Lack and Transcendence: The Problem of Death and Life in Psychotherapy, Existentialism, and Buddhism [Paperback]

David Loy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

Whatever the differences in their methods and goals, psychotherapy, existentialism, and Buddhism are concerned with the same fundamental issues of life and death and death-in-life. In this unique work, David Loy brings all three traditions together for the first time in a synthesis receptive to the insights of each, thereby casting fresh light on familiar problems. Written in a clear, jargon-free style that does not assume prior familiarity with the topics discussed, this insightful book will appeal to a variety of readers including psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, psychologists, scholars of religion - particularly of Buddhism - Continental philosophers, and literary and culture critics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Overall, this book is an intellectual tour de force in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition.... Lack and Transcendence proposes a sophisticated, erudite, and challenging approach to transcending our mortality through transcending our notions of selfhood. While he cannot claim to represent every Buddhist tradition, Loy deconstructs our fears of mortality in terms a modern audience ought well to appreciate."

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books/Humanity Books (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573927201
• ISBN-13: 978-1573927208
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, November 19, 2002

By 

Brian C. Holly "Brian" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lack and Transcendence: The Problem of Death and Life in Psychotherapy, Existentialism, and Buddhism (Paperback)

Although David Loy's touchstones in Western thought are Nietzche, Freud, and Heidegger, this book does not require any extensive familiarity with these figures (as a person trained in Anglo-American analytic philosophy, I wouldn't know a Heidegger if fell over one!). In any case, Loy investigates the idea that the basis for much of our unease and dysfunctional behavior is not so much fear of future death, as Freud thought, but rather a sneaking suspicion that we have no substantial self, that we are not really real, but rather, as the Buddhists teach, a kind of convenient fiction. It is a treat to follow Loy as he follows up on the implications of this possibility, and I think that even those without an interest in Buddhism will find themselves reflecting deeply on their own lives and on some of the institutionalized forms of craziness that affect modern society. This book has stimulated my thinking like very few others, and I strongly recommend it.

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal, May 23, 2001

By 

lugotorix (Colrain, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lack and Transcendence: The Problem of Death and Life in Psychotherapy, Existentialism, and Buddhism (Paperback)

I encountered this book in the University of Massachusetts library. I usually don't go in for books that deal with "Western" philosophy in-depth, but something about it made me check it out. I'm so glad I did.

It's a fantastic book. Loy contrasts the Buddhist outlook to the outlooks of some Western thinkers (Freud, Nietzsche, Heidegger, etc) . It was a good feeling to see sketched out the relationship between my religion and modern philosophy, that they were motivated by the same questions but have come to different responses. This was one of the few books that have given me an "aha!" experience, where lots of disparate things fall into place and start to make sense.

You don't need to have a lot of background in philosophy, either Western or Buddhist, to appreciate this book; the author goes into enough detail about each field to bring a novice up to speed. If you're an American or European Buddhist and/or you have ever wondered how Buddhism relates to mainstream Western thought, you should definitely read this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zen, Psychology, Phenomenology., October 7, 2007

By 

Michael Staples (Sonoma, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lack and Transcendence: The Problem of Death and Life in Psychotherapy, Existentialism, and Buddhism (Paperback)

I am a psychotherapist with a long history of involvement in phenomenology (mostly interested in the worksk of Heidegger). I was attracted to Buddhism though a couple of years ago and stumbled onto David Loy's work. David has a number of books out, one on non-duality, a couple extending his notions of "Lack" to the socio-political arena. All are innovative, interesting, accessible and for my money, extreemly important. I highly recommend this book, though people intersted in philosophy and/or psychology are probably going to warm to it the most quickly. Or... if you are interested in Buddhist thinking (especially those interested in Zen), this is an invaluable book. I have found that I have to read maybe 6 or 8 books about Zen to find one that really stands out. Over the past couple of years, my bookshevles have bowed under the wieght of new Zen books. But Loy's works stand out like few others. I hope this book provides you with the same kind of psychological "glue" it did me. Buy it, and happy reading.