AHP Perspective Feb Mar 2012.indd - California Institute of Integral ...
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F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 12<br />
Association for<br />
Humanistic Psychology<br />
<strong>Perspective</strong><br />
ahpweb.org<br />
Ram Dass and Family Love<br />
Personalizing Alternative Medicine<br />
Autism and Actualization<br />
Poetic Tribute to Thomas T. Szasz<br />
ATP NEWSLETTER<br />
Reviews<br />
WHY<br />
REGRESSION<br />
THERAPY?<br />
PRIMORDIAL<br />
PSYCHE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
1
ASSOCIATION for<br />
HUMANISTIC<br />
PSYCHOLOGY<br />
. . . since 1962, kindred spirits on the edge,<br />
where human potential and evolving<br />
consciousness meet<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> principles include integrity in personal and pr<strong>of</strong>essional interactions,<br />
authenticity, and trust in human relationships, compassion and deep<br />
listening skills, and respect for the uniqueness, value, independence,<br />
interdependence, and essential oneness <strong>of</strong> all beings.<br />
KEN EHRLICH<br />
PAST PRESIDENTS<br />
JAMES F. T. BUGENTAL<br />
SIDNEY M. JOURARD<br />
E. J. SHOBEN, JR.<br />
CHARLOTTE BÜHLER<br />
S. STANSFELD SARGENT<br />
JACK R. GIBB<br />
GERARD V. HAIGH<br />
FLOYD W. MATSON<br />
DENIS O’DONOVAN<br />
FRED MASSARIK<br />
LAWRENCE N. SOLOMON<br />
NORMA LYMAN<br />
STANLEY KRIPPNER<br />
VIN ROSENTHAL<br />
ELEANOR CRISWELL<br />
CHARLES HAMPDEN-TURNER<br />
JEAN HOUSTON<br />
GEORGE LEONARD<br />
BILL BRIDGES<br />
JACQUELINE L. DOYLE<br />
VIRGINIA SATIR<br />
RICK INGRASCI &<br />
PEGGY TAYLOR<br />
DENNIS JAFFE<br />
LAWRENCE LESHAN<br />
LONNIE BARBACH &<br />
JOHN VASCONCELLOS<br />
WILL MCWHINNEY<br />
FRANCES VAUGHAN<br />
RUBEN NELSON<br />
ELIZABETH CAMPBELL<br />
MAUREEN O’HARA<br />
SANDRA FRIEDMAN<br />
ANN WEISER CORNELL<br />
ARTHUR WARMOTH<br />
J. BRUCE FRANCIS<br />
M. A. BJARKMAN<br />
JOCELYN OLIVIER<br />
KATY ELIZABETH BRANT<br />
STAN CHARNOFSKY<br />
STEVE OLWEEAN<br />
LELAND “CHIP” BAGGETT<br />
STEVE OLWEEAN<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> OFFICE & PERSONNEL<br />
Member Services: ahp<strong>of</strong>fice@ahpweb.org, 415/435-1604; fax 415/559-5030<br />
Payments: <strong>AHP</strong>, 151 Petaluma Blvd. So., #227, Petaluma, CA 94952<br />
CEC Coordinator: Sylvia Mignon, Sylvia.Mignon@umb.edu 617/287-7384<br />
Journal <strong>of</strong> Humanistic Psychology Editor: Kirk Schneider, kschneider@sfo.com<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> <strong>Perspective</strong> Editor: Kathleen Erickson, EricksonEditorial@gmail.com<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />
Co-President: Carroy U. “Cuf ” Ferguson, (617) 287–7232; JHP Liaison<br />
Co-President: Leland “Chip” Baggett, ATP Liaison<br />
Treasurer: M. A. Bjarkman, MABahp@aol.com<br />
Secretary: Bob McGarey, Bob@humanpotentialcenter.org<br />
Stan Charn<strong>of</strong>sky, Stan.Charn<strong>of</strong>sky@csun.edu, Consulting Editor<br />
Ginger Clark, GingerClark1@gmail.com<br />
Dina Comnenou, comnenou@lesley.edu<br />
Koorosh Rassekh, kooroshra@gmail.com<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> BOARD AFFILIATES<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>y Bell, mbell55@cox.net.<br />
Olga Bondarenko, International Team, olbondarenko@mail.ru<br />
Bonnie Davenport, Membership Consultant<br />
Ken Ehrlich, kehrlich@skyweb.net, (973) 779–7793<br />
Don Eulert, <strong>Perspective</strong> Consulting Editor, farmpr<strong>of</strong>@pacbell.net<br />
Sandy Friedman, Consultant, Sandrafr@aol.com<br />
John Harnish, International Team, harnish@wildblue.com<br />
Deb Oberg, <strong>AHP</strong> Events Chair, DKOberg@aol.com<br />
Samuel Bendeck Sotillos, samuelbendeck@yahoo.com<br />
Bruce Wochholz, Web Content Consultant<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> COMMUNITIES AND ENERGY CENTERS<br />
Islamic <strong>AHP</strong>, Iran, contact S. Muhammad M. J. Tehrani,<br />
Mashaad, Iran, zjalali@hotmail.com, 98–251–293–3280<br />
Ontosophy Community, Bari, Italy, contact Francesco Palmirotta,<br />
ontopalm@gmail.com; (39) 080/763006 - 3294521246 - 3886532077<br />
http://www.solinio.com/<br />
Oregon Community, Strengthening wisdom, cooperation, positive<br />
action, contact Siderius@pobox.com<br />
Monthly meetings: personal sharing & potluck (503) 244–3420<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Issues <strong>of</strong> the Paradigm Shift, contact Chip Baggett<br />
at (828) 252–1086<br />
Somatics & Wellness, Educational & networking community<br />
focusing on integration <strong>of</strong> body & mind therapies<br />
Student Communities, Campus groups dedicated to the ideals <strong>of</strong><br />
humanistic living/psychology and active in their application,<br />
contact Stan.Charn<strong>of</strong>sky@csun.edu<br />
Technology & the Human Spirit, Exploring issues <strong>of</strong> the human<br />
spirit & developing technology, bruce.francis@capella.edu<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> CO-PRESIDENTS CHIP BAGGETT AND CUF FERGUSON<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> MEMBERSHIP<br />
connect with conscious community,<br />
enhance quality <strong>of</strong> life,<br />
and advance awareness & skill<br />
in humanistic principles & practices<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> MEMBER BENEFITS<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> PERSPECTIVE Free bimonthly newsletter.<br />
JOURNAL OF HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY Quarterly journal, free to<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Members, 75% <strong>of</strong>f subscription price for regular members<br />
<strong>AHP</strong>WEB <strong>AHP</strong>’s online publication at ahpweb.org, with Articles,<br />
Bibliographies, Bookstore, Calendar <strong>of</strong> Workshops, Web Resources . . .<br />
DIRECTORY OF HUMANISTIC PROFESSIONALS Free online<br />
Directory listing for Pr<strong>of</strong>essional members with description <strong>of</strong> your work<br />
CONFERENCE DISCOUNTS Member Discounts on some conferences/events<br />
(See Calendar <strong>of</strong> Events on page 4 and on ahpweb.org.)<br />
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS CECs on many <strong>AHP</strong> events.<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> SPONSORSHIP OF YOUR APPROVED EVENT Listings in <strong>Perspective</strong><br />
& on ahpweb, CECs, mailing lists, Sylvia.Mignon@umb.edu<br />
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE American Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Agency 800/421-6694<br />
HEALTH AND LIFE AND DISABILITY INSURANCE<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>sh US Consumer Group 800/323-2106; www.personal-plans.com/ahp<br />
NASRO: 800/638-8113; info@nasro-co-op.com<br />
BOOK DISCOUNTS 20% discount on books from Sage Publications<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> MAILING LIST RENTAL Member discount on <strong>AHP</strong> Mailing Lists<br />
ADVERTISING DISCOUNTS Member ad rates for <strong>Perspective</strong> & ahpweb<br />
ads. Rates on p. 22 and at ahpweb.org/pub/perspective/adinfo.html<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> AUTHORS Your books listed in the <strong>AHP</strong> Humanistic Bookstore, on the<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> Authors Page, with book covers rotating on the <strong>AHP</strong> home page.<br />
MEMBERSHIP DUES<br />
Individual Regular Membership &PDF <strong>Perspective</strong> (+print)<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Membership includes Journal <strong>of</strong> Humanistic<br />
Psychology (JHP) & PDF <strong>Perspective</strong> magazine (+print)<br />
Joint ATP–<strong>AHP</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Membership (+print Persp.)<br />
Student/Senior/Limited Income/Online International<br />
Organizational Membership<br />
JHP subscription added to membership (or JHP alone)<br />
Lifetime <strong>AHP</strong> Membership<br />
JOIN AT <strong>AHP</strong>WEB.ORG<br />
OR CALL 415/435-1604<br />
$ 69 (+$15)<br />
$ 110 (+$15)<br />
$ 159 (+$15)<br />
$ 49<br />
$ 149<br />
$ 25 ($112)<br />
$1,000<br />
J. BRUCE FRANCIS<br />
2<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
<strong>Perspective</strong> magazine<br />
<strong>Feb</strong>ruary / <strong>Mar</strong>ch 2012<br />
C O N T E N T S<br />
COVER ART:<br />
Licensed by Erickson Editorial<br />
from istockphoto.com<br />
boy with kite 17841887<br />
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•<br />
•<br />
NEWS & COLUMNS<br />
CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> NEWS<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> 50th Anniversary Vision Statement<br />
Notice <strong>of</strong> <strong>AHP</strong> Board Openings<br />
ARTICLES<br />
• Ram Dass Has a Son! He began to see . . . Stuart<br />
Sovatsky<br />
• Your Emotional Type: The Advent <strong>of</strong> Personalized<br />
Alternative Medicine . . . <strong>Mar</strong>c S. Micozzi with<br />
Michael Jawer<br />
• A Humanistic <strong>Perspective</strong> <strong>of</strong> Autism: A Different<br />
Mode <strong>of</strong> Experience . . . Spyros P. Damascos<br />
• POEM: Poetic Tribute to Thomas S. Szasz<br />
T.S.S. (Truth’s Sweet Sound) . . . <strong>Mar</strong>k Meschino<br />
ATP NEWSLETTER<br />
Conference Review: ITP/ATP 3rd Annual Conference<br />
Spirituality: Promises & Pitfalls<br />
Toward a Transpersonal Revisioning <strong>of</strong> Madness<br />
. . . Michael Cornwall and David Luk<strong>of</strong>f<br />
Book Excerpt: To Forgive Is Good for You . . . Fred Luskin<br />
Conference Announcement: EUROTAS 2012:<br />
Spirituality & Creativity, Sept. 20–23, Latvia<br />
Conference Announcement: The Spiritual Heritage <strong>of</strong><br />
Africa, May 12–13, Nov. 3–4, South Africa<br />
New Co-President Steven Schmitz<br />
In Memoriam: Jeanne Achterberg . . . Eugene Taylor<br />
Transpersonal Psychology in Israel . . . Arielle Warner<br />
President’s Corner . . . David Luk<strong>of</strong>f<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
REVIEWS<br />
• Why Regression Therapy?: The View <strong>of</strong> the Inexperienced<br />
by Ulf Parczyk . . . David C. Lavra<br />
• Primordial Psyche: A Reliving <strong>of</strong> the Soul <strong>of</strong> Ancestors:<br />
A Jungian and Transpersonal Worldview by Diego<br />
Pignatelli Spinazzola . . . Excerpts<br />
• AD RATES<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> PERSPECTIVE<br />
Editor-in-Chief: Kathleen E. Erickson<br />
EricksonEditorial@gmail.com; 415/435-1604<br />
Fax: 707/559-5030; 151 Petaluma Blvd So. #227, Petaluma CA 94952<br />
Consulting Editors: Don Eulert, David Luk<strong>of</strong>f, Stan Charn<strong>of</strong>sky<br />
ATP NEWSLETTER Editor: David Luk<strong>of</strong>f<br />
DEADLINES/GUIDELINES: <strong>Feb</strong>. 1 for <strong>Feb</strong>./<strong>Mar</strong>. issue, Apr. 1 for<br />
Apr./May issue, June 1 for June/July issue, Aug. 1 for Aug./Sept. issue, Oct. 1<br />
for Oct./Nov. issue, Dec. 1 for Dec./Jan. issue. Articles: up to 2,500 words;<br />
Reviews: up to 1,000 words. Include brief bio and photo: TIF/JPEG/<br />
print. Edited for brevity and clarity.<br />
ADVERTISING: For advertising rates, see page 22.<br />
REPRINTS: Use and cite with attribution <strong>of</strong> Author, publisher<br />
(Association for Humanistic Psychology, ahpweb.org), and issue date.<br />
The PERSPECTIVE is published bimonthly for members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
ASSOCIATIONS FOR HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY and<br />
TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY.<br />
The PERSPECTIVE is free to members <strong>of</strong> the Associations for Humanistic<br />
Psychology and Transpersonal Psychology.<br />
ASSOCIATION FOR HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY<br />
151 Petaluma Blvd. So., Suite #227, Petaluma, CA 94952, (415) 435–1604,<br />
ahpweb.org Membership: (309) 828-2965; ahp<strong>of</strong>fice@aol.com<br />
JOINT MEMBERSHIP <strong>AHP</strong>–ATP<br />
$159 includes all benefits <strong>of</strong><br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Membership in both<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Member benefits:<br />
•Six stimulating, information-packed issues <strong>of</strong> our magazine, <strong>AHP</strong> <strong>Perspective</strong><br />
•Substantial discounts on <strong>AHP</strong> events, regional & Annual conferences<br />
•4 annual issues <strong>of</strong> the Journal <strong>of</strong> Humanistic Psychology<br />
•Continuing Education Credits for Conferences and Events<br />
•Listing in online Directory <strong>of</strong> Humanistic Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
•Discounts on <strong>AHP</strong> <strong>Perspective</strong> and ahpweb.org ad rates, mailing list rentals<br />
•Eligibility for pr<strong>of</strong>essional liability, group health, disability, and life insurance<br />
•Opportunity to link your website directly with ahpweb, as a Memberlink<br />
•Access to ahpweb’s “Members Only” section for news and opportunities<br />
ATP Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Membership Benefits:<br />
•Subscription to the semiannual Journal <strong>of</strong> Transpersonal Psychology<br />
•Access to all 35 years <strong>of</strong> Journal (JTP) articles and hundreds <strong>of</strong> audio and<br />
video recordings <strong>of</strong> past conference presenters<br />
•A searchable Networking List <strong>of</strong> members<br />
•ATP’s Listing <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Members<br />
•Listing in the ATP Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Members Guide, access to the listserv<br />
