Madness May Enrich Your Life

Written by a professor of clinical psychology, this extraordinary book (expanded edition) tells the story of how a psychologist-cum-patient performs a self-study of "madness" in great detail. The author does not lament over his madness. Instead, he says: "During episodes, manic symptoms are manifest. Yet, I become more colorful, sensitive, generous, and loving. I see beauty everywhere and delight in the simple things of life. I glimpse into mystical magnanimity. My mind explodes: Creative thoughts rain down fast. Now, I can bear testimony that on balance the creative energy of madness may enrich rather than damage one's life, and that it is possible to retain a measure of madness in dignified living and of dignity even in a state of madness." Having experienced twenty episodes of madness-all of exuberance, none of depression-the author's condition can hardly be labeled as a bipolar mood disorder. His atypical case has been cited in the March 2019 issue of Scientific American in support of treating unipolar mania as distinct disorder. Confronting these life-changing episodes of unusual mood elevation one after another, the author has learned to view them as high points in his journey of spiritual discoveries, where the dynamics of spirituality and spiritual emptiness play out. The benefits, both professional and personal, he has derived from his encounters with madness are immense. This propels him to challenge the psychiatric establishment for having failed to acknowledge the potentially positive or creative aspects of mental disorders and to share his insights with readers in search of a good life. By the blessing of circumstance, this book is the work of a most unusual author. In separation, being a psychologist, steeped in a bilingual-bicultural background, experiencing fleeting moments of enlightenment, or having episodes of madness may not be that uncommon. But the confluence of all these is rare, if not unique. Inspired by the wisdom of the East, the author has raised profound questions about the place of madness in human life, replete with captivating tales or refreshing ideas on every page. The book has been endorsed by eminent scholars of various disciplines. In the words of Evelin Lindner, Founding President of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, "Written in an accessible style, the book should appeal to readers from diverse backgrounds, especially those interested in the interface between psychology and spirituality, comparative religion, or bicultural development. It is particularly useful not only to mental health professionals but also to readers who have had experiences similar to those of the author. I have tremendously enjoyed the passion and the sparkling prose with which the book is written."