Mark Epstein: The Trauma of Everyday Life
Harvard Book Store welcomed psychiatrist and author of Thoughts Without a Thinker Mark Epstein for a discussion of his latest book, The Trauma of Everyday Life, new to paperback.
Trauma does not just happen to a few unlucky people; it is the bedrock of our psychology. Death and illness touch us all, but even the everyday sufferings of loneliness and fear are traumatic. In The Trauma of Everyday Life Mark Epstein uncovers the transformational potential of trauma, revealing how it can be used for the mind’s own development.
Western psychology teaches that if we understand the cause of trauma, we might move past it while many drawn to Eastern practices see meditation as a means of rising above, or distancing themselves from, their most difficult emotions. Both, Epstein argues, fail to recognize that trauma is an indivisible part of life and can be used as a lever for growth and an ever deeper understanding of change. When we regard trauma with this perspective, understanding that suffering is universal and without logic, our pain connects us to the world on a more fundamental level. The way out of pain is through it.
Epstein’s discovery begins in his analysis of the life of Buddha, looking to how the death of his mother informed his path and teachings. The Buddha’s spiritual journey can be read as an expression of primitive agony grounded in childhood trauma. Yet the Buddha’s story is only one of many in The Trauma of Everyday Life. Here, Epstein looks to his own experience, that of his patients, and of the many fellow sojourners and teachers he encounters as a psychiatrist and Buddhist. They are alike only in that they share in trauma, large and small, as all of us do. Epstein finds throughout that trauma, if it doesn’t destroy us, wakes us up to both our minds’ own capacity and to the suffering of others. It makes us more human, caring, and wise. It can be our greatest teacher, our freedom itself, and it is available to all of us.
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This man is brilliant and may help bring the future of psychotherapy closer. East and West finally collaborate as if sharing their most profound notes towards a far greater whole. Thank you Mr. Epstein, on behalf of a traumatized world-, you help us learn and to ease our pain with the most essential wisdom.
I have been to two prominent NY Buddhist therapists unfortunately they felt teaching Buddhism was being a therapist. I got so much from your talk at McNally and reading Trauma of Everyday Life--moments of pristine thinking and revelations.
interesting what you said about dissociation. in my own experience of dissociation combined with my observation of people i realized that dissociation is the prime problem of humanity; when the desire to not be here prevails over the courage it takes to be here in the "unavoidable agony," the cyclic existence is extenuated. how to solve this problem i have not figured out.
Absolutely loved this. Incredible psychiatrist. Deeply thankful. Keep doing your incredible work Dr. Epstein. The world is that much better because of you.
I especially liked the description of Sunyata as a seed in a pregnant whole, that every separate thing is ultimately connected to the grand creative aspect of reality. It reminds me of how things can be turned into commodities, stripped of their intricate networks of people and power relationships that created it to begin with. Thanks for sharing!
@Royalroadtotheunc
6 жыл бұрын
Siddhartha Gautama was raised as a Hindu, and his teachings emerged from a Hindu context. The meditation practices he learned from his forest teachers after he left the palace were likely Hindu meditation practices that were available then. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy's books (many of them available as PDF files on the Internet) show the relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism. In some cases there was probably some cross fertilization between the two traditions, for example, in Patanjali's *Yoga Sutras*. The important thing to keep in mind is that Buddhism didn't just pop out of thin air. As for belief, neither Hinduism nor Buddhism require belief without checking it all out for ourselves.
Beautiful speaker. Authentic and honest, thank you
@upendasana7857
2 жыл бұрын
totally agree :)
Thank You for taking the time to create and share this wonderfully informational, introspective, insightful, and helpful video with us all ❤️
I read the book. Great. Thick stuff, took time. BTW, he sounds like David Sedaris, big time.
Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!
Interesting that he refers to Cambodia when asked about trauma therapy and Buddhism. Maybe he should look at how the Tibetan community in exile has flourished after being ravaged by the Chinese invasion. Intensive and extensive Buddhist practice and study will radically transform your being regardless of the traumas one might have experienced.
Dr. Epstein, please promote this again. We need the book so badly right now. I just re-read the article in The NY Times, 2013, and you need to republish it. Thanks so much.
@rosecrow810
Жыл бұрын
@Frances Robinson? YES. The world needs more of Dr. Epstein's compassion and wisdom. Humans suffer tremendously (and most often? bravely do so in silence).
Excelent!! thank you.
Very good. His appearance reminds me of Stephen King.
I am super fan to Tibet house us ,I hope to see the Tibet house very soon .
left his wife and son?
BTW, we're not related (despite the last name). But I'd be honored if I was.
WHO ATE MY TOAST
Are you jeffery epstein brother
@wonderkid-wr7mh
2 жыл бұрын
J E has a brother named Mark, but this is not him.
So, did your brother know about this because it is obvious that he did traumatize a lot of female children.
@wonderkid-wr7mh
2 жыл бұрын
From what I could find on the internet, although Jeffery E has a brother named Mark, THIS IS A DIFFERENT MARK.
I imagine his book is superior to his speaking skills. One hopes. This is just low-rent Epictetus, at the end of the day, boys and girls.