Psychoanalysis and Buddhism

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how there are many striking similarities between the ideas of psychiatrist Mark Epstein and the renowned psychologist Carl G. Jung. It looks at how both use the Buddhist "Wheel of Life" as a model which has very deep psychological significance. It also discusses how although Epstein refers to Buddhist beliefs directly, Jung proposes his own psychology which happens to reflect many aspects of the "Wheel of Life". It show how essentially, the psychological significance which both Epstein and Jung give to the "Wheel of Life", is how it relates to emotions.

From the Paper:

"Mark Epstein is a psychoanalytically trained psychiatrist, who also happens to be Buddhist. In Thoughts Without a Thinker, Epstein attempts to draw Western psychology closer to Buddhism, saying that they compliment each other. One of the central aspects of Buddhist teachings is the Wheel of Life. This is a circle which is divided into six parts, or realms. These realms represent what it is like to be human, and its purpose is to remind us not to try and escape life, but to enter all of the human experiences without getting trapped. In this way, the Wheel of Life assists Buddhists in their understanding of the meaning of life and can help in reaching the ultimate goal of nirvana."

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