Chinese Dimensions: Their Roots, Mindset and Psyche
by Dr.Yow Yit Seng
Pelanduk Publications (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd 2006
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.
