The Roots of Buddhist Psychology

by Jack Kornfield

The Buddha said many times that just as the great oceans have but one taste, so do all the true teachings of the the taste of freedom. Jack Kornfield's The Roots of Buddhist Psychology is an invitation to drink deeply of these teachings -- to taste the wisdom that flows from the heart of Buddhism's most useful ideas on the interior life, and what brings awakening, freedom, and happiness. Among the world's great religions, Buddhism alone has developed a rich, intricate psychology based not on metaphysics, but on the human predicament. Through its strategies, you can find the way to true freedom. Buddhism views the mind as a labyrinth of feelings, perceptions, and emotional states. Unhappiness is rooted in unskillful responses to our grasping when things are pleasant, aversion when they are unpleasant, and delusion/confusion when they are neutral. Through awareness training, Kornfield teaches, you can transform these responses into real skills that are the path to true happiness. This is the way to "inner stillness" -- the deathless state that allows your wisdom and compassion to flow together for a state of greater knowing. Enlivened with many parables, worldly stories, and thoughts from artists, philosophers, and writers, The Roots of Buddhist Psychology can help you to discover for yourself that what you seek is already here.

Genres: Buddhism, Psychology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Audiobook, Religion

6 pages, Audio Cassette

First published December 1, 1995

About the author

Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. He began his training after graduating from Dartmouth College in Asian Studies in 1967. Then he joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to the Public Health Service in northeast Thailand, which is home to several of the world’s oldest Buddhist forest monasteries. He met and studied under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. After returning to the United States, Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein. He is also a founding teacher of the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California, where he currently lives and teaches. Over the years, Jack has taught in centers and universities worldwide, led International Buddhist Teacher meetings with the Dalai Lama and worked with many of the great teachers of our time. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a husband, father and an activist.

His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. They include, A Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology, A Path with Heart; After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; Teachings of the Buddha; Seeking the Heart of Wisdom; Living Dharma; A Still Forest Pool; Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart; Buddha’s Little Instruction Book; The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness and Peace, Bringing Home the Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are, and his most recent book, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are.

Reviews

[Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good primer for Buddhism by a seasoned, accessible teacher. With a series of quotes and anecdotes, personal stories and humor, his lectures enlighten us to the wide ranging aspects of the Buddha's teachings. His soft spoken, concise voice lulls to a state receptivity, so that the listener has little to no difficulty understanding the concepts. A wise and meditative man with years of experience who carries a hopeful profound message. One can trust him not to muddy things, by not D.T. Suzuki-ing things to maddening koanic levels. Just listen, breathe, pay attention, note sensations, and give everything away and join a forest monastery. Recommended.

[Hákon Gunnarsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the title of this book is a bit misleading, or at least it made me think it was going to be a historical account of where Buddhist psychology comes from. It’s not. Despite not turning out to be what I was expecting, it was a good book.

Jack Kornfield examines the concept of Buddhist psychology quite well in this book that is quite accessible to people that are beginning to look into this. It spoken out in front of a live audience, so you ap can hear them react to what he is saying.

What I like so much about this book is the way he combines humor with the more serious subjects. It never becomes overly serious, or at least not for long, and to me this makes it all the more interesting. It helps,further that Kornfield is a good story teller.

Being a good teacher isn’t just about knowing your stuff. It’s also about being able to communicate it to the student, and listening to this audio book it really sounds as if Kornfield know how to do that. Definitely a good book for those interested in this subject.

[Jefferson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a collection of random lectures given by Kornfield that do not trace the "roots" of Buddhist psychology at all. In addition to a misleading title, the stories overlap with other audio content by the author, and there's some degree of unnecessary repetition from session to session even in this one audiobook. All in all, I did not come out of this listening experience with a deeper understanding of Buddhism or even inspiration to learn more. I definitely like the format and content of "Buddhism for Beginners" a lot better than this one, and would recommend the former over the latter.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book was a bit of a disappointment. I'm really interested in learning more about Buddhist Psychology but this book was all over the place. It was more like "The Roots of Jack Kornfield's Ramblings. While I'm pretty big Jack fan, and he is an excellent story teller, I would have liked a little more content and less banter.

[Sigrun Hodne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After spending some months in company of Buddhist teaching, two teachers stand out, namely Pema Chödrön and Jack Kornfield. Pema for her wise calmness, Jack for his wonderful energy and good humor. I have listened to "The Roots of Buddhist Psychology" several times, its a narration I know I will visit again.

