"Hornstein ... incorporates into his research program the understanding that Buddhist concepts are not the same as concepts by the same name used in standard Western psychology experiments, and thus, that standard experimental methods won’t necessarily get at the Buddhist claims. (This might seem obvious, but has been quite lost in the frenzy of current "empirical" research on "meditation.") ... The interviews themselves and the manner in which Hornstein extracts "essence statements" from them for his results are models of empathetic interactive research. ... They are impressive for their rapport and sensitivity. ... The discussion section is a heartfelt, beautifully written and, from the literary point of view, self contained concluding essay. ...The personal reflections are wonderful ... In all, I think it a beautifully worked out dissertation."
Eleanor Rosch, Ph.D., professor of psychology, University of California at Berkeley
Alvin Raja Hornstein, Psy.D., a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia University in mathematics, spent many years as a volunteer at the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco. He photographed the patients’ lives and his images were published nationally and internationally. The experience led to a life changing decision for him as he struggled to understand the power of being engaged in the difficult work of caring for the dying. He began to study clinical psychology and this book is his doctoral dissertation. In it he examines the nature of altruism and empathy from widely varying perspectives, ranging from neuropsychology to Zen. He lets us listen to the stories of ordinary people who are engaged in work that confronts them with a steady stream of painful losses. That work challenges their ideas about their own human substance and gives them an opportunity to show their astonishing compassion.