The Feeling Buddha: A Buddhist Psychology of Character, Adversity and Passion

by David Brazier

This engaging introduction to Buddhism explains the Buddha's earliest teachings, and is a practical guide for how to live fully in today's stressful world. The Feeling Buddha is a lucid account of how the Buddha's path of wisdom and loving kindness grew out of the challenges he encountered in life. Brazier explains the concepts of enlightenment, nirvana and the four Noble Truths, free from mystification. Buddha emerges as a very human figure whose success lay not in his perfection, but in how he positively utilized the energy which was generated through his suffering. This rare guide illustrates how Buddha's philosophy of the "middle way" can lead to a balanced, harmonious, and serene existence in the 21st century.

Genres: Buddhism, Psychology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Zen, Self Help

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

authority on Buddhist psychology, spiritual teacher, Buddhist priest, commentator, author, poet, psychotherapist, traveller, President of Instituto terrapin Zen internacional (ITZI), Head of the Amida Order, co-ordinator of the Eleusis centre in France, patron of the Tathagata Trust in India, has written nine books and many chapters, papers and articles.

Reviews

[Riku Sayuj · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a very realistic explanation of Buddha's teachings and a modern reinterpretation of the basic ideas. It also forms a non-esoteric and easily applicable practice manual on Buddhism for a novice entrant/dilettante. Highly recommended for anyone interested in extending their understanding of Buddhism into a more practical sphere. I will try to put up a concise summary of the book soon.

[Irene Jurna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wat kan je zeggen over een boek geschreven met zoveel compassie en wijsheid?

In The Feeling Buddha deelt David Brazier zijn interpretatie van de eerste les die de Buddha gaf, de vier edele waarheden en het achtvoudige pad.

Je zou ook kunnen zeggen dat het gaat over de vraag hoe je betekenisvol kunt leven terwijl er ook lijden is.

Ik luisterde vandaag een podcast waarin werd gezegd dat de leer van de Buddha kan worden gezien als een van de allereerste zelfhulpboeken.

Nog eens lees ik Braziers concluderende hoofdstuk en denk: ‘Dan is The Feeling Buddha nu mijn favoriete zelfhulpboek.’

[Podcast ‘Help jezelf’ in Parel Radio: https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast...]

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brazier claims that his interpretation of the Four Noble Truths goes against tradition, but most texts that I have read and the discussions that I have engaged in lead me towards nearly the same conclusions. Brazier's assessment of the intent behind Buddha's Setting the Wheel of Dharma in Motion provides a practical guide to spiritual life separate from traditional Western ideals, but easily digestible for any open-minded Westerner. Brazier's attempt to link Buddha and his teachings to the role performed by a therapist is flimsy, but at times provides nice anecdotal examples. Occasionally, he projects the "Real" intent of the Truths too far into hopeful-idealogue land, ignoring his own emphasis on the practical nature of accepting dukkha as an inherent truth of humanity, as well as, "buddha" nature. But the reader would do well to forgive, as Brazier provides nice commentary and an inspiring take on Buddha's first speech.

[Nick Stibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just to quickly note the translation that the book gives for the word, Nirvana, without wind, is only one of many meanings. Another similar interpretation is 'blown out'. This refers to a realisation of 'non-self' and emptiness. A more positive reading is it means a quenching or fulfilment. Vana actually has many meanings in Sanskrit - forest, water, stream of light. Nir tends to signify a negative prefix - e.g. free, without, un-, -less, devoid, having none.

[Crystal Gayle Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first venture into buddhism and I truly enjoyed how the author broke it down into bite-sized pieces. I decided to read 1 chapter each morning since it's a reflective way to start the day and the writing is so deep. ☀️ I truly enjoyed reading it in bit size pieces. Part 2, the chapters were a little more lengthy, so I made sure to allow more time for those.

I enjoyed how the author brought in real-life examples from everyday life, as well as other religions. He really made the information easy to digest and easy to understand. Even though I don’t agree with everything, I truly felt spiritually motivated and understood what he was portraying.

I finished this book, 1 chapter per day in 30 days. This allowed me time to take notes and think about what I had read as I went through the day. I really like how I worked through it this way. I would absolutely recommend this to anyway interested in learning about buddhism.

“The challenge for us is to realise our unity with all life, and even with the inanimate world around us. The seas with their currents, the atmosphere and the continents of the earth are all in motion, stirring with their own kinds of life. Our malaise as a civilised people comes in large measure from our ability to distance ourselves from nature and from one another. A real therapy is one with a vision, not only of the individual person, but also of how the whole planet is to be healed.”

💭🤔🧘🏻‍♀️🧘❤️🪷

[Aart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a clear thinker. A creative thinker. Without ever imposing his thoughts on the reader, Brazier takes an uncommon stance on affliction and feelings. They are fuel for the fire that we can and should contain, while keeping it going. Without confinement, with openness. I have yet to read a description of the gateless gate that was so vivid and applicable. With that he is paving the way and for that, I am deeply grateful.

[Robbie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great antidote/counter-argument to the (misunderstood) Buddhist idea (poss originating in Triratna/FWBO line) that all you gotta do is just detach yourself from everything maya.

