The author was unable to attend this Bake Off. If anyone in the group has any references, quotes or other ideas about what was discussed at the Bake Off, that they would like to share with the group. Please email me or post a comment on this blog.
http://www.motivationalinterview.net/clinical/whatismi.htmlhttp://www.motivationalinterview.net/clinical/whatismi.html
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
July 2, 2015: Bake Off: Book discussion, Syncretism, and Emotions.
There are several nuggets from this Bake Off that I will briefly summarize here:
Heidi proposed a one time book discussion group which could be conducted either at her home, or at the Mindfulness Center. She would like to do it on August 6, but there is concern that a significant number of members of the group would not be able to get the book read by that time. The book is entitled "The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. Apparently it has recently been in town as a movie but is not currently. One member of the group has started the book and feels at least the early part of the book which he has read presents some rather deep considerations of aging and our society's handling of this time of life. Heidi will collect some responses to see how many would be interested in doing this on a Thursday morning or whether it should be a separate time with only those interested in getting the book read by early August. We will vote on this on July 9, 2015.
There was a comment on memory since some of our more recent discussion have centered on that topic. Studies have suggested that people who exercise have less Alzheimer's disease. But this may not be cause and effect but rather a selection bias. Those who exercise may have other lifestyle characteristics that contribute to a reduction of that disease. Certainly walking releases stress and clears the mind -- that has been shown in studies. Sleep also seals in learning and memory and it has been shown that those who exercise also practice other good habits such as 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Diet may also play a role.
Sky announced that Meridith has recently come back from a Brazil trip and will be making another lengthy trip there in a couple months. Meridith explained that there will be a blog which will show some of the work that he will be doing there. That blog site has been emailed to you all by Sharleen. The blog will likely have three parts: 1) A section will consider syncretism of African spiritual and ritualistic practices with Brazilian Catholicism .2)There will be two videos of 2 different baptisms which are unusual Brazilian practices. 3) The third part explains and deals with dancing, drumming, and celebrations in a context of the spiritual.
Some members of the group indicated some question about the word syncretism. The definition of this word is usually stated as follows: the combining of different, often contradictory philosophies or religions. It is the reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous. Examples of syncretism have occurred throughout history and throughout the world cultures and religions. One of the most well known examples to us is Halloween which contains both Christian and pagan components. Often syncretism occurred when a people was conquered and the conquerors blended sacred days and practices from the indigenous population's religion with that of the conquerors, partially to encourage the practice of the conquering religion. This often occurred with variable degrees of success and trust.
I refer you to the Wikipedia article on syncretism at the following link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism You will be surprised at the number of historical and even modern syncretic belief systems which we are somewhat familiar with eg. Ba'Hai, Unitarian Universalism, , the Druze, some forms of Sufism, the Native American Church, and even the Theosophical Society may be classed in this group. Meridith has been studying particularly the syncretism that occurs in Brazil called Candomble, Vodou and others where Yoruba and other African deities are analogized to the Roman Catholic saints. Usually in those practices Meridith studies, it is St. John who is analogized. There is even a church in Milwaukee, called "Our Lord of the Good End" in which Jesus is analogized with Oshala, an African deity. They conduct a mass to Oshala. This is carefully not called fetishism. But usually the analogy is with Saint John.
One member of the group wondered about the image we all know of Moses coming down from Mount Sinai and finding the golden bull that was constructed by his people in his absence. Interestingly, in application in Brazil, the ox is the symbol of St. Lucas and also a symbol of aspirations of the priesthood. There is Juno the bull, but rather the ox ground all the sugar cane in South America so he stood for endurance. And he was the ally of the slave.
Sharleen wished to share her enjoyment of and to recommend the movie "In and Out" which is an animated film with various characters representing several emotions. These characters live in and run the brain of a child by the name of Riley. It appears that the character Sadness really runs the show. One member requested that at some time we might do a meeting considering and grouping or categorizing the various emotions. Someone commented that many times there are too many names, and too many concepts for the various emotions. Sometimes simplification is helpful in understanding what we are feeling. In therapy, often these complex emotions are summarized into just a few: such as mad, sad, glad, afraid, or hurt.