[Cliff M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter drivel. Nothing to do with Buddhist psychology. Just some guy telling tricksy and rambling (so rambling...) anecdotes to adoring fans who act as his laugh track.
I hope the Buddha Gautama can’t see what a money making industry his teachings have become...

[Dany · Rating 5 out of 5]

To meditate is to discover the heart’s capacity for truth, in the midst of sorrows and in the midst of beauty.

“We are traveling with tremendous speed toward a star in the Milky Way. A great repose is visible on the face of the Earth. My heart’s a little fast. Otherwise everything’s fine.” - Brecht

“The mystic, the spirit, flies moment to moment.
The fearful clutches along month to month.” - Rumi

“It’s the heart that lets go, the fingers just follow” - African proverb

Buddhist psychology 101: if you want to be free you have to look at what minds do.

“The way of the practice of the Buddha is to meet one thing: this moment. And being in this moment, one practices completely.” - DOGEN

“The end of life is to do the will of God, to act with truth come what may.” - MLK

“If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” – Alexander Solzhenitsyn

The movement of the heart comes when we remember the treasure of life around us.

“The saints are what they are not because of their sanctity but because of the gift of sainthood makes it possible for them to admire everybody else.” - Thomas Merton

“Know that joy is rarer, more difficult, and more beautiful than sadness, once you make this all important discovery, you must embrace joy as a moral obligation.” - Andre Gide

The singing of each thing, it is this that makes spiritual joy.

To discover equanimity is to discover a radical acceptance of life and of not knowing.

[Signe · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite courses. The title is not really indicative of the contents. Jack reads this himself in his calm, unique voice that belongs to a body that has experienced so much, which creates comfort and a quiet joy and acceptance.

It’s just stories about writers, teachers, family, monks, 19th C artists in need of inspiration woven together in a beautiful way. But they’re stories you’ve likely never heard before. They create altitude and space for whatever you’re experiencing at the moment. No need to be Buddhist to enjoy this, you just have to be an examiner of the experience of life.

I think this is why I can’t really stand Tara Brach — she recycles Jack’s stories and imitates his manner of speech. Jack is the OG of insight meditation teachers in N America and he’s so good at it — it’s not the style of Buddhism I practice, but his meanderings transcend all containers of the dharma.

[Alia Makki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me of Goenkaji's evening discourses. Funny, enlightening and easy to accept.

Good luck on following it through, though.

This was my favorite part. On Aversion:

The amount of fear we have is equal to the amount of our separation. The more separate we feel, the more fear there will be.

The more we sense ourselves as separate and solid and rigid -- "This is who I am, my body, my territory, my ideas, my beliefs," -- the more we need to support and protect these claims, defend it and control other things, or conquer them or get things our way.

This isn't to say that you should let the world run over you. Quipping a quote by Gandhi, "I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence."

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful! His offerings are gentle and love-filled. His voice is such an embrace - much like a lullaby. This will be on my favorites list. And I am very selective. Meeting Jack Kornfield in person is my next bucket list item. Although they appear to be lectures with an audiance, the intimacy of his communication is as profoundly present as it would be, were they shared in a small cafe. Truly a spa for the worried mind AND you learn things ! There are three books that explain who I am. The Book by Alan Watts, Spiritual Literacy, and The Roots of Buddhist Psychology. I sure wish my mother were still alive. It would have been great pleasure to discuss this book together.

[Ursa Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but LOTS of overlap with the author’s other stuff (that I’ve read), which hasn’t been much so it’s that much worse to hear the same stories over and over. This makes me less likely to read his other books as they probably have the same issue. But I like Jack and a lot of what he has to say. Just would appreciate if old material wasn’t being repackaged and resold.

[Daniel Barragan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rambling, a series unconnected anecdotes.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

This series of lectures was soothing and insightful, much like Kornfield's Buddhism for Beginners. there is some overlap of content between the two lecture series, particularly the anecdotes he uses. That was mildly disappointing but ok. They're good stories :) At times the anecdotes could have been a bit more clearly connected to the point he's making, but that also feels like a small quibble.

In some ways, it's not vastly different from Buddhism for Beginners. Buddhism's brilliance is its simplicity. I think when you hear "psychology," you expect complicated concepts - maybe because of the association of neuroscience and psy disciplines. But the psychology offered by Buddhism is as simple as its core principles. You'll find a lot here about compassion to self and others, the Buddhist personality types, which map core kinds of behaviours all us silly humans tend to engage in (which can all be more-or-less grouped under grasping or aversion), and the path to happiness, which is of course, letting all states flow through us without grasping, aversion, judgement.

