Passage to the Real Self: The Development of Self Integration for Asian American Women

Asian women, both in Asia and the United States, are in search of the courage to find and integrate their authentic real selves in a multicultural milieu. This book makes the argument that since Asian American women live in the periphery of the multicultural West, they need to strengthen the psychological process of self integration, assimilating neither to traditional cultural demands or those of the larger society. They desire self reliance, search for meaning in practicing love and justice for others, while living in a permanent pilgrimage between worlds. The passages identified in the self-integration process are conscientization, introspection, and integration. After much suffering under patriarchy, hierarchy, and rejection, Asian American women launch into conscientization and incorporate their evolving selves in introspection. They engage in self analysis, sociocultural analysis, and healing their codependent selves. The women finally achieve autonomous/synergetic selves and realign psychological aspects, develop inner strength and a deep spirituality at their core selves, thus embodying peace in their hearts.