Way Beyond Happiness - by Sandra Woien (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

As well as explaining the origins of Buddhism, Stoicism, and psychotherapy, Way Beyond Happiness gives us contrasting perspectives, from a diverse team of writers, on some of the controversial issues that arise.

● Can therapy or religion overcome the "meaning crisis" of modern life?

● Would a perfectly wise person be immune to grief?

● What's the downside of optimism about future outcomes?

● Do Stoicism or Buddhism encourage a cold, unfeeling absence of emotion?

● Are psychedelic drugs effective aids to spiritual awareness?

● What are the vital disagreements between Buddhism and Stoicism?

In an age of furious digital agitation, vacuous hype, and angry controversies over rapidly changing ideological quarrels, two ancient philosophies of calm, reason, self-control, and moderation have each made spectacular comebacks.

Buddhism and Stoicism are everywhere in popular discussions of success and peace of mind, from sports to business, from workplace conflicts to relationship counseling--in bestselling books, viral podcasts, and booming wellness retreats.

Even more remarkable, the dominant fashion in psychotherapy, the cognitive-behavioral approach which has replaced discredited Freudian-style psychoanalysis, was created by pioneers like Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, who from the get-go drew upon both Stoic and Buddhist sources.
At the same time, there's now an enormous surge within academic philosophy, to rediscover philosophy's traditional function as a Guide to Life, rather than a mere fascination with intellectual puzzles, and here again, the most important sources lie in Buddhism and Stoicism.

Review Quotes

"Why do some philosophies survive across the ages? This collection of essays on the perennial attractions of Stoicism and Buddhism, ably edited by philosopher Sandra Woien, will stimulate your reflection--and self-reflection--on fundamental realities and values."

--Stephen. R.C. Hicks, author of Explaining Postmodernism (2004)

"Our society is currently suffering from a mental health crisis that modern medicine seems incapable of healing and may be exacerbating. Taking early Buddhist and Stoic texts as their starting point, the authors of this provocative book offer a fascinating solution. Rather than allowing things beyond our control to disturb our peace of mind, we can control our reactions to them by structured meditation and rational thought."

--MARTY SULEK, PhD, Editor of Philanthropia, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Philanthropy at LCC International University

"Way Beyond Happiness will be especially valuable for readers familiar with either Stoicism or Buddhism who want to explore the other tradition more deeply. It combines clear writing with thoughtful analysis, showing how these traditions can complement modern psychotherapy and support the development of wisdom, resilience, and ethical living."

--TIM LEBON, author of 365 Ways to Be More Stoic (2022) and Achieve Your Potential with Positive Psychology (2014)

"This book will be, for many, a portal into endless wonderful possibilities."

--RAY SCOTT PERCIVAL, author of The Myth of the Closed Mind (2012)

"If you value resilience, inner peace, mental health, and ethical living, this exciting anthology convincingly embraces timeless Stoic and Buddhist principles. Find mastery with modern updates on everything from good grief and small habits to digital calm!"

--NANDO PELUSI, PhD, Contributing Editor, Psychology Today, Co-Founder, Applied Evolutionary Psychology Society

"Drawing upon ancient and modern wisdom from Epictetus to Albert Ellis, this is one of those rare books with life-changing potential. Even to readers already familiar with the elements of Stoicism, Buddhism, and psychotherapy, Way Beyond Happiness offers unexpected treats."

--MICHAEL R. EDELSTEIN, PhD, co-author of Three Minute Therapy: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life (1997, 2019), and Therapy Breakthrough: Why Some Psychotherapies Work Better than Others (2013)

"Way Beyond Happiness is philosophically serious without being inaccessible, covering terrain from the Stoic healthy emotions and the Buddhist Eightfold Path to cognitive behavioral and acceptance therapies. What the contributors share is the conviction that philosophy is first and foremost a practice, not a set of doctrines. Anyone interested in the genuine intellectual roots of today's therapeutic culture will find much to engage with here."

--MASSIMO PIGLIUCCI, author of How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (2018)