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12/30/2023 12:43:28 PM
Blue Ladders (NFS)
The paths to inner peace are many.
Spiritual? You Kidding?
I never considered myself to be a spiritual person, yet friends say I am. The word itself bothers me. Spiritual brings forth images of ghosts and angels flying in spook shows. Part of the problem is that I used to live next to Spiritualists whose home was shrouded in mystery. They held weekly seances to call forth the dead behind covered windows. I was also affected by a twenty-year-old client I counseled. The young man wouldn’t acknowledge he was an alcoholic, though drinking was damaging his life. Though he agreed to go to a detox clinic, he never admitted to the problem. A year later, I received a call at home saying he didn’t do it. Having no idea what he was referring to, I asked him to explain. A year earlier, two women died when he crashed into their auto while driving intoxicated. Unable to live with the guilt, he sought out a medium who, after contacting the spirits of the dead women, said it wasn’t his fault. I was stymied about how to respond.
The demand for spiritual guidance soars when people are fearful and when that fear is coupled with uncertainty. A surprising number of people, one in five Americans according to a 2017 Pew research study, have consulted fortune tellers. Consultations with mediums often resemble armchair counseling, with thoughts reflected back to clients through a mystical lens. With more than a quarter of U.S. adults thinking of themselves as spiritual but not religious, more people seek comfort through paranormal sessions.
A boom in psychic readings began when mediums were forced to conduct their meetings by phone or computer because of COVID-19.. Ulema Hormaeche, a Los Angeles tarot reader, says that the pandemic and the last election "upended people's lives and sapped their optimism." The cost to visit a psychic can be steep, varying between $100-$150 for an hour's session. I know of a Miami psychic who charges $ 4.49 a minute and another fully booked woman in California who collects $1,000 to read your Akashic Record.
Thomas Rabeyron, a psychology and psychopathology professor at the University of Lorraine in France, labels psychics as barometers of social anxiety. He considers them dangerous fraudsters looking to trick vulnerable clients out of money. There are good reasons to doubt readings based on an endlessly interpretable mystical realm. "Throughout history, whenever there has been some sort of upheaval or some sort of collective anxiety in society, interest in psychics has shot up," writes York University Professor of Psychology James Alcock. People find it hard to deal with uncertainty. They don't trust scientists, physicians, and elected officials hesitant to speak authoritatively. Lacking control over the environment fosters anxiety about the future, so people seek out spurious sources for reassurance.
Spirituality, unlike spiritualism, embraces the deepest values and meanings by which people live. I feel at my best when I am in tune with my inner psyche, my actions, and my perception of the universe. To experience this , I have to be in the zone. That is the moment when the world falls away and I'm connected to something bigger than myself. I am at one with humanity. That is also when I am most open to empathizing with other people's problems. I imagine that is why people say I'm a spiritual person.
There are many paths to spirituality, all requiring commitment. Basketball players, musicians, dancers, and fine artists strive through their respective fields to get there. Athletes who are physically and mentally fit get in the zone when they are about to tune out the static that keeps them from acting in the moment. Sufi Dervishes clear their minds with a whirling meditation. When I watched them spin in Turkey, it took about ten minutes to tune out the audience and become immersed in their practice.
The zone is an instant in time, a moment of relaxation and peace. Free from anxiety, it allows you to see the larger picture. It is a religious experience for some, a psychic one for others, and a rational explanation for the scientifically minded. For thousands of years, people of every faith meditated to get relief from the inner turmoil controlling their lives. They do so with the hope of expanding the time they spend worry-free. The moment may start with a flash of realization. With practice, it can spread until calmness takes over both body and mind. A feeling of wholeness and connection with the universe reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and slows heart rate.
My path includes meditating, painting, writing, and walking solo through the woods. Those are moments when I am entirely focused on the here and now. One of my neighbors gets in the zone when she cooks, another when gardening, and yet another through prayer. Whatever you choose, your mental and physical health must be attended to first.
Our country is going through a difficult time with no magical cure in sight. People are angry, frustrated, and at wit's end as to what to do to survive global warming, increasing crime, the influx of millions of migrants, and thousands of homeless vagrants. Working on these problems starts by clearing your mind. If you don't have a calm center, you can't be effective. A New Year's pledge to find inner peace will help you live harmoniously in a chaotic world and give you the strength to help others.
