The Buddhist Psychology of Awakening - by Steven D Goodman (Paperback)

About the Book

"From the introduction: It was written primarily for those who have or might develop an interest in the very basic Buddhist teachings associated with what Tibetan traditions call the "first turning" of the wheel of the Dharma. Here is grouped teachings on proper conduct (Vinaya) and Discourses (Sutras) and Commentaries (Shastras) on basic teachings which came to be gathered together under the rubric of Higher Dharma (Abhidharma). The teachings on Higher Dharma have, to date, are, for the most part, rather technical, consisting of main points and enumerated lists of basic factors (dharmas) of phenomena mentioned in the Buddha sutras. There is a rich codification of such teachings preserved in the Pali language, and thereafter in the Theravadin abhidhamma literature. In addition, there are a different set of texts used by the living traditions associated with Indo-Tibetan Buddhist lineages, preserved in Sanskrit (and, also in translation into Tibetan, Chinese and Mongolian languages). It is the Indo-Tibetan traditions which are explored in this book. I have chosen to give an account, an approach which strives to bring out a lively, relevant and novel way to apply some of the key approaches of the Higher Dharma to a contemporary non-specialist readership"--

Book Synopsis

A modern introduction to traditional Buddhist psychology

This practical overview of Buddhist psychology outlines step-by-step methods for examining the source of our habitual tendencies and hangups. In order to truly free ourselves from perpetuating patterns of suffering, the Buddha offered a clear system for understanding our psychological dispositions, processes, fixations, and challenges--a system known as the Abhidharma. This tradition has been studied by Buddhists for over two millennia.

Professor Steven Goodman has taught on the Abhidharma in both universities and Buddhist retreats for over twenty years, making these traditional teachings accessible for a modern readership for the first time. Goodman explains how becoming aware of our mental patterns can liberate us from cycles of emotional pain and shows how the Abhidharma can be applied to meditation practice through exercises of observation and reflection. This is the go-to manual for anyone interested in the world of Buddhist psychology.

Review Quotes

"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

About the Author

STEVEN D. GOODMAN is Program Director of Asian Philosophies and Cultures at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco. He received his PhD in Far Eastern studies from the University of Saskatchewan, and he has lectured and taught Buddhist philosophy and comparative religion at the University of California at Berkeley and Santa Barbara, Rice University, the Graduate Theological Union, the Nyingma Institute, and Naropa University. In 1994, Steven was awarded a Rockefeller Fellowship at Rice University Center for Cultural Studies for the study of Tibetan mystical poetry. He is the coeditor of Tibetan Buddhism: Reason and Revelation (SUNY Press, 1992) and the author of "Transforming the Causes of Suffering" in Mindfulness and Meaningful Work (Parallax Press, 1994).