Advice Not Given: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Advice Not Given containing key details about the book.
What is Advice Not Given About?
"Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself" is a book by Mark Epstein that discusses the role of psychotherapy and mindfulness in personal growth and well-being.
Our ego, and its accompanying sense of nagging self-doubt as we work to be bigger, better, smarter, and more in control, is one affliction we all share. But while our ego is at once our biggest obstacle, it can also be our greatest hope. We can be at its mercy or we can learn to work with it. With great insight, and in a deeply personal style, the author offers a how-to guide that refuses a quick fix.
In Advice Not Given, he reveals how Buddhism and Western psychotherapy, two traditions that developed in entirely different times and places, both identify the ego as the limiting factor in our well-being, and both come to the same conclusion: When we give the ego free rein, we suffer; but when it learns to let go, we are free.
Who is the author of Advice Not Given?
Mark Epstein is an American author and psychotherapist who integrates Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings with Sigmund Freud's approaches to trauma. He often writes about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy.
What are some key summary points from Advice Not Given?
Here are some key points and takeaways from the book:
- Epstein believes that our suffering is often caused by our inability to accept the things that we cannot change, and that this inability is rooted in our ego and our desire for control.
- Epstein argues that mindfulness and psychotherapy can help us to let go of our ego and accept the things that are outside of our control, leading to greater peace of mind and well-being.
- Epstein discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in personal growth and in building healthy relationships with others.
- Epstein argues that our problems and challenges are often opportunities for growth and self-discovery and that it is through facing and overcoming these challenges that we can truly thrive.
- Epstein believes that the goal of psychotherapy is not simply to alleviate symptoms, but to help us to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
- Epstein advocates for a holistic approach to mental health that integrates mindfulness and Eastern philosophy with Western psychology.
Book details
- Print length: 224 pages
- Genre: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help
What are the chapters in Advice Not Given?
Chapter 1. Right View
Chapter 2. Right Motivation
Chapter 3. Right Speech
Chapter 4. Right Action
Chapter 5. Right Livehood
Chapter 6. Right Effort
Chapter 7. Right Mindfulness
Chapter 8. Right Concentration
What is a good quote from Advice Not Given?
Top Quote: “Mourning has no timetable. Grief is not the same for everyone. And it does not necessarily go away. The healthiest way to deal with it is to lean into it, rather than try to keep it at bay. In the attempt to fit in, to be normal, we end up feeling estranged.” (Meaning) - Advice Not Given Quotes, Mark Epstein
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “Most people will never find a great psychiatrist or a great Buddhist teacher, but Mark Epstein is both, and the wisdom he imparts in Advice Not Given is an act of generosity and compassion. The book is a tonic for the ailments of our time.” — Ann Patchett, New York Times bestselling author of Commonwealth
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal growth, you may want to explore my list of favorite self-improvement books. These books, which have had a significant impact on my life, are carefully curated and come with summaries and key lessons.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