•Reduced rates for Newsletter classified advertising<br />
•ID and Password to Members Only section <strong>of</strong> atpweb.org, with full-text<br />
archives <strong>of</strong> the Journal <strong>of</strong> Transpersonal Psychology and audio<br />
archives <strong>of</strong> the past ATP conferences from 1990 to the present<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
3
CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
<strong>AHP</strong>-Sponsored Events<br />
VOICE DIALOGUE<br />
DASSIE HOFFMAN,<br />
Ph.D., LCAT, ADTR,<br />
& BRIDGIT DENGAL<br />
GASPARD, LMSW<br />
In 2012, the New York Voice Dialogue<br />
<strong>Institute</strong> will present its Voice Dialogue<br />
Training Sessions. The price is $400 per<br />
weekend, but you may be eligible for a<br />
pre-payment discount. For those earning<br />
CECs, there is an additional requirement<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2 private facilitations. These workshops<br />
BRIDGET DENGAL GASPARD & DASSIE HOFFMAN<br />
earn 39 CECs from the Association for Humanistic Psychology, 48 CECs from the National<br />
Association <strong>of</strong> Social Workers, and 42 CECs from the International Federation <strong>of</strong> Coaches.<br />
LEVEL ONE–3 weekends • 39 CECs<br />
Jan. 21–22, 2012, <strong>Feb</strong>. 25–26, 2012, <strong>Mar</strong>. 24–25, 2012 • New York City<br />
LEVEL TWO–3 weekends • 39 CECs<br />
April 21–22, 2012, May 5–6, 2012, June 9–10, 2012 • New York City<br />
New York Voice Dialogue <strong>Institute</strong>, New York City, 161 West 54th Street,<br />
Suite 804, New York, New York 10019<br />
Contact: http://www.newyorkvoicedialogueinstitute.org;<br />
nyvoicedialogue@yahoo.com; Dassie: (212) 956-0432; Bridgit (718) 522-4009<br />
VOICE DIALOGUE:<br />
MIRIAM DYAK and<br />
CASSANDRA COSME DE PREE<br />
LEARNING THE LANGUAGE OF<br />
ENERGY: A VOICE DIALOGUE<br />
FACILITATOR’S TRAINING<br />
SPONSORED BY <strong>AHP</strong> • CECs • <strong>AHP</strong> member<br />
discount <strong>of</strong> 15%<br />
Spring 2012 dates to come • Redmond,<br />
Washington<br />
ADVANCED VOICE DIALOGUE<br />
FACILITATOR TRAINING<br />
SPONSORED BY <strong>AHP</strong> • CECs • <strong>AHP</strong> discount<br />
Spring 2012 dates to come • Redmond, Washington<br />
The Voice Dialogue <strong>Institute</strong>, Sammamish,<br />
Washington; miriam@thevoicedialogueinstitute.<br />
org; http://www.thevoicedialogueinstitute.org/<br />
MIRIAM DYAK<br />
CASSANDRA COSME DE PREE<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> SUMMER CONFERENCE<br />
TRAUMA WORK IN PSYCHOTHERAPY<br />
STAN CHARNOFSKY, GINGER CLARK, KOOROSH RASSEKH<br />
stan.charn<strong>of</strong>sky@csun.edu<br />
June 2, 2012 • 9 – 5, Saturday • 6 CECs • Los Angeles<br />
Wong Conference Center, Harris Hall<br />
http://ahpsummer12membership.eventbrite.com/<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> ONLINE CLASSES<br />
WITH BOB MCGAREY et al.<br />
Bob is the Director <strong>of</strong> the Human Potential Center in<br />
Austin, Texas, and the Acting Secretary <strong>of</strong> <strong>AHP</strong>. He and<br />
other <strong>AHP</strong> Board Members will be teaching online classes.<br />
Spring 2012 dates to come • CECs<br />
http://ahpweb.org<br />
GESTALT AS A WAY OF LIFE AND AS A<br />
THERAPY ONE-DAY WORKSHOP<br />
GESTALT CONSULTATION<br />
STUDY GROUP THREE-DAY<br />
WORKSHOP<br />
CYNDY SHELDON, MSW<br />
CYNDY SHELDON, MSW, who trained with Fritz<br />
Perls and James Simkin, co-founded the original Gestalt<br />
<strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> San Francisco in 1967 and taught there for<br />
25 years as well as in Europe for many years. Inspired to<br />
follow her bliss in search <strong>of</strong> a more spiritual orientation,<br />
she worked among the Navajos for 15 years. Now, in<br />
her 75th year, she is eager to share the integration <strong>of</strong> all<br />
<strong>of</strong> these experiences with those who are curious and interested. Currently she lives in<br />
Bellingham, Washington.<br />
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP: This day-long program provides a beginning understanding<br />
<strong>of</strong> the practices Gestaltists teach their clients, many <strong>of</strong> which hae similarities to<br />
Buddhism and Eckhart Tolle’s teachings. Also covered will be some <strong>of</strong> the theory and<br />
methods used. Mini-lectures and experiential exercises plus time for some personal work.<br />
SPONSORED BY <strong>AHP</strong> • 6 CECs • $125 • <strong>AHP</strong>/student discounts • 10 – 5<br />
TBA • Seattle, Washington<br />
Contact: Cyndy Sheldon, 360 656 6207, www.cyndysheldon.com<br />
cyndy.sheldon@comcast.net<br />
THREE-DAY WORKSHOP: This small study group will provide more detailed information<br />
about the history <strong>of</strong> Gestalt, the theory, medthods, and practices, as well as<br />
on-the-spot feedback to participants practicing doing Gestalt therapy with one another.<br />
SPONSORED BY <strong>AHP</strong> • 18 CECs • $300/section • <strong>AHP</strong>/student discounts<br />
May 20, July 8, August 19, 2011 • Bellevue, Washington<br />
Contact: Cyndy Sheldon, 360 656 6207, www.cyndysheldon.com<br />
cyndy.sheldon@comcast.net<br />
4<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
<strong>AHP</strong> NEWS<br />
<strong>AHP</strong> VISION STATEMENT—50th ANNIVERSARY<br />
In its 50th year, the Association for Humanistic Psychology has reflected upon its mission, over the past half century, to facilitate the<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> the Humanistic principles within the global community. Our success in this objective is reflected in the recognition<br />
<strong>of</strong> these principles in just about every realm <strong>of</strong> science and practice relating to human service and growth around the world. We<br />
see it in such arenas as medicine and parenting, where concepts like wellness, attachment, empathic communication, self-direction,<br />
and maximizing potential are assumed to be essential in promoting good health and adjustment over the lifespan. The principles <strong>of</strong> human<br />
rights, freedom <strong>of</strong> choice, wisdom <strong>of</strong> the self, fostering relationships and community, and spiritual growth are now deeply held ideals in<br />
many <strong>of</strong> the social sciences and services. It is even reflected in public policy, with social programs and school mission statements aimed at<br />
nurturing and educating the whole child. There is great satisfaction in seeing these concepts, which were previously criticized as indulgent<br />
and harmful by fields that were rigidly behaviorally, cognitively, or physiologically based, now being affirmed as elements <strong>of</strong> best practices<br />
in providing treatment and encouraging growth.<br />
In its first iteration, <strong>AHP</strong> and Humanistic Psychology in general focused almost exclusively on the growth <strong>of</strong> the individual. While<br />
we believe that principle continues to be necessary, in the words <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> our founders it is no longer sufficient. We also recognize the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> change and growth in relationships, families, communities, societies, and in a global context.<br />
As a result <strong>of</strong> this progress, <strong>AHP</strong> is re-envisioning its purpose and responsibility to its members and supporters. It is now time to<br />
reach further into the awareness <strong>of</strong> individuals and communities, and to reach higher into the sphere <strong>of</strong> translating new knowledge, policy,<br />
and practice into humanistic terms. The impact <strong>of</strong> humanistic psychology will be strengthened through the use <strong>of</strong> social media and other<br />
technologies that will allow <strong>AHP</strong> to increase its visibility and accessibility to the public; helping them to integrate humanistic ideas into<br />
their lives on multiple levels. This approach will also provide a platform for the creation <strong>of</strong> online learning communities designed to enrich<br />
the humanistic work <strong>of</strong> groups and communities, pr<strong>of</strong>essional networks, and government organizations. Our primary focus will be in<br />
bringing together new knowledge and practices from a variety <strong>of</strong> emerging fields (science, policy, education, politics, the arts, therapeutic/<br />
healing practices, community and cultural growth, and personal and spiritual growth), and translating those new ideas through the lens <strong>of</strong><br />
Humanistic Psychology. These interpretations will help all <strong>of</strong> us to understand and influence our ever evolving world, from a Humanistic<br />
stance. The Humanistic approach encourages a proactive stance <strong>of</strong> activism, advocacy, and social justice that promotes awareness, wisdom,<br />
purpose, respect, interdependence, and peace.<br />
NOTICE OF <strong>AHP</strong> BOARD OPENINGS<br />
The <strong>AHP</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Directors is currently seeking candidates interested in actively serving on the board. Since we are a<br />
working board, your involvement can be a rewarding opportunity to serve the organization <strong>of</strong> <strong>AHP</strong> and the mission and<br />
projects it provides in the world. Board meetings tend to be dynamic and interactive, as we <strong>of</strong>ten discuss diverse opinions<br />
about a variety <strong>of</strong> pressing organizational matters. Other than being an <strong>AHP</strong> member, there are no specific demographic<br />
requirements for serving on the board. We seek diversity <strong>of</strong> age, race, gender, education, pr<strong>of</strong>ession, and geographic<br />
location. There may be times when the board has a particular need for someone with a specialized area <strong>of</strong> knowledge<br />
or expertise (i.e. accounting, marketing, conference planning, web design, etc.). At those times, the board will likely<br />
emphasize this skill when selecting its next new board member.<br />
Before you submit your letter <strong>of</strong> application, you should be familiar with the responsibilities and expectations <strong>of</strong> being a<br />
board member. The basic term for an “at large” board position is three years. If a board member becomes an <strong>of</strong>ficer, his/<br />
her term could be extended. Primary responsibilities <strong>of</strong> “members at large” involve attending two board meetings per<br />
year (two to three days each), maintain regular internet contact with the board, and participate in whatever projects or<br />
committees you might choose. It is the responsibility <strong>of</strong> each board member to pay for his/her travel, room and board at<br />
the meetings, and maintain Internet service. The average expense to be expected per year ranges from $1500 to $3000<br />
depending on airfare to the meetings and any personal or career variables unique to your circumstances (lost working days<br />
<strong>of</strong> income). (If <strong>AHP</strong> relates to your pr<strong>of</strong>ession, expenses may be tax-deductible.)<br />
If you are interested in being considered, please submit a letter <strong>of</strong> application to the <strong>AHP</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Directors. Thank<br />
you for your time and interest in pursuing this process. Send applications to the Presidents: cuferguson@aol.com & chip@<br />
wakinguptogether.com<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
5
RAM DASS HAS A SON!<br />
“He began to see. . . .”<br />
— Stuart Sovatsky<br />
“When the [positive paternity] DNA results came back, Ram Dass<br />
was dismayed. He’d made a point <strong>of</strong> avoiding family ties . . . believing<br />
they might hold him back from attaining spiritual freedom. [He taught<br />
that family life was a kind <strong>of</strong> “melodrama,” a testing ground for one’s<br />
“spiritual growth” <strong>of</strong> Love Everyone, Serve Everyone] . . . [After meeting<br />
his adult son and young grandson in 2010] Ram Dass developed a<br />
deeper understanding <strong>of</strong> the love parents feel for their children and began<br />
to see [for the first time in his adult life?] that personal and soul love are<br />
not mutually exclusive but can coexist in nourishing ways.” http://www.<br />
huffingtonpost.com/sara-davidson/ram-dass-has-a-son_b_777452.html<br />
I<br />
wince to reconsider the life<br />
<strong>of</strong> a beautiful man who<br />
has inspired millions with<br />
his life as a bhakti yogi, his<br />
candor regarding his stroke and<br />
his bisexuality, his legendary books<br />
and humanitarian projects, and<br />
whose “Prison Ashram Project”<br />
supported my concurrent incarcerated-youth<br />
yoga projects <strong>of</strong> the<br />
mid-1970s.<br />
Yet, I wonder, perhaps if Poppa<br />
Ram Dass (from his spiritually<br />
awake state) and Mom had actually<br />
raised this son on a daily,<br />
real-life basis, he would have—for<br />
two generations, by this time—<br />
been teaching how “soul love” and<br />
personal and parental love are “not<br />
mutually exclusive” <strong>of</strong> one another,<br />
instead <strong>of</strong> the converse.<br />
Over these past forty years, Ram<br />
Dass’s numerous books (including<br />
Be Here Now that sold over two<br />
million copies, reverberating this<br />
mystically narrow temporal trope<br />
in Tolle’s three-million seller The<br />
Power <strong>of</strong> Now) and talks would<br />
surely have gone into ever-greater<br />
detail on exactly how “personal<br />
and soul love . . . can coexist in<br />
nourishing ways.”<br />
