Emotional Awareness – Overcoming the Obstacles to Psychological Balance and Compassion
Emotional Awareness Overcoming the Obstacles to Psychological Balance and Compassion
Two leading thinkers engage in a landmark conversation about human emotions and the pursuit of psychological fulfillment
At their first meeting, a remarkable bond was sparked between His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one of the world's most revered spiritual leaders, and the psychologist Paul Ekman, whose groundbreaking work helped to define the science of emotions. Now these two luminaries share their thinking about science and spirituality, the bonds between East and West, and the nature and quality of our emotional lives.
In this unparalleled series of conversations, the Dalai Lama and Ekman prod and push toward answers to the central questions of emotional experience. What are the sources of hate and compassion? Should a person extend her compassion to a torturer — and would that even be biologically possible? What does science reveal about the benefits of Buddhist meditation, and can Buddhism improve through engagement with the scientific method? As they come to grips with these issues, they invite us to join them in an unfiltered view of two great traditions and two great minds.
Accompanied by commentaries on the findings of emotion research and the teachings of Buddhism, their interplay — amusing, challenging, eye-opening, and moving — guides us on a transformative journey in the understanding of emotions.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Helpful
This augmented transcript of talk between these two men highlights several interesting ideas and the best and most helpful information comes out when they drop any pretense of being "learned" and just talk like a couple of guys. I listened to the audio book and Richard Gere plays the part of the Dahli Lama, affecting the speech pattern with a curious tone and pace.
5 Stars A serious investigation of mindfulness and mood
Emotional Awareness is a book made from the transcript of a near forty hours of conversation between the Dalai Lama and Ekman (a psychologist). They discuss a variety of issues pertaining to psychology and mental focus, including mindfulness, meditation, and compassion. Both individuals are quite focused and serious and their exploration is a deep, intense one. Perhaps the only flaw of the book is it reads so much like a conversation, which can make the train of thought hard to follow at times. The best part of the book, in my opinion, is the Dalai Lama's wonderful sense of humor and ability to get to the heart of seemingly complex matters in rapid fashion.
I came across another book this week that I bought because it's endorsed by the Dalai Lama, and I strongly recommend it because it's outstanding, The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book
4 Stars Great crossover between psychology and Buddhism
I have been looking for someone who really would build a bridge between psychology and Buddhism. In many talks, people seem to draw similarities between buddhism and psycholgy but Paul ekman has brought to light both the similarities and differences. He asks straight questions to Dalai lama who answers with no-nonsense approach. The areas of Hatred, Mindfulness and compassion are explored in great depth. Paul Ekman is true scientist with sincere motivation to help mental health realm by borrowing Buddhist concepts. He brings his own life experiences to light in the book which adds authenticity to the discussion. Psychology focuses mainly on psychopathology whereas Buddhism is for mainly geared for normal people seeking higher happiness. However there is lot of overlap and the books brings them to light. I wish Paul Ekman had shared more about his observation apart from the conversational style. Worth reading this interesting, open and lively discussion between honest and sincere people seeking truth.
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