Buddhist Therapies

(Part of the Tibetan Studies Program, co-sponsored with Tibet House U.S. All classes are held at Tibet House, 22 West 15th St., but registration is taken through the Open Center.)

Mark Epstein, MD, & Sharon Salzberg

Buddha’s teachings of the “Four Noble Truths” are presented as a form of therapy: the anguish of dukkha as the illness, clinging as the source of the distress, nirvana as the effect of the cure, and the “Eightfold Path” as the treatment. The most psychological of religions and most spiritual of psychologies, Buddhism has continuously reinvented itself evolving and adapting its therapeutic methods to meet the needs of those it comes in contact with. Today three old friends whose collaboration has been therapeutic for each will offer us a taste of the variety of Buddhist approaches. Suitable for those with little or no knowledge of Buddhism or psychotherapy as well as for those with more experience, the day will function as a mini-retreat.

A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 6, 10am–5pm
10WSB78S
Members: $120 / Nonmembers: $130

Mark Epstein and Sharon Salzberg will also be teaching:
3/5: Mastering the Self

Note: Robert Thurman was scheduled to teach this program as well but will be unfortunately will be unable to do to a sudden work commitment out of the country.

Mark Epstein, MD, is a NYC-based psychiatrist, a clinical assistant professor in the Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis at NYU, and the author of a number of books on the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts Without a Thinker, Open to Desire and, his newest, Psychotherapy Without the Self.

Sharon Salzberg, co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and The Forest Refuge, is one of the U.S.’s leading meditation teachers and the author of several books, including Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness and, most recently, The Kindness Handbook.