Happiness Starts from the Heart - Li Zixun's 100 Happy Prescriptions

Author: Li Zixun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: A collection of healing remedies from a specialist in "Psychological Interviews," interpreting life's troubles, changing perspectives, and providing effective methods to embark on a journey of happiness! Zixun's cultivation is not achieved overnight. Whenever a friend asks me to recommend a family therapist, I always think of Zixun because he is one of China's most outstanding family therapists. — Liu Dan, Ph.D. in Psychology from Peking University, Director of the Counseling Center at Tsinghua University
Dr. Li Zixun uses the unique perspective of a psychologist to help you open windows into families, allowing you to see family dynamics from a different angle, understanding the causal interactions and conflicts within. Unconsciously, he will guide you to a fresh and wonderful realm where you can face your inner self and everything around you with ease, openness, and tranquility. — "Parents Must Read" Magazine
This book is a rare treasure for any family. Its value reflects Professor Li's extraordinary insight into the essence of family and his ability to express it in healthy, humane language. His natural and effortless style is like pure, sweet spring water, nourishing every family. — Yang Fengchi, Director of the Psychology Teaching and Research Office at Capital Normal University, Expert on "Psychological Interviews" for China Central Television
The diversity of culture is the first consideration for a psychologist. There is a joke about a high-altitude ethnic group living on the Swiss Alps. They are isolated, living at altitudes of around four thousand meters. At this altitude, the soil and water contain very little iodine, so everyone suffers from goiter. One day, a few mountain climbers arrive at the village, and the villagers immediately notice their slender necks. The children gather to laugh at them, while a kind person scolds, "Don't discriminate against people with disabilities!" and brings them to the village doctor. After examining them, the doctor says, "You have unfortunately contracted iodine poisoning, a serious illness. You must strictly avoid iodine and follow a low-iodine diet." For the people in this village, goiter is a symbol of health and beauty. Most psychological conflicts stem from conflicts within culture (conceptual systems, lifestyles, group rules). If a psychologist is solely focused on health concepts, they might appear as foolish as the village doctor. Studying hallucinations in the context of cross-cultural research is also quite fascinating. In Eastern cultures, which emphasize shame, hallucinations often involve thoughts of poor conduct or bad behavior. In Western cultures, which emphasize guilt, hallucinations are more likely to involve accusations of guilt or wickedness. In African or Native American tribes, hallucinations are interpreted as spiritual communication, so their content is often omens or divine revelations. In such places, hallucinations are considered a gift, and those who experience them are revered as wise, beloved, and respected. People intentionally seek to develop their hallucinatory abilities. Since hallucinations are believed to predict disasters, weather, seasons, planting, or hunting, when someone has hallucinations, they not only do not suffer but also become ecstatic. Such hallucinations naturally do not interfere with their normal lives.
This book primarily addresses answers to difficult questions related to complex inner worlds and interpersonal intimate relationships. These answers may differ greatly from those in general psychology because I have always tried to interpret the culture behind psychological confusion. Most psychological troubles are actually caused by pain resulting from conflicts in beliefs. In a class, I asked who could give an example of psychological suffering that is not influenced by culture. Someone said that grief over the death of a loved one is not culturally influenced. I immediately pointed out that attitudes toward death vary across cultures. Some ethnic groups hold joyful farewell gatherings when a loved one passes away, sending them "home" (to heaven).
I would like to thank China Radio and Television Publishing House for agreeing to publish this collection. Of course, I also hope this collection will bring readers new experiences and provide new methods for dealing with psychological difficulties, helping them embark on a journey of happiness in life.