Mind in Harmony: The Psychology of Buddhist Ethics

by Subhuti

Mind in Harmony will interest anyone who is curious to know what Buddhism has to say about the mind and how to live an ethical life. Subhuti describes the mind from the Buddhist point of view, and shows how such knowledge can help us live a more satisfactory life. This is also a handbook for those who are seriously interested in the long-established Buddhist system of "mind training," and offers some of the tools needed to construct a system of mind training for oneself. Subhuti has led meditation retreats in Europe, the United States, and India on the Buddhist texts of the Yogacara Abhidharma, the source of this system of mind training. This book represents the crystallization of that teaching experience. Subhuti uses the perennial wisdom of the Abhidharma to illuminate mental patterns, and so draws a map of the mind that helps us first to recognize and then to transform our inner world and our lives. Subhuti joined the Triratna Buddhist Order in 1973 and has since devoted himself to the practice and teaching of Buddhism. Based in north Wales, he spends part of each year in India, leading retreats and giving lectures. He is the author of The Buddhist Vision , A New Voice in the Buddhist Tradition , and Buddhism and Friendship .

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Religion

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2015

Reviews

[Vishvapani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mention Abhidharma - the 'ethical psychology' that was developed in the centuries after the Buddha - and eyelids start to droop - the repository of endless lists and categories that strips the magic out of the suttas and was roundly rebuked by Mahayanists for being overly-literal. The principal accounts of Abhidharma are dense academic tomes, list-bound translations or attempts to make it accessible that, for me miss the mark - Drinking the River Ganges and Know Your Mind are two that I've read. Meanwhile, the unprecedented interest in the relationship of Buddhism and psychology and countless self-help books connecting the two. But the Buddhist element in the psychology can be rather thin (Allan Wallace's books are an exception).

Subhuti's Mind in Harmony fills the gap magnificently, making Abhidharma ideas relevant and accessible. He achieves this by juggling the order in which the various elements appear, and for that reason, this isn't quite a guide to the Abhbidharma. But in doing so he makes all of the topics that are discussed immediately relevant to the brand project of mental transformation that is his theme.

Unlike Subhuti's other books, and probably because it has been edited from talks, the writing is crisp and lucid. that allows Subhuti's great qualities to shine - his conceptual clarity, this deep reflection and his intense engagement with the process of mental and spiritual life.

If I were to pick out a single section it would be the chapter on mindfulness, which offers an account of its broad meaning in Buddhist sources, and relates them brilliantly to the Abhidharma understanding of how the mind works.

Highly recommended for anyone who is serious about following the Buddhist path.

[Maryellen Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing map of our brain and how to wake up our mind.

[Alex L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this and very informative - gives you a good framework to understand the skilful and unskilful mental processes that affect how we interact with the world

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful work following on from a recent course. Particularly strong on mindfulness leading to skillful action.