Author: Radhule Weininger, MD, PhD

Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN:  978-1-6118--8230

 

Doctor Weininger, theauthor of Heart Medicine, is an MD, clinical psychologist, and educator of Buddhist meditation.
She was educated in Germany before migrating to the USA. While in Sri Lanka, she began to meditate and studied under some true masters of meditation.
Dr. Weininger founded a not-for-profit called Mindful Heart in Santa Barbara, California, where she teaches mindfulness and compassion.
She teaches internationally. Weininger wrote another book in 2017 called Heartwork: The Path of Self-Compassion.
She resides in Santa Barbara with her husband, children, rescue dog, and cat.

Many people suffer from what Doctor Weininger says are "…long-standing, recurrent, painful patterns of hurt." (2022, Introduction) To which she adds, "A LRPP or long-standing, recurrent, painful patterns of hurt can manifest unexpectedly, carrying the intensity of all the times it has played out in the past." (p.3). "These emotions, when ignored or left unrecognized, cannot completely dissolve, leaving behind an energy field of suffering residue.

These unresolved emotions then color and take over our thoughts…". (p.8). "Larger injuries and upsetting experiences from wars, environmental catastrophes, and many other intense events can be so impactful that they leave a person deeply traumatized…".( p.21)" Rumination – or papancha, as it is called in Buddhist psychology – is the experience of chewing on thoughts and feelings in a way that keeps us stuck and paralyzed. We dwell on and even amplify the upsetting aspects of a situation…". (p.25). What can one do about this?

Weininger suggests that therapists walk their patients through what she calls "meta-awareness." Meta-awareness helps the person who has experienced trauma to view their stress responses to trauma in the present. "…we realize how the world relates to us, and we to it." (2022, p.35) By coming to this point, we can understand the world as it unfurls past our experiences. "…we can make better choices that transcend our small, self-preoccupied self."

 "It is easy to feel disheartened when confronted repeatedly with ancient, familiar challenges. We can feel entangled in our tedious and seemingly calcified habits. "(2022, p.51). "Destructive patterns will repeat themselves over and over again until we resolve to look inward with keen and curious self-awareness and courageous honesty." (p.51-52)

This book has many case studies to draw strength upon. By sharing experiences, we can learn to view the world through other lenses besides our own hurt and pain.

We can begin to understand that we are not alone and that this journey does not have to be done alone. There are qualified people who are skilled in assisting us in wading through our trauma and coming out whole when we are done. I enjoyed this book and believe you will too.