This is the first book to offer Buddhist meditators a comprehensive and sympathetic examination of the differences between Asian and Western cultural and spiritual values. Harvey B. Aronson presents a constructive and practical assessment of common conflicts experienced by Westerners who look to Eastern spiritual traditions for guidance and support--and find themselves confused or disappointed. Issues addressed include: nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;*nbsp; Our cultural belief that anger should not be suppressed versus the Buddhist teaching to counter anger and hatred nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;*nbsp; Our psychotherapists' advice that attachment is the basis for healthy personal development and supportive relationships versus the Buddhist condemnation of attachments as the source of suffering nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;*nbsp; Our culture's emphasis on individuality versus the Asian emphasis on interdependence and fulfillment of duties, and the Buddhist teachings on no-self, or egolessness