A Return to Innocence: Philosophical Guidance in an Age of Cynicism (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a recent year not specified here, Schwartz (Brain Lock), an associate research professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, was asked by a single mother to correspond with her son, Patrick Buckley, at boarding school in order to give the boy the benefit of the influence of a "successful adult male." The result is contained in this epistolary primer on how to live the good life. Letters, mostly brief, from the boy, Patrick, are surrounded by Schwartz's letters to the boy, presenting lessons derived from the older man's study of psychiatry and religion (mostly Christianity and Buddhism), with a bit of poetry (Yeats and Eliot) and Western philosophy (Heraclitus, Hume, Adam Smith) included. The author offers some valuable instruction in brain structure and function in Buddhist philosophies and practices such as meditation and the watching of thoughts ("making mental notes") and in such universal truths as that "actions have consequences." Schwartz offers a compassionate attitude and much good advice, but he too often strays into easy criticisms of "modern society," and he seems quick to generalize, often in a negative way: "the core beliefs of materialistic science have saturated our whole culture"; "Ever since the Sixties, the knee-jerk attitude of American culture has been, 'If an authority figure says it, reject it'"). Schwartz offers a sound blueprint for helping teens grow into thoughtful adults who are able to make sound moral judgments, but he nearly buries that blueprint beneath his opinionating. Illustrations throughout. Major national ad/promo.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"... an astonishingly powerful road map to virtue.... Parents seeking language to explain traditional morality, teens seeking a way out of the ugly, hopeless world created by their elders, Christians interested in the moral technology (though not the theology) Buddhism and modern science provide should look up this thoughtful guide." -- Maggie Gallagher, New York Post

"The result is a deeply moving book topical and true enough to keep the average adult and the average hungry-minded teen thinking about it long after they finish reading." -- Norah Vincent, The Weekly Standard

"This is a book our society needs so badly, with its clear call for a return to decency." -- Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harper (September 23, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060392401
• ISBN-13: 978-0060392406
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #542,703 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic reference for our society's cries for help, April 7, 1999

By A Customer

A RETURN TO INNOCENCE, written as letters exchanged between Dr. Schwartz and his young sixteen-year-old friend Patrick Buckley, is a cogent message to adults and youth of our present society, urging us all to rediscover and re-embrace the customs and traditions of moral values which we have so long abandoned or shrugged off as no longer necessary for our existence.

Infused with information from today's scientific research on the chemical changes the brain can undergo, the book also details, using historical accounts, how such changes can come about when a person's mind--i.e., a person's will--makes conscious decisions and choices necessary to alter the brain chemistry. In essence, a person can therefore choose constructive brain chemistry as opposed to destructive brain chemistry. The book also broadens the application of the basic principles that were presented in Dr. Schwartz's book entitled BRAIN LOCK, especially the principles concerning mindfulness and the "Impartial Spectator."

The book gives the reader a look into a surprisingly tender and most honest communication between two men--one the regardful father figure, the other, the respectful teenage son. Matters of morality, love, self-preservation and honest friendship are explored with heartfelt conversation between the two friends.

Dr. Schwartz also addresses the issues of OCD in this book, and definitely adds to the dimensions of understanding this disease and how behavior therapy methods can help a person control this chronic condition. It is a book which can help redirect our thinking in answering society's urgent cries for help

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent model of mentoring for our times., January 15, 1999

By A Customer

Jeffrey Schwartz, a psychiatrist at UCLA who specializes in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, has exchanged a series of letters with a remarkable young friend, Patrick Buckley. In these letters, Jeff guides the teenaged Patrick in the art of mindful self-observation. The goal of this task is the acquisition of "innocence," which Dr. Schwartz uses in its etymological sense of not-hurting. Innocence is, in this book, not for the naive or the passive; it is a way of life requiring the most exacting discipline and constant effort.

Jeff Schwartz brings together his training in the clinical neurosciences and in Buddhist meditation in a powerful partnership. He calls on the triune brain model of neurobiologist Paul McLean, which distinguishes three levels of evolutionary development in the brain: reptilian, mammalian, and human. He then relates the struggles of human existence to the relationship between the human prefontal cortex and the "animal brain." In an undisciplined state, we are driven by the animal brain, and we are prone to commit all manner of hurtful actions in the service of our instinctive drives. But the human brain can take control of the animal brain and subdue its reckless tendencies. The reward of this accomplishment is the potential for innocence, for acting in the world in a way that does not add to the burden of suffering. It is here that the Buddhist and the neuroscientist meet. Buddhist meditation is not about self-gratification in blissful states, but is all about the reduction of human suffering.

Together, the physician mentor and the young student explore an incident in which Patrick hurt the feelings of the coxswain of his rowing team, resulting in his dismissal by the coach. The hurtful remark was preceded by a moment of ill will, for which there may have been a good reason. But Jeff is aware that part of the human tragedy is that we always have such good reasons for hurting one another. It is in the moment between the arising of the ill will and the hurtful action that the opportunity for self-observation arises, and it is here that the "innocent" human brain can observe anger without acting on it. Thus the amount of suffering in the universe is lessened, and the goal of the Buddha comes closer to being realized.

The "Impartial Spectator" requires daily training; Dr. Schwartz practices meditation one hour each day. He has assisted patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to control their compulsions without a lifetime of medication by using the ability of their human brains to control the animal brain from which their symptoms arise. He demonstrates, without developing at length, a distinction between two separate but often confused ideas: first, that some mental troubles have biological roots; second, that these conditions require lifetime medication. The second idea does not follow from the first. Part of our human biology includes an ability to observe our inner states without succumbing to their demands. The exploration of this principle in other mental conditions would be a great development in psychiatry for the next century.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, March 8, 1999

By A Customer

I'm not an extremely educated person, but I have always had some level of understanding in why people behave the way they do. This book seemed to help confirm my feelings. Being based on both science, and spirituality, I believe that this book portrays a truth, that people should try to understand rather than ignore, and hopefully try to Return to Innocence which is good for everyone.