References:
Macdonald, F. (2021) What, if Anything, Can Psychics Tell Us About All of This? New York Times. retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/15/style/did-you-predict-this.html#:~:text
Lipka, M. & Gecewicz C. (2017)More Americans now say they’re spiritual but not religious.Pew Research Center. retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/09/06/more-americans-now-say-theyre-spiritual-but-not-religious/
Please share your thoughts with other people who read my blog.
12/23/2023 3:51:53 PM
Mystére
Bringing Peace to Earth.
Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men (Women and Those In Between)
It’s the Christmas season when people sing carols like Hark the Herald Angels Sing and The Peace Carol. The lyrics to these songs were inspired by Luke 2:14. The New American Standard Bible reads, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” The MSG version mentions women on earth who please him.
Whether you believe there is a supreme being or not, the sentiment for peace is noble. Peace on Earth, who wouldn’t want that? The question is, how do you get there? I don’t believe the human species can wait for divine intervention. We’ll have to be proactive to bring it about.
At the end of 1922, there were at least 150 armed conflicts worldwide, up from previous decades when the number covered around 100, according to Our World in Data. Armed conflicts began escalating in 2013 and have been increasing yearly. From 1800 through 2022, more than 37 million people died in wars.
How does a violent world become peaceful? The answer is complex; a miracle won’t make it happen. It requires the collective efforts of individuals, communities, governments, and international organizations and starts with the media’s willingness to combat the spread of misinformation and propaganda. News anchors have to be allowed to report honestly, irrespective of the bias of owners and advertisers. Peace will never flourish without a factual press.
Problem-solving starts with diplomacy and dialogue, not weapons. Conflict resolution tactics employed at local, national, and international levels move warring factions to discuss their differences in a calm atmosphere. Strengthening international organizations like the United Nations and alliances promoting cooperation on climate change, public health, and poverty helps nations compromise.
At the heart of all peace movements is a commitment to protect every inhabitant's human rights, regardless of background, ethnicity, or beliefs. A Guatemalan woman I heard recently said, “Even terrorists have families who want to live without fear. Don’t give up hope and think that conflicts between Israel and Gaza and the Ukraine and Russia can’t be solved.” She said that she had almost given up hope for Guatemala but improved drastically after electing an anti-corruption president who had been considered a terrorist by the opposition.
Hope requires nations to advance education for both sexes and adopt a cultural understanding that addresses the inequalities that lead to social unrest and conflict. It means promoting inclusive, environmentally sustainable economic policies and recognizing that the earth has limited resources. Hope empowers women. Multiple studies indicate that societies with greater gender equality tend to be more peaceful.
Strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, and ensuring fair, transparent legal systems promoting justice are essential for bringing peace. It is also wise to stay alert to potential conflicts and address them before they blossom.
To achieve peace on earth is a tall order. Our own country is going in the opposite direction. It has become less democratic and more violent. Lies, inequities, greed, unwillingness to compromise, and disregard for the environment have spiraled out of control. An economy based on selling military weapons and ammunition, one that soothes itself with narcotics and allows homelessness to exist, is on the wrong track. A citizenry that worships criminal politicians and allows the media to promote lies destroys its humanity and all hope for peace. There isn’t a God in the cosmos who would be pleased with what is happening.
Next time you sing for peace or receive a card wishing it, consider your role in bringing it about. For sure, light candles, fill your home with smells from a home-cooked meal and enjoy a Yule-time drink. But if you wish others a peaceful year, realize that won’t happen unless you and they practice love, not aggression. Join those who crave a peaceful society and engage in activities toward that end. Vote for candidates who will understand compromise and seek out non-violent solutions. Enjoy in spirit as people celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Yule, the Solstice, and the New Year. It is a chance to show you acknowledge diversity. Let’s ignite an era that brings peace on earth and goodwill to the men, women, and those in between in every nation of the world.
References
Herre, B. Rodes, L. Roser, M., Hassell(2023) War and Peace. Our World in Data. retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/war-and-peace#:~:text=Key%20Insights%20on%20War%20and%20Peace&text
Crespo-Sancho.C. (2018) Can Gender equality prevent violent conflict? World Bank Blogs. retrieved from https://blogs.worldbank.org/dev4peace/can-gender-equality-prevent-violent-conflict#:'
Mystere is a 36” x 48” acrylic canvas painting available for $1,900, shipped free in the continental U.S. For information, contact [email protected]
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12/16/2023 2:02:11 PM
Do you get tense around the Christmas holiday? Don't let it get to you. Take the time to enjoy nature and relax.
