Being and Becoming: Psychodynamics, Buddhism, and the Origins of Selfhood

(Paperback)

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"Being and Becoming" is an inquiry into the nature of being and selfhood. The book outlines an integrated paradigm with the aim of creating a comprehensive overview of the human condition - and to find ways to alleviate suffering. As we undertake an inquiry into the nature of suffering, we discover that the crux of the journey naturally orients us to the nature of the conditioned self and a search for deeper meaning. In essence, it brings us to the question, 'What does it mean to be' This book initially inquires into the nature of being through the author's interpretations of Martin Heidegger and Buddhist, Taoist, and Christian concepts. In this endeavor, the book delves into the nature of being as an innate state of sentience and presence. It throws light on the development of selfhood by weaving together concepts from object relations theories, pre- and perinatal psychology, and Buddhist self-psychology.Object relations help define the structure and nature of self-systems while Buddhist psychology describes the self's moment-to-moment cycling. The works of Fairbairn and Winnicott, along with insights from Daniel Stern, are discussed within the context of Lake's pre- and perinatal psychology and Buddhist concepts. Fairbairn's object relations is central to the discussion of selfhood as he maps out territories that are both straightforward and flexible to work with. Most importantly, his work is congruent with Buddhist self-psychology. "Being And Becoming" does not attempt to convey any of these thinkers' ideas in a pure sense, but interprets and integrates their concepts in order to form a more cohesive paradigm of being and selfhood. The whole of the journey is explored within the context of Buddhist self-psychology, which holds a process-view of self that truly brings psychodynamics into the present moment of experience.

Reviews

In Being and Becoming, Franklyn Sills offers us a wonderful synthesis of Western developmental concepts and Buddhist psychology. He presents an integrated paradigm for understanding the nature and development of selfhood and the suffering involved in its dynamics. He also stresses the importance of developing a state of being, one of moment-to-moment awareness, as the key to alleviating personal and interpersonal suffering. A true guide through this multifaceted territory for clinician and layperson alike.
James low, consultant psychotherapist at Guys Hospital, London, and author of Being Right Here

Franklyn Sills is a true pioneerworking in fields that can seem so different yet just yearn to come together in intelligent and comprehensible ways: psychotherapy, Buddhism, and perinatal psychology. The result is an almost unimaginably moving synthesis that is, at the same time, usable in a down-to-earth way by clinicians from diverse backgrounds and in a variety of settings. Sills wears his immense learning lightly and is an affable and empathic guide into some difficult and mysterious areas of human experience, suffering, and joy.
Andrew Samuels, Professor of Analytical Psychology, University of Essex, U.K., Visiting Clinical Professor of Psychoanalysis, New York University, and author of The Plural Psyche: Personality, Morality and the Father

Franklyns work, drawing together the insights of Buddhism and the understanding of psychotherapy, encourages each individual to bring their spirituality into the healing process. In this book, he draws on a lineage of analysts, psychotherapists, and Buddhist masters, as well as his own years of fieldwork to provide an in-depth and pragmatic guide. His writing forms a very solid, pragmatic, and technically sound exhortation to workers in the field to develop their compassion, their mindfulness and sensitivity, rather than just see patients through the lens of a textbook.
Ajahn Sucitto, Abbot of Chithurst Monastery, Petersfield, U.K.

Sills draws on a lineage of masters from many modalities: analysts, psychotherapists, Buddhist masters, as well as from the field of perinatal psychology, and his own many years of fieldwork Sills considers therapy and the resolution of suffering as a reclamation of sorts, a return to our inherent spirituality. Based upon this experiential idea, he has constructed an in-depth and pragmatic guide for therapists wishing to develop their compassion, mindfulness, and sensitivity, and more effectively restore their clients to a sense of spiritual well-being.
Keeping in Touch, The United States Association for Body Psychotherapy

Author Bio

Franklyn Sills is the co-Director of the Karuna Institute, which offers am MA in Core Process Psychotherapy, a form of therapy work that integrates Western developmental concepts with Buddhist psychology and practice. He teaches on both the Craniosacral and Core Process Psychotherapy trainings offered by the Institute. Franklyn's background includes psychodynamic and humanistic therapies and bodywork forms such as Polarity Therapy and Craniosacral Biodynamics. He has been a formative influence in the craniosacral therapy field, being one of the pioneers in a biodynamic approach. Franklyn also has a background in orthodox sciences and medical research. He was a Buddhist monk for a period of time in the 1970s and considers Buddhist teachings the foundation of his approach. He lives in Devon, England, with his family.