Emotions and The Body in Buddhist Contemplative Practice and Mindfulness-Based Therapy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

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2. Somatic Psychology in Historical Perspective

   • Padmasiri de Silva

   Pages 1-11

3. The Body and the Emotions: Anger, Disgust and Contempt

   • Padmasiri de Silva

   Pages 13-29

4. Embodied Emotions and Body–Mind Reactivity

   • Padmasiri de Silva

   Pages 31-49

5. Pain Management and Somatic Intelligence

   • Padmasiri de Silva

   Pages 51-62

6. Pain and Trauma Management

   • Padmasiri de Silva

   Pages 63-67

7. Emotion Studies: Darwin, James and Freud

   • Padmasiri de Silva

   Pages 69-88

8. Escaping Bondage to the Somatic Passions

   • Padmasiri de Silva

   Pages 89-106

9. The Nature of Human Volition and Intentions

   • Padmasiri de Silva

   Pages 107-111

10. A Journey of Self-Awakening

    • Padmasiri de Silva

    Pages 113-124

11. Free Will

    • Padmasiri de Silva

    Pages 125-128

12. Moral Pain

    • Padmasiri de Silva

    Pages 129-138

13. Back Matter

    Pages 139-144

    PDF

This book represents an outstanding contribution to the field of somatic psychology. It focuses on the relationship between body and emotions, and on the linkages between mindfulness-based emotion studies and neuroscience. The author discusses the awakening of somatic intelligence as a journey through pain and trauma management, the moral dimensions of somatic passions, and the art and practice of embodied mindfulness. Issues such as the emotions and the body in relation to Buddhist contemplative practice, against the background of the most recent findings of current neuroscience, are expanded in the book. A broad review of the Darwinian-Jamesian heritage on emotion studies is a unique contribution to the tradition of the somatogenic strands of emotions, and provides a contrasting focus to the ideogenic emotions in Sigmund Freud. This work provides an invaluable resource for students of psychology and philosophy, psychotherapists and meditation teachers, students, and for anyone with an interest in the field of somatic psychology.

• Eastern philosophy
• spirituality
• Pain management
• Trauma
• Psychotherapy
• Neuroscience
• Darwinian-Jamesian heritage
• Freud
• Emotion Studies
• Meditation
• Psychology

“The book focuses on understanding meditation and mindfulness as a form of somatic intelligence … . Graduate and professional students in clinical fields will find it helpful in synthesizing traditional mindfulness philosophy with contemporary empirical research to inform a holistic care approach. As well, medical and mental health practitioners will find it a helpful text for offering new insight and strategies for integrating mindfulness practices into primary, mental health, and specialized care.” (Kimberlee Bethany Bonura, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 62 (48), December, 2017)

• Faculty of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies, Monash University, Springvale, Australia

  Padmasiri de Silva

Professor Padmasiri de Silva has a PhD in East-West Comparative Philosophy and an Advanced Diploma in Counselling. He is Adjunct Research Associate at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. His publications include Buddhist and Freudian Psychology, The Environmental Philosophy of Buddhism and An Introduction to Buddhist Psychology and Counselling.

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