Destructive Emotions

A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama

By: Daniel Goleman, Dalai Lama

Narrated by: Ed Levin

Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Buddhist philosophy tells us that all personal unhappiness and interpersonal conflict lie in the "three poisons": craving, anger, and delusion. It also provides antidotes of astonishing psychological sophistication - which are now being confirmed by modern neuroscience. With new high-tech devices, scientists can peer inside the brain centers that calm the inner storms of rage and fear. They also can demonstrate that awareness-training strategies such as meditation strengthen emotional stability - and greatly enhance our positive moods.

The distinguished panel members report these recent findings and debate an exhilarating range of other topics: What role do destructive emotions play in human evolution? Are they "hardwired" in our bodies? Are they universal, or does culture determine how we feel? How can we nurture the compassion that is also our birthright? We learn how practices that reduce negativity have also been shown to bolster the immune system. Here, too, is an enlightened proposal for a school-based program of social and emotional learning that can help our children increase self-awareness, manage their anger, and become more empathetic.

Throughout, these provocative ideas are brought to life by the play of personalities, by the Dalai Lama's probing questions, and by his surprising sense of humor. Although there are no easy answers, these dialogues, which are part of a series sponsored by the Mind and Life Institute, chart an ultimately hopeful course. They are sure to spark discussion among educators, religious and political leaders, parents - and all people who seek peace for themselves and the world.

©2003 Mind and Life Institute (P)2003 Audio Renaissance, a Division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"Covering the nature of destructive emotions, the neuroscience of emotion, the scientific study of consciousness and more, this essential volume offers a fascinating account of what can emerge when two profound systems for studying the mind and emotions, Western science and Buddhism, join forces." (Publishers Weekly)

Not Impressed, pretty dry

This book seemed more like a report. Actually I think it was meant to be a report instead of conveying the meaning behind the word as in other books I've been through that have included the Dalai Lama.

Because of the report type writing, I felt that this was pretty dry. I felt like this was written by a college student reporting on their field trip than an experienced author. I was hoping to be emerged into the teachings of the Dalai Lama. I went through this after reading "The Art of Happiness" which I though was very good. Was a bit disappointed with this one, but that will not stop me from getting "How to Practice" this month.

Transcript and monotone reader

Listening to this book was like listening to a boring professor reading a transcript of a weekend seminar. I wonder how the powers that decide to publish ever let it all slide. The pertenent content is hidden in small snipets that the listener has to wait for while trying not to fall asleep. There is some good information in there somewhere but I found it disappointing. This book would have been much better about an hour long as that is about the lenght of the good stuff.

Loses the thread

I had hoped this would err on the side of the Dalai Llama giving practical insight and advice on encountering triggers, types of destructive emotions, their root and processing destructive emotions. Instead, it is a dryly delivered intellectual seminar hardly involving the Dalai Llama save for minor responses that loses the emotion behind the context, and often diverts to irrelevant stories. It lost me by chapter 3.

Didn't care for this

The summary of this book makes it sound like this is a great self help book. I didn't really get much out of it. I think I was hoping for more insight or wisdom from the Dalai Lama. Instead Goleman seems to monopolize most of the text with findings from this study or that study. Some may like it but just didn't do anything for me.

Just not that good

I have to agree with others in that this was like a seminar report - not really adding much insight. I kept hearing topics that I would like to know much more about and it just does not happen. There are literally hours of waste in this IMHO - details covering the coming to agreement of what is what, what word means what, etc. I cannot say I would recommend to many. It does make you want to know more about some Eastern Religion stuff . . . but I was expecting more out of this.

too hard to follow

the beginning was promesing but then they lost me. boring. and i love the dalai lama