Compassion: The Core Value That Animates Psychotherapy

Rating:
Summary: The "intelligent pursuit of kindness"
Review: Lewin's thesis is elegantly simple, far-reaching, and possibly inarguable: therapists have enormous potential to heal (and conversely, to destroy) and so must attend to the hard work of compassion, a "passion" which "depends upon being able to keep in mind an image of possible ways of being whole while meeting parts," and "is not about guilt but rather about self-examination and self-animation." Lewin defines it lucidly, variously and fully; his examples are well-chosen, thoughtfully presented, and interesting. He's obviously thought about this for years, and developed an embracing yet flexible stance. A polite rant against "our current infatuation with science and technology" seemed misplaced, though he included it in order to lobby for increased respect for nature. He's also opposed to pharmacological 'fixes' in favor of the obvious - though unaffordable for many - benefits of good long-term psychotherapy. He skewers brief therapies - convinvingly. Essays on evil, and contemporary problems such as homelessness and drugs' misuse are included. A humane and challenging approach; it requires of therapists soul-searching effort and personal transformation.