Having children <strong>of</strong>ten pr<strong>of</strong>oundly<br />
expands one’s concerned<br />
attention to “the future” in ways<br />
childless people do not (need<br />
to) feel. Such would surely<br />
have greatly affected the field <strong>of</strong><br />
Transpersonal <strong>Mar</strong>riage and Family<br />
Therapy (see Stuart Sovatsky’s<br />
“Clinical forms <strong>of</strong> love inspired<br />
by Meher Baba’s mast work and<br />
the awe <strong>of</strong> infinite consciousness,”<br />
Journal <strong>of</strong> Transpersonal Psychology,<br />
2004, 36(2):138-42.)<br />
Thus, we would now be forty<br />
years into the spirituality that has<br />
guided the overwhelming majority<br />
in India (and all other world spiritual<br />
traditions throughout history)<br />
for 5,000 years known as Grihastha<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ga, “multi-generational<br />
family love creation spirituality.”<br />
Instead, he, (along with childless<br />
Ken Wilber and others whose<br />
work focused on “[mainly solo]<br />
spiritual heroes”) unwittingly<br />
garbled into Western lives the specialized<br />
family-less, “no ties” life<br />
<strong>of</strong> the tiny minority—“the sadhu<br />
trip”—as his one-time sadhu-yoga<br />
mentor, Baba Hari Dass, warned<br />
all Western seekers not to mix up<br />
(B. H. Dass, Silence Speaks, Santa<br />
Cruz: Sri Rama Publishing, 1997).<br />
When trying to correct for<br />
the effects <strong>of</strong> piecemeal crosscultural<br />
transmissions or other<br />
historico–biographical vagaries <strong>of</strong><br />
foundational thinkers, I find such<br />
extremely hypothetical “what ifs”<br />
to also be extremely helpful.<br />
For example, what if Freud had<br />
taken LSD (instead <strong>of</strong> Charcot’s<br />
introduction to hypnosis) as successfully<br />
as Stan Gr<strong>of</strong> has? Would<br />
psychoanalysis have included<br />
“transpersonal altered states” for<br />
the past 100 years (as happened in<br />
the more mystical Jungian analytic<br />
psychology)? In his final book,<br />
6<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
RAM DASS AND FAMILY LOVE<br />
Beyond the Pleasure Principle, a<br />
psychedelicized (rather than “cocained”)<br />
Freud might have conjectured<br />
that the “oceanic feeling”was<br />
a pr<strong>of</strong>ound matter worthy <strong>of</strong><br />
much investigation, rather than<br />
dismissing such mystical experiences<br />
as mere regressions to the<br />
womb.<br />
In other words, Freud, Jung,<br />
and Assagioli would have all<br />
been transpersonalists! And,<br />
what a powerful and “integrated”<br />
transpersonal psychology might<br />
now exist, four generations later!<br />
Various academic fields deal<br />
with the effects <strong>of</strong> incremental<br />
discoveries and bumpy, gradual,<br />
cross-cultural exchanges, misunderstandings,<br />
and revisions. Why<br />
should Transpersonal, East–West<br />
Psychology be exempt? Paradigms<br />
come and go. “Truths” are <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
wisely held as being provisionally<br />
or currently true and always emerge<br />
from human beings living in a certain<br />
time, location, and culture.<br />
And, since the Transpersonal vocabulary<br />
includes supreme terms<br />
like “enlightenment” and “spiritual<br />
purpose <strong>of</strong> all evolutionary time<br />
and space,” we might need to be<br />
especially circumspect, somewhat<br />
like the FDA must be before approving<br />
some new “life-saving”<br />
medication.<br />
Indeed, ideas might need to be<br />
“recalled” from the academy (as<br />
during major paradigm shifts) as<br />
well as from the marketplace <strong>of</strong><br />
their usage by anyone hanging out<br />
their shingle, for example as an<br />
“East–West Psychotherapist.”<br />
In this Poppa Ram Dass–revised<br />
history, “spiritual emergence”<br />
might include exactly such spiritually<br />
challenging moments as those<br />
following a positive (or negative)<br />
pregnancy test or the DNA test<br />
that pr<strong>of</strong>oundly revised Ram Dass’s<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> “soul love.”<br />
Indeed, the emotional upheaval<br />
<strong>of</strong> possible divorces involving<br />
young children might also be<br />
viewed as “spiritual emergencies,”<br />
not just the LSD-like mystical<br />
ones <strong>of</strong> TP’s concern thus far.<br />
Such has been the concern <strong>of</strong> all<br />
spiritual traditions, for millennia,<br />
as reflected in the 1.1% and 3.8%<br />
divorce rates in India and Tibet,<br />
respectively (US rate is 50%).<br />
What if TP had been developing<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>ound therapies <strong>of</strong> family<br />
and romantic love these past forty<br />
years, with at least as much concern<br />
as for altered states <strong>of</strong> consciousness?<br />
As with any industry, such a<br />
“recall” could prove costly, in this<br />
case to our consortium <strong>of</strong> graduate<br />
schools and for any subsequent<br />
need to redo courses, quadrant<br />
charts, and techniques and goals<br />
<strong>of</strong> transpersonal therapies. For<br />
example, “Meditation” itself might<br />
change.<br />
The soul, pneuma, is so closely<br />
related to breathing that many<br />
sadhu-monastics meditate on their<br />
breath for decades en route to<br />
realizing soul or possible “beyond<br />
soul” (anatta) experiences.<br />
Grihastha meditations, on the<br />
other hand, are akin to the naturally<br />
spellbound observations <strong>of</strong><br />
ecstatically in-love, new parents/<br />
grandparents beholding their<br />
newborn or older children and<br />
grandchildren. Something like<br />
this is exactly what happened and<br />
surprised Ram Dass and revealed<br />
the meshing <strong>of</strong> soul and personal<br />
love to him, moving him from<br />
lab-proven paternity dismay to<br />
grandfatherly delight.<br />
Worth all that effort to redo<br />
syllabi, course texts, and clinical<br />
trainings? More than “worth it,”<br />
this upgrade might be the most<br />
significant moral imperative TP<br />
schools will ever face.<br />
Ram Dass<br />
Could grihastha-trained TP<br />
MFTs significantly decrease our<br />
alarming 50% divorce rate (and<br />
70% for second marriages) and<br />
the broken-home, bonding/separation/abandonment<br />
anxieties <strong>of</strong><br />
two generations <strong>of</strong> children that<br />
have been a main psychopathology<br />
in all modern psychotherapy<br />
theories and practice?<br />
Based on my own thirty-five<br />
years <strong>of</strong> clinical testing <strong>of</strong> tantric<br />
and grihastha marriage and family<br />
therapy methods, I (and two<br />
generations <strong>of</strong> client families) am<br />
sure <strong>of</strong> it.<br />
Indeed, personal and soul love<br />
can nourish each other in ways<br />
that can remain hidden, even from<br />
highly evolved persons. If training<br />
programs take Ram Dass at his<br />
word, this powerful integration <strong>of</strong><br />
personal and soul level could uplift<br />
the course <strong>of</strong> future family lineage<br />
and embodied world history itself<br />
into greater, loving wholeness.<br />
STUART SOVATSKY, Ph.D., MFT,<br />
(Princeton, CIIS) has created projects<br />
with the Offi ce <strong>of</strong> the Dalai Lama, the<br />
President <strong>of</strong> Slovenia, and the Moscow<br />
Psychoanalytic <strong>Institute</strong> in the Sovatsky<br />
Method; with publications on grihastha/<br />
tantra (India, Italy, Malaysia, Russia,<br />
The New York Times), The History<br />
<strong>of</strong> Hinduism in America (Columbia<br />
U. Press) and suicidal linguistics,<br />
was founding consultant <strong>of</strong> a $34M<br />
award-winning green project, pioneered<br />
incarcerated youth/“fl op house” yoga<br />
(1974–1979), and is a kirtan master<br />
with Axis Mundi. Stuartcs1@comcast.net<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
7
YOUR EMOTIONAL TYPE:<br />
The Advent <strong>of</strong> Personalized Alternative Medicine<br />
— <strong>Mar</strong>c S. Micozzi with Michael Jawer<br />
It is well-recognized that<br />
many medical treatments—<br />
whether conventional or<br />
alternative—don’t work<br />
equally well for everyone. One<br />
person may respond better to a<br />
given drug than someone else taking<br />
the identical medication; one person<br />
may return to good health after a<br />
medical procedure whereas someone<br />
else who had the same symptoms<br />
and followed the same postprocedural<br />
advice does not.<br />
The same is true in the field <strong>of</strong><br />
complementary and alternative<br />
medicine (CAM for short). Here’s<br />
a case in point. In 1995, I appeared<br />
on Good Morning America to be<br />
interviewed about my textbook<br />
Fundamentals <strong>of</strong> Complementary and<br />
Alternative Medicine. (Now in its<br />
fourth edition, Fundamentals was, at<br />
that time, the first US textbook on<br />
the subject.) Co-host Joan Lunden<br />
told me during the segment that she<br />
was bothered by shoulder pain from<br />
an injury suffered horseback riding.<br />
She had tried acupuncture, but it<br />
hadn’t worked—though she wanted<br />
it to work, believed that it would<br />
work, and had many friends for<br />
whom it did work. If acupuncture<br />
were merely a placebo, Ms. Lunden<br />
should have derived some benefit.<br />
The fact that she did not illustrates<br />
the individualized nature <strong>of</strong> our<br />
physical and emotional wellbeing—and<br />
that even alternative<br />
therapies documented to be effective<br />
work better for some people and not<br />
as well for others.<br />
Why should this be? The ready<br />
answer is that, since people differ by<br />
age and sex, have different lifestyles,<br />
significantly different habits and<br />
occupations (a high-stress job, for<br />
example), their health outcomes<br />
will <strong>of</strong> course be different. But even<br />
when those variables are controlled<br />
(that is, when experiments compare<br />
people who are very similar in these<br />
respects), we still find unexpected<br />
differences in outcome. An example<br />
is the placebo effect. Scientists find<br />
that some people respond incredibly<br />
well to a sugar pill or another<br />
“sham” treatment; their symptoms<br />
will abate or disappear entirely.<br />
Other people, matched so there are<br />
no obvious differences, derive little<br />
or no benefit. No one knows quite<br />
why. While both nature (genetics)<br />
and nurture (environment) are<br />
presumed to play a role, the gap in<br />
understanding represents a major<br />
challenge in placebo research.<br />
A SHIFT IN LANDSCAPE<br />
Fortunately, attitudes are changing.<br />
The fact that individuals differ<br />
in so many ways—their degree<br />
<strong>of</strong> introversion or extroversion,<br />
their general outlook on life, their<br />
ease in expressing emotion, their<br />
degree <strong>of</strong> bodily awareness, their<br />
susceptibility to stress and infection,<br />
their openness to experience, their<br />
resilience to life challenges—now<br />
represents the hottest topic in<br />
psychology and behavioral science.<br />
A book celebrating the virtues<br />
<strong>of</strong> introspection was recently<br />
featured in a Time magazine cover<br />
story (Bryan Walsh, The Power<br />
<strong>of</strong> Introverts, Time, <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 6,<br />
2012, 40–45). Another new book,<br />
by a leading neuroscientist, looks<br />
at the brain as the focal point <strong>of</strong><br />
individual differences (Richard J.<br />
Davidson with Sharon Begley, The<br />
Emotional Life <strong>of</strong> Your Brain, New<br />
York: Hudson Street Press, 2012)<br />
And yet another recent release, by a<br />
pair <strong>of</strong> Harvard University authors,<br />
presents criteria by which different<br />
people can evaluate the kind and<br />
extent <strong>of</strong> medical care they might<br />
need (Jerome Groopman and<br />
Pamela Hartzband, Your Medical<br />
Mind, New York: Penguin, 2011).<br />
The time has clearly come for<br />
society to move beyond “one size fits<br />
all” medicine. This is how we might<br />
characterize a medical system that<br />
puts each <strong>of</strong> us into a box based on<br />
the disease or disorder we have and<br />
the diagnosis or treatment that is<br />
expected to always work for us. That<br />
nearly half <strong>of</strong> all Americans have<br />
sought out various CAM therapies<br />
speaks to people’s rising frustration<br />
with “one size fits all” medicine<br />
and their desire for their healthcare<br />
choices to better align with their<br />
individual needs, outlooks—and,<br />
yes, personalities.<br />
FEELINGS AND PERSONALITY<br />
“Personality” is the word that<br />
best sums up what we mean<br />
when we talk about individual<br />
differences. The accumulation <strong>of</strong><br />
those differences, after all, is what<br />
distinguishes one person most<br />
meaningfully from another within a<br />
given society or culture.<br />
A useful definition <strong>of</strong> personality<br />
is the following, courtesy <strong>of</strong> The<br />
American Heritage Dictionary <strong>of</strong> the<br />
8<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE<br />
English Language: “a person as the<br />
embodiment <strong>of</strong> distinctive traits <strong>of</strong><br />
mind and behavior.” This definition<br />
captures an extremely important<br />
(though woefully overlooked) aspect<br />
<strong>of</strong> ourselves: that we are embodied.<br />
