Existential Psychology and the Way of the Tao : Meditations on the Writings of Zhuangzi

In ancient China, a revered Taoist sage named Zhuangzi told many parables. In Existential Psychology and the Way of the Tao, a selection of these parables will be featured. Following each parables, an eminent existential psychologist will share a personal and scholarly reflection on the meaning and relevance of the parable for psychotherapy and contemporary life. The major tenets of Zhuangzi's philosophy are featured. Taoist concepts of emptiness, stillness, Wu Wei (i.e. intentional non-intentionality), epistemology, dreams and the nature of reality, character building in the midst of pain, meaning and the centrality of relationships, authenticity, self-care, and the freedom that can come from one's willingness to confront death, spiritual freedom and gradations of therapeutic care are topics highlighted in this book Cover Title Copyright CONTENTS Foreword List of Contributors Preface Acknowledgments Overview of the Book PART I Emptiness, Stillness, and Wu Wei 1 The Useless Tree and the Empty Gourd 2 Wu Wei (無爲/无为) 3 Steadiness in the Midst of Chaos PART II Knowledge and Epistemology 4 Humanity’s Search for Meaning in Existence: A Taoist Epistemology 5 Knowledge and Psychotherapy: Lessons from Zhuangzi’s Parable “When Knowledge Went North” PART III Miscellaneous Chapters 6 On the Power of Butterflies: Dreaming, Waking, and the Therapeutic Potential of Nocturnal Beings 7 Master Hui’s Grave: To Sharpen Your Character, Rub It up against Something Abrasive 8 Releasing the Jade, Grasping Meaning 9 Dragging My Tail in the Mud: Personal Reflections on Authenticity 10 Plough Deeply: Cultivating Authentic Living 11 Usefulness of Uselessness: Freedom before Death PART IV Autumn Floods 12 Along the Way to Spiritual Freedom: From Rivers to Seas and Heaven to Tao 13 The Enlightenment of Autumn Floods 14 Can You Tell a Dragon Fly about Ice? Implications of Zhuangzi’s “Relative Gradations” for Therapeutic Care Index Edited By Mark C. Yang, Psyd. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.