Advice Not Given

A Guide to Getting Over Yourself

De: Mark Epstein M.D.

Narrado por: Mark Epstein M.D.

“Most people will never find a great psychiatrist or a great Buddhist teacher, but Mark Epstein is both, and the wisdom he imparts in Advice Not Given is an act of generosity and compassion. The book is a tonic for the ailments of our time.”—Ann Patchett, New York Times bestselling author of Commonwealth

Our ego, and its accompanying sense of nagging self-doubt as we work to be bigger, better, smarter, and more in control, is one affliction we all share. And while our ego claims to have our best interests at heart, in its never-ending pursuit of attention and power, it sabotages the very goals it sets to achieve. In Advice Not Given, renowned psychiatrist and author Dr. Mark Epstein reveals how Buddhism and Western psychotherapy, two traditions that developed in entirely different times and places and, until recently, had nothing to do with each other, both identify the ego as the limiting factor in our well-being, and both come to the same conclusion: When we give the ego free rein, we suffer; but when it learns to let go, we are free.

With great insight, and in a deeply personal style, Epstein offers readers a how-to guide that refuses a quick fix, grounded in two traditions devoted to maximizing the human potential for living a better life. Using the Eightfold Path, eight areas of self-reflection that Buddhists believe necessary for enlightenment, as his scaffolding, Epstein looks back productively on his own experience and that of his patients. While the ideas of the Eightfold Path are as old as Buddhism itself, when informed by the sensibility of Western psychotherapy, they become something more: a road map for spiritual and psychological growth, a way of dealing with the intractable problem of the ego. Breaking down the wall between East and West, Epstein brings a Buddhist sensibility to therapy and a therapist's practicality to Buddhism. Speaking clearly and directly, he offers a rethinking of mindfulness that encourages people to be more watchful of their ego, an idea with a strong foothold in Buddhism but now for the first time applied in the context of psychotherapy.

Our ego is at once our biggest obstacle and our greatest hope. We can be at its mercy or we can learn to mold it. Completely unique and practical, Epstein's advice can be used by all--each in his or her own way--and will provide wise counsel in a confusing world. After all, as he says, "Our egos can use all the help they can get."

Framework

Although this book does not offer a formula for becoming aware of, and interacting with ones own ego, Mark does certainly offer a compelling framework for approaching ones own relationship with oneself, and from there, the world.

I even sent a copy to my therapist.

Really brilliant. Helps me connect my therapy with my meditation practice. I even sent a copy to my therapist so she could keep up.

Insightful

Thank you! I enjoyed this book!
It will help me be more insightful! Thank you again!

Insightful

I enjoyed this insightful book immensely. I plan to listen again. The reading for me was soothing.

excellent read

definitely going to listen to this a few more times, gave me much needed insights.

Love letter to Buddhism and psychotherapy

Mark’s mellifluous voice takes us on a personal, deeply felt and meaningful catch-up with his thinking in traversing both these worlds. I have used his writing and reading as a self object a la Kohut, carrying his wisdom and fluency though a difficult day or two, always enlivened. I will listen again. I highly recommend this work
Margaret Allan PsyD

One of the best books in this field

I enjoyed every minute of it, and I believe I learned more about Buddhism and the psychic than I ever expected.
Thank you, Mark.

Wonderful

Accessible and brilliant. Highly recommended. Offering clear guidance for how to better relate to our own ego, to each other, and to life itself.

Touchingly Human, Sensitive, Funny Yet Humane

Where does Advice Not Given rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I rarely write reviews but I was moved to write one in this case. I am not sure where I first saw an excerpt that got my attention, and I almost didn't buy since I am not always eager to pick up 'self-help' books, but I am so glad I did. It was definitely not a 'self-help' book. Yet it was informative, gave some great food for thought and the illustrative stories really carried the points he was trying to make. His approach created space for thoughtfulness and consideration... in part because his treatment of the material was very gentle and compassionate. Well worth the listen.

Honest and enlightening

The first half hour was painful due to the slow cadence of the author/narrator but then things pick up. I found myself using the 30sec back button often. Lots of good to apply to life. Dr. Epstein is very honest and not pretentious unlike some in the same category. Will listen to his other books.