Rating: 
Summary: Enlightening
Review: This book takes the reader through the day to day Mind Life discussions with some of the world's most well known neurological scientists along with the Dalai Lama and some of his Buddhist associates. These mind life participants from various backgrounds all agree that destructive emotions namely anger, craving, delusion and all their offshoots are just that-destructive and we as human beings must train ourselves to become aware of the potential of these emotions so that we can truly change for the better and create peace.A major tenet of Buddhism is the belief that us humans beings can free ourselves from the grips of these destructive emotions. This books shows us that the more secular scientific approach agrees and proves that we can change. The participating scientists speak of current and future neurological experimentation, some involving yogis or those trained in meditation techniques, that prove for example that mind training such as mediation can alter the brain in ways that endure. This book further speaks to the affirmation and hope that we can change because of neuroplasticity. That is, scientific studies as referenced herein have revealed that the brain and the nervous system generate new cells in learning for example; the brain can reshape itself! This books also provides new insights for the field of psychology. I hope that this important message not only endures but continues to be acted on through training adults and children toward a better way of being that we can all reap the rewards of; I believe the future of humanity depends on this. Read this book to determine your role.
Rating: 
Summary: What about our own Judeo-Christian tradition?
Review: Upon skimming this book and reading some reviews of it, why do so many of these books on emotions have to draw only on the Eastern religions/philosophies? With all due respect to these, as well as to the various human sciences, I just wish the author of "Destructive Emotions" had drawn on some religious leaders from our own Judeo-Christian tradition -- (unless I am mistaken) why did the meeting with the Dalai Lama not include a rabbi, a Catholic priest, and a Protestant minister in addition to the Buddhists, philosophers, and experts in the human sciences? Mr. Goleman, please, enough of New Age -- let's have a modern rendition from you (and other authors in this field) of our thousands-of-years-old Judeo-Christian tradition to draw on!
Rating:
Summary: What about our own Judeo-Christian tradition?
Review: Upon skimming this book and reading some reviews of it, why do so many of these books on emotions have to draw only on the Eastern religions/philosophies? With all due respect to these, as well as to the various human sciences, I just wish the author of "Destructive Emotions" had drawn on some religious leaders from our own Judeo-Christian tradition -- (unless I am mistaken) why did the meeting with the Dalai Lama not include a rabbi, a Catholic priest, and a Protestant minister in addition to the Buddhists, philosophers, and experts in the human sciences? Mr. Goleman, please, enough of New Age -- let's have a modern rendition from you (and other authors in this field) of our thousands-of-years-old Judeo-Christian tradition to draw on!
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