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Share the future Newsletter 62 Spring / Summer 2011 ■ Cultural values of the East and West ■ New Leaf Counselling Centre ■ Insights from Chinese students ■ Resource Exchange Network – REN WWHENWHENHEN EEASTEASTAST CCOMESCOMESOMES WWESTWESTEST This issue of the FCC Newsletter by Cultural Exchange with China, this chaplains, Chinese congregations introduces an initiative to respond to the initiative aims to promote networking and organisations to share ideas, practical and pastoral needs of Chinese and resource-sharing between those who experiences and concerns. The first students in UK, a group which it is now are engaged, or wish to be engaged, section of this Newsletter shares some thought may number nearly 100,000! with Chinese students while they are of the presentations made at this Set up by Friends of the Church in China studying here. We hope that some of our Round Table gathering. and the Churches Together in Britain readers will join this process. A Round and Ireland China Desk, and supported Table meeting last year brought together Cultural Treasures of the East and West The Revd Thomas Yap IT WAS A MONDAY AFTERNOON when generalisations but, I hope this will I met with a Caucasian lecturer who be a useful starter in getting to think, commented to me in passing how he reflect and grow in our understanding of found his Chinese students difficult to working with Chinese students, whether work with. Since I was the university they are from China, Taiwan, Hongkong, Church of England (Anglican) chaplain Southeast Asia, Central Asia or overseas and a British Chinese, I did not hesitate Chinese. to ask what he meant! He said that Different philosophies most of the time he felt that his Chinese students tended to be quiet and passive; The first noticeable interest is how both it was hard to figure out what they the East and West have been shaped by thought or what they felt about their different philosophies. Chinese ideology work with him. is profoundly influenced by Confucius, This initial encounter with my a Chinese philosopher (551–479 BCE). colleague was what prompted my forage During a long period of social upheaval, Photo: Jon Lewis/Oxford Mail into examining the cultural treasures he brought social and civic order into Chinese students in Oxford celebrate Chinese of the West and East. I am aware in Chinese society. The Confucius way New Year writing this I will have to make gross of thinking permeates every fabric of FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 1 112/5/112/5/11 110:08:010:08:01 aamm Chinese identity. The legacy of Confucius Chinese value:1 Situation-orientated Western value: Individual-orientated thinking includes: ■ obedience to parents Group identity Autonomy ■ putting others above oneself Achievement of goal set by others Achievement of individual goals ■ the idea that when the family is Motivation based on obligation Motivation based on feelings alright, then society is alright. In contrast, the West is shaped by a very Duty to others Personal rights different philosophy. One of the most Emphasis on positions in relationships Play down superiority/inferiority prominent was formed by Descartes (1596–1650). It was Descartian Submissive to authority Dislike for rules and control thinking that brought rationalism and Deference and adherence to social politeness Assertive individualism into Western society: ‘I think, therefore I am’. This led to what Emphasis on self-effacement Open and accessible to others we call the Enlightenment period of Western history. The Descartian legacy in the West includes the importance of chaplaincy work, I would like to suggest Firstly, learn to be aware of our own reason, individual thinking and valuing three specific concerns: cultural values and identities so that we freedom of thought. can work closely with differences. For ■ Cultural expectations The two different philosophies have me, in practice, this means sometimes • High levels of pressure, perfect- a tremendous impact on the values of examining, albeit painfully, my own ionism and performance (for which everyday life. See table (above) for some prejudices (we all have them!), fears, failure means shame); being the observations. and hopes so that I can bear other perfect student/immigrant/scholar/ As we can see, understanding the people’s prejudices, fears and hope when ethnic minority. different philosophy and values of the they arise. East and West is vital for life together. • High expectations, not just finance Secondly, curiosity in interpreting Thinking about my white colleague’s but, ideological bearings from the cultural and spiritual landscape of comment about his Chinese students, parents (eg: your mum and dad where I live is really vital if I want to I can see why he would feel they were were immigrants so you have a grow in this area. This means finding ‘difficult’ for him! better chance in life). out answers to questions like, how did 2 the Chinese community