Caroline's Next

I've been spending some time proof reading Caroline's latest manuscript. This book builds upon both her Buddhist Psychology (Buddhism on the Couch) and on The Feeling Buddha. It will show where thinking about Pureland Buddhism and psycholgoy has got up to at Amida. I was particularly interested by part of her analysis that to me implied that the complete non-judgementalness of Pureland implies a radically non-theistic stance. Amida may be spirit, but is certainly not a God. Even spirit may be a misleading term for a grace that is bigger than time and space. Pureland gives responsibility to the individually more totally than maybe any other spiritual system. When we recognise that the other is really other and not there to facilitate or constrain us, then it really is down to oneself what one is going to do.

Comments

[Jonathan Rowson]

Hello.
I'm looking forward to reading Caroline's new book.

I bought 'Buddhist Psychology' near the start of August 2004, in the Waterstones in Scarborough, before an important game in the British Chess Championship. I was feeling a little bruised that day after a defeat in the previous game, and I headed to Costa Coffee where I read for about three hours. I found the book life-affirming and uplifting, and it mometarily released me from all my ego-related concerns. I managed to get through that difficult day, and a few days later I became British chess champion for this first time.

More recently, I have been reading Zen Therapy by David, and thoroughly enjoying it.

Anyways, just wanted you to know that your work(both David's and Caroline's) has made a deep impression on me.

Best wishes,

Jonathan.