Ulteriori informazioni
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.
Info autore
David Y. F. Ho has held professorial appointments in psychology and cultural studies in Asia and North America. He has authored numerous contributions in psychology, psychiatry, sociology, and education; and was the first Asian to have served as President of the International Council of Psychologists.
Relazione
This extraordinary book, written by an extraordinary person, transforms the reader into a new and more dignified person. It shows how the forces of madness may be harnessed to serve creative purposes. Ho is a brilliant storyteller who entertains the reader with adventurous tales of his life as a spiritual journey. He is also a dialectical thinker who has succeeded in linking insights derived from his personal self-study with the science of mental illness versus health in diverse cultures. -Evelin G. Lindner, Founding President, Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies
