The Strength of Self-Acceptance: Theory, Practice and Research

301 Pages·2013·2.67 MB·English

by  Louis Hoffman

Michael E. Bernard Editor
The Strength of
Self-Acceptance
Theory, Practice and Research
The Strength of Self-Acceptance

Michael E. Bernard

Editor
The Strength of
Self-Acceptance
Theory, Practice and Research
Editor
Michael E. Bernard
Melbourne Graduate School of Education
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia
ISBN 978-1-4614-6805-9 ISBN 978-1-4614-6806-6 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-6806-6
Springer New York Heidelberg Dordrecht London
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013936250
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Albert Ellis, for his theory and professional
practice spanning more than 50 years that
has inspired so many people across the
world to conquer self-depreciation
(as much as humanely possible) and through
self-acceptance to live less fearful and more
self-actualized, fulfi lled lives.
Christopher Peterson, for his seminal work
in identifying universal positive human
characteristics that contributes to well-being
and for his recent support for self-acceptance
as a character strength contributing to
happiness and fl ourishing.

The Strength of Self-Acceptance
As [Jesus] went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great
reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”
Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? N o one is good, only God.” (Mark 10:17,18)
The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely. (C.G. Jung)
At 30 a man should know himself like the palm of his hand, know the exact number
of his defects and qualities, know how far he can go, foretell his failures—be what
he is. And, above all, accept these things. (Albert Camus)
My defi nition of success is total self acceptance. We can obtain all of the material
possessions we desire quite easily, however, attempting to change our deepest
thoughts and learning to love ourselves is a monumental challenge. (Victor Frankl)
It’s not worth our while to let our imperfections disturb us always. (Henry David Thoreau)
Our healthy individuals fi nd it possible to accept themselves and their own nature
without chagrin or complaint or, for that matter, even without thinking about the
matter very much. (Abraham Maslow)
When the individual perceives himself in such a way that no experience can be
discriminated as more or less worthy of positive regard than any other, then he is
experiencing unconditional positive self-regard. (Carl Rogers)
I do not have intrinsic worth or worthlessness, but merely aliveness. I’d better rate
my traits and acts, but not my totality or ‘self.’ I fully accept myself, in the sense that
I know I have aliveness and I choose to survive and live as happily as possible, and
with minimum needless pain. I require only this knowledge and this choice—and no
other kind of self-rating. (Albert Ellis)
We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.
(Dalai Lama XIV)
Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is
content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. When you accept yourself,
the whole world accepts you. (Lao Tsu)
vii

Contents
Part I Theory and Research
Humanistic Psychology and Self-Acceptance .............................................. 3
Louis Hoffman, Abraham J. Lopez, and Michael Moats
Self-Acceptance in Buddhism and Psychotherapy...................................... 19
Daniel David, Steven Jay Lynn, and Lama Surya Das
Self-Acceptance and Christian Theology ..................................................... 39
Stevan Lars Nielsen, Aurora Szentagotai, Oana A. Gavita, and Viorel Lupu
The Value of a Human Being ........................................................................ 65
Albert Ellis (deceased)
Psychologically Flexible Self-Acceptance .................................................... 73
Tami Jeffcoat and Steven C. Hayes
Unconditional Positive Self-Regard .............................................................. 93
Tom G. Patterson and Stephen Joseph
Unconditional Self-Acceptance and Self-Compassion ................................ 107
Windy Dryden
Self-Acceptance and Happiness .................................................................... 121
Aurora Szentagotai and Daniel David
Measuring and Characterizing Unconditional Self-Acceptance ............... 139
Martha J. Falkenstein and David A.F. Haaga
Part II Practice
Self-Acceptance in the Education and Counseling of Young People ......... 155
Michael E. Bernard, Ann Vernon, Mark Terjesen, and Robyn Kurasaki
ix