The success of overseas Chinese
is acknowledged worldwide. The emergence of China as
a political, economic and cultural power is
phenomenal. Is there anything that the rest of the
world could benefit from their experience? “Chinese
Dimensions: Their Roots, Mindset and Psyche” looks
into aspects of these phenomena, in particular the
history and cultural aspects embedded in their
subconscious.
The book explores Chinese history
in chronological order as well as the key
personalities involved. Events in history influence
present thinking, while the personalities serve as
role models to generations of Chinese. Readers
would gain an insight into quotations etched in the
Chinese mindset, including proverbs, sayings, poems,
and extracts from Confucius, Laozi, Sunzi as well as
others. Concepts peculiar to the Chinese psyche are
explained in an easy-to-understand manner, centering
on yin-yang, the five determinant elements and the
I-ching. Collectively they impact on a whole
spectrum of uniquely Chinese cultural practices such
as the Chinese zodiac, fengshui, pillars of destiny
analysis, divination, self-cultivation as well as
Chinese medicine.
Ethnic Chinese throughout the
world would find this a valuable wealth of
information relating to their heritage. Those who
seek to understand the Chinese people would find
explanations pertaining to aspects of Chinese
culture, often poorly understood in the West.
Brought up in Malaysia, educated
in France and now settled in Australia, Dr. Yow is
in a unique position to highlight Chinese roots,
their mindset and psyche. The author adopts a
bilingual approach, whereby the relevant texts are
printed in Chinese together with the pinyin
pronunciation wherever possible, followed by
translations in English.