Exploring Existential Psychology: A Journey into Asian Existentialism
Welcome to the Asian Existential blog, a platform dedicated to promoting and exploring the fascinating world of existential psychology from an Asian perspective. Led by the insightful mind of Magdalen Cheng, this blog aims to provide engaging and thought-provoking content for Asian audiences seeking to delve deeper into the realm of existentialism.
What is Existential Psychology?
Existential psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on understanding the human experience and the search for meaning and purpose in life. It delves into the fundamental questions of existence, exploring topics such as freedom, responsibility, choice, and the inevitability of death. While existential psychology is often associated with Western thinkers, it is important to recognize that Asian cultures also have their unique perspectives on these existential themes.
Asian Existentialism: Unveiling a Different Perspective
Asian cultures have a rich philosophical tradition that offers a unique lens through which to view existentialism. While Western existentialism often emphasizes individualism and the quest for personal meaning, Asian existentialism places greater emphasis on interconnectedness, harmony, and the search for meaning within the context of community and relationships.
In Asian existentialism, the concept of "no-self" or "non-self" plays a significant role. This notion challenges the Western idea of a separate and independent self, instead emphasizing the interconnectedness of all beings. It encourages individuals to find meaning and purpose in their relationships and contributions to society, rather than solely focusing on personal achievements.
Exploring Asian Existential Themes
On this blog, we delve into various Asian existential themes, shedding light on their significance and relevance in today's world. Here are a few key topics we will be exploring:
Kintsugi: Embracing Imperfections
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, highlighting the cracks and imperfections rather than hiding them. This concept symbolizes the beauty and value of embracing our flaws and scars, recognizing that they are an integral part of our journey and contribute to our uniqueness.
Wabi-Sabi: Finding Beauty in Impermanence
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic concept that appreciates the beauty of impermanence and imperfection in the world. It encourages us to find beauty in the simple, imperfect, and transient aspects of life, reminding us to embrace the ebb and flow of existence.
The Tao of Existentialism: Yin and Yang
Exploring the Taoist philosophy of yin and yang in relation to existentialism, we examine the balance between opposing forces in life. This concept invites us to embrace the contradictions and paradoxes that exist within ourselves and the world, recognizing that they are essential for growth and self-discovery.
Mono no Aware: The Pathos of Things
Mono no Aware is a Japanese term that refers to the bittersweet awareness of the impermanence of things. It captures the essence of the fleeting nature of life and the deep appreciation we can cultivate for the beauty and transience of all things.
Engaging with the Asian Existential Community
We invite you to join us on this journey of self-discovery and exploration. Our blog provides a platform for Asian audiences to engage in meaningful discussions, share personal insights, and learn from one another's experiences. We encourage you to leave comments, ask questions, and contribute to the vibrant Asian existential community we are building here.
Through our blog posts, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of existential psychology within the Asian context and empower individuals to navigate the complexities of life with greater resilience, purpose, and authenticity.
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After UCLA College of Letters where I obtained PhD is Philosophy, Psychology and Religion I got a teaching job at the University. I felt uneasy teaching. I applied for a job in the mental health field; I got many offers and within two years was running the mental health center where I worked, supervising psychologists and psychiatrists who have been in that field for many decades.
Eventually, I felt bored by the job (of been executive director...I was barely thirty two years old when I was the executive director of the largest mental health agency in the city where I lived) and quit and tried doing other things.
Nothing I tried worked out for me. So, I did other executive director jobs but eventually wound up quitting and returning to college teaching until I felt that teaching is too easy for me; I felt unchallenged being a college professor (I filled my time writing on assorted subjects that interested me).
Eventually, I realized that I have a destiny and fate. My normal routine is to read until I go to sleep (although there is a huge TV in the house, I seldom watch it) and get up around 5 AM, think for a while, and then go to my computer and type the thoughts that I just had in my sleep.