Emotional Awareness
Emotional Awareness by the Dalai Lama & Paul Ekman, PhD
What This Is 🤔
A unique dialogue between the Dalai Lama and psychologist Paul Ekman exploring the nature of emotions, emotional awareness, and how humans can cultivate greater balance and compassion. The book blends contemplative wisdom with modern psychological science.
What It’s For 🎯
This book helps readers:
Better understand their emotional lives
Recognize the roots of destructive emotional patterns
Develop greater emotional self-awareness and regulation
Cultivate compassion without bypassing difficulty
Bridge scientific and contemplative perspectives on emotion
It is especially relevant for leaders, educators, coaches, and anyone working closely with people.
What You’ll Find Inside 🧰
The book weaves together:
Conversations between the Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman
Psychological insights into emotions such as anger, fear, shame, and compassion
Reflections on emotional triggers and mental habits
Practical ideas for increasing emotional awareness and balance
A respectful integration of science, philosophy, and lived experience
Rather than offering a step-by-step method, the book invites reflection and ongoing inner inquiry.
How to Use It 🧭
This book works well as:
A reflective companion alongside leadership or personal development work
Background reading for courses on self-awareness, empathy, or emotional intelligence
A shared reference in coaching, facilitation, or dialogue-based learning
A slow, contemplative read rather than a productivity manual
Many readers return to specific passages over time as their awareness deepens.
Key Takeaways 💡
Emotional awareness is a skill that can be cultivated
Suppressing emotions is different from understanding them
Compassion grows from clarity, not avoidance
Inner work and outer behavior are deeply connected
Psychological balance is foundational to ethical action
Pro Tips 🧠
Read slowly — this is not a book to rush
Notice your own emotional reactions while reading
Use passages as prompts for journaling or reflection
Pair the reading with real-life observation of emotions in action