“At a time
when we face so much personal, collective and planetary loss and suffering,
this book comes as a timely and welcome support, a reminder of how by staying
present with our grief and pain we might find ways through to healing … Present
with Suffering is truly a gift for our troubled times.” Linda Hartley,
author of Somatic Psychology: Body, Mind and Meaning
“An absorbing exploration reconciling the human experience
of suffering with the spiritual insights of meditative practice. Seen through
the lenses of Buddhism and psychotherapy, the authors explain that within the
bleakness of loss arises the possibility that pain and grief can be transformed
into something new, more bearable and ultimately liberating.” Dr Sarah
Eagger MB,BS, FRCPsych, Chair of the Janki foundation for Spirituality in
Healthcare and former Consultant Psychiatrist at Imperial College London
“A thought-provoking meditation for everyone of being in the
world, living in impermanence, emptiness and wholeness, and in harmony, with
the help of Buddhist teachings. An invite for each of us to look at the
essentials of what it means to be human. Present with Suffering teaches
us to sit back in ‘our observing awareness,’ suggests how to ‘fill the gap of
emptiness,’ and most of all, asks us to keep in mind the ‘not necessarily so’.”
Marie-Anne Bernardy-Arbuz,
clinical psychologist and CAT psychotherapist, Paris.
“Wellings
and Wilde McCormick provide contrasting yet complementary voices on this
important topic. The seeming natural impulse can be to turn away from
suffering, that it’s all too much. Within these pages we are invited to not
just turn towards and be with suffering in all its guises, but also to lean on
ancient Buddhist practices in so doing. These practices allow for an intimate
communion with the body-felt sense of pain beyond story, and ultimately, the
dissolution of this pain in the basic goodness at the core.” Dr Andy Harkin,
medical doctor and psychotherapist
“This important book offers a heartfelt exploration into
human suffering. By drawing on their personal experience of living and working
with suffering, the authors offer a critical orientation of wisdom and hope for
those navigating through the painful turbulences of loss, grief and
trauma.” Margaret Landale MSc, psychotherapist, supervisor and speaker
“The question the authors pose is: How can we be with the
things that hurt? Their answer is: through awareness, acceptance, kindness and
compassion – the components of wisdom. By exploring bereavement through
embodiment and narrative (McCormick), and offering an explanation of emptiness
that is unusually faithful to both Buddhist and therapeutic understandings
(Wellings), together they have produced a short book resonant with awareness,
kindness, compassion and wisdom.” Gay Watson, Ph.D., author of A
Philosophy of Emptiness and Attention Beyond Mindfulness