Keeping Up Appearances
Though there is much gaiety and joy during December, for some people, the month magnifies their depression. They don't like the long dark nights and fear being around people where they feel obligated to smile when, on the inside, they are melancholy or upset. They become like walking zombies with smiling depression, a term not found on any psychologist's list. Their depression may have started with a job loss, illness, or the death of a loved one or simply by being obligated to decorate their house and entertain.
Depressed smilers are highly functioning people who believe it is essential that they keep up appearances. They are good are good at faking it, appearing cheerful and optimistic. They can stay productive at work and even laugh appropriately when hiding an anxiety that gives them headaches. As perfectionists, they don't want to burden others with their problems and are too embarrassed to share the truth. Though there may be a good reason for their depression, they pull away from friends, some turning to drugs or alcohol.
People with smiles plastered on their faces deny their true feelings, thinking they are all right as long as they smile. They worry about appearing weak, being judged or punished, and fear a backlash by admitting to their depression. They are also more likely to harm themselves than those with classic depression symptoms. To compensate, some people will overeat, while others lose their appetite. Some find it hard to wake up, yet others experience insomnia. Feeling pressured to be happy when you are not is problematic, causing emotions to fluctuate between hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness.
Depression takes a particular toll during the holidays. The best thing a person can do is try to outsmart it, says psychologist Jessica Schneider. Don't just grin and bear your melancholy; that will only worsen matters. Develop a plan to overcome it. The problem with acting together on the outside, when you are not on the inside, is that you may not realize you are depressed. A person who thinks they have everything - a lovely house, a wonderful family, and a good job, yet isn't happy may feel guilty, which can be exhausting. Admitting to being overwhelmed is the first step toward healing.
The good news is that smiling depression is usually a short-term phenomenon and very treatable the moment you take a step toward being your authentic self. If this malady plagues you, make sure you stay connected to your friends. Talking to someone you trust can be a powerful antidote to holiday depression. Stop worrying about living up to expectations. No one expects you to be perfect. If you are angry because your partner won't help put up the tree or participate in festivities, don't worry when you become irritable. That's natural. It is also advisable not to dwell there. Instead, do something that enables you to relax. Exercise, listen to music, make art, meditate, or engage in an enjoyable activity that will change your mood.
During this season of miracles, close your eyes and imagine that your most pressing problems are gone and that you will wake up in the morning relaxed and happy. Allowing yourself needed downtime will brighten your day.
____________________________
How do you feel now that Christmas is upon us? Is it a struggle to get through the days, or do you embrace each one joyfully? Do share your thoughts on below on my blog site.
Art is always for sale. A Ponderosa Pine canvas print is available for $99, shipped free. All tree selections can be reviewed and purchased online at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/collections/182747
_______________________________
Moroin, A. LCWS.(2023) Smiling Depression: When Things Aren’t Quite as They Seem. Verywell Mind. retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-smiling-depression-4775918
Casarella, J. MD. (2022) Smiling Depression: What You Need to Know. WebMD. retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/depression/smiling-depression-overview
Mastrocola, K. (2023) Outsmart the ‘Smiling Sadness’ That Can Take Its Toll During the Holidays. First, for women. https://www.firstforwomen.com/posts/health/what-is-smiling-depression
12/9/2023 1:53:29 PM
NURTURING
Though humans destroy the environment, there is still hope for its revival. Nurturing one tiny seed can have immense repercussions.
Connections
Deep down, we know we are connected to one another but don’t act like it. As a five-year-old, my circle of contacts was limited to me at the center. I learned how the bones in my body were connected to help me stand. I sang “Dem Dry Bones,” an old spiritual often sung at Halloween.
“Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones
Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones
Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones,
Hear the word of the Lord.
The toe bone connected to the foot bone
Foot bone connected to the heel bone
Heel bone connected to the ankle bone
Ankle bone connected to the leg bone
Leg bone connected to the knee bone
Knee bone connected to the thigh bone
Thigh bone connected to the hip bone
Hip bone connected to the back bone
Back bone connected to the shoulder bone
Shoulder bone connected to the neck bone
Neck bone connected to the head bone
Hear the word of the Lord.”
