Opening Yourself
The psychology and yoga of self-liberation
Calm the mind and tune into your inner sense
Deepen authentic presence and see through self-illusions
Open yourself to the natural ease and wonderment of being
The human predicament is such that we continually strive to fill an inner sense of wanting that afflicts us throughout our lives. The recurring sense of inner discontent arises as the desire for something less (bad) or more (enjoyable) than what is happening just now!
We repeatedly find ourself at odds with others, the world, and most painfully of all, with ourself. All our efforts to get to a better there and then always fail sooner or later, for the simple reason that we can only ever be here and now. Buddhist and radical Existential psychology see through this dilemma. They each recognize there is an essential wholeness to human being that is lost to everyday consciousness.
The first part of this book presents how, in the course of normal human development, consciousness divides. In early childhood, a separate sense of self congeals as we construe ourself as a being apart from being as such. However, the self we identify as, and constantly strive to fulfill, promote and defend, is nothing but a chimera, a self-construct no more real than an image in a mirror. Ironically, it is the pain of this basic separation that gives rise to the lifelong longing for wholeness. Respecting the existential intelligence of our discontent, it becomes possible to reclaim awareness from being lost in its own projections, and tune-in to the undivided presence that allows this to happen.
Respecting this dizzying truth, the book’s second part presents a contemplative yoga approach to free ourself from self-illusions. This integrates the skilful means of experience-near therapy, Buddhist meditation and the nondual wisdom of Dzogchen – the highest Tibetan yoga – in the service of opening ourself to the fluid, luminous nature of who we truly are rather than who we merely think we are.
In the service of broadening the range of psychological inquiry and deepening the reach of spiritual realization, this book offers a practical guide for therapists and therapy clients, Dharma teachers and truth seekers. It proceeds by tuning in to innate intelligence, in order to see through self-fabrications to the unfettered freedom, ease and ecstatic lucency of being as such.
Endorsements
Nigel Welling
In this rich and readable book Ken Bradford shares insights from a life-time of professional and personal experience. These he skilfully weaves together, showing us the unimaginable immanence of the brightly shining, awakened mind that is the secret nature of our troubled, self-laden preoccupations and conflicts. A wonderfully comprehensive guide book and a lot more for therapists who practice from within a Contemplative/Buddhist perspective.
Nigel Welling
Psychoanalyst and author of Dzogchen: Who’s Who and What’s What in the Great PerfectionNe
Tara Brach
Opening Yourself invites a reimagining of Western psychotherapy through the lens of Eastern contemplative wisdom. With insight and clarity, Ken Bradford guides us toward inhabiting our energetic forms and resting in the vast, formless stillness that is our true home.
Tara Brach, PhD
Author of Radical Acceptance & Trusting the Gold
John J. Prendergast, PhD
Reading Opening Yourself is like sitting in on an informal, high-octane dialogue between the existential/humanistic psychologist, James Bugental, who was Bradford’s mentor, and the Buddha. Be prepared for an exhilarating ride – clear-eyed, good-humored, earthy, erudite, provocative, and illuminating. The writing is deft, pithy, and often surprising. The synthesis of experience-near psychotherapy, Existential philosophy and Dzogchen honed by years of teaching both, and seasoned by Bradford’s own psychological and spiritual maturity, is profound. If you are open to being opened, this book will take you far … into being right where you are. A real gem.
John J. Prendergast, PhD
Author of The Deep Heart and In Touch
Ernesto Spinelli
Taking human awakening as its goal, Ken Bradford provides a startling and always erudite exploration of existence. Guiding readers towards shifting their awareness from what Heidegger called 'calculative thinking' to that of 'meditative thinking'. Chock-full of ideas, practical exercises, and revealing vignettes drawn from Bradford's meetings with clients as well as his own life experiences, Opening Yourself expertly challenges conventional perspectives of therapy. It is, without doubt, a book to return to and re-discover many, many times.
Ernesto Spinelli, PhD
Existential therapist and author of Practising Existential Therapy: The relational world
Kirk Schneider
Opening Yourself is a powerful, intimate, trail-blazing book containing a vivid tapestry of evocative reflections, meditations, and demonstrations that cannot be underestimated. Ken Bradford is the Buddhist scholar of existential-humanistic psychology.
Kirk Schneider, PhD
Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy, Awakening to Awe, The Depolarizing of America
Michael Katz
Like a Zen Master placing stones across a rushing stream Dr. Ken Bradford draws upon his great expertise in existential psychology to lead us from the divided self to the shore of authentic presence.
Michael Katz, PsyD
Tibet Dream Yoga: The Royal Road to Enlightenment
