Mark Epstein, Anne Lamott, and Neal Allen on the Overlap of Therapy and Meditation

Buddhist practice and Western psychotherapy have much to offer each other. How can we apply the best of both traditions to heal the suffering of the mind? And how can we use them intentionally, knowing that neither is a panacea? Psychiatrist and Buddhist teacher Mark Epstein has written extensively about Buddhism, therapy, trauma and desire in books such as "The Trauma of Everyday Life" and "Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart," and essays including his popular Tricycle piece, “Awakening with Prozac.” In this event, he sits down with bestselling novelist Anne Lamott, whose work explores themes including loss, addiction and faith, and her husband Neal Allen, a coach who studies and practices contemporary and spiritual traditions. Allen’s book "Shapes of Truth: Discover God Inside You," comes out in May. Together, they discuss the sometimes complicated intersection of dharma practice and therapy, and consider how Eastern and Western approaches can work together to support us on the path to mental health and well-being.  This talk was recorded on April 27, 2021 as a part of Tricycle's 30th Anniversary celebration—a monthlong series of donation-based virtual events celebrating thirty years of dharma in the West. Learn more and sign up today at https://tricycle.org/30th-anniversary/ Links mentioned: Anne Lamott's book: https://www.amazon.com/Dusk-Night-Daw... Neal Allen's site: https://www.shapesoftruth.com/ Mark Epstein's book: https://www.amazon.com/Advice-Not-Giv... Mark's Tricycle article, "Awakening with Prozac": https://tricycle.org/magazine/awakeni... Winnicott paper, "Hate in the Counter-Transference": https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... Tricycle links: 30th Anniversary: https://tricycle.org/30th-anniversary/ Tricycle: https://tricycle.org Facebook:   / tricyclemag   Twitter:   / tricyclemag   Instagram:   / tricyclemag  

Pamela Ayo Yetunde and Zenzele Isoke on the Buddhist Justice Reporter Initiative
▶︎

Pamela Ayo Yetunde and Zenzele Isoke on the Buddhist Justice Reporter Initiative

Ego, Disrupted. How Buddhist Wisdom meets Western Therapy with Dr. Mark Epstein
▶︎

Ego, Disrupted. How Buddhist Wisdom meets Western Therapy with Dr. Mark Epstein

Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, and Sharon Salzberg on Decades of Dharma Practice
▶︎

Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, and Sharon Salzberg on Decades of Dharma Practice

When LIFE IS HARD & You’re Feeling Lost, WATCH THIS! | Anne Lamott
▶︎

When LIFE IS HARD & You’re Feeling Lost, WATCH THIS! | Anne Lamott

Mark Epstein, MD - "Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself" (01/22/18)
▶︎

Mark Epstein, MD - "Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself" (01/22/18)

Dharma vs Freud: How to Transform Your Neuroses with Meditation | Buddhist Psychiatrist Mark Epstein
▶︎

Dharma vs Freud: How to Transform Your Neuroses with Meditation | Buddhist Psychiatrist Mark Epstein

Rajneesh Survivor: Full interview with Sarito Carroll (2025)
▶︎

Rajneesh Survivor: Full interview with Sarito Carroll (2025)

5 Ways to Help Your Client Make Tough Decisions
▶︎

5 Ways to Help Your Client Make Tough Decisions

Dark Retreats: With Dr. Nida Chenagtsang and Prof. Robert A.F. Thurman
▶︎

Dark Retreats: With Dr. Nida Chenagtsang and Prof. Robert A.F. Thurman

Mark Epstein: The Trauma of Everyday Life
▶︎

Mark Epstein: The Trauma of Everyday Life

Secularizing Buddhism: Do You Have to Believe in Rebirth to be a Buddhist?
▶︎

Secularizing Buddhism: Do You Have to Believe in Rebirth to be a Buddhist?

10 Tips on How to Hear God’s Voice in Your Life | Sr. Mary Grace, SV | SEEK26
▶︎

10 Tips on How to Hear God’s Voice in Your Life | Sr. Mary Grace, SV | SEEK26

The Zen of Therapy with Mark Epstein & Sharon Salzberg – Metta Hour Ep. 182
▶︎

The Zen of Therapy with Mark Epstein & Sharon Salzberg – Metta Hour Ep. 182

Dusk, Night, Dawn: A Conversation on Love, Faith, and Politics with author Anne Lamott
▶︎

Dusk, Night, Dawn: A Conversation on Love, Faith, and Politics with author Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott with Sam Lamott: Some Assembly Required
▶︎

Anne Lamott with Sam Lamott: Some Assembly Required

Richard Schwartz: No Bad Parts
▶︎

Richard Schwartz: No Bad Parts

Dr. Mark Epstein: The Zen of Therapy | SALT Talks #268
▶︎

Dr. Mark Epstein: The Zen of Therapy | SALT Talks #268

You’ll stop using ChatGPT after listening to this | Jonathan Pageau [ARC 2026]
▶︎

You’ll stop using ChatGPT after listening to this | Jonathan Pageau [ARC 2026]

Anne Lamott & Neal Allen: Write Toward the Really Real | Insights at the Edge
▶︎

Anne Lamott & Neal Allen: Write Toward the Really Real | Insights at the Edge

Everyday Trauma: Perspectives from Buddhism and Psychoanalysis, Mark Epstein
▶︎

Everyday Trauma: Perspectives from Buddhism and Psychoanalysis, Mark Epstein