Knowing Being Acting - by Jiawei Liu (Paperback)
About this item
Highlights
- Dr. Jiawei Liu, who holds degrees in both theatre performance and psychology, reveals in his study how acting can serve as a pathway to self-discovery and foster a deeper sense of presence.
- Author(s): Jiawei Liu
- 200 Pages
- Psychology, General
Description
About the Book
This book explores acting as more than an art -- it is a profound journey of self-discovery and presence, transcending pretense to reveal the essence of being.
Book Synopsis
Dr. Jiawei Liu, who holds degrees in both theatre performance and psychology, reveals in his study how acting can serve as a pathway to self-discovery and foster a deeper sense of presence."A landmark contribution to the intersection of transpersonal psychology, phenomenology, and the performing arts"! -- Marilyn Mandala Schlitz, Ph.D.
"Both theoretically rigorous and deeply insightful, this work is an essential read for anyone seeking to delve into the philosophical dimensions and spiritual essence of performance." --Guim, George, Ph.D.
As a scholar of East-West psychology, I find this book to be an indispensable resource for researchers and practitioners exploring the profound intersections of performance and spiritual awareness.-- Ted Esser, Ph.D.
Dr. Jiawei Liu, who holds degrees in both theatre performance and psychology, reveals in his study how acting can serve as a pathway to self-discovery and foster a deeper sense of presence.
In a world of relentless motion, we often lose sight of our true selves, crafting identities shaped by societal expectations. This book explores acting as more than an art -- it is a profound journey of self-discovery and presence, transcending pretense to reveal the essence of being. Through performance, the actor communes with their body, emotions, and the ethereal, embodying life as silent poetry that speaks directly to the soul.
Acting is portrayed as a primal, transformative language that reconnects us with our humanity, awakening us to the beauty of presence. It challenges us to break free from roles, reclaim the wisdom of our bodies, and embrace the raw truth of existence.
This book, Knowing Being Acting, is not just for actors but for anyone seeking to rediscover their authentic self, embrace the rhythm of life, and step into their role as the star of their own story. Life is the grandest stage, and each of us is its eternal performer, ready to reveal our inner brilliance.
Review Quotes
This book masterfully integrates the core principles of transpersonal psychology into a phenomenological exploration of performance, offering groundbreaking insights into acting as a practice of existence and meaning-making. The author skillfully navigates the dialectical relationship between action, text, and action, demonstrating that acting is not merely a medium for artistic creation but also a profound pathway for spiritual awakening and self-transcendence. Both theoretically rigorous and deeply insightful, this work is an essential read for anyone seeking to delve into the philosophical dimensions and spiritual essence of performance.
---- Guim, George, Ph.D.
"Knowing Being Acting" represents a landmark contribution to the intersection of transpersonal psychology, phenomenology, and the performing arts. Through a meticulous analysis of the dynamic process of "action-text-action," the author transcends conventional theories of acting, positioning it as a sacred ground for spiritual practice and consciousness transformation. Balancing academic rigor with practical applicability, this book provides invaluable insights for interdisciplinary scholars. As a researcher dedicated to the convergence
of consciousness and science, I highly recommend this book to readers eager to understand how performance can drive both individual and collective transformation. It is a portal to the deeper connections between art and spirituality."
----Marilyn Mandala Schlitz, Ph.D.
The book offers a groundbreaking synthesis of phenomenology and transpersonal psychology, delivering a profound examination of the essence of performance. The author not only illuminates the transformative nature of acting as a process of action and consciousness integration but also constructs a novel theoretical framework that bridges textual interpretation and embodied practice. This work establishes an essential link between science and spirituality, enriching our understanding of performance as a phenomenon of healing and self-transcendence. As a scholar of East-West psychology, I find this book to be an indispensable resource for researchers and practitioners exploring the profound intersections of performance and spiritual awareness.
----Ted Esser, Ph.D.
