Passage to the Real Self

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.

A notable work on the psychological development of Asian American women unfolding the complexities of multiculturalism and richness of each woman's story in the lives of Asian American women…Passage to the Real Self is an immense contribution to defining Asian American women achieved by intricately weaving the multi-variant threads of cultural, anthropological, sociological, historical, feminist, and religious themes., This book is a most comprehensive social psychological study of Asian American women's problems involved in their self development from a cross-cultural perspective. The author's penetrating analysis of the triple marginality (racial, ethnic, and gender) experienced by Asian American women is indeed a significant contribution to women's studies in general. Undoubtedly this book will become a cornerstone text for Asian American women's studies. Personally, I would like to urge all Korean immigrant husbands of Korean wives to read this book for their marital harmony and bliss!, Passage to the Real Self by Inn Sook Lee is an honest and heartfelt look at how Asian women caught between western and eastern cultures and struggling with sexism and racism in America can come to develop positive and integrated self identities., Based on and solidly grounded in social and psychological scholarship, this book offers concrete guidance and insight to Asian American woman or anyone who is striving for an authentic self amid the myriad challenges posed by mulcultural world. The woman find an authentic, integrated self which is a genuine source of confidence, joy, and creativity., A trailblazing work for Asian American women in search of the genuine self! Professor Lee's three indispensable stages of life (conscientization, introspection, and integration) will transform the world of patriarchy, racial division, and fragmentation. It offers a message of hope and integrity embedded in a journey toward discovering the real self! This extraordinary book contains poignant stories and experiences of Asian American women that will liberate Asian American women, men, and others. A clear advancement in Asian American women's studies!

Inn Sook Lee, M.A. and Ed.D., from Columbia University, was a professor of pastoral theology at New York Theological Seminary and is now an adjunct professor of practical theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is the editor of Korean American Women: Toward Self-Realization, and co-editor of Asian Americans and Christian Ministry, and the author of numerous articles on Asian American experiences.