Spirituality

China’s youth embrace the mystical power of crystals

As a way of coping with life’s difficulties and stressors, China’s youths are turning to an unusual source of comfort — crystals. What benefits do these precious stones have for youths and what is their appeal? Lianhe Zaobao Shenzhen correspondent Daryl Lim finds out more.

Daryl Lim

[Comic] A Chinese youth's meditation on life amidst the pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us how unpredictable life can be. As the world struggles to find its feet in politics, economics and daily life, comic artist Bai Yi turns the conversation inward: when times are tough, where do we find the strength to carry on? If it is religion, why do we have blind faith? If it is not, what sustains the human spirit?

Bai Yi

Chinese spirituality [Part two]: The sacred is in the mundane

Spirituality helps individuals cope with severe trauma and aids their growth and psychological well-being in the aftermath of a crisis. Such ballast is something humanity badly needs in the face of a pandemic. Dr Chang Weining, visiting psychologist of the Institute of Mental Health, ponders China's search for spirituality in times of distress. In part two of her article, she toggles between past and present as she takes a look at how the Chinese quest for solace has evolved.

Chang Weining

Chinese spirituality [Part one]: Reawakening of the heart after trauma

Spirituality helps individuals cope with severe trauma and aids their growth and psychological well-being in the aftermath of a crisis. Such ballast is something humanity badly needs in the face of a pandemic. Dr Chang Weining, visiting psychologist of the Institute of Mental Health, ponders China's search for spirituality in times of distress. In part one of her article, she recalls her visits to China in 1984 and 2008 - both different periods in China's reform and opening up - where she got a sense of China's budding need and search for spirituality.

Chang Weining