One member asked if the group could come up with one word to help eliminate general anxiety. The group came up with three words actually: community, and a slower pace. It is important to find connections, there is no doubt. But there is concern that media and contacts only online are destroying community. Though millenniums (those from this time period) do often seem to gain connection from social media and phone texting, there is just a question about the quality of these connections. We do not know if they really work as well as human contact.
Some words about the emotion of fear: Fear is never rooted in the moment. It has to do with things that happened when we were in the flight or fight mode. It is not about reality, what is here and now. Rather it is about things that are old but are in your head still. It helps to label them as such. Meditation can help. Associating with happy people can help. Even just to smile has a neurochemical impact. Thich Nhat Hanh has always said this: Just smile.
Heidi proposed a one time book discussion group which could be conducted either at her home, or at the Mindfulness Center. She would like to do it on August 6, but there is concern that a significant number of members of the group would not be able to get the book read by that time. The book is entitled "The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. Apparently it has recently been in town as a movie but is not currently. One member of the group has started the book and feels at least the early part of the book which he has read presents some rather deep considerations of aging and our society's handling of this time of life. Heidi will collect some responses to see how many would be interested in doing this on a Thursday morning or whether it should be a separate time with only those interested in getting the book read by early August. We will vote on this on July 9, 2015.
There was a comment on memory since some of our more recent discussion have centered on that topic. Studies have suggested that people who exercise have less Alzheimer's disease. But this may not be cause and effect but rather a selection bias. Those who exercise may have other lifestyle characteristics that contribute to a reduction of that disease. Certainly walking releases stress and clears the mind -- that has been shown in studies. Sleep also seals in learning and memory and it has been shown that those who exercise also practice other good habits such as 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Diet may also play a role.
Sky announced that Meridith has recently come back from a Brazil trip and will be making another lengthy trip there in a couple months. Meridith explained that there will be a blog which will show some of the work that he will be doing there. That blog site has been emailed to you all by Sharleen. The blog will likely have three parts: 1) A section will consider syncretism of African spiritual and ritualistic practices with Brazilian Catholicism .2)There will be two videos of 2 different baptisms which are unusual Brazilian practices. 3) The third part explains and deals with dancing, drumming, and celebrations in a context of the spiritual.
Some members of the group indicated some question about the word syncretism. The definition of this word is usually stated as follows: the combining of different, often contradictory philosophies or religions. It is the reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous. Examples of syncretism have occurred throughout history and throughout the world cultures and religions. One of the most well known examples to us is Halloween which contains both Christian and pagan components. Often syncretism occurred when a people was conquered and the conquerors blended sacred days and practices from the indigenous population's religion with that of the conquerors, partially to encourage the practice of the conquering religion. This often occurred with variable degrees of success and trust.
I refer you to the Wikipedia article on syncretism at the following link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism You will be surprised at the number of historical and even modern syncretic belief systems which we are somewhat familiar with eg. Ba'Hai, Unitarian Universalism, , the Druze, some forms of Sufism, the Native American Church, and even the Theosophical Society may be classed in this group. Meridith has been studying particularly the syncretism that occurs in Brazil called Candomble, Vodou and others where Yoruba and other African deities are analogized to the Roman Catholic saints. Usually in those practices Meridith studies, it is St. John who is analogized. There is even a church in Milwaukee, called "Our Lord of the Good End" in which Jesus is analogized with Oshala, an African deity. They conduct a mass to Oshala. This is carefully not called fetishism. But usually the analogy is with Saint John.
