The work Healing Emotions: Conversations with the Dalai Lama on Mindfulness, Emotions, and Health is from the 1990 Mind and Life Conference, sponsored by the Mind and Life Institute, an organization that fosters constructive dialogue between contemplatives and scientists with the intent to alleviate human suffering. The book recounts the proceedings of the conference, including presentations by specialists of Buddhism, religious studies, psychology, neuroscience, and medicine, as well as subsequent dialogue among the contributors. Under discussion are ethical and biological models for interpreting emotions and the relationships between meditation, medicine, and emotion, directed by the question of whether the mind can heal the body.
Like the other Mind and Life publications, this work is both fascinating and frustrating. The content is tantalizing, but tangents frequently interrupt the topic under discussion. Moreover, there is little introductory information and cohesive analysis is lacking as well. Both of these critiques can be expected though, as they are typical products of a conference environment. And in exchange for depth, the work provides breadth. By exploring a plethora of views, the dialogue makes this a great topical resource on emotion in religion and science. Furthermore, the text demonstrates not only the potential, but also the reality of the medical use of meditation, as well as the important role of emotions in health. Intriguing and even inspiring, readers from diverse backgrounds will find merit in this work.
