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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- University of the Rockies Press has announced the release of "Existential Psychology East-West," a new book compiling insights and perspectives from scholars and rising stars from the United States and China. 

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090630/LA40253) 

The book, edited by Louis Hoffman, Mark Yang, Francis J. Kaklauskas and Albert Chan, explores the commonalities and differences of existential psychology and psychotherapy with cross cultural exchanges. It places emphasis on dialogue and mutual growth instead of merely applying existential psychology in an Eastern context. 

The idea for "Existential Psychology East-West" emerged from a trip to China in 2008 to conduct trainings in Hong Kong and mainland China. In the Introduction, the editors tell the tale of a trip to the Great Wall and how it inspired them. 

"Re-envisioning. What has kept people apart can now bring them together. What arguably is the most monumental human structure ever built is also one of the great symbols of division. But a paramount truth about symbols is that their meaning can be recreated and re-envisioned over time. While on the wall, we felt an amazing sense of unity with people we met from all over the world. Each displayed a friendliness and openness that we had rarely experienced. There is something magical, something transcendent about the wall," it states. 

The book begins with a thorough overview of existential psychology as it has been developed in the West, particularly the tradition of Rollo May and James F.T. Bugental. 

The second section of the book immerses the reader in a dialogue between East and West including many important historical and contemporary Chinese scholars. The section has chapters by leading existential scholars Kirk Schneider and Erik Craig, among others. 

The final section of the book explores a variety of myths, which are understood as being cultural specific responses to the existential givens. Drawing on Rollo May's theory in the book "The Cry For Myth," these stories provide an in depth analysis on how various cultural myths can illuminate ways individual cultures have faced the existential givens. 

"Existential Psychology East-West" includes contributions from 31 psychology experts from the United States and China. The current volume includes chapters written in English by authors from the United States; Chinese authors writing in English; and chapters written in Chinese translated to English. According to the editors, every attempt was made to balance the book's spirit with cultural and academic differences across cultures. 

Books are available at the University of the Rockies bookstore (www.rockies.edu), on Amazon.com and at other fine bookstores. 

About University of the Rockies

University of the Rockies is a graduate school specializing in psychology programs at the master's and doctoral levels at its campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, University of the Rockies also offers specialized degree programs online. San Diego-based Bridgepoint Education is the parent company of University of the Rockies, formerly known as the Colorado School of Professional Psychology. University students provide free and low-cost psychological services to the underserved through the University of the Rockies Foundation's Switzer Center. The Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organization supporting students through scholarships, assistantships and other activities. For more information, please visit www.rockies.edu or contact Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations, at 866.621.0124 x2513. 

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SOURCE: University of the Rockies

Web site: www.rockies.edu/