One member of the group wondered about the image we all know of Moses coming down from Mount Sinai and finding the golden bull that was constructed by his people in his absence. Interestingly, in application in Brazil, the ox is the symbol of St. Lucas and also a symbol of aspirations of the priesthood. There is Juno the bull, but rather the ox ground all the sugar cane in South America so he stood for endurance. And he was the ally of the slave.
Sharleen wished to share her enjoyment of and to recommend the movie "In and Out" which is an animated film with various characters representing several emotions. These characters live in and run the brain of a child by the name of Riley. It appears that the character Sadness really runs the show. One member requested that at some time we might do a meeting considering and grouping or categorizing the various emotions. Someone commented that many times there are too many names, and too many concepts for the various emotions. Sometimes simplification is helpful in understanding what we are feeling. In therapy, often these complex emotions are summarized into just a few: such as mad, sad, glad, afraid, or hurt.
One member asked if the group could come up with one word to help eliminate general anxiety. The group came up with three words actually: community, and a slower pace. It is important to find connections, there is no doubt. But there is concern that media and contacts only online are destroying community. Though millenniums (those from this time period) do often seem to gain connection from social media and phone texting, there is just a question about the quality of these connections. We do not know if they really work as well as human contact.
Some words about the emotion of fear: Fear is never rooted in the moment. It has to do with things that happened when we were in the flight or fight mode. It is not about reality, what is here and now. Rather it is about things that are old but are in your head still. It helps to label them as such. Meditation can help. Associating with happy people can help. Even just to smile has a neurochemical impact. Thich Nhat Hanh has always said this: Just smile.
June 11, 2015: The Seven Sins of Memory by Paul N.
Paul N. gave us the first part of a two week presentation on the Seven Sins of Memory, based on a book by the same name, by Daniel Schacter, PhD, longtime memory researcher and chair of Harvard University's psychology department. Here is a link to a very brief synopsis of these seven sins. The first three are "sins of omission" that involve forgetting, and the last four are "sins of commission" that involve distorted or unwanted recollections.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct03/sins.aspx
As his introduction Paul read a poem by Billy Collins, poet laureate under Bill Clinton. I didn't write down the name of the poem, but I think it might have been this one.
And here is another one of Billy Collins poems which also has to do with memory. I was not familiar with this poet, but I agree with Paul, these are very nice and lead to a few deep thoughts about memory.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct03/sins.aspx
As his introduction Paul read a poem by Billy Collins, poet laureate under Bill Clinton. I didn't write down the name of the poem, but I think it might have been this one.
Forgetfulness
The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of,
as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.
Long ago you kissed the names of the nine muses goodbye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,
something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.
Whatever it is you are struggling to remember,
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue
or even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.
It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall
well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.
No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.
And here is another one of Billy Collins poems which also has to do with memory. I was not familiar with this poet, but I agree with Paul, these are very nice and lead to a few deep thoughts about memory.
THIS MUCH I DO REMEMBER
by Billy Collins
It was after dinner.
You were talking to me across the table
about something or other,
a greyhound you had seen that day
or a song you liked,
and I was looking past you
over your bare shoulder
at the three oranges lying
on the kitchen counter
next to the small electric bean grinder,
which was also orange,
and the orange and white cruets for vinegar and oil.
Allof which converged
into a random still life,
so fastened together by the hasp of color,
and so fixed behind the animated
foreground of your
talking and smiling,
gesturing and pouring wine,
and the camber of you shoulders
that I could feel it being painted within me,
brushed on the wall of my skull,
while the tone of your voice
lifted and fell in its flight,
and the three oranges
remained fixed on the counter
the way that stars are said
to be fixed in the universe.
Then all of the moments of the past
began to line up behind that moment
and all of the moments to come
assembled in front of it in a long row,
giving me reason to believe
that this was a moment I had rescued
from millions that rush out of sight
into a darkness behind the eyes.
Even after I have forgotten what year it is,
my middle name,
and the meaning of money,
I will still carry in my pocket
the small coin of that moment,
minted in the kingdom
that we pace through every day.
by Billy Collins
It was after dinner.