The fact that each <strong>of</strong> us is embodied<br />
means that we have a “me” that is<br />
distinct from the world around us.<br />
The physical boundary between<br />
“me” and “not me” literally defines<br />
the individual as a living being, and<br />
provides the foundation for our<br />
unique personalities.<br />
What else is essential to<br />
personality? You might <strong>of</strong>fer “my<br />
thoughts, my memories, my<br />
consciousness”—and you’d be<br />
right. But as science has delved into<br />
what it means to be human, it has<br />
made a curious discovery: that what<br />
underlies our consciousness is our<br />
sentience, our capacity to feel. As<br />
the novelist Milan Kundera once<br />
said, “‘I think, therefore I am’ is<br />
the statement <strong>of</strong> an intellectual<br />
who underrates toothaches.” And<br />
it’s true. We now know that the<br />
brain is but one player (albeit<br />
a highly important one) in a<br />
bodily troupe where biochemical<br />
messages circulate everywhere,<br />
instantaneously. The brain is on<br />
the receiving end <strong>of</strong> messages from<br />
elsewhere in the body as <strong>of</strong>ten as<br />
it’s the sender. So, what our senses<br />
perceive and what we ultimately<br />
feel is very much an embodied<br />
affair. Descartes, it turns out, was<br />
mistaken. His famous dictum is<br />
more accurately put as follows: “I<br />
feel, therefore I am.”<br />
If personality is a matter <strong>of</strong><br />
feeling, so feeling is a matter <strong>of</strong><br />
energy. The very word emotion<br />
conveys the energy that we can feel<br />
in our bodies. (The word derives<br />
from the Latin emovere, meaning “to<br />
move from” or “to move out <strong>of</strong>.”)<br />
While this energy ebbs and flows<br />
as we go through our day—and<br />
inevitably varies as we go through<br />
MARC S. MICOZZI<br />
“up” or “down” periods in our life—<br />
we feel something as long as we’re<br />
alive. We are literally animated, and<br />
we feel accordingly.<br />
BOUNDARIES: A KEY<br />
CONCEPT<br />
An enormously useful way to<br />
connect personality differences with<br />
health is the concept <strong>of</strong> boundaries.<br />
Developed by Dr. Ernest Hartmann<br />
<strong>of</strong> Tufts University, this framework<br />
allows us to understand why one<br />
person may develop one type <strong>of</strong><br />
chronic illness while someone else<br />
develops another—and why a given<br />
alternative therapy works better for<br />
one person than another.<br />
Boundaries are a means to<br />
appraise the characteristic way a<br />
person operates in the world based<br />
on how that person handles the<br />
energy <strong>of</strong> feelings. To what extent<br />
are stimuli “let in” or “kept out?<br />
How are an individual’s feelings<br />
processed internally? The concept<br />
<strong>of</strong> boundaries <strong>of</strong>fers a window into<br />
perhaps the most fundamental way<br />
that we function as human beings.<br />
According to Hartmann, each<br />
<strong>of</strong> us can be characterized on a<br />
spectrum <strong>of</strong> boundaries from thick<br />
to thin. People who have thick<br />
boundaries strike us as solid and<br />
well-organized; they keep everything<br />
in its place. They may seem rigid,<br />
MICHAEL JAWER<br />
even armored; we might remark<br />
that they are “thick-skinned.” People<br />
who have thin boundaries, on the<br />
other hand, strike us as especially<br />
sensitive, open, empathetic, or<br />
vulnerable. In their minds, things<br />
are relatively fluid. We might say<br />
that they are “touchy” or “thinskinned.”<br />
The concept is particularly useful<br />
in illustrating how individuals differ<br />
in their emotional style. Thick<br />
boundary people tend to be calm,<br />
stoic, or persevering; they don’t<br />
emote easily and will <strong>of</strong>ten suppress<br />
or deny strong feelings. Indeed,<br />
feelings for them are something like<br />
a foreign language. The situation is<br />
much different for thin boundary<br />
people. Their feelings flow easily and<br />
may present as a volatile mix. They<br />
also tend to be highly empathetic,<br />
responding strongly to physical<br />
and emotional pain and distress in<br />
others as well as in themselves.<br />
Since the 1980s, at least 5,000<br />
people have taken Hartmann’s<br />
Boundary Questionnaire (BQ) and<br />
more than 100 published papers<br />
have referenced it. The scores on<br />
the BQ are distributed across the<br />
spectrum <strong>of</strong> boundaries in a Bellshaped<br />
curve. Women tend to score<br />
significantly thinner than men, and<br />
older people tend to score somewhat<br />
thicker than younger people.<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
9
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE<br />
THE FLOW OF FEELING<br />
From our vantage point, the energy<br />
<strong>of</strong> feelings works differently in<br />
different people depending on<br />
where they are along the boundary<br />
spectrum. A good way to envision<br />
this energy flow is to consider the<br />
proposition that feelings are like<br />
water. Picture any given feeling as<br />
a flow <strong>of</strong> clear, cold water, rippling<br />
through the body, in continuous<br />
motion. In people whose boundaries<br />
are thinner, that flow is quicker<br />
and more direct.<br />
An especially thin<br />
boundary person<br />
will come across<br />
as highly sensitive,<br />
reactive, even<br />
“flighty” because his<br />
or her feelings flow<br />
quickly through<br />
the organism. In<br />
contrast, people<br />
who have thicker<br />
boundaries exhibit<br />
a feeling flow<br />
that is slower and<br />
less direct. An<br />
especially thick<br />
boundary person<br />
will appear alo<strong>of</strong>,<br />
imperturbable, even<br />
“dull” because his or her feelings<br />
proceed more slowly. Studies show,<br />
however, that a thick boundary<br />
person is ultimately affected just as<br />
much by what’s happening within—<br />
it’s just less immediately apparent.<br />
The resulting differences in health<br />
are significant. Evidence suggests<br />
that thick boundary people are more<br />
prone to hypertension, chronic<br />
fatigue syndrome, and ulcers;<br />
whereas thin boundary people<br />
are more susceptible to migraine,<br />
irritable bowel syndrome, and<br />
allergies. The particular form that a<br />
chronic illness takes has much to do<br />
with the way the stream <strong>of</strong> feeling<br />
meanders within an individual.<br />
In one person, it may pool in a<br />
particular locale or ripple over into a<br />
tributary. In another person, it may<br />
cascade freely. In a third person, the<br />
flow may be dammed up. Given<br />
that energy is involved in any case,<br />
various symptoms (pain, fatigue,<br />
immune disorders) may result.<br />
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE<br />
FOR YOU<br />
Just as various illnesses will affect<br />
some people more than others,<br />
it makes sense that various CAM<br />
approaches will benefit some<br />
people more than others. We have<br />
performed an analysis <strong>of</strong> seven<br />
alternative<br />
therapies<br />
according<br />
to boundary<br />
type—the first<br />
time such an<br />
evaluation<br />
has been<br />
undertaken.<br />
The results are<br />
presented in<br />
our book Your<br />
Emotional Type.<br />
It turns out that<br />
thin boundary<br />
types typically<br />
respond well<br />
to an imagerybased<br />
approach,<br />
such as hypnosis. Thick boundary<br />
types, on the other hand, respond<br />
well to a more “hands on” therapy<br />
such as bi<strong>of</strong>eedback. And, the data<br />
show, most everyone can benefit<br />
from acupuncture and from a<br />
practice such as mindfulness-based<br />
stress reduction.<br />
We chose the therapies we did<br />
(acupuncture, bi<strong>of</strong>eedback, guided<br />
imagery, hypnosis, meditation,<br />
stress reduction, and yoga) because<br />
these have been extensively studied<br />
and are well-established as safe<br />
and effective. These “Super Seven”<br />
have helped millions <strong>of</strong> people and<br />
saved them a substantial amount<br />
<strong>of</strong> money in the process. They<br />
constitute sound, cost-effective<br />
treatments that—based on your<br />
boundary type—have a reasonable<br />
chance <strong>of</strong> improving your health.<br />
This is true personalized medicine<br />
that is far more affordable and<br />
obtainable than genetic testing (the<br />
model that conventional medicine<br />
is moving toward to “individualize”<br />
treatments).<br />
Your Emotional Type enumerates<br />
a dozen chronic illnesses (the<br />
“Dozen Discomforts”) that are most<br />
amenable to CAM treatment. These<br />
include allergies, asthma, chronic<br />
fatigue syndrome, depression,<br />
fibromyalgia, hypertension,<br />
irritable bowel syndrome, migraine,<br />
phantom pain, post traumatic stress<br />
disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, skin<br />
conditions (eczema, psoriasis),<br />
and ulcer. They differ from many<br />
diseases because they are rooted in<br />
one’s emotional biology. The Dozen<br />
Discomforts are constitutional; they<br />
directly relate to how the energy <strong>of</strong><br />
feelings works within us.<br />
Allopathic medicine, which<br />
fundamentally views sickness as<br />
originating outside the person, fails<br />
in many cases to successfully treat<br />
chronic pain and illness. CAM,<br />
however, can <strong>of</strong>ten do so because<br />
it takes a more holistic approach.<br />
By knowing your boundary type<br />
(or the boundary type <strong>of</strong> your<br />
patients if you are a practitioner)—<br />
and understanding how it relates<br />
to chronic illness—you have the<br />
power to take healing into your own<br />
hands—and to select the therapies<br />
most likely to bring about benefit.<br />
MARC S. MICOZZI, MD, Ph.D., is<br />
the author <strong>of</strong> Your Emotional Type,<br />
with MICHAEL JAWER. Further<br />
information on their book is available<br />
at http://www.youremotionaltype.com.<br />
The Boundary Questionnaire (BQ) is<br />
posted there; results <strong>of</strong> the 18-question<br />
quiz are tallied automatically so that<br />
individuals can see where they fall<br />
on the boundary spectrum. The BQ<br />
typically takes less than 10 minutes to<br />
complete and score.<br />
10<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
A Humanistic <strong>Perspective</strong> on Autism:<br />
A Different Mode <strong>of</strong> Experience<br />
— Spyros P. Damascos<br />
On <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 17, 2012, a<br />
research study, Differences<br />
in White Matter Fiber<br />
Tract Development Present<br />
From 6 to 24 Months in Infants<br />
With Autism, was published in<br />
the Journal <strong>of</strong> American Psychiatry<br />
(Wolff et al., AIA, 1–12, doi:<br />
0.1176/appi.ajp.2011.11091447).<br />
The conclusions “suggest that<br />
aberrant development <strong>of</strong> white<br />
matter pathways may precede the<br />
manifestation <strong>of</strong> autistic symptoms<br />
in the first year <strong>of</strong> life.” Jason J.<br />
Wolff, who studies developmental<br />
disabilities at the University <strong>of</strong><br />
North Carolina, was quoted the<br />
same day by news media: “the<br />
findings are consistent with what<br />
researchers suspect about autism’s<br />
development, there is a complex<br />
interaction between genes, and a<br />
child’s experiences with the world.”<br />
This essay concerns Wolff’s latter<br />
phrase, “a child’s experiences with<br />
the world,” and is based on my<br />
philosophical–clinical observations<br />
working occasionally with autistic<br />
children, mainly at the Child<br />
Guidance Clinic <strong>of</strong> Duval County<br />
in Jacksonville, Florida.<br />
Perhaps because <strong>of</strong> “differences<br />
in white matter fiber tract” or any<br />
other aberration, messages entering<br />
the thinking process <strong>of</strong> some autistic<br />
children might be somewhat oblique.<br />
Very much like refraction, distorted<br />
imaging <strong>of</strong> a light ray through water.<br />
Consequently, if a child perceives a<br />
distorted image <strong>of</strong> their environment,<br />
then understanding <strong>of</strong> one’s self, the<br />
world in general, and responses will<br />
also be oblique. And if perceptions<br />
are painful, they may trust only<br />
their own esoteric world, rejecting,<br />
even shutting down completely, the<br />
peripheral environment, while fiercely<br />
protecting, defending, and preserving<br />
the benevolent inner world, where<br />
they are in sole command.<br />
To deal with such a child, the<br />
most exigent initial task is<br />
establishing a means <strong>of</strong> contact,<br />
gradually entering an autistic child’s<br />
world, protected by well-embedded<br />
detachment, frequent ritualistic<br />
mannerisms, and bewildering<br />
outbursts <strong>of</strong> anger; sometimes even<br />
self-injurious behavior.<br />
Imitating, as a learning process,<br />
not in jest, an autistic child’s most<br />
frequent repetitive behavior, such as<br />
rocking, can enable one to become<br />
more acquainted with the child’s<br />
functioning in the world. It will<br />
enhance one’s understanding and<br />
appreciation <strong>of</strong> an autistic child’s<br />
mode <strong>of</strong> life and existence. And<br />
if, at some point, the child begins<br />
imitating you, then that would<br />
signal the beginning <strong>of</strong> his, her,<br />
attempting to break through their<br />
emotional hermeticism.<br />