[Mark Goodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book had some good and even inspiring ideas but I was put off by his continual insistence that his ideas were radical and a challenge to traditional notions of Buddhism as the Buddhism I have been taught, read about and practiced was very much aligned with what he was saying so I did not find his ideas all that radical or new.

[James D Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the three most important books in my life. This is Buddhism without the burdensome superstitious cultural overlays which over time, have distorted the simple and profound truths taught by a guy who "got it" more than two millenia ago.

[Maitena log · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo leí en 2 oportunidades, la primera con un interés más pragmático, conocer sobre el budismo; la 2da por recomendación de mi maestro, para entender mi dolor desde el Buddhismo. Y fue una asombrosa y sentida re lectura, por lo que lo recomiendo siempre!

[Mamunuru Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brazier, a practicing Psychotherapist & Buddhist priest, presents without the complicated jargon of the theology, the true meaning of the four noble truths of Buddha- Dukkha (affliction), Samudaya (Responsive feelings for the Dukkha), Nirodha (containment of feelings/passions and harnessing) and Maarga (the characteristics of the path of the harnessed passions/feelings). Brazier is of the opinion that the popular interpretation of Buddhism makes the religion otherworldly and turns Buddha into God thus making it less intelligible and more difficult to practice. They make it appear the process of attaining enlightenment is an arduous and long drawn out effort.

He tries to make Buddha more human and enlightenment quite attainable. His basic argument is that Buddhism is all about here and the present and it is anything but otherworldly. He calls out at the popular sentiment that an enlightened soul suffers no affliction and is beyond pain and pleasure. He clarifies that enlightenment is not about escaping dukkha. It is about accepting the inevitability of affliction and about dealing with it with equanimity by accepting its reality. The four noble truths are the reality of this world and there is no point in being ashamed of or trying to escape from either the Dukkha or the response within us (Samudaya). The only role an individual has to play is to contain and channel the reactions for constructive purposes by adopting the eight-fold path prescribed by Buddha. The first two of the four truths are inevitable and inescapable and the last two are in the hands of the individual. While Brazier accepts the role of past impressions on one’s present actions, he is not overly concerned about the cycles of birth and death. Nirvana is not about the extinction of self. One can achieve Nirvana within this life by attaining enlightenment.

Metaphysics of any religion is about intellectual construct to explain the reality of the world around and develop means at an individual level to deal with that reality. It is about a personal journey. Buddha explained very rationally and also empirically this reality and the inevitability of the four truths and prescribed an eight-fold path to achieve Nirvana here in this life. How is it that we are unable to follow the path shown so clearly explained? Why is it that there are so few people who attained enlightenment? Why is there so much conflict and cruelty all around? How is it that even Buddhists who abide by their religion turn out to be so aggressive?

While we may accept the philosophy, the world is too much with us! Our rational mind may accept a philosophy but our flesh rejects to follow the precepts. We quickly turn the master into an idol and his philosophy quickly degenerates into a ritual. That is how Buddhism is a religion like any other. That is why it is said that a religious man can hardly be spiritual and when one is spiritual there is no need for religion.

That said, it is true that Buddhism, is a very powerful guide for self-liberation. A sense of detached outlook with simple needs of life takes us a long way in keeping us sane in an ever-changing unpredictable world!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Feeling Buddha is a simple and realistic account of the Buddha’s path which details how ordinary people can lead more mindful lives. David Brazier has distilled in The Feeling Buddha, the essence of the Buddha's message from a talk the Buddha gave after he attained enlightenment, with amazing plainness. The Buddha spelled out a practical approach to the problems of life, defining spirituality as the art of converting base passion into noble engagement. The Feeling Buddha makes the teachings of India's greatest sage, who finally emerges here as a very human figure full of passion, ultimately accessible. It also serves as a practical guide for living life fully and deeply today, enhanced by Brazier's unique experience as a social worker and psychotherapist and Buddhist parson. This book is a challenge to orthodoxy for Buddhists while being an insight into emotion and existential realities for psychotherapists and philosophers and for the general reader, an inspiration to lead more meaningful, mindful lives. Through this manuscript one can finally understand what the role of us as conscious beings is, how to find and live a purposeful life. It brings a greater awareness to the fact that consciousness means that we can at any moment decide on our fate, despite the adversity...what we commit our minds to we can work towards that. The Feeling Buddha is such a great book for anyone looking to find meaning out of life. It makes one ask the difficult question, and what makes it great is that it’s not so imposing. This is the true essence of the Buddhist path, simplified living where serving others is the pinnacle of life.

[Anna Shulman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts more than a review: World is full of people chasing or running away from feelings and suffering. Buddhism, as any religion, promises alleviation from suffering. David Brazier calls for using suffering as kindling for fire of life, as an integral and important part of human experience. The book is written with rare precision and little pathos, which helps hone in on the purpose - to be enlightened is to be noble in all manifestations and circumstances, especially so with yourself.