By the time I was in elementary school, I knew I was part of an extended family, lived in a neighborhood, and was somehow connected to the children in my classroom. My parents were not the only ones looking out for me; my teachers were also. I sang; Hey, hey, hey—
“We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing
Everyone can see we're together
As we walk on by (and)
And we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie (all)
Living life is fun and we've just begun
To gain our share of this world's delights (high)
Our high hopes we had for the future
And our goal's in sight”
By high school, I knew I was part of the greater world. Friends had pen pals in the Netherlands and Japan. I studied French and couldn't wait to go to Paris. The civil rights movement was around the corner, with schools being integrated. I joined a volunteer group in college that helped international students adjust. And, I sang—
“We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
Oh, there's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well let us realize
Oh, that a change can only come
When we stand together as one, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
My view of the importance of humans diminished as I took science courses in college. Anatole France wrote," Even a little dog is the center of the universe." That may be true since I am a collection of all my experiences and learning, and I see the world through my eyes. But, when learning about the cosmos, I realized I am much smaller than a grain of sand. I had been fooled into thinking that I was part of a dominating species that could control my environment when the truth is that I am made up of atoms and electrons that are no more important than the shoes that cover my feet or the tree outside my window. Albert Einstein told us that the universe is nonlocal and that objects are linked even though events cannot communicate through spacetime. When two objects come into contact, they affect each other. If one's direction is changed, so too will the other.
Dr. Roger Nelson at Princeton University conducted a 14-year-long study involving 60 countries called the Global Consciousness Project to introduce Einstein's findings at the human level. Using massive computing power, he studied the probability that 426 events would have a 50/50 outcome over time. That wasn't what happened. He found that quantum mechanics does apply to the human psyche." When you touch someone's heart, emotionally becoming attached to someone, something occurs. Your atoms, the building blocks of your presence in the universe, become entangled."
Quantum mechanics comes into play with the Israeli/Gaza war, where two countries at loggerheads have impacted the direction of each entity. The confrontation had a domino effect, spreading to communities around the globe. Just as waves in the ocean move endlessly, hitting the shore, vibrating, and transforming, so do human beings. Serge Benhayon wrote in Time, Space and All of Us, "There is no them. There is only all of us. We have this perception of the need to unify, to come together; however, in truth, we are already all unified as one, and in this oneness, we cannot help but be connected to everything else - such is the mechanics of vibration in space, our universe."
Though we may chant, picket, and sing that the world has to come together, we are already connected and unable to separate. Our responsibility is to recognize this truth. When nations collide, they should be given a positive nudge that improves both parties rather than one that destroys lives and economies. We must understand and act, knowing we are not alone but connected. When one country destroys another or when a company pollutes the environment, the world is affected. The song in my heart rings out,
"The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
'Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
__________________
Art is always for sale. Nurturing is a framed acrylic on-panel painting, 43” x 84”. Available for
$ 2,900. For information, contact me at [email protected]
Borbon, L. (2014) Quantum Mechanics. Learning Mind. https://www.learning-mind.com/quantum-mechanics-reveals-how-we-are-all-truly-connected/
Moses, P & O’Hara P, ( 2023) Quantum Mechanics - the science of absolute connection. Unimed Living. retrieved from https://www.unimedliving.com/science/everything-is-energy/quantum-mechanics-the-science-of-absolute-connection.html#
Den Bones Lyrics. retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=dem+bones+lyrics&oq
We are Family Lyrics. retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=we+are+family+lyrics&sca_esv
We are the World Lyrics. retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=we+are+the+world+lyrics&sca_esv
The More We Get Together lyrics. retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=dem+bones+lyrics&oq
12/2/2023 3:31:13 PM
FLYING HIGH
When COVID-19 sequestered us in early 2020, most people thought the pandemic would end by June. Instead, the disease multiplied and spread throughout the nation, replacing the kites children flew on fields and beaches.
