January 1, 2001
"We all desire happiness and do not want suffering." The Dalai Lama introduces Bennett-Goleman's first book with this trademark refrain, adding the deceptively simple Buddhist truth that much suffering is caused by our "disturbing emotions." Bennett-Goleman, a psychotherapist and longtime student of Buddhist meditation, draws on decades of experience to elucidate how the Buddhist practices of nonjudgmental awareness or mindfulness and the cultivation of compassion can unclasp the grip of the most addictive and deeply entrenched emotional patterns. What sets Bennett-Goleman's work apart from other contributions to the emerging field of Buddhist-oriented psychotherapy is her particular expertise in "schema therapy," which applies the consciousness of thought patterns that characterizes cognitive therapy to the deep-seated emotional habits that are formed in childhood. Thus she shows readers how our habitual fears and defenses get triggered again and again in our relationships, mechanically perpetuating old pain and obscuring reality. The author offers anecdotes from her clinical work and from workshops she conducts with her husband, Daniel Goleman, author of the megabestseller Emotional Intelligence. While Bennett-Goleman will undoubtedly benefit from the huge interest in her husband's book and from the burgeoning market for applied Buddhist wisdom in general, her distinct power flows from her sincerity. She is not given to neat formulations, yet her stories have the persuasiveness of experience, of transformation drop by drop. "In Western psychology it is often said that one needs a strong ego," writes Bennett-Goleman. "But in the Buddhist sense what we need is strong confidence." Many readers will trust the path that she forges here. (Jan.) Forecast: Foreign rights to this title have been sold in Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain and Latin America, Sweden, Taiwan and the U.K. Given the excellence of the book, a planned major push from Harmony, and the obvious benefit of a title and author name approximating those of Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence, hefty sales and major interest are likely
February 1, 2001
Science journalist Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence began as a collaboration with Bennett-Goleman, his psychotherapist wife. Now they have produced the excellent Emotional Alchemy, which has a foreword by the Dalai Lama. Blending cognitive therapy, cognitive neuroscience, Buddhist psychology, and meditation, Bennett-Goleman suggests that many people are ruled by maladaptive behaviors (schemas) stemming from childhood coping mechanisms. She investigates ten basic maladaptive behaviors--five used in close relationships and five for the larger community--and also explains that schema therapy deals with four human responses--thoughts, emotions, actions, and relationships. Each chapter ends with exercises designed to help the reader explore the root of the problem addressed. As more and more Americans come to expect quick fixes to problems, Bennett-Goleman sends an important message: the healing process is a slow one. Other books of interest on this subject are the Dalai Lama's The Art of Happiness (LJ 4/15/99) and Jon Kabat-Zinn's Wherever You Go, There You Are (LJ 12/91). Essential for public, academic, and health collections.--Lisa Wise, Broome Cty. P.L., Binghamton, NY
Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.