Unexpected, brief eye contact<br />
could also be a way a non-verbal<br />
autistic child can signal that he,<br />
she, is reaching out to you. Receive<br />
the message with the earnest<br />
acknowledgement <strong>of</strong> a smile, the<br />
confirming, encouraging warmth<br />
<strong>of</strong> a hug (if accepted). It will be<br />
your turn to give surety that you<br />
will be there to Welcome an autistic<br />
child to the outside world. Make<br />
your best impression, because you,<br />
collectively, will be representing<br />
all the best the child’s immediate<br />
environment has to <strong>of</strong>fer. Initial<br />
contact and beyond largely<br />
depend on building unwavering<br />
trust derived from unconditional<br />
acceptance, love, and devotion.<br />
Metaphorically, “if you accept my<br />
world, I will try to accept yours.”<br />
As evidenced by their remarkable<br />
memory, autistic children’s receptive<br />
language appears to be overdevoped,<br />
while expressive language<br />
seems to be underdeveloped, which<br />
might suggest that autism is a<br />
communication disorder.<br />
Regardless <strong>of</strong> what age autistic<br />
children pierce through the expressive<br />
language barrier and succeed in<br />
uttering their first word, speech<br />
development will follow normal<br />
stages beginning with echolalia,<br />
which could be a much lengthier<br />
phase than for a non-autistic child.<br />
Nonetheless, keep in mind that the<br />
longer an echolalic sentence is, the<br />
more enriched autistic children’s<br />
vocabulary becomes. And when they<br />
feel ready to practice a new skill,<br />
they just might suddenly surprise<br />
everyone with two-to-three word<br />
sentence echolalia, drawn out <strong>of</strong> their<br />
vast memory.<br />
As important as development<br />
<strong>of</strong> speech is to their progress, not<br />
every autistic child will accomplish<br />
this to the same level <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>iciency.<br />
Silent self-communication, however,<br />
is intact, recording everything<br />
that is occurring internally and<br />
externally. Not being able to directly<br />
express what and how an event has<br />
influenced one’s self, psyche, does<br />
not mean that the event passed<br />
unnoticed.<br />
Autism requires a multidimensional<br />
approach: individual and<br />
family therapy, speech therapy, and<br />
special education. Each minute<br />
step <strong>of</strong> progress attained, every<br />
enlightening moment in the lives <strong>of</strong><br />
autistic children and their parents, is<br />
celebrated as a joyous event.<br />
If according to Wolff, “kids<br />
don’t just suddenly become autistic,<br />
getting there is a journey,” assisting<br />
autistic individuals to transcend<br />
physical aberrations and liberating<br />
them from the self-protective<br />
enclosure <strong>of</strong> emotional hermeticism<br />
en route to an undaunted ascent<br />
into the completeness and<br />
contentment <strong>of</strong> self-actualization,<br />
defined by their aspirations, is an<br />
even longer voyage.<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
11
ATP NEWSLETTER<br />
CONFERENCE REVIEW<br />
SPIRITUALITY: Promises & Pitfalls<br />
The Third ATP–ITP<br />
Spirituality & Psychology<br />
Conference was held<br />
<strong>Feb</strong>ruary 17–19, 2012,<br />
on the campus<br />
<strong>of</strong> Menlo College<br />
in Atherton,<br />
<strong>California</strong>. Roger<br />
Walsh set the<br />
tone for dialogue<br />
throughout the<br />
3-day conference<br />
by invoking<br />
the role <strong>of</strong> the<br />
gnostic intermediary,<br />
which<br />
he personally<br />
has embodied<br />
throughout his<br />
many decades <strong>of</strong><br />
work, and which<br />
also represents the role <strong>of</strong> translat-<br />
ROBERT FRAGER DELIVERING<br />
KEYNOTE ADDRESS<br />
ing and transmitting spiritual wisdom<br />
and practices that the whole<br />
field <strong>of</strong> transpersonal psychology<br />
has embodied. Shauna Shapiro<br />
caught participants up to<br />
speed on the neuroscience<br />
supporting the cultivation<br />
<strong>of</strong> spiritual development.<br />
Robert Frager performed<br />
the gnostic intermediary<br />
task <strong>of</strong><br />
highlighting the<br />
contribution to<br />
understanding<br />
and well-being<br />
that is contained<br />
in Sufi beliefs<br />
and practices.<br />
Jim Fadiman<br />
got everyone to<br />
laugh about it<br />
all while reflecting on just what<br />
Heather L. Hunt<br />
a journey transpersonal psychology<br />
and spirituality have been<br />
traversing together. Stay tuned for<br />
the 2014 ATP–ITP Spirituality<br />
& Psychology Conference. These<br />
talks are available for ATP members<br />
and Joint ATP–<strong>AHP</strong> Members<br />
on the ATP website www.<br />
atpweb.org<br />
ITP students Jennifer, Ana, Daniel, and R. J.<br />
Heather L. Hunt<br />
Toward a Transpersonal Revisioning <strong>of</strong> Madness<br />
— Michael Cornwall and David Luk<strong>of</strong>f<br />
At the recent ATP/ITP<br />
conference, we did a<br />
well-received workshop<br />
called An Integrative<br />
Approach to Psychosis: Facilitating<br />
Psychological Healing and<br />
Spiritual Emergence. We drew on<br />
the pioneering, paradigm-shifting<br />
work <strong>of</strong> Jung, R. D. Laing, Stan<br />
Gr<strong>of</strong>, John Weir Perry, and Richard<br />
Price <strong>of</strong> Esalen—as well as<br />
David’s own worldwide teaching<br />
on spirituality and mental health<br />
and his groundbreaking work on<br />
the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical<br />
Manual <strong>of</strong> Mental Disorders).<br />
Michael shared his experience<br />
from working in a medication-free<br />
madness sanctuary and research<br />
on the Jungian medication-free,<br />
transpersonal program, Diabasis<br />
House.<br />
Just two months before, we had<br />
co-led an Esalen workshop on the<br />
same alternative approach to madness.<br />
In November 2012, there<br />
will be a large invited conference<br />
at Esalen that will fully revive the<br />
decades-old initiative begun in the<br />
1960s called Alternative Views<br />
and Approaches to Psychosis.<br />
That historic Esalen Center for<br />
Theory and Research initiative has<br />
been dormant since 1987.<br />
There is a worldwide resurgence<br />
in approaching madness as<br />
12<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
ATP NEWSLETTER<br />
BOOK EXCERPT<br />
TO FORGIVE IS GOOD FOR YOU<br />
— Fred Luskin<br />
Forgiveness is the process<br />
<strong>of</strong> changing the<br />
story we tell <strong>of</strong> a painful<br />
life experience from a<br />
victim story to a heroes story. The<br />
Stanford Forgiveness Projects have<br />
shown that changing that story<br />
to one that is more benign or less<br />
blaming is good for one’s mental<br />
and physical well-being. Forgiveness<br />
does not mean we forget what<br />
happened; it means we remember<br />
it differently. We have learned<br />
teaching forgiveness for so many<br />
years that it is through<br />
the story we tell that<br />
we lock in the negative<br />
way a hurtful situation<br />
has caused us pain.<br />
Our story places what<br />
happened to us in sequence<br />
and allows us to<br />
describe our feelings. We<br />
provide commentary on<br />
the events and provide<br />
interpretation <strong>of</strong> people’s<br />
actions. Most importantly, our story<br />
allows us to say what the experience<br />
means to us. To do that we must<br />
decide what events to highlight and<br />
which to minimize or dismiss. Little<br />
do any <strong>of</strong> us know how much is<br />
riding on the outcome <strong>of</strong> what we<br />
decide to highlight, interpret, and<br />
leave out in our account. Little do<br />
we know the potential damage, if<br />
our story becomes a grievance story.<br />
—Forgive for Good, Chapter 4<br />
Suffering people rarely consider<br />
that the stories they tell emerge<br />
from selecting content out <strong>of</strong> a<br />
wide range <strong>of</strong> possible experiences.<br />
They almost never<br />
consider that some<br />
decisionmaking was<br />
involved or that there<br />
are many ways to<br />
describe any particular<br />
situation. They do<br />
not understand that<br />
the main purpose <strong>of</strong><br />
one’s story is to create<br />
a narrative to make<br />
meaning <strong>of</strong> what<br />
happened, and not to<br />
search for objective truth. When<br />
in pain and filled with adrenaline<br />
and difficult emotions, the story<br />
that emerges is one that if not<br />
reevaluated can lead to extended<br />
interpersonal and intrapersonal<br />
conflict.<br />
Having dealt with people who<br />
have lost family members to<br />
hatred in Northern Ireland, the<br />
911 attacks, Sierra Leone, and<br />
other violence around the world, I<br />
understand the necessity <strong>of</strong> creating<br />
a story to make sense out <strong>of</strong><br />
what happened. However, I also<br />
understand in a way that many<br />
people do not, the equal imperative<br />
to let that grievance story go.<br />
Our work has shown that forgiveness<br />
rightfully applied is a wonderful<br />
balm for troubled husbands<br />
and wives, parents and children,<br />
neighbors, work partners, and<br />
even those harmed by people they<br />
do not know. I believe it should be<br />
applied much more liberally and<br />
deliberately when possible.<br />
FRED LUSKIN, Ph.D., is an ATP<br />
Board Member, author <strong>of</strong> Forgive for<br />
Good, and Director <strong>of</strong> the Stanford<br />
Forgiveness Projects.<br />
Madness (continued)<br />
a transpersonal experience. It is<br />
an auspicious time for an intelligible,<br />
transpersonal, and integrative<br />
understanding and response<br />
to madness to further evolve. To<br />
catch some <strong>of</strong> the spirit <strong>of</strong> this<br />
recharged revolutionary movement,<br />
check out Michael’s blog:<br />
Towards an Alternative Understanding<br />
<strong>of</strong> Madness on Pulitzer<br />
Prize finalist Robert Whitaker’s<br />
new web magazine Madinamerica.<br />
com. Whitaker’s best-selling book<br />
Anatomy <strong>of</strong> an Epidemic, which<br />
is a powerful expose <strong>of</strong> the failures<br />
<strong>of</strong> the medical model <strong>of</strong> psychiatry,<br />
has sparked a worldwide call<br />
for the transformation <strong>of</strong> mental<br />
health services that will come to<br />
view the whole person—body,<br />
mind, spirit, and soul.<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
13
ATP NEWSLETTER<br />
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT<br />
EUROTAS 2012 Conference:<br />
Spirituality and Creativity<br />
September 20–23, 2012, Latvia<br />
Baltic Beach Hotel (left) and Majori Beach in Jurmala, on the Gulf <strong>of</strong> Riga, Latvia (by Daboyeh, Wikipedia Commons)<br />
EUROTAS (The European<br />
Transpersonal Association) has<br />
a brilliant tradition—to have a<br />
conference in a different European<br />
country each year. The 14th<br />
Eurotas Conference will take place<br />
in Jurmala, Latvia, at the Baltic<br />
Beach luxury Hotel and spa, with<br />
the beautiful, yellow sand beach,<br />
on September 20–23, 2012. You<br />
will be able to enjoy the charm <strong>of</strong><br />
a northern ocean with its fresh air<br />
and long sandy beaches that invite<br />
meditative walks and promise stillness.<br />
The theme <strong>of</strong> the conference<br />
SPIRITUALITY AND CREATIV-<br />
ITY will also challenge you to not<br />
only stay in a passive mode but<br />
to become an active part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
conference arrangement—becoming<br />
creative yourself while enriching and<br />
enjoying the Eurotas community.<br />
Dr. Ingo B. Jahrsetz, President <strong>of</strong><br />
Eurotas, notes that, “Eurotas has in<br />
the last few years become a community<br />
<strong>of</strong> people who dare to have an<br />
open-hearted and creative exchange,<br />
while also applying scientific rigour<br />
and gaining spiritual depth.”<br />
The Latvian Transpersonal Association<br />
<strong>of</strong> Psychology and Psychotherapy,<br />
which is organizing the<br />
2012 Conference, mainly consists<br />
<strong>of</strong> Art Therapists whose three main<br />
aims are to explore the interaction<br />
<strong>of</strong> creativity and spirituality: 1) in<br />
the field <strong>of</strong> psychology and psychotherapy;<br />
2) in the growth, transformation,<br />
and healing <strong>of</strong> the everyday<br />
life <strong>of</strong> an individual; and 3) in the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> human society as a<br />
whole.<br />
During the creative process,<br />
people <strong>of</strong>ten find themselves in a<br />
special altered state <strong>of</strong> mind. Art in<br />
its essence is transpersonal. We are<br />
creating this Conference as a large<br />
piece <strong>of</strong> art and invite you to paint<br />
it with the colors <strong>of</strong> your personalities<br />
and presence. This will be a happening<br />
where everyone will become<br />
an artist!<br />
We invite psychologists, psychotherapists,<br />
philosophers, educators,<br />
artists, and other specialists to<br />
explore and give lectures, presentations,<br />
workshops, and discussions.<br />
Everyone is welcome to submit their<br />
presentation with the following<br />
criteria:<br />
— Use an approach that is compatible<br />
with the science <strong>of</strong> psychology;<br />
— Develop a creative and dynamic<br />
presentation; and<br />
