Routledge The positive psychology of buddhism and yoga, 2nd edition: paths to a mature happiness, paperback/marvin levine

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This book describes Buddhist-Yogic ideas in relation to those of contemporary Western psychology.

The book begins with the Buddhist view of the human psyche and of the human condition.

This leads to the question of what psychological changes need to be made to improve that condition.

Similarities between Buddhism and Western Psychology include: Both are concerned with alleviating inner pain, turmoil, affliction and suffering.

Both are humanistic and naturalistic in that they focus on the human condition and interpret it in natural terms.

Both view the human being as caught in a causal framework, in a matrix of forces such as cravings or drives which are produced by both our biology and our beliefs.

Both teach the appropriatenss of compassion, concern and unconditional positive regard towards others.

Both share the ideal of maturing or growth.

In the East and the West, this is interpreted as greater self possession, diminished cravings and agitations, less impulsivity and deeper observations which permit us to monitor and change our thoughts and emotional states.

Buddhism, Yoga, and Western Psychology, especially the recent emphasis on positive psychology, are concerned with the attainment of deep and lasting happiness.

The thesis of all three is that self-transformation is the surest path to this happiness.

About the Author Marvin Levine, a well-known researcher and theorist in cognitive-experimental psychology, received his M.

at Harvard where he worked with B.

Skinner and George Miller, and his Ph.

with Harry Harlow at the University of Wisconsin.

Since 1965 he has been a professor in the Department of Psychology at Stony Brook University.

His earliest work was on intellectual problem solving, research that served to counter the then popular conditioning view of human behavior.

He later turned his attention to interpersonal problem solving, giving workshops on assertiveness training and anger management, and for several years helped resolve disputes as a volun.