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Mindfulness and the Therapeutic
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Review
"Mindfulness is not an esoteric topic
relevant only to a few therapists/m-/it is a
process that profoundly changes how we think
about the nature and goals of therapeutic
work itself. No recent book shows that more
than this one, which illuminates the social
nature of consciousness and carefully lays
out the implications of mindfulness for
compassion, connection, and relationship. We
have long known that a powerful therapeutic
relationship is a key to success in therapy.
This book begins to show how we can use
ancient wisdom to cultivate that
relationship."--Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Nevada
Foundation Professor, Department of
Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno
"Mindfulness and psychotherapy have quite
naturally found each other in ways that allow
both patients and therapists to reap the
benefits of embedding awareness practices within
a traditional therapeutic frame. In this
important volume, Steven Hick, Thomas Bien, and
their contributors embark on a much-needed
discussion of the contours of this emerging
synthesis, through a multifaceted examination of
the connection between the therapeutic
relationship and mindfulness practice....The
beauty of this book is that it allows the reader
to look at the space between these two sources
and see how a bridge between them, perhaps a
trestle at first, is starting to be
built."--from the Foreword by Zindel V. Segal,
PhD, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
University of Toronto, Canada
"This fascinating,
clinically fertile, and wide-ranging work
illuminates and interweaves what may well be the two
most significant themes in contemporary
psychotherapy: the 'discovery' that therapy is a
process of transformation through relationship and
the introduction into clinical work of a
2500-year-old tradition of mindful awareness.
Exactly how these developments may be integrated is
the question addressed by the contributors to this
scholarly yet accessible volume. Their responses are
by turns practical, thought provoking, and
inspiring. Mindfulness
and the Therapeutic Relationship
will doubtless prove a valued resource for novice
and seasoned clinicians alike."--David J. Wallin,
PhD, private practice, Mill Valley and Albany,
California
"Hick and Bien present a timely
discussion at the intersection of two topics that
have recently captured much-deserved attention in
the psychotherapy field. Leading scholars from
diverse orientations address mindfulness and the
therapeutic relationship with regard to issues of
definition, measurement, treatment, and training.
The result is a significant contribution to the
literature--one that will be greatly appreciated by
clinical practitioners, researchers, graduate
students, and instructors."--J. Christopher Muran,
PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences, Beth Israel Medical Center, Albert
Einstein College of Medicine
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Mindful Therapy :
A Guide for Therapists and Helping Professionals
Order now at |
"This is a gem of a book. While many books in
recent years have explored the interface of
mindfulness practice and psychotherapy, this
book is unique in its emphasis on the importance
of mindfulness practice for psychotherapists. In
a skillful fashion, Bien reminds us that all
disease, both physical and psychological, is at
least in part a spiritual problem, and that
therapists are both teachers and healers. We
cannot heal our patients unless we ourselves are
on the path of self-healing, and this book
provides us with an invaluable orientation to
this path."-Jeremy D. Safran, Ph.D., Director of
Clinical Training at the New School for Social
Research, and editor of Psychoanalysis and
Buddhism: An Unfolding Dialogue
Something interesting and exciting is happening
in the field of psychotherapy, and this book is
an example of it. Mindfulness is taking hold.
The predominant view that psychological
well-being is characterized by harnessing and
directing our thoughts and feelings is giving
way to an older and wiser but largely neglected
view that the struggle to control life and our
reactions to it is not only not a viable
solution, but is itself the problem. Of course,
this insight has been around since Buddha, but
it is only now that it is finding it’s way into
mainstream psychotherapy. Its implications are
profound and will eventually change in
fundamental ways our views of psychopathology,
psychological diagnosis and classification, the
goals, objectives, and methods of psychotherapy,
and our definition of psychological well being.
Perhaps ironically, given its roots in spiritual
approaches, there is a growing body of
literature that not only provides a scientific
account of mindfulness and it’s underlying
processes, but demonstrates the validity and
even superiority of mindfulness-based therapies
for an ever increasing range of clinical
problems. In this book, Tom Bien explains in a
very understandable way the essence of
mindfulness and describes how it can be
immediately applied in practice and in everyday
life. This book will be valuable not just to
psychotherapists, but to anyone searching for
peace and understanding. --Michael J. Dougher,
Ph.D., co-editor of Acceptance and Change.
"This book is particularly for and about
therapists, pastors, and counselors--those who
seek to alleviate mental and emotional
suffering. Replete with stories and
metaphors, it is less about how to do therapy
than about the process of being a healer.
Mindful Therapy is complementary, not
contradictory, to scientific psychology,
manifesting compassion, love, and wisdom as an
antidote to the mindless application of therapy
techniques. Furthermore, though writing in
the language of psychotherapy, Dr. Bien has a
pastor's heart. The essence of this book
is not in reading, but in doing and being what
it contains." --William R. Miller, Ph.D.,
co-author of Motivational Interviewing
and Practical Psychology for Pastors.
"For both therapists and clients, this
clear and engaging book makes the Buddha's
teachings, and the practices of mindfulness
and compassion, directly applicable and
relevant to psychotherapy." - Dr. Jeff
Brantley, Duke Medical School, author of
Calming Your Anxious Mind: How Mindfulness
and Compassion Can Free You from Anxiety,
Fear, and Panic
“Both psychotherapy and Buddhist
philosophy have as their basis the desire to
ease suffering. This book compellingly
explores how the two approaches can work
toward this one goal. Dr. Bien’s insights
should appeal to anyone who has ever
wondered how Buddhist philosophy could
directly enhance their ability to care for
others.”- David R. Shlim, M.D., co-author of
Medicine
and Compassion: A
Tibetan Lama’s Guidance for Caregivers
"In
Mindful Therapy, clinical psychologist Thomas
Bien presents a clear approach to psychotherapy with an
exquisite singleness of purpose: to help put an end to
suffering. Using the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path as a
template for therapeutic interventions, Bien provides
clear examples to help guide practitioners through the
many complex issues that today's clients present.