Great Expectations
My son returned from a summer camp, looking forward to relaxing in his favorite chair. He told me later that he imagined running across the living room floor while on the ride home and plopping onto its cushions. Rather than meet his expectations, what occurred freaked him out. The chair wasn't in its usual place. I had rearranged the furniture while he was away, not realizing I was shattering his dream. Instead of admiring my interior rearrangement, he became angry and shouted at me. His reaction was visceral, made without thinking. I had destroyed the security he had from knowing what to expect.
Years later, when studying the causes of uncontrolled emotions, I learned that the involuntary nervous system was the culprit that can make people respond before thinking. Emotions, whether happy, sad, angry, or fearful, are capable of producing manic responses in individuals. Unlike the voluntary nervous system, where you feel pain if you hit a brick wall, the involuntary or less conscious part of your nervous system is more complex and difficult to understand.
Medicine treated the mind and body as a whole until the 1600s when René Descartes declared they were separate. The legacy of his philosophy is that the mind's thinking is entirely different from the body (a non-thinking entity). One can exist without the other in a world created by God. By considering the mind and soul the same, he provided a rational basis for hope for the soul's immortality. To Descartes, the mind controls the brain via the pineal gland, the principal seat of the soul. He believed it was the place where thoughts are formed. To many pseudo-scientists and mystics, the pineal gland is known as the "third eye" and the organ of spiritual vision.
Descartes' views were rejected after his death. Ongoing experiments showed the pineal gland is an endocrine organism that secretes melatonin. In the twentieth century, Western Medicine started to view the body as a machine with replaceable, independent parts. This led to advances in surgery, trauma care, and pharmaceuticals but reduced inquiry into emotional and spiritual life and its ability to heal.
It wasn't until the later part of the century that studies of the body-mind connection increased. Current medicine considers the mind to consist of mental states such as thoughts, emotions, beliefs, attitudes, and images. The brain is the hardware that allows both conscious and unconscious mental states. Psychiatrist James Lake, MD of Stanford University, writes, "Extensive research has confirmed the medical and mental benefits of meditation, mindfulness training, yoga, and other mind-body practices." People can shift from negative emotions to a more positive emotional state through mental exercises and practices.
That people have emotional reactions without being aware of why their behavior is so unlike them. How could the nervous system cause so much havoc? The autonomic, involuntary, or visceral nervous system acts as a control system below the level of consciousness. Bundles of nerves deal with functions like heart rate, perspiration, glands, digestion and salivation, diameter of the pupils, urination, and sexual arousal. They can have life-saving effects, such as when an adrenaline surge helps you through a dangerous situation, requiring a fast reaction. I believe that is what happened to my son when his favorite chair wasn't where he expected it to be. He felt unsafe and reacted accordingly. Thankfully, his fit was short-lived. Under conditions of prolonged stress, adrenaline spikes can lead to ulcers or heart disease.
Can the involuntary emotional system be controlled? Pharmaceutical companies developed a multi-billion dollar industry around pills like Prozac. Monks and yogis spend years meditating to control their automatic systems. Illicit drug dealers sell mind-altering drugs like marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms.
My technique for self-control is through meditation. Daily practice helps me slow my heart rate and keep adrenaline from spiking out of control. Yoga, Pilates, massage, and other practices are ways to focus the mind to control stress and negative emotions. My heart leaped at the thud when a tree bounced on my roof, causing rain to fall in sheets through a shattered skylight. I was instantly paralyzed until I took a meditative breath that enabled me to proceed with purpose.
Unexpected happenings can waylay great expectations. There may be an end-of-life medical diagnosis, an accident, a delayed flight, or, as it did for me this Thanksgiving, a dinner cancellation when a guest came down with COVID-19 and family members were quarantined. expectations don't usually end in defeat. There are many pleasant surprises with better-than-expected outcomes. Yet, these, too, can lead to accidents caused by an adrenaline spike or uncontrolled behavior.
To dream of a happy ending is human, but how you respond to good news is equally important. Preparing your body to react with equanimity will help you deal with the ups and downs that thwart or favor your great expectations.
I look forward to your comments. Please do so below.
References:
Website (2023) Rene’ Descartes: The Mind-Body Distinction. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. retrieved from https://iep.utm.edu/rene-descartes-mind-body-distinction-dualism/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20deepest%20and,from%20that%20of%20the%20body%20
Website (2013) Descartes and the Pineal Gland. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pineal-gland/#BodySoul
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