For years multiculturalism and diversity has been a passion of mine. As a person of privilege, I have experienced the resistance to multiculturalism and diversity in myself and others, and have become deeply interested in the process of helping people acknowledge and overcome their prejudices and racism. Part of the challenge is that there is… Read more »
“Perhaps, as we say in America, I wanted to find myself. This is an interesting phrase, not current as far as I know in the language of any other people, which certainly does not mean what it says but betrays a nagging suspicion that something has been misplaced.” –James Baldwin (Giovanni’s Room, 1956/1984) “I am… Read more »
The Girlfriend Project (2014) by Jason Dias is not your typical novel about love. Although it could be considered a romantic novel given that its focus is a love story, the plot is more existential in nature. Embedded in this unlikely love story is an exploration of the nature of love and other emotions. And… Read more »
Mark Yang delivering his keynote address. The Third International Conference on Existential Psychology was held June 13-15, 2014 in Guangzhou, China, hosted by the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. The first International Conference on Existential Psychology (ICEP) began in 2010, and continues to be offered every other year at different locations in China. As with… Read more »
Lu Xun Quick to kindle, quick to calm down, an even quick to grow decadent, men of letters [i.e., a type of scholar] can always find reasons and precedents from the classics to justify their shifts of allegiance. (Lu Xun, 1931/2003) One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil. (Nietzsche,… Read more »
Dog lovers know that picking a breed is often an important part of responsible pet ownership. It also says a lot about ourselves and can be a source of self-awareness. Choosing a pet that is a good fit is important for the family as well as for the dog. Too often, a wrong match can… Read more »
Photo by Tulane Public Relations. An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education on May 6, 2014 reported on recent research suggesting that a connection with a caring professor may be an important contributing factor to college success (Carlson, 2014). For existential psychologists, this is not surprising. There is a preponderance of evidence suggesting that… Read more »
Photo by Allan Donque. When I received my new insurance cards for our family’s vehicles, I was struck that on the back it reads, “Do not admit fault,” in bold print. In a previous employment setting, we were told to never admit a mistake due to the possibility it could create a vulnerability to being… Read more »
No more compassion for another Just one more salesman’s pitch Greener pastures still are searched. –Zagata, 2014 Death seems ever surrounded by clichés that protect the heart from experiencing the pain and grief that are needed for healing. Long ago, I discovered that most people just didn’t know what to do with hurting people, particularly… Read more »
Photo by Lisa Tancsics. In a recent email exchange with a friend, Michael Moats, I was teasing him about having a good attitude after witnessing a scary event. What began as good-natured humor also led to an important serious conversation as Michael wisely noted, “I still think there is something here to write on about… Read more »
