#412. The Zen of Therapy | Mark Epstein

Psychiatrist Dr. Mark Epstein, discusses his new book The Zen of Therapy, in which he explores how his decades of studying and practicing Buddhism has influenced his work as a therapist. 

In this episode, Dan and Mark discuss: the immense value of developing a clear and warm relationship to your own dysfunction; anger; how much people can actually change; how Buddhism has influenced Mark's practice as a psychotherapist; and Mark’s formative relationship with the legendary spiritual teacher and ex-academic Ram Dass.

This interview was recorded live as part of an online benefit for New York Insight Meditation Center and Cambridge Insight Meditation Center – two great institutions, both worth checking out and supporting. 

Be sure to check out TPH’s newest show, Childproof, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Where to find Mark Epstein online: 

Website 

Social Media:

• Twitter 
• Facebook 

Book Mentioned:

• The Zen of Therapy
• Going on Being
• Ram Dass, Be Here Now 

Other Resources Mentioned:

• New York Insight Meditation Center 
• Cambridge Insight Meditation Center 
• Joseph Goldstein 
• Ram Dass (Richard Alpert)
• His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama 

• Ann Godoff at Penguin Press
• Arlene Shechet, Full Steam Ahead  
• Dianne Wiest, Passing By Samuel Beckett 2018
• Fiona Shaw, The Waste Land 2019
• Jonathan Cott
• The Penguin Book of Zen Poetry
• Sharon Salzberg
• Donald Woods Winnicott
• Jack Kornfield 
• Robert Thurman 
• #404. What Is Nirvana? | Robert Thurman — Ten Percent Happier  
• Jon Kabat-Zinn 
• Michael Eigen, Ph.D. 
• Wilfred Bion | Institute of Psychoanalysis 
• John Cage 
• Thich Nhat Hanh | Plum Village
• Forest Refuge – Insight Meditation Society  
• John Tarrant, Bring Me the Rhinoceros: And Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life
• Dr. Herbert Benson 
• Surviving Death | Netflix Official Site 
• Timothy Leary
• Neem Karoli Baba
• Daniel Goleman
• David McClelland
• Mary W. McClelland
• Naropa University 
• Michael Vincent Miller