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Books by David Brazier

Two and a half thousand years ago the Buddha taught by answering the questions of his followers a... more Two and a half thousand years ago the Buddha taught by answering the questions of his followers and disciples. In this way he set out his complete philosophy and his guidance to the spiritual path.
Here David Brazier responds to questions from his own students. The answers are crafted with care and each illuminates a different aspect of the Buddha’s teaching.
This book will speak to people at the start of their spiritual journey, and thise with decades of experience. Covering themes such as human nature, meditation, faith and ethics, there is something here for everyone.

Tout n’est pas impermanent explore ce que c’est d’être un humain faillible dans un monde imparfa... more Tout n’est pas impermanent explore ce que c’est d’être un humain faillible dans un monde imparfait. Il nous montre comment nous pouvons vivre une vie pleine de joie et de sens, basée sur la confiance, la compassion et la sagesse. C’est un livre rassurant. Il ne recule pas devant l’observation de nos peines et des difficultés que nous pouvons rencontrer dans l’existence, mais il nous montre comment, même seuls, nous sommes connectés, comment, même au coeur du changement nous pouvons compter sur notre intuition profonde qui transcende l’impermanence. Cette confiance établie nous donnele pouvoir de sortir dans le monde avec compassion, tel qu’il est, tel que nous sommes.

The Dark Side of the Mirror reveals the pivotal principle at the heart of Dogen's Zen and shows h... more The Dark Side of the Mirror reveals the pivotal principle at the heart of Dogen's Zen and shows how his revelation of it was rooted in his personal experience as well as in the religious consciousness of his time.
For Dogen scholars Brazier provides a wealth of previously unpublished connections within Dogen's thought resolving knotty problems of interpretation. For Zen practitioners Genjo Koan reveals the meainging of satori and the way that it irreversibly commits the practitioner to a life long "going forth" in the service of all sentient beings. For the general reader it provides a unique insight into Japanese and Chinese medieval religion and through this prism throws light upon spirituality and spiritual experience universally.

Papers by David Brazier

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Apr 1, 2022

This chapter explores the application of Buddhism as psychotherapy. Buddhism is primarily a relig... more This chapter explores the application of Buddhism as psychotherapy. Buddhism is primarily a religion or Dharma that has inspired the arts, social life, architecture, and foundational aspects of the cultures where it has become established. In considering it as psychotherapy, this chapter similarly applies principles and images springing from its religious root. Buddhism is also a transmitted living tradition, passing from master to disciple. This chapter examines that crucial mind-changing relationship, considering it as a medium of psychotherapy, and goes on to work through fundamental elements of Buddhist theory, substantially derived from meditation experience, showing their application to consoling, resolving, and liberating the troubled mind. It shows how meditation provides an amplifying and deepening dimension to this process of mental change.

Self and society, Nov 1, 1993

Mindfulness in behavioral health, 2018

This chapter examines all major references to mindfulness in the classic Buddhist canonical text,... more This chapter examines all major references to mindfulness in the classic Buddhist canonical text, Majjhima Nikāya (MN), and throws light upon the original meaning of unremitting (and largely unconscious because fully internalized) mindfulness as the true foundation of a naturally ethical life. This notion of inherent ethicality is contrasted with the boundary ethics normal in contemporary society. It is suggested that the creation of a modern “utilitarian” mindfulness, accommodated to this latter approach to ethics, has obscured the meaning of mindfulness in its original context. The material analyzed here shows original mindfulness as itself the foundation of ethics, not as an activity in need of an ethical framework.

The Other Centred Approach is a psychotherapeutic methodology developed by the International Zen ... more The Other Centred Approach is a psychotherapeutic methodology developed by the International Zen Therapy Institute. The main details are given in books by David Brazier (1993, 1995, 1997, 2009, 2013) and by Caroline Brazier (2003, 2009). The approach is an application of Buddhist analysis, according to the notion of conditioning of the mind presented in the Pali Abhidharma, and especially the form of conditioning called aramanna: mind states are conditioned by their objects. The approach is not simply a technique or protocol, but rather a way of understanding what is happening that is suggestive of a range of possible therapeutic interventions. These interventions are, in many cases, different in direction from those prescribed by other commonly used formsof psychotherapy. It can be argued in favour of the Other Centred Approach that it avoids two common undesireable side effects of many other methods, namely their tendency toward enhancement of self-pre-occupation and the occurrence of resistence based onattachment to self image. In the Other centred Approach the client's attention is mostly focused outwards, upon the other rather than upon self, and the work therefore constitutes not only a way of resolving personal issues by opening up new possibilities, but also, and simultaneously, a training in positive engagement with the real world.