— Include empirical evidence or<br />
case examples.<br />
Latvian writer Sudraba Edžus has<br />
a well-known story about Crazy<br />
Dauka—a boy who wanted to<br />
reach the place where the sky and<br />
the sea meet, to get to know what is<br />
beyond . . .<br />
We invite you to come together<br />
with us to explore “what is beyond<br />
the horizon”! Our conference will<br />
take place at the Baltic seacoast. The<br />
sea is a symbol <strong>of</strong> unity, wisdom,<br />
depth, and new challenges. We are<br />
aware <strong>of</strong> responsibility. However,<br />
like Crazy Dauka, do we feel a sense<br />
<strong>of</strong> challenge?<br />
Registration <strong>of</strong> presenters through<br />
May 31: www.transpersonal.lv<br />
Preconference seminar:<br />
Connie Miller, Souldrama, Sept.<br />
17, in Jelgava Narkological Clynics<br />
Postconference seminars:<br />
1. Vitor Rodrigues, Regression<br />
Therapy, Sept. 24–25, Riga<br />
2. Steven Schmitz and Pier Luigi<br />
Lattuada Shamanic Workshop,<br />
Sept. 24–25, in a hostel near Augstroze<br />
Lake in Vidzeme.<br />
For more information: contact Ingrida<br />
Indane, Eurotas 2012 Conference<br />
Director, artterapija@gmail.com<br />
14<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
ATP NEWSLETTER<br />
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT<br />
The Spiritual Heritage <strong>of</strong> Africa<br />
South Africa Mini-Conference, May 12–13, November 3–4, 2012<br />
Throughout 2009–2011,<br />
South African transpersonal<br />
psychologist Zana<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ovic has been working<br />
on the Third International<br />
Transpersonal Conference, in<br />
her country, to follow<br />
upon the 2008<br />
World Transpersonal<br />
Congress in India and<br />
the 2010 Moscow International<br />
Transpersonal<br />
Conference. On<br />
May 12–13, 2012,<br />
and November 3–4,<br />
2012, The Spiritual<br />
Heritage <strong>of</strong> Africa<br />
will begin a series<br />
<strong>of</strong> workshops and<br />
trainings leading to a larger scale<br />
international conference.<br />
Zana has rare contacts with<br />
Sangoma indigenous shamanic and<br />
trance healers, musicians, artists,<br />
and psychotherapists. The vibrancy<br />
<strong>of</strong> this post-apartheid period adds<br />
a powerful resonance <strong>of</strong> hopeful<br />
unity for our World Family, as the<br />
life <strong>of</strong> Nelson Mandela evokes for<br />
all. You will feel it and be inspired<br />
for the whole <strong>of</strong> your life. The<br />
workshops for therapists go deep<br />
into this spirit <strong>of</strong> transformation,<br />
courage, and love <strong>of</strong> unity. Come<br />
to South Africa, where it all began.<br />
Workshop 1 12–13 May 2012:<br />
Spirituality & Transpersonal<br />
Psychotherapy<br />
Workshop 2 3–4 Nov. 2012:<br />
Transpersonal Therapy & Healing<br />
the Healer<br />
For more information visit: www.<br />
drzana.co.za or contact Stuart<br />
Sovatsky stuartcs1@comcast.net<br />
Location: NIROX ART is a<br />
private art foundation set on 15<br />
hectares in an<br />
extensive nature<br />
reserve in the<br />
heart <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Cradle <strong>of</strong> Humankind<br />
World<br />
Heritage Site.<br />
www.niroxarts.<br />
com<br />
Dr. Zana <strong>Mar</strong>ovic<br />
has been<br />
a psychotherapist,<br />
supervisor,<br />
hypnotherapist,<br />
and yoga teacher for more 20<br />
years. She has presented papers<br />
and workshops at world congresses<br />
in Israel, Norway, South Africa,<br />
Hungary, the United Kingdom,<br />
Portugal, Czech Republic, Iceland,<br />
India, China, and Russia.<br />
Dr. Stuart Sovatsky, is a fortyyear<br />
Kirtan Yoga Chant-Master<br />
in the Anahata-nad tradition <strong>of</strong><br />
kundalini yoga, Master, Swami<br />
Kripalvanand, and pioneer in applying<br />
devotional tantra to transforming<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> troubled<br />
relationships.<br />
Performers: Healing & Spirituality<br />
Through Poetry & Music<br />
Napo Masheane was born in<br />
Soweto and grew up in Free State.<br />
She is a writer, director, producer,<br />
poet,<br />
and acclaimed<br />
performer.<br />
In<br />
2006<br />
she<br />
published<br />
the<br />
poetry anthology Caves Speak<br />
in Metaphors. In 2007 she was<br />
named one <strong>of</strong> the Top 100 Youth<br />
in South Africa by the Mail &<br />
Guardian.<br />
Stompie Selibe is a Johannesburg-born<br />
visual artist, musician,<br />
and a<br />
multitalented<br />
individual.<br />
He works<br />
with<br />
people<br />
who are<br />
experiencing<br />
difficulties<br />
ranging from abuse and rape<br />
to living with HIV/AIDS.<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
15
ATP NEWSLETTER<br />
New Co-President<br />
Steven Schmitz<br />
The ATP Board <strong>of</strong> Directors<br />
voted Steven<br />
Schmitz to join Stuart<br />
Sovatsky and David<br />
Luk<strong>of</strong>f as a Co-President <strong>of</strong> ATP,<br />
making the first triumvirate in<br />
ATP’s history.<br />
Steven Schmitz has a Ph.D. in<br />
Transpersonal Psychology from<br />
ITP and a B.A. degree in Humanistic<br />
Psychology from Sonoma<br />
State University. He is trained in<br />
Gestalt Therapy, Bioenergetics,<br />
Existential–Humanistic Psychotherapy,<br />
and various healing<br />
practices. He was initiated into the<br />
practices <strong>of</strong> zazen and shamanism<br />
in 1974 and currently works with<br />
the Q’ero paqos <strong>of</strong> the Peruvian<br />
Andes. Steven co-founded and<br />
co-administrated Sheng House<br />
(a psychiatric residential facility).<br />
Currently he has a private practice<br />
<strong>of</strong> shamanic counseling, spiritual<br />
guidance, and dream work. Dr.<br />
Schmitz is also an international<br />
speaker, teacher (at transpersonal<br />
institutes in Italy, Estonia, Switzerland,<br />
Moscow), and workshop<br />
leader on shamanic topics. He is<br />
also a board member <strong>of</strong> EURO-<br />
TAS. In addition, he has considerable<br />
marketing and executive<br />
experience in Silicon Valley, so<br />
expect to hear from him soon as<br />
he hits the ground running.<br />
IN MEMORIAM<br />
JEANNE ACHTERBERG<br />
— Eugene Taylor<br />
Dr. Jeanne Achterberg,<br />
Ph.D., pioneer in<br />
mind/body medicine,<br />
legend across healthcare<br />
disciplines, crusader for the<br />
scientific basis <strong>of</strong> spiritual healing,<br />
author <strong>of</strong> numerous books,<br />
international lecturer, and patient<br />
advocate for self-healing, died<br />
Wednesday, in the afternoon <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 7 th , 2012, at her home<br />
in Monterey, <strong>California</strong>, from<br />
metatastic cancer. She served<br />
as a Pr<strong>of</strong>essor on the Faculty at<br />
Southwestern Medical School<br />
in Dallas for 11 years, during<br />
which time she entered the field<br />
<strong>of</strong> alternative and complementary<br />
medicine. She went on to teach<br />
at the <strong>Institute</strong> for Transpersonal<br />
Psychology in Palo Alto, and then<br />
joined the faculty as a Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
Psychology at Saybrook University<br />
in San Francisco.<br />
From an early period she<br />
was acclaimed for her work on<br />
the use <strong>of</strong> imagery in healing,<br />
psychoimmunology, behavioral<br />
strategies for the reduction <strong>of</strong><br />
pain and anxiety, and the role<br />
<strong>of</strong> women as health consumers.<br />
Her research focused on the<br />
psychological aspects <strong>of</strong> cancer, a<br />
comparison <strong>of</strong> bi<strong>of</strong>eedback and<br />
physical therapy in the treatment<br />
<strong>of</strong> rheumatoid arthritis, and a<br />
test <strong>of</strong> behavioral strategies for<br />
pain and anxiety associated with<br />
orthopedic trauma. She authored<br />
more than 100 papers and 5 books.<br />
Later, she would rise to become<br />
President <strong>of</strong> the Association for<br />
Transpersonal Psychology, at the<br />
same time that she also co-chaired<br />
the mind/body interventions ad<br />
hoc advisory panel <strong>of</strong> the new<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> Alternative Medicine.<br />
She was Senior Editor for many<br />
years <strong>of</strong> the Journal <strong>of</strong> Alternative<br />
Medicine, and also a trainer <strong>of</strong><br />
physicians, nurses, psychologists,<br />
and social workers internationally<br />
in mind/body medicine. She was<br />
the recipient <strong>of</strong> numerous awards<br />
from the American Nursing<br />
Association; the Moncrieff Award<br />
for Burn Research; and in 2001<br />
she was featured in Time Magazine<br />
as one <strong>of</strong> the six innovators <strong>of</strong><br />
Complementary and Alternative<br />
Therapies for the coming century.<br />
Personally, I have lost a fellow<br />
pilgrim who was shining the way<br />
on a spiritual path.<br />
EUGENE TAYLOR, Ph.D., is a<br />
Lecturer on Psychiatry at Harvard<br />
Medical School, and an Executive<br />
Faculty member at Saybrook University<br />
Graduate School.<br />
16<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
ATP NEWSLETTER<br />
TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLGY IN ISRAEL<br />
— Arielle Warner<br />
When David Luk<strong>of</strong>f,<br />
ATP Co-President,<br />
came to Israel to<br />
present in April<br />
2012, he met a number <strong>of</strong> graduates<br />
<strong>of</strong> ITP, CIIS, and Naropa<br />
who are <strong>of</strong>fering programs in<br />
transpersonal psychology. He<br />
asked me to update the world on<br />
what is happening in transpersonal<br />
psychology in Israel. This is the<br />
fourth year that I am teaching a<br />
year-long program in spiritual care<br />
for pr<strong>of</strong>essionals working with illness<br />
and end-<strong>of</strong>-life issues and am<br />
also <strong>of</strong>fering training on the psychospiritual<br />
principles <strong>of</strong> yoga for<br />
therapists. This year, together with<br />
Meirav Hermesh and Keren Tsarfaty,<br />
I am organizing a year-long<br />
transpersonal psychology course<br />
for therapists including theory,<br />
clinical implications, and also<br />
spiritual practices, to be held at<br />
the Israel Center for Mind–Body<br />
Medicine (www.cmbm.org/).<br />
Some additional Tranpersonal<br />
Psychology–related trainings<br />
in Israel: Two-year training in<br />
Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy<br />
organized by Maty Leiblich and<br />
Shantam Zohar <strong>of</strong>fered in the<br />
Social Work Department <strong>of</strong> Bar<br />
Ilan University, research groups<br />
and pr<strong>of</strong>essional conferences on<br />
Mindfulness-Based Therapeutic<br />
approaches at the Interdisciplinary<br />
Center in Herzliya (http://<br />
portal.idc.ac.il/en/main/homepage/Pages/homepage.aspx),<br />
and<br />
the Haifa University Education<br />
Department headed by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Ofra Mayseless <strong>of</strong>fers interesting<br />
programs integrating spirituality<br />
and counseling (www.edu.haifa.<br />
ac.il/en/) and has been the home<br />
for yearly conferences on Contemporary<br />
Spiritualities Research<br />
Israel Center for Mind–Body Medicine Director James Gordon (middle left)<br />
& Gaza Country Director Jamil Atti (middle right)with youth group, Gaza City<br />
and Studies—the fourth, held in<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch 2012, included, along with<br />
Israeli presenters, Harris Friedman,<br />
Douglas McDonald, and Les<br />
Lancaster (www.spirituality.haifa.<br />
ac.il/4th_conf/index_en.html).<br />
There is a new journal, Journal<br />
<strong>of</strong> East–West Psychology Israel,<br />
edited by Hava Rimon and Maty<br />
Lieblich (http://east-west-psych.<br />
co.il/issue-no-1-2/). Maty Lieblich<br />
has written a book in Hebrew,<br />
Man at the Edge <strong>of</strong> Ego, which is a<br />
textbook <strong>of</strong> transpersonal psychology.<br />
So Transpersonal psychology<br />
is thriving in this spiritually rich<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
President’s Corner<br />
In the ATP Newsletters, I<br />
have presented innovative<br />
clinical projects and<br />
initiatives in the field <strong>of</strong><br />
transpersonal psychology and<br />
spirituality, such as in the last issue<br />
on the <strong>California</strong> Mental Health<br />
and Spirituality Initiative and a<br />
Transpersonal Clinic at the San<br />
Francisco VA Hospital. Here I<br />
describe a systematic approach to<br />
remediating the neglect <strong>of</strong> spirituality<br />
in the public mental health<br />
— David Luk<strong>of</strong>f<br />
system, which was developed by<br />
the Alameda County (<strong>California</strong>)<br />
Cultural Responsiveness Committee<br />
and the Spirituality Workgroup<br />
in <strong>California</strong>. Spirituality<br />
101 is a workshop that models<br />
attitudes and values <strong>of</strong> appreciation<br />
and inclusivity necessary to<br />
integrate spirituality in wellnessand<br />
recovery-oriented mental<br />
services and also provide concrete<br />
skills in spiritual assessment and<br />
identifying religious and spiritual<br />
problems. The<br />
workshop is<br />
taught by Gigi<br />
Crowder and<br />
Minister Monique Tarver and a<br />
pool <strong>of</strong> diverse local spiritual/faith<br />
leaders and cultural brokers representing<br />
various cultures and faith<br />
traditions including: Islam, Buddhism,<br />
Universalism, Christianity,<br />