You were talking to me across the table
about something or other,
a greyhound you had seen that day
or a song you liked,
and I was looking past you
over your bare shoulder
at the three oranges lying
on the kitchen counter
next to the small electric bean grinder,
which was also orange,
and the orange and white cruets for vinegar and oil.
Allof which converged
into a random still life,
so fastened together by the hasp of color,
and so fixed behind the animated
foreground of your
talking and smiling,
gesturing and pouring wine,
and the camber of you shoulders
that I could feel it being painted within me,
brushed on the wall of my skull,
while the tone of your voice
lifted and fell in its flight,
and the three oranges
remained fixed on the counter
the way that stars are said
to be fixed in the universe.
Then all of the moments of the past
began to line up behind that moment
and all of the moments to come
assembled in front of it in a long row,
giving me reason to believe
that this was a moment I had rescued
from millions that rush out of sight
into a darkness behind the eyes.
Even after I have forgotten what year it is,
my middle name,
and the meaning of money,
I will still carry in my pocket
the small coin of that moment,
minted in the kingdom
that we pace through every day.
May 28, 2015: "The Science of Connectivity" presented by Sharleen.
The topic for this meeting of our SpiritMindBody Group was on various medical studies that have found the connection between people to have varying positive and negative affects on those person's health. A fair amount of science has been accumulated to both prove such relationships and to explain some mechanisms for why this could occur. Sharleen has forwarded to us a 16 page article written by Dr. Mimi Guaneri, who is somewhat of a rare physician type. She is a cardiologist and a doctor of Integrative Medicine. Integrative Medicine includes a long list of alternative medicine practices such as chiropractic, holistic medicine, etc etc. Check you email for a copy of this article which includes many many references as well as a nice overview of Connectivity between people in the practice of medicine as well as in other "helping" professions.
At the following youtube site, Dr Guaneria is giving a 16 minute lecture on this topic which contains many of the concepts written about in the article. I am sure that the group discussed some of these concepts at this meeting. Since I was unable to attend, I will not have any group quotes here. But this lecture might help anyone who also missed that meeting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqX-jr-LyL4
At the following youtube site, Dr Guaneria is giving a 16 minute lecture on this topic which contains many of the concepts written about in the article. I am sure that the group discussed some of these concepts at this meeting. Since I was unable to attend, I will not have any group quotes here. But this lecture might help anyone who also missed that meeting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqX-jr-LyL4
May 21, 2015: Gary S:"A Change of Heart."
This week we are fortunate to have Gary S. present a review of a book which he found quite stimulating. "A Change of Heart, A Memoir" by Sylvia and Novak portrays many anecdotes, comments, narratives, and the study by the author of the effects of particularly a heart transplant on the behavior of the recipient. Gary provided us with a very nice summary of this book. It is an easy read and some of the experiences are quite astounding. Of course, at this point the field of medicine purports no exact understanding to explaain many of these anecdotes and experiences.
Here is a link to a very nice summary of this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism
After some discussion, Gary proceeded to explain these behavior changes as an energy phenomenon. He also feels that possibly there is an explanation in the theory of information spaces in our universe which would help us know why a heart transplant patient who always ate extraordinarily healthily would recover from his transplant only to find that he had an irresistible hunger for chicken McNuggets. Indeed, uneaten chicken McNuggets were found in the donor's pocket after an auto accident.
Check this site in the near future for an update of our discussion.
Here is a link to a very nice summary of this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism
After some discussion, Gary proceeded to explain these behavior changes as an energy phenomenon. He also feels that possibly there is an explanation in the theory of information spaces in our universe which would help us know why a heart transplant patient who always ate extraordinarily healthily would recover from his transplant only to find that he had an irresistible hunger for chicken McNuggets. Indeed, uneaten chicken McNuggets were found in the donor's pocket after an auto accident.
Check this site in the near future for an update of our discussion.
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