Going to Pieces without Falling Apart

A Buddhist Perspective on Wholeness

By: Mark Epstein MD

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart shows us that happiness doesn't come from any kind of acquisitiveness, be it material or psychological. Happiness comes from letting go.

Weaving together the accumulated wisdom of his two worlds - Buddhism and Western psychotherapy - Mark Epstein shows how "the happiness that we seek depends on our ability to balance the ego's need to do with our inherent capacity to be." He encourages us to relax the ever-vigilant mind in order to experience the freedom that comes only from relinquishing control.

Drawing on events in Epstein's own life and stories from his patients, Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart teaches us that only by letting go can we start on the path to a more peaceful and spiritually satisfying life.

©1998 Mark Epstein (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An insightful blending of two disciplines, one analytical, one spiritual." (Booklist)

More than 10% happier

Author combines modern psychology with case studies and Bhudism for a multi faceted read. 5 stars

beautiful and insightful

Would you listen to Going to Pieces without Falling Apart again? Why?

I am definitely going to listen to this book multiple times because it was full of insights about the way our minds work, and was written and read in a beautiful way, full of anecdotes and stories to illustrate his points, which for me is a super helpful way of teaching.

What does Patrick Lawlor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's a very enjoyable reader and I loved his voice as the narrator of this book - it just felt right.

Any additional comments?

I am reading all of Mark Epstein's books that I can get my hands on and so far this is my absolute favorite. It is inspiring, beautifully written, with exquisite insights into the human psyche. It made me very interested in the Buddhism/meditation/psychology similarities and relationships. It was super positive, soothing but engaging and full of exciting new ideas...basically one of the best books I've ever read.

Going to Pieces

This book is very helpful for anyone trying to find their way in this world. I’ve always found the Buddhist perspective enlightening and everyone could benefit from a psychiatrists advise.

Tiresome to listen to

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Glad I made it to the end

How did the narrator detract from the book?

voice did not keep my attention

Was Going to Pieces without Falling Apart worth the listening time?

There were several key points I pulled from it. I will go back and listen to certain sections again.

Any additional comments?

Buy the book and skip the audible.

Good

Feel it somehow lacks room for breathing and thinking.. But maybe I should just learn to pause more and take more thinking breaks

amazing

amazing read, amazing author, all together a truly wonderful experience. I can read this multiple times and always learn something new.

Enlightening

I’ve never undergone analysis but I’ve meditated for many years. This book was very enlightening to me about therapy. The stories were wonderful especially the encounters with Ram Dass and Chogyum Trungpa. Nicely read. Dr. Epstein was very relatable. I’m glad I listened to this.

hated it

very boring. I would like to trade it in for another book. I hated it

too much psychiatrist language

this book is probably great for someone who understands all the historical references to psychology. i was not impressed.

Not the best

This is one of the books recommended by Dan Harris in ‘10% Happier’ but I thought a couple of the other recommendations from that book ‘Insight Meditation’ and ‘Real Happiness’ were much better.