What Does It Mean to Heal? Why Buddhism and Psychotherapy Need Each Other
with Mark Epstein, MD
Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm
This program has reached capacity and the waiting list is closed.
Join Buddhist psychiatrist and author Mark Epstein for a discussion about the relationship of Buddhism and psychotherapy and how each tradition has something important to learn from the other.
In a series of books written over the past 25 years, beginning with Thoughts without a Thinker and ending most recently with Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself, Epstein has explored the relevance of Buddhist thought for psychotherapy. But he is also increasingly aware of how much Buddhism can learn from contemporary therapeutic traditions.
Many Westerners, in their embrace of mindfulness, hope and expect that mindfulness will heal them. But there is a danger of ‘spiritual bypass’ in this, a tendency to use meditation to ignore personal issues rather than treating them as worthy subjects of meditative exploration.
This evening’s conversation will not only address how an immersion in Buddhism can affect one’s approach to therapy, but how an appreciation of therapy can enhance one’s understanding of Buddhism.
The registration fee includes teacher support. If you wish to give more in addition to the registration fee, the total (registration fees and additional contributions) will be shared between NYI and the teacher(s).
Note About Registration:
New York Insight Meditation Center is offering a new structure for registration. Members receive 15% off of the Sustaining Rate.
NYI is committed to ensuring that our programs are available to all, regardless of ability to pay. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. No financial assistance application is needed when registering for a program.
We offer new sliding scale fees, and ask that you choose the highest fee you are able to afford based on your financial means. The Sustaining rate represents the actual program operating cost. If you can afford this level or higher, you assist our efforts to offer reduced rates and support ongoing financial assistance. If you are unable to pay the Base Fee, you can set up a payment plan or let us know how much you are able to pay at this time by emailing registration@nyimc.org.
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Teacher(s)
Mark Epstein
Mark Epstein, M.D., a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, is the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, Going on Being, Open to Desire, Psychotherapy without the Self, The Trauma of Everyday Life and Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself. His latest work, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life, was published in January 2022 by Penguin Press. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University.