The Courage to Be Present: Buddhism, Psychotherapy, and the Awakening of Natural Wisdom

by Karen Kissel Wegela

Overview

The quality of presence a psychotherapist or counselor brings to the therapeutic relationship makes all the difference in effective treatment. With this application of Buddhist practice to psychotherapy, Karen Kissel Wegela offers mental health professionals a new perspective on bringing compassion, patience, generosity, and equanimity to their work with clients. She also shows how counselors can apply this wisdom in their own lives, and how they can help their clients to cultivate these qualities in themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590308301
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	12/07/2010
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	13.76(w) x 10.94(h) x 0.68(d)

About the Author

Karen Kissel Wegela, PhD, is a psychotherapist and professor of contemplative psychology at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. A longtime student of Buddhism, she speaks to professionals about the connections between Buddhism and psychotherapy and writes a popular blog at psychologytoday.com. She is also the author of The Courage to Be Present: Buddhism, Psychotherapy, and the Awakening of Natural Wisdom.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: What Is a Bodhisattva? xi

Part 1 The Path of Awakening Natural Wisdom

1 The Awakened Heart of the Bodhisattva 3

2 Acknowledging Suffering: The First Noble Truth 13

3 Why Are We So Confused? The Second Noble Truth 18

4 Beyond Suffering: The Third Noble Truth 25

5 The Path: The Fourth Noble Truth 30

6 Emptiness Is Not Nothingness 36

7 May I Be a Bridge, a Ship, or a ... Psychotherapist? An Introduction to Contemplative Psychotherapy 43

Part 2 Connecting with the Heart of a Bodhisattva

8 Meditation: The Practice of Connecting with Ourselves 57

9 The First Immeasurable: Loving-Kindness 68

10 The Second Immeasurable: Compassion 80

11 The Third Immeasurable: Joy 89

12 The Fourth Immeasurable: Equanimity 97

Part 3 Engaging in Bodhisattva Activity

13 Generosity: The First of the Awakened Actions 109

14 Discipline: The Second of the Awakened Actions 119

15 Patience: The Third of the Awakened Actions 129

16 Practices in Patience 137

17 Our Natural Resources: Working with Emotions 145

18 Exertion: The Fourth of the Awakened Actions 153

19 Meditation: The Fifth of the Awakened Actions 162

20 The Body-Speech-Mind Practice for Working with Exchange 175

21 Wisdom: The Sixth of the Awakened Actions 184

22 Dedicating the Merit 195

Notes 199

Bibliography 205

Resources 209

Index 211

Editorial Reviews

Karen Kissel Wegela brings her long experience as a therapist, a teacher, and a meditator to this fine exploration of the integration of Buddhism and psychotherapy.”—Gay Watson, author of Beyond Happiness

“This book will be valuable reading both for psychotherapists in training with an interest in Buddhism, as well as for experienced therapists who want to deepen their understanding of how Buddhist thought and practice can enhance psychotherapeutic work.”—Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School, and coeditor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy

“Karen Wegela has found ways, carefully and compassionately, to build our confidence as we face life’s challenges. Both as a therapist and as a client, I have found a wealth of skillful means in this book.”—David Richo, PhD, author of The Five Things We Cannot Change

“Karen Wegela brings a real understanding of the intricacies of Buddhist thought to bear on the challenge of psychotherapy. There is much wisdom here.”—Mark Epstein, author of Thoughts without a Thinker

From the Publisher