Laozi’s Classic of Virtue and the Dao for the 21st Century: A Psychology Study

Politics & Social Sciences

Ho, David y F

Philosophy

Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers

Written by a professor of clinical psychology, this book is accessible to thoughtful readers interested in the relation between spirituality and mental disorders. It comprises two main parts: The first part tells the story of how a psychologist-cum-patient performs a self-study of "madness" in great detail. It belongs to the long tradition of ideographic studies that attend to the uniqueness of each individual. The author says: "During episodes, manic symptoms are manifest. Yet, I become more colorful, sensitive, generous, and loving. I see beauty everywhere and delight in the simple things of life. I glimpse into mystical magnanimity. All these inform me that my quest for spirituality is wedded to madness. Now, I can bear testimony that on balance the creative energy of madness may enrich rather than damage one's life. It is possible to retain a measure of madness in dignified living and of dignity even in a state of madness." Adhering to the nomothetic tradition of knowledge generation, the second part gives extensive coverage to various aspects of mental disorders from a scientific perspective, including the ethical, political, and sociocultural contexts in which mental disorders occur. It resolves apparent contradictions between dualities, such as normality and abnormality, individualism and collectivism, and Eastern and Western values. In the end, the reader may learn that it is possible to harness the creative energy of madness to enrich one's spiritual life--a topic that can hardly be found in psychiatric texts.

Fire Burning in My Head: A Psychologist’s Self-Study Reveals How Madness May Enrich Your Life in Diverse Cultures

Biographies & Memoirs

Community & Culture

Of what use is psychology if it does not help to solve the pressing problems of the day at the individual and collective levels? This is no less a pointed question to the reader as it is to the author that sets the stage for an adventurous sharing of ideas. The author shies away from providing ready-made answers but spares no effort in stirring the reader to ponder questions about human nature and behavior. Soon, the reader will react with the exclamation, "Ah, this book is about me, useful to my life!" In this way, the book serves to bridge the gap between academia and the general public. As the reader may well expect, bold assertions may be found throughout this volume. For instance, Piaget's stage of formal operations does not represent the final or highest level of cognitive development; rather, dialectical thinking is the apex of human cognition. Viewpoints may be controversial, such as cautioning against importing Confucian education into America; the possibility that madness may enrich your life; raising the question if Trump is immoral, mentally deranged, or both. The present offering is at once audacious and provocative: Having raised the question about the abysmal status of psychology, the author feels compelled to take on the challenge of rewriting an academic discipline. The reader is invited to consider new visions for psychology's future development, both scientific and practical. Fresh materials or distinctive features seldom found elsewhere are presented: the author's "secret thoughts" and self-revelations; a discussion on the birth of evil and reinterpretation of the fall of humankind. All these expand the traditional boundaries of psychology and bring it closer to be a science relevant to the human condition.

Rewriting Psychology: An Abysmal Science?

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Psychology & Counseling

Brown Walker Press (FL)

This volume is addressed to scholars as well as a popular audience, aimed to bridge the gap between academia and the general public. It deals with "who we are," concerning our sense of self and identity; and "how we live," concerning our ways of life in diverse cultures. It affirms that we may transcend our cultural-ethnic roots and redefine our identities, individual or collective. Transcendence opens the door not only to personal transformation but also to confront ethnic stereotypes and prejudices. Readers will gain fresh cultural knowledge from both the East and the West and be attuned to the theme of letting no ethnic group be alien to us. This book is at once about the immersion of life in culture and the remaking of culture by human action--reciprocal influence at work. The idea of immersion underscores the powerful cultural forces that shape our perceptions, thinking, and emotions. Unlike other cultural psychology texts, this volume dwells on the accelerating alterations of culture by human action, and hence the remaking of our own being, in the age of the Internet. In the author's own words: "I write with the passion of a person who has lived life from being marginal, neither Eastern nor Western, to being a world citizen; turned to English like a duck to the water, thus circumventing my handicap of Chinese orthographic dyslexia. I have two cultural parents, one Chinese and one Western, who transformed me into a thoroughly bilingual-bicultural person, empowered to build intercultural bridges. The East is rising, and the West can ill-afford to remain ignorant of the East."

Rewriting Cultural Psychology: Transcend Your Ethnic Roots and Redefine Your Identity

Social Sciences

"Enlightened or Mad? A Psychologist Glimpses into Mystical Magnanimity", tells the story of the author's life as a journey of spiritual discoveries in the East and the West. This is a journey in quest of an integrated identity, sense of self-mastery, and new directions to lead a good life - in short, spiritual fulfillment. Spirituality then provides the unifying theme and context to interpret experiences, normal and abnormal, in China and the United States. Spirituality derives creative energy from madness to reach new heights; madness receives the healing, calming effects of spirituality to become benign. Wedded to ecumenicity, spirituality dissolves ethnic or cultural boundaries, fosters universal love, and promotes world citizenship.

Enlightened or Mad? A Psychologist Glimpses into Mystical Magnanimity

Mental Health

Dignity Press

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