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Open to Desire: The Truth About What the Buddha Taught

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Open to Desire: The Truth About What the Buddha Taught (Paperback)

by Mark Epstein (Author)

5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

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3 used from �21.33

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Paperback (1st Trade Pbk. Ed)	�10.99	�9.89	24 used & new from �5.16

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Product details

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Gotham (5 Jan 2006)
ISBN-10: 1592401856
ASIN: B000O17D4Q
Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.5 x 1.8 cm

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Liberating & Stimulating insight into desire from a unique perspective, 29 May 2007

By	D. R. Silvester "Clandestine Knowledge Seeker" (Birmingham, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Open to Desire: The Truth About What the Buddha Taught (Paperback)

Open To Desire draws upon Pyschodynamic Psychotherapy, Buddhism, Hinduism theories, doctrines and teaching tale(s) in order to examine desire from a previously unexplored angle.

Epstein does not adopt a traditional eastern spiritual stance, but instead opts for looking at desire from a less conventional, more left handed path. That is to say, the author deciphers what he considers to be hidden messages and meanings buried within the teachings of the Buddha, Freud and Sanskrit tradition, teachings that are invariably misinterpreted and misrepresented.

The main thrust is to suggest that desire is an inevitable aspect of the human condition. One cannot be free from desire without sacrificing the most vibrant parts of one's self/being. To be fully alive is to be alive to desire. To experience desire in its many facets and guises.

Paradoxically, desire always frustrates us with our inability to fulfil it. Like trying to grip a handful of sand, the tighter we clasp the faster the sand eludes our desire to hold on to, to possess, to control it. This is where Mr Epstein lucidly illuminates the need to step back and reassess how we engage with desire and the consequences this has for our lives.

The question that forms the nucleus of the book is, how do we hold on to desire without allowing it to torture us with the void that exists between desire and satisfaction?

In this way, we are offered an invaluable insight into how desire for the majority becomes clinging, obsession, compulsion, addiction and suffering. It is clear how desire often tortures us and leads us to the objectification of others. Especially so in the absence of a middle path, an appropach somewhere between excessive indulgence and rigid asceticism.

Whilst elucidating the western way of clinging, possessing and controlling that leads to so much suffering, Epstein refutes conventional eastern wisdom that champions the relinquishing and extinguishing of desire.

Refreshingly Open To Desire offers another path, a highly unconventional path, a way of synthesis that is neither tortured by the inability to fulfil desire, or involves a life of asceticism and rigid abstinence.

Refereshingly this is a book with incredibly profound insights, expressed extremely straight forward in language that makes it accessible to the lay-person.

A unique perspective and insight into how desire shapes our lives, and the deeper spiritual message it carries.

I found this book to be very humanistic in its approach to desire and suffering, whilst remaining profoundly philosophical yet grounded in the material world of our exisitence, despite it's obvious spiritual connotations and dimension.

Highly recommended for those with an interest in locating the sources of compulsion, addiction and the objectification of others.

Highly recommended for those self aware enough to see the chasm between their desires and satisfaction.

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