Mark Epstein believes that Buddhism and psychoanalysis are mistaken to view desire as the root of suffering. In his book, he argues that desire is actually the key to deepening intimacy with ourselves, others, and the world. He proposes that spiritual attainment does not require detachment from intimacy or eroticism. Epstein explores how dissatisfaction causes irrational clinging and helps readers overcome fears of desire. Letting go of clinging and shame allows one to realize desire's potential to bridge gaps between people and find fulfillment rather than see others as objects.

1. Open to the Passions Audiobook
Best Audiobooks Open to the Passions
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2. Open to the Passions
It is common in both Buddhism and Freudian psychoanalysis to treat desire as if it is the root of all suffering and
problems, but psychiatrist Mark Epstein believes this to be a grave misunderstanding. In his controversial defense of
desire, he makes clear that it is the key to deepening intimacy with ourselves, each other, and our world.
Proposing that spiritual attainment does not have to be detached from intimacy or eroticism, Open to the Passions
begins with an exploration of the state of dissatisfaction that causes us to cling to irrational habits. Dr. Epstein helps
readers overcome their own fears of desire so that they can more readily bridge the gap between self and other,
cope with feelings of incompletion, and get past the perception of others as objects. Freed from clinging and shame,
desire's spiritual potential can then be opened up.

3. Open to the Passions

4. Open to the Passions