Can a Psychic Medium Improve Your Life? Wrestling With the Balance Between Open-Mindedness and Skepticism

In this deeply personal inquiry, Dr. Mark Epstein reflects on a year's worth of selected therapy sessions to illustrate how his training in Western psychotherapy and his long investigation into Buddhism have influenced his work. He discusses how the divisions between the psychological, emotional, and spiritual are not as distinct as one might think. Epstein emphasizes how Western therapy can be considered a two-person meditation and how mindfulness can 'hold' awareness, creating conditions for inner peace. The book highlights the therapy relationship as a spiritual friendship and reveals how a therapist can help patients realize there is something magical and trustworthy running through their lives, even in difficult times.

In 'Signs', Laura Lynne Jackson shares stories of people who have experienced uncanny revelations and instances of unexplained synchronicity, including her own experiences. The book teaches readers how to discern and understand the myriad spiritual signs in their lives, helping them find meaning and see light in the darkness. It encourages readers to see beyond themselves to a more magnificent universal design and to make decisions based on love rather than fear.

In this book, Mark Epstein argues that happiness does not come from material or psychological acquisitiveness but from letting go. He weaves together the wisdom of Buddhism and Western psychotherapy to illustrate how balancing the ego's need to do with our inherent capacity to be is crucial for achieving happiness. Epstein encourages readers to relax the ever-vigilant mind and relinquish control to experience freedom and a more peaceful, spiritually satisfying life. The book draws on events from his own life and stories from his patients to teach the importance of self-acceptance and the benefits of meditation in achieving this balance.

In '10% Happier,' Dan Harris shares his personal journey of discovering the benefits of meditation. Initially a skeptic, Harris, a news anchor, found himself on a path of self-discovery after a nationally televised panic attack. He delves into the world of spirituality and self-help, encountering various figures including brain scientists, CEOs, and spiritual leaders. The book explores how meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being without compromising one's ambition or edge. Harris emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in making one more resilient and better equipped to handle life's challenges, though it does not eliminate problems entirely.