Jewish traditions, Native American<br />
spirituality practices, Afghan, and<br />
African American culture.<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
17
Poetic Tribute to Thomas S. Szasz, T.S.S. (Truth’s Sweet Sound)<br />
This tribute comprises the titles <strong>of</strong> his thirty-five books (as <strong>of</strong> October 2011) and some <strong>of</strong> his many ideas.<br />
Let us now salute a humanist, a valiant libertarian,<br />
iconoclast, psychiatrist, learned writer and contrarian.<br />
To foes and fans, respectively, he brings both Pain And Pleasure,<br />
and for those who mind respectfully, he’s an intellectual treasure.<br />
Self-acknowledged friends <strong>of</strong> liberty are well advised to heed him<br />
if they don’t know how psychiatry’s a threat to Faith In Freedom.<br />
His detractors deign to denigrate and call him “paranoid”<br />
(a defamatory label slapped on those deemed “Anti-Freud”).<br />
He has called psychiatry “quackery” on more than one occasion;<br />
Antipsychiatry: Quackery Squared is just another variation<br />
<strong>of</strong> this paternalist, determinist, elite epistemology,<br />
institutionalized inhumanity and gravely flawed ontology.<br />
For over fifty years he’s dared to speak words most audacious<br />
against The Therapeutic State: those medically mendacious<br />
practitioners <strong>of</strong> psychobabble and Psychiatric Slavery,<br />
The Manufacture <strong>of</strong> Madness and other forms <strong>of</strong> human knavery;<br />
those soul doctors and inquisitors, who judge both good and badness,<br />
those definers <strong>of</strong> normality in this, The Age <strong>of</strong> Madness.<br />
His Untamed Tongue hurls Heresies against their pompous piety,<br />
and false idols like Schizophrenia: Sacred Symbol <strong>of</strong> Psychiatry;<br />
against Ceremonial Chemistry, through which Our Right to Drugs<br />
is politically abrogated by the state’s coercive thugs;<br />
against electroshock, lobotomy, outrageous Cruel Compassion,<br />
and chemical strait-jackets, “therapeutically” in fashion.<br />
“It’s our intent to save,” protests this pseudo-medical pr<strong>of</strong>ession,<br />
(just like the slave’s) the madman’s Liberation by Oppression.<br />
The “prescription” is Coercion As Cure for that most disturbing<br />
misbehavior that some other folks are having trouble curbing.<br />
A quick peek inside their Lexicon <strong>of</strong> Lunacy is revealing:<br />
They claim “it’s for the patient’s good” to hurt instead <strong>of</strong> healing!<br />
In the name game they’re the champions, inventive and prolific,<br />
and this game’s named “diagnosis”; doesn’t that sound scientific?<br />
They say good behavior’s healthy, bad behavior’s a disease,<br />
and excessive bad behavior’s an addiction, if you please!<br />
If you’re focused they’ll pr<strong>of</strong>ess that you “obsess compulsively”;<br />
if you’re not, why then, they’ll diagnose a “case” <strong>of</strong> “ADD.”<br />
It’s disease that we prevent and it is crime that we prohibit,<br />
and deciding which response we make starts with the name we give it.<br />
Call expressing one’s own death wish “suicidal ideation,”<br />
and they symptomize a thought—by psychiatric imputation.<br />
The “prevention” <strong>of</strong> self-killing is what he calls Suicide<br />
Prohibition and, to clarify what doctors have belied,<br />
he points out that, when demedicalizing social power games,<br />
we should start with truthful language: Call things by their proper names.<br />
Sometimes doctor and his patient will use language to deceive;<br />
the semantic antics make it hard to know whom to believe.<br />
For to claim “My Madness Saved Me” all depends on how you spin it;<br />
as manipulative strategy, there’s certainly method in it.<br />
In addition to the name game, there’s another that they play;<br />
this rendition’s called the blame game, and the gambit’s to portray<br />
some hapless person as the scapegoat for some other’s sin and vice,<br />
and then purge society’s problems via ritual sacrifice.<br />
18<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
POEM (CONTINUED)<br />
— <strong>Mar</strong>k Meschino<br />
With their force-fed drugs they’ll “cure” your “oppositional defiance”<br />
(with both big brother and big pharma have they forged a close alliance).<br />
When they call forced drugging “medication,” it’s to euphemize<br />
what is poisoning, which wouldn’t be permitted, otherwise.<br />
“Mental illness” is the “cause” <strong>of</strong> your reluctance to admit<br />
you “need” their “help,” hence they’ll vote to involuntarily commit.<br />
Don’t protest that you’ve been wronged and call it forced incarceration.<br />
Call it “patient’s right to treatment”; such semantic innovation!<br />
For, the concept <strong>of</strong> a human right in true democracy<br />
is rather different now that we’ve evolved into Pharmacracy.<br />
The Theology <strong>of</strong> Medicine has replaced theocracy;<br />
is Hippocratic absolution absolute hypocrisy?<br />
Law, Liberty and Psychiatry don’t mix well, so pay attention.<br />
Disregarding this has consequences too horrible to mention,<br />
because Psychiatric Justice just is not what you might think;<br />
adversaries in the courtroom could very well include your shrink!<br />
When the innocent are “diagnosed,” the goal is to accuse;<br />
when the guilty plead “insanity,” the goal is to excuse.<br />
In both cases are the concepts <strong>of</strong> responsibility<br />
and free will negated. Liberty’s the final casualty.<br />
And from courtroom now to bedroom, opportunities galore<br />
to exploit what should be private, too auspicious to ignore.<br />
Painting sexual behavior as a medical condition<br />
opens up the door to “experts” who will sell Sex By Prescription.<br />
So you think your schooling’s phony? Guess it’s hard not to agree,<br />
but it’s easier to blame your brain’s “unbalanced chemistry,”<br />
or perhaps your chromosomes are slightly “flawed,” genetically,<br />
but either way, it’s Ritalin to calm “hyperactivity.”<br />
It’s from his books you’ll learn what they don’t teach in those psych classes:<br />
That through myth manipulation, men manipulate the masses.<br />
The Myth <strong>of</strong> Psychotherapy suggests something’s amiss<br />
with what should rightly be The Ethics <strong>of</strong> Psychoanalysis.<br />
The Myth <strong>of</strong> Mental Illness has persisted by confusing<br />
fact with metaphor, conflation that has led to our abusing<br />
first the language, then true understanding, then our fellow man,<br />
and then, finally, freedom. Let’s correct this error, if we can.<br />
Doesn’t talk <strong>of</strong> “mental illness” reify The Meaning <strong>of</strong> Mind?<br />
Don’t concrete and abstract thus become perfidiously entwined?<br />
Is our Fatal Freedom fraught with Ideology and Insanity?<br />
Who controls birth, life, and death? Indeed, deep questions for humanity.<br />
So . . . Insanity: The Idea and Its Consequences makes<br />
a pr<strong>of</strong>anity <strong>of</strong> reason—mind “diseases” are all fakes.<br />
How much further we will tolerate The Medicalization<br />
<strong>of</strong> Everyday Life is a question that requires some contemplation.<br />
Eating from the tree <strong>of</strong> knowledge put us on the path wherein<br />
we commence and take the first steps to commit The Second Sin.<br />
Then, by cultivating clarity in language and in thought,<br />
we can reconstruct the tower that the Babelians once wrought.<br />
Intellectually inoculate with a few Words to the Wise,<br />
as a vaccination for Psychiatry: The Science <strong>of</strong> Lies.<br />
In so doing, we protect the things that make our lives worth living,<br />
and to Thomas Szasz, for this truth serum, thanks should we be giving.<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
19
REVIEWS<br />
WHY REGRESSION<br />
THERAPY? The View <strong>of</strong><br />
the Inexperienced<br />
Written and directed by Ulf<br />
Parczyk<br />
Produced by the European<br />
Association for Regression Therapy<br />
(EARTH), 2011, DVD €20.<br />
Reviewed by David C. Lavra<br />
Given the effects <strong>of</strong> our<br />
life’s early experiences on<br />
our ongoing experience<br />
<strong>of</strong> our lives, regression<br />
therapy represents an important<br />
medium for addressing these<br />
effects. We can re-explore events<br />
and traumas to heal wounds.<br />
In this DVD Why Regression<br />
Therapy?, a vivid description<br />
is provided <strong>of</strong> the process. The<br />
presentation moves slowly<br />
with soothing music in the<br />
background. (Note: With the<br />
volume at maximum, the volume<br />
on my laptop was very low.)<br />
The DVD begins with a<br />
narration from a client who went<br />
to the international convention <strong>of</strong><br />
EARTH (European Association<br />
for Regression Therapy) that met<br />
in Germany. At this 2010 Annual<br />
Meeting, he had a chance to hear<br />
many opinions from the experts<br />
and leaders <strong>of</strong> Regression Therapy.<br />
He had been a client in this style<br />
<strong>of</strong> therapy and was motivated to<br />
learn more about it. He conducts<br />
interviews with the therapists, and<br />
records actual therapy sessions that<br />
took place at the convention. In<br />
the interviews, several therapists<br />
discuss their goals and methods <strong>of</strong><br />
their particular style <strong>of</strong> regression<br />
therapy.<br />
Therapists come from a range<br />
<strong>of</strong> practices including Gestalt,<br />
Voice dialogue, bodywork, but in<br />
common they listen to their client,<br />
stay with the client, but do not<br />
interpret. At times the therapist<br />
asks for thoughts and descriptions.<br />
They make the intangible,<br />
tangible. The DVD provides<br />
demonstrations<br />
and explanations <strong>of</strong><br />
various methods.<br />
While it is<br />
declared that<br />
Regression Therapy<br />
brings deep and<br />
lasting relief and<br />
is an efficient,<br />
focused, and direct<br />
therapy aimed at<br />
resolving sources <strong>of</strong><br />
mental–emotional<br />
issues, it is also true<br />
that no one method always works.<br />
However, the regression therapists<br />
here declare that “people go to us<br />
because other things do not work.”<br />
The DVD addresses who the<br />
appropriate client is. Specifically,<br />
this method is “very effective with<br />
phobias and physical problems.”<br />
Among the inappropriate<br />
clients are clinically determined<br />
schizophrenics and borderlines,<br />
people who will not listen to<br />
their bodies, New Age types, and<br />
people taking tranquilizers and<br />
medications (that silence their<br />
awareness). Also, the client needs<br />
to be open to the methods used in<br />
regression therapy.<br />
I was particularly impressed<br />
by the poetic description <strong>of</strong> the<br />
client in therapy who “Like a<br />
flower opens up petal by petal and<br />
becomes who they are.” Another<br />
therapist speaks <strong>of</strong> deep healing<br />
in which deep pain is sought<br />
in order to reach the core issue.<br />
Another therapist guides the client<br />
to “go back to the first time you<br />
had this feeling,” go into memory<br />
and relive it cathartically, reexperience<br />
the trauma to re-react<br />
and break up the energy, in order<br />
to alleviate problems. Another<br />
therapist describes providing<br />
energy to hold a space where the<br />
client works, while the therapist<br />
guides and helps to clarify. Of<br />
particular importance is the<br />
clinical problem <strong>of</strong><br />
a core issue that can<br />
be created from false<br />
memory, to which<br />
a clear distinction<br />
was presented based<br />
on the difference<br />
between fantasy and<br />
real memory.<br />
It was pointed<br />
out that Freudians<br />
guide clients from<br />
their childhood<br />
experiences, so<br />
this part <strong>of</strong> the therapy is not<br />
necessarily new. However, going<br />
back well before birth presents<br />
a much greater challenge for<br />
scientific verification. Many<br />
associates <strong>of</strong> EARTH seem to<br />
build on the reincarnation idea,<br />
which is unique and may limit<br />
the range <strong>of</strong> prospective clients.<br />
One therapist describes a child<br />
that came into life with sadness<br />
and fear, which was attributed to<br />
experiences from a past life. To<br />
answer a major doubt presented,<br />
this DVD addresses the issue <strong>of</strong><br />
false memories. The question <strong>of</strong><br />
false presentations (or memories)<br />
and fantasies was addressed<br />
from the position that the “body<br />
remembers” those experiences<br />
“from past lives.” One therapist<br />
assures us that “the body does<br />
not lie.” Further, the experts<br />
share their positions about false<br />
presentations based on their<br />
clinical experience.<br />
The viewer is provided with<br />
information on many levels and<br />
aspects <strong>of</strong> Regression Therapy, all<br />
grouped into video chapters for<br />
convenient review.<br />
DAVID LAVRA is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>AHP</strong>.<br />
20<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
REVIEWS<br />
PRIMORDIAL PSYCHE: A<br />
Reliving <strong>of</strong> the Soul <strong>of</strong><br />
Ancestors: A Jungian<br />
and Transpersonal<br />
Worldview<br />
By Diego Pignatelli Spinazzola<br />
iUniverse, 2011, 128 pp., $13.95<br />
(paperback), $9.99 (Kindle),<br />
ISBN 9781450284561.<br />
Excerpts from Chapter 1<br />
Where can one<br />
find the roots <strong>of</strong><br />
creativity in an<br />
