Joshua Buhs's Reviews > Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself

A thought-provoking interpretation of Buddhism. Epstein allies Buddhist practice not with cognitive-behavioral theory, its usual accomplice rather with the less fashionable Freudian psychoanalysis (which puts me in mind of John Gray, whose philosophy similarly unites the two).

After an introduction in which Epstein describes his dawning realization that more explicitly bringing Buddhist ideas into his therapeutic sessions might help his patients, the book is arranged according to the eight-fold path, and Epstein's interpretation of each:

1. Right view: here he argues--in a move reminiscent once more of Gray--that meditation should not be seen as a nostrum, a way to find inner peace or clarity; not a way to solve one's inner conflicts. The point of meditation is to confront impermanence, nothing more. Including the impermanence of the self.

2. Right motivation: he argues that the goal of meditation and associated practices is not to purify (though cleansing is part of meditation) but to engage fully with life. Emotions are not (just) an obstacle but a path to change, too. There is not antiseptic perfection.

3. Right speech: Epstein acknowledges the traditional understanding--no rumors, gossip, hurtful words--but applies this to how we speak to ourselves as well. Being willing to give up the (often negative) stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.

4. Right action: Once more, there is a classical explanation with which Epstein is in agreement--don't kill, steal, etc.,--but he adds his own gloss. He sees it almost as behaving ritualistically; setting aside the ego's demands for instant gratification to do appropriate work, too. (It's also a brief for being slightly unorthodox, if doing so is in accord with higher principles.)

5. Right livelihood: in addition to avoiding the wrong jobs, this injunction, as Epstein has it, should encourage us to consider how we live in the world generally--what interactions are jobs demand, and not just whether we are successful (for conventional values of success).

6. Right effort: Neither with too much strain nor not enough, always allowing for the self to show through our activities, too. Take what is good, and leave the rest. (This is probably the vaguest of the chapters.)

7. Right mindfulness: Epstein emphasizes that mindfulness is an introductory technique, to teach the practice of being aware (awake) but not the ne plus ultra of Buddhism, as it has come to be seen in the West. It is not a method of self-improvement but can be translated as "remembering." It can be thought of as a muscle that can be used to self-observation--and that is what leads to insight.

8. Right concentration: Concentration is only right when it helps one recognize impermanence and loosens the grip of ego, not when it allows when to build a protective wall of peacefulness to escape the world. Concentrate on the breath; relax; feel more grounded. Then go on.