Facebuddha: My first review - and a Q and A! Here's what Tamlyn Tomita has to say!

 
From: "Ravi Chandra, M.D., Psychiatrist and Writer" <hello@PROTECTED>
Date: November 29th 2017

Dear friend,

My first print review is in! 

Clinical Psychiatry News: Facebuddha Analyzes Psychology of Social Media Through a Buddhist Lens

Facebuddha "is a concise introduction to Buddhism, and a forceful exposition on the power and danger of social networking – deftly interwoven with a moving account of the author’s personal life and professional growth as well as his arduous quest for identity...Dr. Chandra’s book is an endearing chronicle of a remarkable personal journey. Readers will appreciate the opportunity to witness glimpses of this journey and may reasonably expect that such explorations will continue, leading to new vistas that are not only fascinating to behold but also relevant to the practice of our profession."

ICYMI, Hyphen Magazine's Abigail Licad did a profile of me and the book recently!

Facebuddha: Transcendence in the Age of Social Networks is available through all these retailers:

Purchase book!!
Amazon Kindle ebook and Hardcover
iBooks
Nook
Kobo
Barnes and Noble Hardcover
IndieBound

In addition, as a holiday present, I'm happy to give up to 20 newsletter subscribers a free download code for the iBooks (Mac and iPhone/iPad) version of Facebuddha, in reasonable expectation of a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Just reply to this email and request your iBook in your email.

If you've already purchased and read the book, I would greatly appreciate your helping create buzz with your reviews and word of mouth :) THANK YOU!

Here's a Q and A from my press packet! And blurbs from Tamlyn Tomita and others!

Four questions with Ravi Chandra

Q: Why did you write this book?

A: In 2012, I found myself spending significant time on social media. Nearly every conversation I had touched on Facebook in some way. There were positive experiences, particularly around the season of Linsanity, and giving Asian Americans and other minorities a sense of community and voice. However, I emerged from my time on social media rather disoriented and amibivalent. Where did the time go? As I observed myself and talked to others, I found that all-too often, our small, petty egos were activated – with envy and anger for example. I started reading the psychological literature on social media, and deepened my own meditative practice. I began to feel strongly that there was a story here – of how we can get bogged down in superficial ways of relating if we passively conform to the siren song of social media. This can take us from our fullest human development and the capacity to truly be at peace and present with others. We needed to develop wisdom. So I wrote Facebuddha as part of my quest for wisdom, compassion and transcendence.

Q: What is transcendence?

A: I use transcendence synonymously with enlightenment, or the extinction of self-centered delusion, hatred and greed, and the cultivation of interdependence, selflessness and compassion. Abraham Maslow’s work on his hierarchy of needs is well-known. He proposed that human development reached its pinnacle in “self-actualization.” In his later work, though, he recognized that human development continues into transcendence of the self. I also think that transcendence at this political moment requires surpassing our tribal identities, reactivities and power structures with empathy, compassion and a truly inclusive way of being in the world.

Q: Is social media good or bad?

A: It’s not a question of good or bad, it’s good AND bad. Each individual has to do their own cost/benefit analysis to determine how they wish to spend their time and their “precious human birth,” as the Buddhists put it. Facebuddha is a comprehensive treatise on what happens to us online. “This is your brain; this is your brain on social media.” You decide which you prefer.

Q: What was your spiritual transformation?

A: You’ll have to read the book! But in short, my deepening awareness of my mental processes (particularly enhanced by my attention to my mind in the bardo of social media) crystallized into an experience of interdependence. My reactive mind was dramatically transformed, and a greater peace ensued. I think I’ve learned lessons that can help others transform their own reactivity and suffering. Facebuddha is my first attempt to help others with my analysis and example.

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