Rishi Sativihari

UNLEARNING THE BASICS is a non-sectarian philosophical introduction to Buddhist thought and practice. The fundamentals of Buddhadharma are explored in their original contexts and in conversation with both psychoanalytic developmental theory and existential-phenomenological thought on finitude and ‘authentic’ ways of living. That being said, this is not a book ‘for scholar’s only’. Its writing is accessible to any educated persons with an interest in the subject. ⮕ MU SOENG (review) “An exciting read. Sativihari's book is in many ways a model for how the teachings of the Buddha could and should be talked about in a psychologically mature and sophisticated environment and offers his own innovative insights into what the Buddha was trying to convey in his explication of the four noble truths. This is an important book and I hope it gets the wide audience it deserves. It adds much to the current discourses and also brings us much closer to a more nuanced understanding of the Buddha's own thought processes.” — Mu Soeng Scholar in Residence, Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies Author of “Trust in Mind: The Rebellion of Chinese Zen” ⮕ MARK KINGWELL (review) "An exhilarating and lucid introduction to Buddhist thought. Sativihari begins with a sophisticated reading of the Four Noble Truths as a sacred poem and ends with a plea for more compassionate culture and politics. In between there is wisdom spiked on every page.” — Mark Kingwell Professor of Philosophy, University of Toronto Author of “The World We Want“ ⮕ GILLES MONGEAU (review) “As a practitioner trained in Christian forms of meditation, I am deeply grateful for Rishi Sativihari's achievement in ‘Unlearning The Basics.’ His translation of Buddhist wisdom into Western language and images is practical and concrete. Often, attempts to help Westerners understand Buddhism rely too heavily on idealist philosophies, leading to a kind of mystification of the four noble truths. Because Dr. Sativihari appeals consistently to experience and is sophisticated in his understanding of Western philosophy and theology, he can present the four noble truths with profound spiritual realism. The work is very reader-friendly, showing the fruits of extensive reflection on pedagogical practice. There is genuine spiritual maturity at work in this text.” — Gilles Mongeau, S.J. Professor of Theology, University of Toronto, Regis College Author of ‘Embracing Wisdom: The Summa theologiae as Spiritual Pedagogy”