Emptiness and Joyful Freedom

by Greg Goode, Tomas Sander

The pinnacle of Buddhism's understanding of reality is the emptiness of all things. Exploring reality towards the realization of emptiness is shockingly radical. It uncovers an exhilarating freedom with nowhere to stand, while engendering a loving joy that engages the world. This path-breaking book employs the emptiness teachings in a fresh, innovative way. Goode and Sander don't rely solely on historical models and meditations. Instead, they have created over eighty original meditations on the emptiness of the self, issues in everyday life, and spiritual paths. These meditations are guided both by Buddhist insights and cutting-edge Western tools of inquiry, such as positive psychology, neuroscience, linguistic philosophy, deconstruction, and scepticism. The result is a set of liberating and usable tools for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Spirituality

406 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Greg Goode is the author of highly regarded books in the contemplative spiritual field. He holds a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Rochester. Greg grew up in multicultural Southern California. He lived in Panama for three years during his service with the U.S. Army, and lived in Germany for a year during graduate school. Greg currently lives in New York City with his wife, May.

Reviews

[Jeatherhane Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting, although I thought the logic used to "prove" emptiness was flawed. It depends on "thinking" or "agreeing" with an idea to establish the truth of emptiness. The authors insist that if we cannot think of any alternatives, then we must realize that everything is empty... While I find this process to be scientifically flimsy, I do like the meditations as a focus for delving into the idea of emptiness and opening our minds to realizations, which I don't personally believe can be scientifically proven. A lot of good food for thought here, though.

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and comprehensive look at "emptiness" teachings, as originating from Buddhism, but with a new Western perspective that incorporates modern philosophy. Also includes some great practical contemplations throughout (not just dry philosophy). Although repeated practice in making these perspectives a living "experience" is required, this book at least provides some solid material for an intellectual grasping of the topic, and pointers for further experiential work. Recommended.

[Dc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an education. My definite dessert island book. I've read it three times already, and bought a stack of books from it's recommended reading list; Buddhist emptiness and Nagarjuna, social constructionism and post modernism, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, neuro-science, physics and cognitive behaviour theory.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Does a decent job explaining the Buddhist concept of Emptiness, but ...

1) is very repetitive
2) is too long
3) spends too much time on the benefits and not enough on the doctrine, like a pitch for a cult or multi-level marketing scheme

The best thing is it does is pointing you to better books on the subject.