Thoughts without a Thinker

Blending Buddhism and psychotherapy, acclaimed psychiatrist Mark Epstein shows how to radically transform your emotional life. "One of the most sophisticated integrations of the therapeutic and spiritual disciplines." -New York Times Today, the benefits of meditation practices like mindfulness and deep breathing are widely recognized by mainstream therapists. But what does Buddhist insight actually look like, how does it intersect with classic Western psychotherapy, and what can a synthesis of both traditions offer you? In this landmark book, acclaimed psychotherapist Mark Epstein lays out the path to meditation-inspired healing. At the heart of Epstein's exploration is the concept of the "self," which Buddhism exposes as an illusory construct that breeds emotional suffering. With great clarity and insight, Epstein demonstrates how Buddhism and psychotherapy can be used in powerful tandem to loosen our attachment to the self and thereby free ourselves to experience real joy. Now updated with a new preface, Thoughts without a Thinker offers a revolutionary and enduring road map to a healthy emotional life.

Mark Epstein, MD, is a psychiatrist in private practice and the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including The Zen of Therapy, Advice Not Given, and Going to Pieces without Falling Apart. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University. He lives and works in the Hudson Valley and New York City.