in my area come Everyday life ■ Psychosomatic illness about? How does the Christian faith • High levels of incidents where This brings us to the important make sense theologically to a Chinese students unconsciously use question: what does it mean for the person? What does my culture and biological illness as a way of everyday life of Chinese students in values say about my faith? Answering expressing emotional needs (eg: British universities? From my personal these questions helps me to think how backache, colds, headaches) since observations of Chinese students in my I may change my approach to tackling biological illness is perceived to issues. have more potency and legitimate Lastly, the ability to network3 with stance than emotional illness. various groups (both secular and ■ Sociological incongruence religious) is important for the welfare Understanding the • Different attitudes and beliefs of Chinese students. This includes both different philosophy about inter-racial relationships international and national groups that and authority (eg: a Chinese work with Chinese concerns. and values of the East student being told by her parents, The Revd Thomas Yap is a pastoral counsellor and West is vital for ‘One billion Chinese and she can’t and Church of England chaplain at the choose one! She has to have a University of Essex; email: [email protected]. life together white man.’) Building bridges Footnotes 1 Jeannette Yep, Following Jesus without dishonouring your In the light of this, what would be parents (Illinois: IVP, 1998). helpful for us as we think of building 2 Evelyn Lee, Working with Asian Americans: A guide for bridges between the two? Here are clinicians (London: Guildford Press, 1997). some of my musings and what I have 3 Shinun Au and Rebecca Tang, ‘Mental Health Services for Chinese people’, Mental Health in a Multi-ethnic Society attempted to do in my work so far. (London: Routledge, 2009). 2 FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH IN CHINA FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 2 110/5/110/5/11 110:47:590:47:59 aamm A Life-Changing Process Anita Tang The New Helping you to face life’s challenges and reach Leaf Counselling centre was a project wholeness through counselling! brought to the attention of those at the Round Table 透過輔導,幫助你面對生命的挑戰,邁向全人成長! meeting. Who we are trauma and trouble. Additionally, some that will help the client at a particular may experience life issues and events state in life’s journey and help the client New Leaf Counselling Service is part of which are just too difficult and painful to ultimately reach wholeness. the social arm of the Chinese Church in to handle alone, such as bereavement, London. Our aim is to help people face Our team divorce, redundancy, health issues life’s challenges and reach wholeness or bullying. Alternatively, one may We are professionally trained and through counselling. experience an underlying feeling of qualified counsellors who abide by The name ‘New Leaf’ is derived from dissatisfaction with life in general, and the Code of Ethics and Practice of the the biblical story of Noah and the flood, the need to find balance between life British Association for Counselling found in Genesis chapter 8 verse 11. and spirituality. and Psychotherapy (BACP), as well Noah sends out a dove when the flood- New Leaf works with people in both as of the Association of Christian waters start to subside and ‘when the short- and long-term arrangements to Counsellors (ACC). We work under dove returned to him in the evening, help bring about effective change and regular supervision. In addition, we are there in its beak was a freshly plucked to enhance well-being. Counselling is a practising Christians from churches in olive leaf.’ life-changing process and is based on a and around London. However, we will We believe that life is full of trusting, supportive, non-judgemental not impose our faith on anyone who challenges and yet at times it seems and mutual relationship. It provides comes to us. static. However, there is always the clients with a safe and confidential New Leaf is available for all of hope that after a bleak winter comes the environment in which to explore the Chinese community regardless of spring; new leaves start growing again, emotional, psychological or social income, religion, gender, disability or representing peaceful new beginnings! problems. type of issue. Our counsellors speak What we do Counselling can assist clients Mandarin, Cantonese and English. to identify personal resources and The three main areas we focus on are: For more information: capabilities which are sometimes lost 020-7602 9092 1. serving the Chinese (but not or buried in times of confusion and 07786 961615 (mobile) exclusively) in London, and its anxiety. It may enable someone to see Email: [email protected] surrounding areas, through Web page: www.ccil.org.uk/newleaf circumstances afresh and with clarity, professional counselling; so that necessary changes can be made 2.