Goodman’s book is witty, wise, and a pleasure to read.”
—DANIEL GOLEMAN, author of Emotional Intelligence
“Abhidharma holds the heart of early Buddhist wisdom. Goodman’s gift is to bring this forward in friendly, everyday language that never loses touch with the original sources. As he says, the eightfold path is a journey into our own experience, a fresh way to see life and diminish its pain, and this is relevant to everyone.”
—ANNE C. KLEIN (Rigzin Drolma), author of Meeting the Great Bliss Queen
In order to truly free ourselves from perpetuating patterns of suffering, the Buddhist tradition offers a comprehensive system for understanding our psychological dispositions, processes, fixations, and challenges—a system known as the Abhidharma. This tradition of psychology has been studied by Buddhists for over two millennia and is indispensable for progressing through the stages of meditation.
Professor Steven D. Goodman, who has honed his presentation of this system of psychology to a generation of students, presents the first practical, relatable, and direct overview of the Abhidharma. This guide outlines step-by-step methods for examining the source of our habitual tendencies and hang-ups, showing how we can liberate ourselves from cycles of emotional pain by becoming aware of our mental patterns on the subtlest levels. Goodman explains how the Abhidharma can be applied to meditation practice through exercises of observation and reflection, making this the go-to manual for anyone interested in understanding how the mind really works.
STEVEN D. GOODMAN is Program Director of Asian Philosophies and Cultures at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco. Professor Goodman has been teaching the Abhidharma in both universities and Buddhist centers for over thirty years.
