The Lost Art of Compassion

February 1, 2004
As the president of the Guhyasamaja Buddhist Center in Virginia, Ladner is a strong proponent of the Buddhist practice of compassion, which develops positive emotions through mental exercises."Cultivating compassion is the single most effective way to make oneself psychologically healthy, happy and joyful," Ladner writes."It is a direct antidote to prejudice and aggression." The author, who also works as a clinical psychologist, bemoans the lack of attention compassion receives in the West, and argues that most psychotherapists do little to help their patients increase their feelings of happiness. Nonetheless, Ladner does draw upon both Eastern and Western examples in this book, referring to sources as diverse as Jesus, T.S. Eliot, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Dalai Lama, as well as including numerous anecdotes from his clinical practice. Though the exercises that Ladner recommends are sometime quite elaborate--one them involves identifying your"narcissistic patterns," personifying them as enemies and battling against them--he carefully walks readers through them one chapter at a time and then organizes them into a helpful"Summary of Compassion Practices" at the end of the book. To inspire readers, Landner cites the many recent studies showing that aspects of practicing compassion can significantly improve people's stress levels and their communication and relationships with others. Readers eager to test those findings for themselves should appreciate this book's realistic, manageable approach to dispelling bitterness and anger and replacing it with empathy and patience.

January 1, 2004
One of the ways that Buddhism is making its presence known in the West is through a perceived affinity with psychology. Ladner, a psychologist and Buddhist practitioner, presents a way of using time-tested spiritual practices from the Tibetan tradition as aids for psychology professionals and clients to develop a healthier and happier outlook. Dealing specifically with the concept of compassion, Ladner illustrates the Buddhist understanding of this term, which proceeds from the concept of "no-self." This distinguishes it from the altruistic connotation usually applied by Westerners, and, in a therapeutic setting, using the practices described, it allows for a unique uncovering of some essential and health-giving human qualities. The methods of practice are reiterated in a summary, and anecdotal illustrations of their application in Western psychological practice are given throughout. The blending of psychology and Buddhism appears to be inevitable, and there is much debate regarding how this can be achieved without watering down both areas of inquiry. This book provides one nice model for respectful and productive integration; it is an important addition to the growing literature on the meeting of Buddhist practice and Western psychology.-Mark Woodhouse, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY

Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

February 1, 2004
According to Buddhism, cultivating compassion is the most effective means to living a happy and healthy life. Clinical psychologist Ladner agrees and here attempts to bring Western psychology into cross-cultural dialogue with Tibetan Buddhist traditions to help readers nurture compassion, love, affection, and joy. In Buddhist psychology, compassion refers to the mental state of wanting to relieve others' suffering. In the West, however, psychology and emotion typically have been kept at arm's length. Medical schools and other Western institutions are notorious for actively discouraging compassion in professional training, and Ladner believes Western science is the lesser for it. Citing anecdotes and meditation techniques that actively engage the intellect and the imagination, he offers practical approaches to transforming the heart and cultivating compassion personally and, in effect, generally, by overcoming emotional obstacles, changing how one communicates so that messages are true and beneficial, and developing empathy even with the bitterest enemies--in essence, breaking down unhealthy and destructive patterns. The suggested methods aren't unique to Buddhism, nor need one be Buddhist to use them.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)