[Angela Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have reread this book a number of times, it always helps if I have a particular problem or question and I dont know how I should be dealing with it, this points me on the right path, helps with unconscious unhelpful thought patterns and is easy to understand, relevant, and for me a guide on how to live my best life.

[Nick Matropuhlus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly nuanced and western flavored take on the meaning of living the middle way. I enjoyed it 👍

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Brazier seems, in my opinion, to over-intellectualize Buddhism, his book is a solid explanation of the lifestyle. At points it was too dense for me, and — perhaps in Buddhist scholarship fashion? — very vague. To take one example of a practice recommended in Brazier's interpretations, I found I couldn't relate to the exultation of meditation. Perhaps some would dismiss my persistent ambivalence toward meditation as "unenlightened," but I simply don't see the point in persisting with something that is told to bring a good quality to life but doesn't, for me. Certainly, it's something you practice, but I find meditation and some of the other Buddhist rituals to be a bit like museums: we're told they enrich us, and that if we bring the right mindfulness to it, we'll appreciate them. But if they simply don't appeal to an individual or "do anything" for that person, there is little point in pursuing the practice of exploring them, I think.

The more I read about the Buddha, the more I respect the authors who write about him, but for reasons I'm not sure they themselves would realize. Essentially, they all say that the Buddha became enlightened by living his life the hard way, by finding enlightenment for himself on his individual journey. He had few guides but the ordinary experiences and people he encountered. True, he preached and he lived in such a way that others found worthy of imitating. But if the enlightened one reached enlightenment purely through his own experience, isn't that the model we should seek? Not one of meditating or following ritualized practices because it's what "Buddhists" do, or begging for food because the Buddha did. Not the mimicry and adulation of mass religion, just living in a way that helps us find our purpose and our happiness.

Not everyone is destined to be the Buddha or the Dalai Lama. Our everyday lives do not necessarily need to be like theirs, if theirs are not the practices we feel organically moved to keep. It amazes me that some people do not come to this realization on their own; some do, but still have difficulty making it real. But that, to me, is the real lesson in the Buddha's life: live it for yourself and make it worthwhile, on your own terms, because that's all you've got.

To actually give a review to this book, since I haven't yet: let's just say that it made me think enough to put words to this philosophy, so it's got to be worth something!

[Steve Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always taken a lot from David Brazier's work. He has a great ability to relate Buddhist teachings to psycho Therapy in very helpful ways. There are some very important viewpoints in this book that changed the way I think about both the practice and the healing that can take place in that context. He relates some of the basic teachings to life in ways that help me to put them into practice and get out from under the more dogmatic traditional interpretations that seem much more difficult for me to relate to. Most of those insights came for me in the first half of the book, his treatment of the 8 fold path was a little more pedestrian and superficial, though still valuable particularly when taken in conjunction with a more traditional approach.

[Scott Stoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. I've read this one again and again. It has, to the best of my knowledge, a very sensible and accurate interpretation of the 4 noble truths, that focuses on emotions being your power source, rather than the more typical interpretations which declare desires and wants are things to be avoided if you want to avoid pain. A great book. I wish to read again, because I think now, being somewhat more enlightened, that perhaps pain and fear can be viewed as beneficial emotions.

[NoBeatenPath · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting interpretation of the Four Noble Truths of the Buddha, taking an alternative view to 'accepted' Buddhist tradition. Brazier argues that the Buddha did not say that enlightenment meant the end of suffering, but rather that suffering is noble and is part of an enlightened life (trust me, Brazier does a better job of explaining than me!) An interesting juxtaposition of psychology and Buddhist thought, this book would be an interesting read for Buddhist practitioners of various traditions.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a college philosophy professor. It sat on my shelf for a couple of years and finally I picked it up and started reading.

It brought a peace to my heart. I still go back to it and re read parts to help center myself every once in a while. It's a book that teaches you how to take the positive out of any situation in life. It's a great way to learn to live,

[Dave/Maggie Bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hesitant three stars. I don't want to say that I disliked it, but I can't say that I liked all of it. It's a tad revisionist, for starters -- not a good starting point for sincere students of comparative religion. The psychology, on the other hand, is interesting. Stripped of the spiritual trappings, there's quite a bit of good, common-sense advice for coping with hardship.

[joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing style, and I thought the explanation of the Budda's life and basic teachings were easy to understand. However, while the author indicated that his explanation for the meaning of those teachings differed from what is standard, I am not familiar with what those "normal" teachings are to provide any informed opinion on that.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good place to start as any for an introduction to Buddhism, and also a good book for a Buddhist to get a different perspective on the four noble truths. It focuses on the translation issues, and what Buddha's original intent might've been.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book recommended by Flint Sparks that I would recommend to others interested in Buddhism. He offers an interpretation of the Four Noble Truths that runs counter to what one might read in books on comparative religion and it rings true to me.

[Trudi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not Buddhist, but I do find some of the Buddhist Philosophy very enlightening.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book for the reason of Brazier's appealing and credible reinterpretation of the Four Noble Truths. This book on 'what the Buddha said' really does have something new to say.

[heartful · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome-sauce.

[Joe Tedesco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for the seeker or practitioner of the path/way.