Abstract
This article is adapted from my opening keynote address to the First International Existential Psychology Conference in Nanjing, China on April 2nd, 2010. The article begins with an overview of the history and current trends within Western (and to some extent Eastern) existential psychology. Existential–integrative psychology and the spiritual dimension of awe are proposed as two contemporary edges of those trends. Although existential–integrative psychology emphasizes cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary openness, the dimension of awe stresses the puzzled apprehension and appreciative wonder of that openness. In the second part of the article, this awe-based and integrative approach is compared and contrasted with time-honored Eastern approaches. It is proposed that although the Eastern approaches appear to emphasize the harmony (or acceptance) of being, and the Western approaches stress the mystery (or adventure) of being, the joining of worldviews holds a remarkable opportunity for a synthesis.
Notes
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. Additional information
Notes on contributors
Kirk J. Schneider
Kirk J. Schneider, Ph.D., is a leading spokesperson for contemporary existential-humanistic psychology. Dr. Schneider is current editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, vice-president of the Existential-Humanistic Institute (EHI), and adjunct faculty at Saybrook University and the California Institute of Integral Studies. Dr. Schneider has published over 100 articles and chapters and has authored or edited eight books, including The Paradoxical Self, Horror and the Holy, The Psychology of Existence (with Rollo May), The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology (with James Bugental and Fraser Pierson), Rediscovery of Awe, Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy, Existential-Humanistic Therapy (with Orah Krug—accompanying APA video also available), and Awakening to Awe. In April, 2010, Dr. Schneider delivered the opening keynote address at the First International (East-West) Existential Psychology Conference in Nanjing, China. More information about Dr. Schneider's work is available at his website, kirkjschneider.com, as well as at apa.org/videos.
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