Study Resources
Recommended books on Psychology & Buddhism
No bibliography can be complete, especially in a field as multi-discilplinary by its nature as this. Further, no reading list for Masters' students ought ever to pretend completeness, as students at this level should be encouraged to search further afield for their material than a prepared list of texts. However, some indications on the literature are certainly necessary, and the books listed on this page are considered an opening shot in the students' hopefully ongoing engagement with the large body of literature that is available.
The following texts are classed as 'essential' for the online Psychology & Buddhism module, and give a good overview of some Buddhist basics and provide a starting point for the consideration of the topic in general.
- Harvey, P. (1990). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teaching, History and Practices. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
- Nydahl, O. (2008). The Way Things Are: Living Approach to Buddhism for Today's World. Winchester: O-Books.
- Powers, J. (2000). A Concise Encyclopaedia of Buddhism. Oxford, UK: Oneworld Publications.
- Watson, G. (2002). The Resonance of Emptiness: A Buddhist Inspiration for a Contemporary Psychotherapy. London: Routledge Curzon.
The remaining texts listed here are classed as 'recommended', and students on the module are advised to select a couple of these for detailed study in areas that particularly fascinate them:
- Austin, J. H. (1998). Zen and the Brain. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
- Brazier, D. (1995). Zen Therapy. London: Constable.
- Bucknell, R. & Kang, C. (eds.). (1997). The Meditative Way. Readings in the Theory and Practice of Buddhist Meditation. Richmond, UK: Curzon.
- DeCharms, D. (1997). Two Views of Mind: Abhidharma and Brain Science. New York: Snow Lion.
- Gampopa, J. (1998). The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings. Snow Lion Publishing.
- Magid, Barry. (2002). Ordinary Mind: Exploring the Common Ground of Zen and Psychotherapy. Boston: Wisdom Publications.
- Murphy, M., Donovan, S., & Taylor, E. (1997). Physical and Psychological Effects of Meditation: A review of contemporary research with a comprehensive bibliography 1931-1996. Petaluma, CA: Institute of Noetic Sciences. Also available online at http://www.noetic.org/research/medbiblio/index.htm
- Nydahl, O. (2004). The Great Seal: Limitless Space & Joy - The Mahamudra View of Diamond Way Buddhism. San Francisco: Fire Wheel Publishing.
- Pickering, J. (ed.) (1997). The Authority of Experience: Essays on Buddhism and Psychology. Richmond (Surrey, UK): Curzon.
- Tsultrim Gyamtso, K. (2003). Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness. Zhyisil Chokyi Publications.
- Wallace, B. A. (Ed.) (2003). Buddhism and science: breaking new ground. New York: Columbia University Press.
- Wallace, B. A. (2005). Balancing the Mind. A Tibetan Buddhist Approach to Refining Attention. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications.
- Welwood, J. (2002). Toward a psychology of awakening: Buddhism, psychotherapy and the path of personal and spiritual transformation. Boston: Shambhala Publications.
- Williams, P. & Tribe, A. (2000). Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition. London: Routledge.
- Young-Eisendrath, P. & Muramoto, S. (eds.)(2002). Awakening and Insight: Zen Buddhism and Psychotherapy. Hove: Brunner-Routledge.