Mindful Therapy is an elegant guide for both novice
and veteran therapists alike."--Mark Brady, Ph.D.,
editor of The Wisdom of Listening
Finding the Center Within : The Healing Way of Mindfulness
Meditation
 ~Thomas Bien
Get it now at
"This is a clear, wise, and helpful book.
It spells out the kind of intelligence we need to get through our
days and transcend ourselves. If everyone knew the wisdom
contained here, we could in in a peaceful world. --Thomas
Moore, author of Care of the Soul and Dark Nights of the
Soul
"Finding the Center Within is a
practical manual on the practice of mindfulness which can help many
people embody their Buddha nature and become radiant and peaceful
beings. It provides easy steps for practicing mindfulness in
day to day living." --Thich Nhat Hanh, Author of Being
Peace
"I like this book very much. Wise and
clear. A further step in the art and science of healing."
--Stephen Levine, Author of Gradual Awakening
"The Biens continue to show us how to heal
ourselves, awaken to reality, and live a better life. They
provide us with the keys, roadmaps, exercises, teachings and
personal stories necessary to guide us along the psychologically
astute spiritual path of enlightenment. I recommend this to
all seekers as well as to any who seek a more mindful, centered,
happy, harmonious and loving life." -- Lama Surya Das, Author
of Awakening the Buddha Within
"A central tenet of mindfulness-based
clinical care is that whatever you are feeling or thinking, you
always have the option of stepping back, watching it and drawing
on more intimate contact with it before taking action.
Thomas and Beverly Bien's new book brings clarity and heartfulness
to this process. It offers a way of finding the center
within where moments of nonreactivity, acceptance and wisdom
co-mingle, so that our actions going forward are informed by
choice rather than automaticity. This book's message of
healing, catalyzed through the practice of mindfulness, will speak
broadly to people living lives untethered from their center as
well as to the mental health practitioners interested in helping
them return." ---Zindel Segal, Ph.D., coauthor of Mindfulness-based
Cognitive Therapy for Depression.
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Who wouldn’t want to live a calmer, more peaceful
existence? Thomas Bien teaches that if we find the center
within through ongoing mindfulness we will have the capacity
to live deeply and fully, with boundless peace and
happiness, in any external circumstance. Finding the Center
Within offers a step-by-step program for breaking down the
barriers that prevent us from actualizing our wise inner
self. Tom combines Eastern spiritual wisdom with the
pragmatic wisdom of Western psychology, teaching how to see
things differently and remove the walls that conceal who and
what we really are. They provide the tools needed to bring
meditation into daily life, work with dreams, transform
negative emotions, cultivate healthy relationships, and much
more.
Thomas Bien, PhD (Albuquerque, NM), is a clinical
psychologist in private practice who also holds a master’s
degree in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He
leads workshops and seminars on mindfulness and related
topics.
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Mindful Recovery:
A Spiritual Path to Healing
from Addiction
~Thomas
Bien
Get it now at
Mindful
Recovery: A Spiritual Path to Healing From Addiction. Many people have found a
way out of their addiction through cultivation of their spiritual lives. However, the type
of spirituality available in many programs is somewhat limiting in a time when many have
developed interest and respect for the spiritual wisdom of the east. This book adds
another level of spiritual practice to what is currently available. It is based on the
Buddhist practice of mindfulness.
If you are having a happy, fulfilling life without abuse of drugs and alcohol, you will
not be very tempted to relapse. Mindful Recovery teaches you step by step how to
build a more satisfying life based on the practice of mindfulness. With a foreword by
noted addiction researcher G. Alan Marlatt, it offers 10 doors to enter in order to
cultivate a more peaceful, happy life, including: meditation, life story awareness,
journaling, harmony with nature, working with dreams, love, work, the transformation of
negative emotions, and living with present moment awareness. While this book stands on its
own, readers may find The Land of Hungry Ghosts (see below) a useful supplement. It
can be read and enjoyed by non-addicted readers as well.
Mindful Recovery is published by John Wiley & Sons, and will be available in
April 2002.
Advance comment on Mindful Recovery:
“The practice of mindfulness is the Buddha’s
main ingredient in his recipe for lasting peace, happiness, and enlightened living. It is only through experiencing this with ourselves
that we can heal what ails us, transform ourselves and our relationships, and find true
purpose and fulfillment. This wise book provides
practical exercises that will help us to develop conscious awareness and inner
understanding, and the ways and means to free us from unsatisfying habits, addictions, and
unconscious behavior patterns. I recommend it
highly."
--Lama Surya Das, author of the bestselling Awakening
the Buddha Within. (Italics added)
“Anyone interested in finding a kind,
spiritual guide to recovery that focuses on flexibility rather than the ‘one true
way’ will benefit from this enjoyable and helpful book.”
--Maia Szalavitz, co-author of Recovery Options: The
Complete Guide.
“…This is truly a book that opens
many doors to greater awakening and self-awareness…”
--Professor G. Alan Marlatt, University of Washington
“Mindful
Recovery combines two hitherto unrelated worlds—that of modern cognitive therapy and
Buddhist reflection. The connection makes
incredible sense, since Buddhism is not a religion in the traditional sense so much as it
is a method for directing one’s thoughts and experiences…”
--Stanton Peele, Ph.D., author of The Truth About Addiction and Recovery and The Diseasing of America.
Published by John Wiley & Sons. Available Sept. 2003. |
