The Tao of Ordinariness

Humility and Simplicity in a Narcissistic Age
Erscheinungsjahr 2019
ISBN: 978-0-19-093717-1
Verlag: Oxford University Press

Buch, Englisch, 240 Seiten, Print PDF, Format (B × H): 148 mm x 213 mm, Gewicht: 402 g

This book is an invitation to come home to your authentic self in a world that is frequently mesmerized by "spin," narcissism, fantasy, and exhibitionism. Psychology and classic wisdom literature have, in various ways, long recognized the value for simply becoming who you are (i.e., ordinariness). However, this call is becoming increasingly drowned out by the many other voices that emphasize publicity and image-making over authenticity and humility. Renowned therapist and author Robert Wicks has written The Tao of Ordinariness as a way of beginning to address these tendencies in contemporary society.

In this new countercultural work, the strength and joy of exploring who you are - and proceeding to share yourself with others in a way that they too can reclaim themselves - is revisited from a range of vantage points. The author specifically reexamines themes of humility, simplicity, letting go, self-awareness, "alonetime," resilience, and mentoring. In an era when people increasingly measure self-worth by external measures, such as the number of likes and views and followers on social media feeds (which have many individuals chasing impossible fantasies and living with a constant fear of "missing out"), Wicks offers a return to your authentic self.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Wicks, Robert J.

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologie / Allgemeines & Theorie Psychologische Theorie, Psychoanalyse Behaviourismus
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Moderne Philosophische Disziplinen Philosophie des Geistes, Neurophilosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Sonstige Religionen Sonstige Religionen: Spiritualität, Mystik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- Introduction: Coming Home to Yourself

- Chapter One. An Elusive Companion Virtue: Humility

- Chapter Two. Travel Lightly: Simplicity and Letting Go

- Chapter Three. The Unrecognizable You: Addressing the Reputation You Currently Have with Yourself

- Chapter Four. Becoming "Sea-Kindly": Living with Patience, Perseverance, and a Willingness to Fail

- Chapter Five. Mentors in Ordinariness: Experiencing Authenticity in Practice

- Chapter Six. Alonetime: Embracing Spaces Conducive for the Processes of Self-Uncovering and Re-discovery

- Epilogue. Returning Home to Yourself. Again

Über Autor(innen)

Robert J. Wicks, who received his doctorate in psychology from Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, is Professor Emeritus at Loyola University Maryland. He has published more than 50 books for professionals and the general public, including Night Call: Embracing Compassion and Hope in a Troubled World (Oxford University Press, 2018); Perspective: The Calm within the Storm (Oxford University Press, 2014); and Bounce: Living the Resilient Life (Oxford University Press, 2010). Dr. Wicks has lectured on the importance of resilience, self-care, and maintaining a healthy perspective in Hanoi, Beijing, Port au Prince, Johannesburg, Phnom Penh, and Budapest as well as at the Mayo Clinic, Yale School of Nursing, Harvard's Children's Hospital and Harvard Divinity School, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the U.S. Air Force Academy, on Capitol Hill to Members of Congress and their Chiefs of Staff, and most recently in Beirut to persons living and working in Aleppo, Syria. He has also

served on the faculty of Bryn Mawr College's Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research and received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Counseling Association's Division on Spirituality, Ethics, and Values. In 2006, he was recipient of the first annual Alumni Award for Excellence in Professional Psychology from Widener University.