Published Book or Work by:
|
Book Review for Journey to the Center: A Meditation Workbook, by Matthew Flickstein |
 |
| Published by amazon.com | | June 25, 2007 |
| Journey to the Center: A Secular Review
Journey to the Center: A Meditation Workbook is a must have in anyone’s self-improvement collection—whether he or she meditates or not. Heavily laden with psychological terminology, theories, exercises, and opportunities for discoveries; this book can serve as a catalyst for major life changes. One will be encouraged to think of one’s life in terms of various aspects—health, finances, career, relationships, and creativity—as well as contemplate “goals” one has in each of these categories. One will also be inspired to deal with issues that may block or impede one’s spiritual and psychological progress. Mr. Flickstein also walks the reader through what he suggests are the “Different Facets of the Mind,” and the process through which we reach “deeper levels of self-understanding.” His review of “mind” appears somewhat cursory, but is appropriate within the context and scope of his book’s project.
Psychologically speaking, one will aim to reach greater levels of self-understanding through the practice of insight meditation, as well as the various psychologically oriented exercises throughout the book. Ontologically speaking, however, Mr. Flickstein does suddenly and somewhat unexpectedly encourage the reader to challenge the notion of a psychologically constructed “self.” Philosophers and other scholars well versed in various “self” and “identity” theories—concepts primarily Western in nature due to the surge of this psychological construct during the West’s early modern period—will easily adapt to Mr. Flickstein’s ontological and teleological suggestions; ontologically, Mr. Flickstein re-visits a question as old as humanity itself: is there a “self,’ and if so, what is it? One need not be Buddhist to appreciate Flickstein’s ultimate suggestion: that no permanent, fixed self serves as the axis for human existence. One may find it advantageous however, to possess an understanding of the ontological nature of this fundamental question concerning human existence in order to understand the psychological (or sociological, cultural, or biological) implications and consequences of Western culture’s adoption of the fixed, permanent, masterful, rational self.
Moreover, one is not likely to gain such an ontological (or “spiritual”) understanding through psychological rationales or exercises. Hence, Mr. Flickstein’s directions for the cultivation of insight meditation serve as essential components in one’s “Journey to the Center.” Clearly, Flickstein is a meditation instructor par excellence; any reader will find it easy to record and re-play the meditation instructions. One may also find that a solid philosophical background in Western “self” and “identity” concepts can serve as a fastidious aid in one’s journey.
| | More Information... | |
Other
|
| |
| 0 comments |
You must be logged in to add a comment |
|
|
