The Misleading Mind: How We Create Our Own Problems and How Buddhist Psychology Can Help Us Solve Them

From a Buddhist perspective, the author offers a misleadingly simple approach to problem-solving, in that problems don't really exist until we make them. And I say that it's misleadingly simple because of how we have been wired to think and feel towards ourselves and others and how individualism is nowadays considered the path to success. And it's causing us no end of trouble.In a nutshell, this book teaches you to not be so self-centered but rather self-assuming and self-aware, to think outside of yourself and to deconstruct your thoughts and emotions when you are caught up in any disturbing emotion. Other people will never stop giving us trouble but we always have the choice to respond and react. Most often than not, we make things worse by getting angry or distressed or frustrated.It's an eye-opener and, if you've ever had the chance to really look into yourself and realize that you feel uncomfortable with any of your reactions, then you're one step ahead of a lot of people.Two words stuck with me the most: informed awareness. Ignorance has never been bliss

Reading The Misleading Mind has benefitted me a lot. As a student and practitioner of Buddhism I have waded through many a Sutra and attended many teachings. They can be difficult to grasp partly because they were written long ago, for an audience very different than the 21st century in the West. The Misleading Mind does a great job of bridging that gap. It interprets the 2500 year old Buddhist psychology and mind training with modern terminology and examples from the author's life and psychotherapy practice. I found the examples very easy to relate to and understand. The most important part is the Mind Training exercises at the end of each chapter. I have started doing the exercises. I know that, just like going to the gym, if I am consistent and frequent and use the good technique put forth in the book, I will make a big, positive, impact on my life and the lives of those around me. It deepened my understanding of Buddhist psychology and gave me some great exercises' to train my mind. I highly recommend it to those new to Buddhist thought and long time practitioners too.

Amazing to find an author that sets such a coherent structure, fully anchored in the buddhist philosophy but still in such simple language, on how to use the various tools of mind training in everyday life. Karuna's book gives so many techniques to not just calm the mind but also transform the mind to seeing every situation in a constructive light. It provides so many ways in which it is possible to continue practising the buddhist teachings even off the cushion. It has opened up a world of possibilities in my mind, making me more curious to investigate and understand the workings of my own mind rather than feel fear and apprehension. The techniques are not a feel-good-balm but open the door for a much deeper transformation of the mind towards genuine happiness. I highly recommend this book to buddhists and non-buddhists alike.

I found this book to be extremely readable. Being familiar with Western psychology did not preclude me from finding the book to be easy to follow and very understandable. It has been written as though Cayton is speaking to you and anticipating your questions before you ask them. Followng the simple exercises he has laid out at the end of each chapter - one building on the next - does not feel intimidating but rather a challenge you are looking forward to putting to practice. I appreciated the author's unembarrassing usage of his own daily struggles and how he too has to continue to work on those areas in his life. I have already found my awareness has increased regarding my reaction to daily life and working on puting Cayton's suggestions into practice. I highly reccommend this book to anyone that is interested in living a calmer, happier and well balanced life.

What I liked most about The Misleading Mind is how Mr. Cayton distilled Buddhist psychology into practical language. The book is helpful for anyone who wants to better understand why they are unhappy and how to identify with how to change their thoughts for a more fulfilling life. I have read many "self help" books that profess to "change" you life; none of these books do so for many reasons. I believe that The Misleading Mind delivers a real life, practical roadmap for understanding your emotions and how to effectively deal with them. This book really can bring awareness and change to your life-provided that you are willing to practice and make the positive changes.

It’s too wordy. What is written in two pages could be summarized in two sentences. Haven’t been able to get through the entire book because it’s just a lot of unnecessary chatter.

This book arrived on time and exactly as described. I'm very appreciative of the care taken by the book store in their offering.

After a lifetime reading and trying to practice Buddhist teachings with limited success, I read Karuna Cayton's enlightening book. What a breakthrough! There is nothing strikingly new here, but for some reason the ideas and techniques he presents struck a very responsive chord and opened up a new chapter in my life. Perhaps it was because I have been living in Nepal where the author first started his own spiritual quest.I cannot praise this book highly enough - I hope that it brings others as much understanding and relief as it has brought me. I'm rereading it now and plan to use it as a spiritual guide for many years to come.

an excellent book with many examples to clarify exaclty what he is saying . some short meditations which are helpful - a very good book for all levels and types of meditators and non meditators - it is a book for life about life

A great pity the style of writing is not as good as the message. Written in that dreadful, chatty style which many north American authors affect, it makes for a frustrating read. Clearly the author doesn't realise that written English is a writer-responsible language. He would do well to emulate the writing style of some other Americans such as Sam Harris whose writing only enhances their message.

I am not a Buddhist, and I found that this book was absolutely impressive in taking my growth to another level. I have recommended (and supplied) this book to friends, colleagues and clients, and will be looking for more of Cayton's work as well.

This book is a great introduction to Buddhist thought and how it can assuage the distress and confusion in our Western mindset.