Open to Desire: The Truth About What the Buddha Taught Paperback – January 5, 2006
by Mark Epstein M.D. (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 95 ratings
“A masterpiece. . . . It teaches us how not to fear and repress, but to rechannel and harness the most powerful energies of life toward freedom and bliss.” —ROBERT THURMAN
It is common in both Buddhism and Freudian psychoanalysis to treat desire as if it is the root of all suffering and problems, but psychiatrist Mark Epstein believes this to be a grave misunderstanding.In his controversial defense of desire, he makes clear that it is the key to deepening intimacy with ourselves, each other, and our world.
Proposing that spiritual attainment does not have to be detached from intimacy or eroticism, Open to Desire begins with an exploration of the state of dissatisfaction that causes us to cling to irrational habits. Dr. Epstein helps readers overcome their own fears of desire so that they can more readily bridge the gap between self and other, cope with feelings of incompletion, and get past the perception of others as objects. Freed from clinging and shame, desire’s spiritual potential can then be opened up.
Read less
Review
“A fascinating look at the urge for pleasure, with the goal of helping readers accept the sensation of wanting into their lives in ways that are helpful both spiritually and psychologically.” —Body and Soul
From the Back Cover
Praise for Open to Desire:
"A masterpiece. . . . It teaches us how not to fear and repress, but to rechannel and harness the most powerful energies of life toward freedom and bliss."
—ROBERT THURMAN
"A fascinating look at the urge for pleasure, with the goal of helping readers accept the sensation of wanting into their lives in ways that are helpful both spiritually and psychologically."
—BODY & SOUL
Read more
Product details
Publisher : Avery; Reprint edition (January 5, 2006)
Language : English
Paperback : 240 pages
4.3 out of 5 stars 95 ratings
Videos
Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!Upload video
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Follow
Mark Epstein
Mark Epstein (born 1953) is an American author and psychotherapist, integrating both Buddha's and Sigmund Freud's approaches to trauma, who writes about their interplay. In his most recent book, The Trauma of Everyday Life, he interprets the Buddha’s spiritual journey as grounded in Buddha's personal childhood trauma.
Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Jan Benda (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
Top reviews from other countries
D. R. Silvester
5.0 out of 5 stars A Liberating & Stimulating insight into desire from a unique perspectiveReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2007
Verified Purchase
Open To Desire draws upon Pyschodynamic Psychotherapy, Buddhism, Hinduism theories, doctrines and teaching tale(s) in order to examine desire from a previously unexplored angle.
Epstein does not adopt a traditional eastern spiritual stance, but instead opts for looking at desire from a less conventional, more left handed path. That is to say, the author deciphers what he considers to be hidden messages and meanings buried within the teachings of the Buddha, Freud and Sanskrit tradition, teachings that are invariably misinterpreted and misrepresented.
The main thrust is to suggest that desire is an inevitable aspect of the human condition. One cannot be free from desire without sacrificing the most vibrant parts of one's self/being. To be fully alive is to be alive to desire. To experience desire in its many facets and guises.
Paradoxically, desire always frustrates us with our inability to fulfil it. Like trying to grip a handful of sand, the tighter we clasp the faster the sand eludes our desire to hold on to, to possess, to control it. This is where Mr Epstein lucidly illuminates the need to step back and reassess how we engage with desire and the consequences this has for our lives.
The question that forms the nucleus of the book is, how do we hold on to desire without allowing it to torture us with the void that exists between desire and satisfaction?
In this way, we are offered an invaluable insight into how desire for the majority becomes clinging, obsession, compulsion, addiction and suffering. It is clear how desire often tortures us and leads us to the objectification of others. Especially so in the absence of a middle path, an appropach somewhere between excessive indulgence and rigid asceticism.
Whilst elucidating the western way of clinging, possessing and controlling that leads to so much suffering, Epstein refutes conventional eastern wisdom that champions the relinquishing and extinguishing of desire.
Refreshingly Open To Desire offers another path, a highly unconventional path, a way of synthesis that is neither tortured by the inability to fulfil desire, or involves a life of asceticism and rigid abstinence.
Refereshingly this is a book with incredibly profound insights, expressed extremely straight forward in language that makes it accessible to the lay-person.
A unique perspective and insight into how desire shapes our lives, and the deeper spiritual message it carries.
I found this book to be very humanistic in its approach to desire and suffering, whilst remaining profoundly philosophical yet grounded in the material world of our exisitence, despite it's obvious spiritual connotations and dimension.
Highly recommended for those with an interest in locating the sources of compulsion, addiction and the objectification of others.
Highly recommended for those self aware enough to see the chasm between their desires and satisfaction.
Read less
46 people found this helpfulReport abuse
K. E. Kearney
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book to TreasureReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2013
Verified Purchase
I have found Dr. Epstein's book very helpful for me.
It has enabled me to see that there is an alternative
Buddhist path to manage desire. I have always felt that
avoidance was not totally the answer. From one perspective,
cutting off all possibilities for desire is not facing the problems
of clinging and craving. This provides a workable and morally
sustainable alternative.
8 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Youxine
5.0 out of 5 stars GreatReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
Good read
Report abuse
Pradnya Shenoy
5.0 out of 5 stars Leaves me with a desire to re-read the book again and again..Reviewed in India on January 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
A very intriguing, complex and enlightening insight into desire, an ever-present human trait. Reading Mark Epstein's books is a meditative experience in itself.
Report abuse
veronica pelicaric
4.0 out of 5 stars Four StarsReviewed in Canada on August 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
Love it, as I do all his books
Report abuse
See all reviews
====