It's always lovely to listen to Jack Kornfield dharma talks. He has a soothing voice and a way of capturing human nature that makes me feel seen. I always feel more connected to myself, others, and my practice, after listening to him.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

One star off just because the title is misleading in my opinion. This is a lecture series, and the lectures are accessible, engaging etc. If you have read a lot of Kornfield many of these anecdotes and stories will be familiar. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, given how this whole thing works, but including here just as a heads up.

[Linda Vituma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man patīk grāmatas par budismu. Simtām reižu varu klausīties vienas un tās pašas cēlās patiesības. Un tā arī nesaprast. Bet ar katru reizi spriedze mazinās un dzīve kļūst gaišāka. Kas zin', varbūt reiz man kas arī pielēks ;)

[Lanà · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear course about the fundamentals of Buddhism and in general Buddhist way to think and to see the world. I see it also as a practical guide of how to become better, how to work with 1000 joys and sorrows of the day by day life.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyable to hear the way he delivers his wisdom. Amazing to think how calm minded he has become from his past. His willingness to share his imperfections and the imperfection of the west in general is interesting. His ever so slight sarcasm is the perfect touch to go with the lessons and keep his honesty about him.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook: Jack have a very smooth voice very pleasant to listen. But did I get much lessons out of him I’m not sure. Bits and pieces and stories from other people. Wasn’t much Buddhist teaching.

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will probably listen to this again.

[Kevin Orth · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Jack Kornfield's work is wonderful. This is no exception.

[Colbert Root · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did the audiobook. Pretty astonishing.

[Branden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title pretty much tells you what you're going to get. Kornfield has a gentle voice that makes the more complex aspects accessible.

[Dmitrij · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very warm and informative. Enjoyed it.

[Shawn Persinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same: Kornfield keeps rewriting the same material – but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

[Kenneth Oja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Painful to get through but I wanted to finish it since I had started it. Annoying laughing in the background. Some good points, I guess, but just an overall rough listen.

[Bettie]

Blurb: The Buddha said many times that just as the great oceans have but one taste, so do all the true teachings of the dharma: the taste of freedom. Jack Kornfield┬┐s The Roots of Buddhist Psychology is an invitation to drink deeply of these teachings┬┐to taste the wisdom that flows from the heart of Buddhism┬┐s most useful ideas on the interior life, and what brings awakening, freedom, and happiness. Among the world┬┐s great religions, Buddhism alone has developed a rich, intricate psychology based not on metaphysics, but on the human predicament. Through its strategies, you can find the way to true freedom. Buddhism views the mind as a labyrinth of feelings, perceptions, and emotional states. Unhappiness is rooted in unskillful responses to our world: grasping when things are pleasant, aversion when they are unpleasant, and delusion/confusion when they are neutral. Through awareness training, Kornfield teaches, you can transform these responses into real skills that are the path to true happiness. This is the way to ┬┐inner stillness┬┐┬┐the deathless state that allows your wisdom and compassion to flow together for a state of greater knowing. Enlivened with many parables, worldly stories, and thoughts from artists, philosophers, and writers, The Roots of Buddhist Psychology can help you to discover for yourself that what you seek is already here.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with Buddhism in high school. I now find it to be a nice adjunct to my current religious practice. When I was a new therapist, I co-led Anger Management groups for 2 years with a man who was a psychologist as well as a Buddhist monk. I learned SO much from this man in our 2 years. Much of Kornfield's teachings in these lectures reminded me of those years. Something that surprised me from this man is that he one day told me that several of my own (LDS) church leaders attend his local Zen center in Salt Lake City for meditation and spiritual edification. Those were the days when I saw Buddhism as a formal religion. Now that I understand it better I clearly see how it can complement almost any codified religion. I'm no longer surprised at his comment.

I enjoy the way Kornfield tells stories. I enjoy his sense of humor. Most of all I enjoy his compassionate wisdom.

[Jordan Dossett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so this one only got four stars but mainly because it is intense and I did it as an audible.com book. I should have gotten this one on paperback and highlighted and reread and done what I could there. It is a great book for providing information on the psychological benefits and factors of Buddhism but even at the time I am not sure I was ready for it. Now many years later I attend conferences and am conducting research on how the brain processes information. This is a great book and read if you are interested in both Buddhism and Psychology.

[Laura Facchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty in-depth look into the principles of Buddhist psychology, the content of this lecture series is comprehensive, honest and often entertaining! Jack Kornfield is awesome...his overall tone and the anecdotes peppered throughout make this subject incredibly accessible to newcomers. I listened to this during my daily drive to and from work and found myself often replaying certain sections and slowing down to extend my commute! Highly recommended!!