Review

Buddhism teaches us that because we try to shut out the terrible things that happen in the world we end up shutting out the beauty and wonder as well. We limit ourselves in our familiar habits in order to avoid the pain, affliction and fear that are the inevitable realities that shape our lives - yet they're also the factors that allow us to look at life more deeply and live it more fully. In this clear-sighted book, Caroline Brazier teaches us how to break these self-imprisoning patterns. She shows us that we don't have to magnify our suffering by hanging on to things we can't have, choosing avoidance behaviour or trying to fit the world into our personal viewpoint so that we can feel safe. Instead, we can train ourselves to be more fully alive by accepting our suffering and not wasting time and energy on escapist distractions, energy that could otherwise be spent achieving positive ends. Brazier believes that psychology is embedded in Buddhism's most important teachings, and that by presenting them as psychology rather than as Buddhism they can be made more available to those who might not otherwise find them. Rather than focus on high-minded metaphysical discussions, Buddhist Psychology focuses on practical applications of the teachings as they relate to our day-to-day lives, making the book useful for therapeutic practitioners, community activists, educators, aid workers and anyone wishing to develop their own spiritual training. In a time when we have become increasingly afraid and vulnerable, and suffering makes the headlines in daily numerous ways, Buddhist Psychology presents an enormously valuable and welcome way in which to view the world around us and our place in it. --Kirkus UK