Routledge eBooks, Feb 17, 2015

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Apr 1, 2022

Self and society, Nov 1, 1993

Mindfulness in behavioral health, 2018

Routledge eBooks, Feb 17, 2015

Self and society, Jan 2, 2015

In this critical article, mindfulness as understood in contemporary psychological dialogue and mi... more In this critical article, mindfulness as understood in contemporary psychological dialogue and mindfulness in Buddhism are distinguished. Mindfulness is distinct from awareness and from consciousness, these latter not being factors of enlightenment. Their role in Buddhist faith and practice is explained. The this-worldly, hedonistic, here-and-now spirit of our times is contrasted with the transcendental, renunciant, eternity-oriented perspective of Buddhism. Such a spiritual refuge, once established, does not require ceaseless awareness or endless consciousness. The idea of dwelling in the here-and-now is examined and put in context. The value of the there-and-then, the unconscious, and longer-term perspectives is also reasserted.

Mindfulness in behavioral health, 2016

This chapter distinguishes modern, utilitarian mindfulness from original, Buddhist mindfulness. I... more This chapter distinguishes modern, utilitarian mindfulness from original, Buddhist mindfulness. It clarifies some of the cultural factors that have shaped the transition from the original to the contemporary approaches. It analyses and critiques some of these factors, particularly “here-and-now-ism” and the overvaluation of consciousness. It suggests that there was, in the original Buddhist mindfulness, a much richer and more fundamental resource for enlightened living than in the modern version and asks whether the modern version will prove to be simply a weak variant, or a step on the way to a more wide-ranging transformation of our cultural values.

Self and society, Sep 1, 1996

University of Hawaii Press eBooks, Dec 31, 1987

Self and society, Dec 1, 2001

Person-centered and experiential psychotherapies, Jul 2, 2016

ABSTRACT The character and work of Carl Rogers is examined in the light of both the contemporary ... more ABSTRACT The character and work of Carl Rogers is examined in the light of both the contemporary “utilitarian” mindfulness and the original Buddhist sense of the term mindfulness. A parallel is drawn between the way in which utilitarian mindfulness has been abstracted from traditional mindfulness and the way in which Rogers’ own principle of empathy has been received in the psychotherapy world. In both cases the merits and drawbacks of ethical neutrality are considered. The issues of purposefulness and of ethics in relation to both types of mindfulness are highlighted. Rogers is presented as an exemplar of mindfulness whose work helps us to reflect upon its true meaning.

European Journal Of Psychotherapy & Counselling, Jun 1, 2013

Mindfulness has recently become a popular addition to the range of methods available to counsello... more Mindfulness has recently become a popular addition to the range of methods available to counsellors and psychotherapists, especially in the field of stress reduction but is the method being over-sold? This article reviews the origins of mindfulness, attempts a balanced review of what mindfulness is and is not good for, looks at the question of whether the meaning of the term has mutated or suffered dilution as its popularity has grown and considers what that popularity and possible mutation tell us about the current state of thinking in the psychotherapy field. In the process, it puts the usefulness and nature of mindfulness in a new perspective, challenging a number of commonly held contemporary views on the subject.

Illness, Crisis, & Loss, Apr 1, 2007

... Buddhism. [This book] offers mental health practitioners in the West a fresh perspective on B... more ... Buddhism. [This book] offers mental health practitioners in the West a fresh perspective on Buddhist psychology and demonstrates how Zen Buddhist techniques can be integrated successfully into their clinical practices. Writing ...

ZT is a Buddhist practice conducted dialogically between a client (or “protagonist”) and a therap... more ZT is a Buddhist practice conducted dialogically between a client (or “protagonist”) and a therapist (or “anagonist”), the therapist providing an ambiance of love, compassion and resilience. This practice is aimed toward liberation of the mind (or “heart”) which we can specify as release from ignorance, from dispersion and from meanness. This release can be of varying degrees or apply to various domains of a life, but ultimately leads toward dissolution of the ego complex, or self-conceit, that is understood to be the root source of delusion. The practice is based upon discerning, from the evidence of inner and outer life, the spirit in which the client thinks, speaks and acts and the conflicts inherent therein. It is a path of subtle accompaniment. It may involve intensification of, moderation of, or challenge to the internal conflict of the client that is preventing them from moving on in life. It proceeds step by step following the living thread of subtle discernment, yet arrives at points of sudden crisis and transformation that release natural processes, sometimes painful, that then must be worked through.

Eigenwelt Studies Occasional Papers, 1992

This paper reviews a number of perspectives on understanding and interpreting psychosis, includes... more This paper reviews a number of perspectives on understanding and interpreting psychosis, includes practical advice and helps the reader to access his/her own psychotic imagination.

This paper argues against the importation into Buddhism of supposedly progressive ideas derived f... more This paper argues against the importation into Buddhism of supposedly progressive ideas derived from Western concerns and traditions that have no roots in the Dharma tradition. In particular it argues against Chappell's thesis that what is needed is a New Buddhism centred on postmodern ideas of social engagement and defends Honen Shonin's medieval reform of Japanese Buddhism against Chappell's criticisms.

A note on how we interpret Dogen's idea of time. This paper contrasts three ways of thinking abou... more A note on how we interpret Dogen's idea of time. This paper contrasts three ways of thinking about time: as momentary, as durational and as infinite or all encompassing.