alienated society,<br />
dissociated and conformed to the<br />
habits <strong>of</strong> the masses—false and<br />
hypocritical models in which false<br />
consciences are masked?<br />
Are we really so far away from<br />
madness or do we not want to<br />
accept the madness <strong>of</strong> others so<br />
as not to see it moving around in<br />
ourselves? Where does the poet’s<br />
soul sit if not in the madness<br />
<strong>of</strong> a schizophrenic or a saint<br />
alienated by his time and by his<br />
collective social uses? If we do<br />
not know how to respond to<br />
important questions such as the<br />
desacralization and the secondary<br />
personalization <strong>of</strong> myths that have<br />
characterized the era <strong>of</strong> divine<br />
rebirth and which today have<br />
almost all disappeared into the<br />
secular past <strong>of</strong> the mechanization<br />
<strong>of</strong> consciousness, then I believe<br />
that we will be dishonest with<br />
regard to ourselves.<br />
But creativity is not the daughter<br />
<strong>of</strong> history’s secularizing destiny.<br />
Creativity is the same madness<br />
which floods an individual’s<br />
Uranian and revolutionary<br />
conscience—intelligent and<br />
intuitive but also prophetic and<br />
visionary: a perennial rebel to the<br />
conventional laws <strong>of</strong> the masses.<br />
. . .<br />
But at the moment, we are<br />
witnessing a hypertrophy <strong>of</strong><br />
consciousness, unhinged from the<br />
context <strong>of</strong> values and archetypal<br />
spiritual canons. As a result,<br />
secondary personalization,<br />
with the demythologization <strong>of</strong><br />
symbols and their full energy, is<br />
making modern man insensitive<br />
to such content. Modern art is<br />
also suffering from this collective<br />
desacralization. But why not<br />
believe that where a community<br />
exists, so does the individual?<br />
Why not see it as a compensatory<br />
relationship?<br />
We are talking about the<br />
history <strong>of</strong> man. A history <strong>of</strong> the<br />
individual which, since the most<br />
distant primordial eras, has carried<br />
humanity’s history with it. By<br />
nearing the Jungian vision, we are<br />
trying to recuperate the meaning<br />
<strong>of</strong> the soul in the world and in the<br />
mythological origin <strong>of</strong> the hero.<br />
Where does the creative soul lie<br />
if not with the hero? “Fight the<br />
dragon <strong>of</strong> the unconscious” is the<br />
password for a humanity which<br />
cannot placate its demonic myths.<br />
Myths, which like a collective<br />
and heterogenic dispersion,<br />
fragmented with complexes and<br />
values, take the place <strong>of</strong> the real<br />
myth: the myth <strong>of</strong> unity.<br />
Humanity needs to rediscover<br />
unity, which is apparently<br />
fragmented by a collective<br />
psychic dissociation. Collective<br />
individuation is only possible if<br />
we want a real and true process <strong>of</strong><br />
dialectic synthesis between the ego<br />
and the unconscious. Also being<br />
part <strong>of</strong> a process <strong>of</strong> individuation,<br />
the two instances are anyway<br />
dissociated in our current era more<br />
than at any other time. We end up<br />
with a hypertrophic barbarization<br />
<strong>of</strong> the conscience with too many<br />
unilateral paths. This is the myth<br />
<strong>of</strong> progress and technology,<br />
economy, science, and medicine.<br />
The myth <strong>of</strong> materialism is failing<br />
in front <strong>of</strong> our eyes. . . .<br />
The artist’s soul with its<br />
romantic impulses is alienated<br />
from the collective who notices<br />
this unconscious threatening<br />
outburst. This happens largely<br />
among the youth <strong>of</strong> today. The<br />
existential and introvert romantic<br />
is excluded from a selective and<br />
hypertrophic consciousness. There<br />
is no meeting <strong>of</strong> the Anima and<br />
the Animus because <strong>of</strong> psychic<br />
impoverishment. The woman,<br />
who should have absolved the<br />
function <strong>of</strong> the ego’s psychism,<br />
frees herself from the risky job.<br />
For a girl, the final objective <strong>of</strong><br />
a competition or a graduation<br />
takes the place <strong>of</strong> the attractive,<br />
projected, idealization toward the<br />
romantic Anima <strong>of</strong> a boy.<br />
But will false collective values<br />
put such a meeting <strong>of</strong>f course?<br />
Or will it be our insufficient<br />
familiarity with complementary<br />
opposites or with the process <strong>of</strong><br />
alchemic synthesis, whose ancient<br />
roots are found in ancient Eastern<br />
Indian symbols <strong>of</strong> the psyche’s<br />
perfection like the energy <strong>of</strong> the<br />
chakra and kundalini yoga?<br />
Shiva is united with the dancing<br />
goddess Shakti, in the Tantric,<br />
alchemic process <strong>of</strong> kundalini—<br />
the union <strong>of</strong> the bride and groom.<br />
But I am not here to talk about<br />
the subtle physiology <strong>of</strong> kundalini,<br />
the process which joins together<br />
the two cosmic spouses, deifying<br />
them in the human body which<br />
as a result becomes a divine<br />
macrocosmic domain.<br />
A yogi’s journey is to become<br />
conscious <strong>of</strong> this sacred union<br />
between man and woman,<br />
god and goddess (maithuna).<br />
Modern rational and objective<br />
discrimination has dualistically<br />
divided these natural processes.<br />
That is why the young no longer<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
ahp PERSPECTIVE<br />
21
REVIEWS<br />
explore universal spiritual<br />
principles <strong>of</strong> existence and move<br />
around in activities which are too<br />
concretist and mono-referential.<br />
In other words they have learned<br />
to mask their ego-persona<br />
keeping themselves far from the<br />
unconscious with behavior that is<br />
too conscious and unilateral.<br />
“Far from the unconscious,<br />
far from the mother” is an<br />
indubitable order which the<br />
young learn to accept in today’s<br />
society. Nevertheless there are rare<br />
individuals who do not follow<br />
the order imposed by matriarchal<br />
laws and dare to fight “primordial<br />
parents,” managing on the whole<br />
to defeat the dragon. These are<br />
the outsiders, the great individuals<br />
who belong to the category <strong>of</strong><br />
heroes.<br />
They are the precursors who<br />
move the false disenchanted<br />
consciousnesses <strong>of</strong> the<br />
unconscious mother, the anima<br />
mundi, the birthplace <strong>of</strong> myths,<br />
gods, and legends and with their<br />
creative power they re-enchant<br />
them. They revolutionalize old<br />
paradigms and impose new ones<br />
which are far from ordinary. It<br />
is clear that this creative twist is<br />
seen with suspicion and alarm<br />
inside a tradition <strong>of</strong> old cultural<br />
values. This twist causes reactions<br />
and collective psychisms—real<br />
and proper mass epidemics. A<br />
creative individual is drastically<br />
expelled from his<br />
conservative society<br />
with old values and will<br />
only be able to return<br />
through a re-education<br />
<strong>of</strong> values with preexisting<br />
conservative<br />
laws. The relationship<br />
<strong>of</strong> compensation<br />
between the Great<br />
Individual and his<br />
society is avoided,<br />
and in the worst cases<br />
is compromised by such an<br />
unquestionable expulsion. He will<br />
only be able to return as a hero<br />
or dragon slayer—victorious over<br />
the forces <strong>of</strong> evil. He will then be<br />
received with all the honors <strong>of</strong><br />
the substituted symbol <strong>of</strong> the old<br />
canon. . . .<br />
As Jung showed, we are faced<br />
with archetypal images: The<br />
mythologeme is a language that is<br />
expressed for images and is charged<br />
with mythical image “nouveauenriched”<br />
from potentiality<br />
<strong>of</strong> meaning. No language can<br />
reach the expressive riches <strong>of</strong> the<br />
mythical image. On the contrary,<br />
the mythologeme is an original<br />
language expressed by metaphors.<br />
(C. G. Jung, 1960, A review <strong>of</strong><br />
the complex theory. Collected<br />
Works, vol. 8, Bollingen Series<br />
XX. Princeton, NJ: Princeton<br />
University Press)<br />
For the individual soul, society’s<br />
collective scorn is dissociative<br />
estrangement<br />
otherwise known<br />
as alienation. For a<br />
soulless world which<br />
wanders through the<br />
dispersion <strong>of</strong> identities<br />
regrouped to the<br />
moral <strong>of</strong> great quantity,<br />
through mystified<br />
identities <strong>of</strong> false<br />
cultural figures where<br />
a symbol, the only<br />
mediator <strong>of</strong> the unconscious and<br />
meaning, has lost supremacy, even<br />
the true experiential unity and<br />
mythical tale has lost its value—it<br />
has been sent to the meta-narratives<br />
which post-modernism<br />
drastically refuses to accept. Myth<br />
is the universal vision and historical<br />
truth <strong>of</strong> things; it represents<br />
the hero’s epic journey which in<br />
a large measure all <strong>of</strong> humanity<br />
should confront. We will understand<br />
that the creative person,<br />
the hero, can be found in a great<br />
divide, setting himself out as the<br />
troubleshooter or “unifying symbol”<br />
for man’s religious, political,<br />
psychological, and philosophical<br />
conflicts. Maybe one day man will<br />
be able to liberate himself from his<br />
dreamy odyssey without dragging<br />
his daimon behind him.<br />
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Contact:<br />
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Petaluma CA 94952 (415) 435-1604<br />
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Starting<br />
January<br />
2013<br />
OPEN TO<br />
NON-<br />
N-<br />
SAYBROOK<br />
OK<br />
STUDENTS TS<br />
Starting ti<br />
January 2011!<br />
1!<br />
A Certificate program <strong>of</strong>fered by<br />
Saybrook University, <strong>California</strong><br />
EXPRESSIVE ARTS<br />
for Healing and Social Change:<br />
A Person-Centered Approach<br />
his unique 16 Unit certificate program combines experiential<br />
learning, theory and practice in the person-centered philosophy<br />
<strong>of</strong> Carl Rogers and the expressive arts: movement,<br />
sound, visual arts, creative writing and psychodrama.<br />
Participants come from around the globe wishing to use the expressive<br />
arts in counseling, teaching, mediation, social action and group facilitation,<br />
or to awaken personal growth and creativity. They attend six residen-<br />
tial week-long courses over two years at a lovely retreat center in northern<br />
<strong>California</strong>. Starting January 4–10, 2013, provided enrollment <strong>of</strong> 15 is filled.<br />
Shellee Davis, MA, REAT co-created the Saybrook Expressive<br />
Arts Certificate program and was co-director and faculty<br />
with Natalie Rogers at the Person-Centered Expressive Therapy<br />
<strong>Institute</strong> for 18 years. She also teaches Person-Centered<br />
Expressive Arts Therapy (PCEAT) training programs in Japan,<br />
South Korea and at the <strong>California</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Integral</strong> Studies<br />
in San Francisco.<br />
Sue Ann Herron, Ph.D., left the corporate world to get her<br />
Ph.D. Psychology with special emphasis in Person-Centered<br />
Expressive Arts Therapy (PCEAT). She has facilitated workshops<br />
for women’s spirituality groups, bereaved children, and<br />
high school students. She co-facilitated a PCEAT train-<br />
ing program for South Korean therapists with Natalie<br />
Rogers, and for Japanese students with Shellee Davis.<br />
Natalie Rogers, Ph.D., REAT, author <strong>of</strong> The Creative<br />
Connection: Expressive Arts as Healing, and Emerg-<br />
ing Woman has led PCEAT trainings internationally.<br />
Dr.<br />
Rogers practiced as a psychotherapist for 30<br />
years and facilitated many workshops with her father,<br />
Carl Rogers. Natalie will be present one day<br />
at<br />
each <strong>of</strong> the 6 courses. She is a Distinguished<br />
Consulting Faculty at Saybrook University.<br />
Course Titles<br />
■ Nourishing the Soul<br />
■ Client-Centered<br />
Expressive Arts for<br />
Counseling<br />
■ Wisdom <strong>of</strong> the Body<br />
■ Expression Arts for<br />
Social Change<br />
■ Expressive Arts:<br />
Group Facilitation<br />
For full course description<br />
go to www.nrogers.com<br />
We Will Explore<br />
■ How the creative process<br />
connects us to body,<br />
psyche, soul and world<br />
■ How the person-centered<br />
approach enhances<br />
emotional intelligence,<br />
healing, relationships and<br />
manifesting our potentials<br />
■ The use <strong>of</strong> expressive arts<br />
in counseling, teaching<br />
and group work.<br />
To Apply<br />
■ Saybrook students contact Aaron Hiatt at ahiatt@saybrook.edu or phone him at 415-394-6141.<br />
■ Non-Saybrook students contact Admissions: Faiza Bukhari (fbukhari@saybrook.edu) or phone<br />
her at 800-825-4480 ext. 1255. ■ For information about the content <strong>of</strong> the program please contact:<br />
Natalie Rogers at nrogers@nrogers.com, Shellee Davis at colville@sonic.net, or<br />
Sue Ann Herron at sueannherron@comcast.net.<br />
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012<br />
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