Robert Wright

Wright writes from an academic background. Though he was raised in the Christian tradition, today he is pursuing knowledge about Western Buddhism as well as mindfulness meditation practices in order to educate others. Overall, he seems intelligent and intellectual. Many of his friends and acquaintances are very academically oriented as well. His interview questions toward meditation teachers, monks, and psychologists are well-phrased and clearly thought out.

He is characterized in a very indirect way through his own voice in the book, and only outright describes himself one time. His own description of himself differs greatly from what is conveyed through his descriptions of other topics. He is impulsive, far from a stereotypical conception of a Buddhist or a meditator. He is easily angered at times, and acts rashly as a result. Rather than giving people the benefit of the doubt, he can often see the worst...