Existential Psychology and the Way of the Tao

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 parable, 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, 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.

Mark C. Yang, a licensed clinical psychologist, is co-editor of Existential Psychology East-West Vol. 1 (2009) and has published professional articles on the practice and training of humanistic and existential psychologists in international settings. Dr. Yang is co-founder and director of the International Institute of Existential-Humanistic Psychology, whose mission is to promote humanistic-existential psychology and provide clinical training to mental health professionals in Asia. He is an adjunct professor at Saybrook University in San Francisco.