Roots of Buddhist Psychology

By: Jack Kornfield

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

The Buddha said many times that just as the great oceans have but one taste, so do all the true teachings of the dharma: the taste of freedom. Jack Kornfield's The Roots of Buddhist Psychology opens this eternal view of the mind for all listeners.

Among the world's great religions, Buddhism has developed a rich psychology based not on metaphysics, but on the human predicament. Through its strategies, you can discover for yourself how to find true freedom from worldly suffering. Buddhism views the mind as a maze of feelings, perceptions, and emotional states. Unhappiness is rooted in unskillful responses to our world: grasping when things are pleasant, aversion when they are unpleasant, and delusion/confusion when they are neutral. Through awareness training, Kornfield teaches, you can transform these responses into real skills that are the path to awakening and freedom.

Like no other teaching course, The Roots of Buddhist Psychology gives you immediate strategies for living in the present, including 12 profound lectures, each one a gem of intelligent wisdom, on Buddhism's central teachings about the psyche and sacred attention. Here is specific instruction, taught in the classic tradition and enlivened with many parables, worldly stories, and thoughts from artists, philosophers, and writers who have helped us see how to live true, useful lives. Join Jack Kornfield and discover for yourself that what you seek is already here.

©1995 Jack Kornfield

Fantastic read

I will admit I have found Jack Kornfield a little less than interesting in the past but this audiobook (which is really a multi-day seminar) was truly interesting and helps me find peace on stressfull days. Each segment is short enough to make a really great point and then you can stop and ponder the segment before going to the next segment. Great delivery and information. Well worth the full price.

Well-Compiled Series of Talks (live)

This audio-book is a series of talks by Kornfield rather than an actual "book". They are recorded live, and so you do hear the audience's laughter or shufflings. This is fine by me - I feel like Kornfield is talking directly to me, as if I were present in the audience.

The talks are sequential, and, I am sure, were delivered over several days at the same conference, so there is cohesion and development. The theme of the series is Buddhist Psychology, but each talk, varying in length from about 45 minutes to an hour, focuses on one main common aspect of the Buddhist Psychology. For example, the first talk is really a sort of introduction, which talks about what Buddhism isn't and also introduces the "types" of personalities we all embody - the "grasping", or greed, type; the avoidance type; etc.

The other talks then have a specific focus - one is on greed, and how it corrupts; one on loving kindness; one on generosity - be generous to all ("and that doesn't mean everyone except moi", quips Kornfield! - so be generous to yourself, too!); etc...

I really enjoyed this audio, and I continue to listen to it or different parts of it regularly.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys Buddhist talks or Kornfield.

Jack Kornfield is an amazing teacher

What did you love best about Roots of Buddhist Psychology?

Jack tells lots of stories throughout this book which keeps you entertained the whole time. But most importantly he shares his wisdom easily. This book will benefit anyone who listens to it. He is a true master.

Subtle beauty in word and deed

As beautiful and meaningful as gentle rain falling in a leafy forest. Easy to listen to; hard to comprehend.

Gets There

Rich deep profoundly comforting. Energy for the path. A life lived that shows the way to the way.

The best series on understanding buddhism.

I am listening to this with my 14-year-old son and it's like myself or my husband when we first discovered it. His voice is deceptive and in real life, I'm told he is fast speaking and not at all so melodious. His dharma talk is an introduction to Buddhism and what it means to strive for enlightenment in real life. It is also a touchstone to refresh and remind.

My 14-year-old had trouble with his voice for the first few moments (just like us) and then Kornfield said something so stirringly clever and lovely and true he was distracted from that and it's been lovely listening to it with him for my umpteenth time.

Going through aversion, equanimity etcetera means that not only does each talk stand on their own but they intertwine in a beautifully organic way.

It always helps me see things just a little more clearly.

A must read for every human being

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone I know. It is filled with wisdom, insight and compassion teachings. It is probably the best book I have read on Buddhism, and the best part is that it is NOT about Buddhi"sm" . Kornfield says in one of the chapters, "If you are here to be a Buddhist, to wear just another costume, then stop. These teachings will only show you that you too, can become a Buddha."
His insight and teachings is so inspiring, so wise, but also so simple, that anybody who wants to achieve true happiness and liberation will take a out of this book. It has expanded my horizon, inspired me to accept myself and everything around me the way they are, opened my heart to be more compassionate to every living being. If you are interested in this psychology, read this book.
I wish to meet Jack Kornfield in person someday.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I had to listen to it in a lot of different sessions. It is simply too long to get away with listening to it in one sitting, besides, between every teaching, you need some time let it really sink in.

Average Content for Topic

What made the experience of listening to Roots of Buddhist Psychology the most enjoyable?

The "Ah Ha" moments - for me it was the chapter on Bodhidharma's travel. Many of the other moments were previously revealed in The Great Courses Practicing Mindfulness.

What other book might you compare Roots of Buddhist Psychology to and why?

The Great Courses lecture had more depth on many of the subjects he discussed.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, you need to process each section.

Any additional comments?

The chapters do not match up with the Audible player and this is probably due to the fact that the overall recording quality was not great. The background classroom noise was distracting-some chapters were worse than others. I guess you are supposed to be practicing mindfulness when you listen.

Beautifully explained

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, the narration is clear, humorous and very well understood.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Kornfield

What about the narrator’s performance did you like?

Definitely

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh a lot and retrospect a lot

Any additional comments?

Explanations of situations were fantastic, Well researched. Very deep and profound

Exceptional

Never disappointed with Jack Kornfield. His examples help clarify points. His humor adds to the teachings and poignant stories aid understanding. I've listened multiple times and always hear something new.