cardwell c. nuckols ma, phd [email protected]

Cardwell C. Nuckols MA, PhDCardwell C. Nuckols MA, [email protected]@elitecorp.org

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

Do not care Do not care overly much foroverly much for

wealth or power or famewealth or power or fameor one day you will meet someoneor one day you will meet someonewho cares for none of these thingswho cares for none of these things

and you might realizeand you might realizehow poor you have become.how poor you have become.

Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow

What lies behind us andWhat lies behind us andWhat lies before us areWhat lies before us are

Tiny matters compared toTiny matters compared toWhat lies within us.What lies within us.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

• REHABILITATION OR HEALINGREHABILITATION OR HEALING• OVERALL WELL-BEINGOVERALL WELL-BEING• SUPERFICIAL SOCIETYSUPERFICIAL SOCIETY• 90-95 % STATE BELIEF IN GOD OF THEIR 90-95 % STATE BELIEF IN GOD OF THEIR

UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING• NONLINEAR (NON DUALITY) AND LINEAR NONLINEAR (NON DUALITY) AND LINEAR

(DUALITY)(DUALITY)• NEUROBIOLOGYNEUROBIOLOGY

FATHER THOMAS KEATINGFATHER THOMAS KEATING

““THIS PREDICAMENT IS IDENTIFIED BY A NEED THIS PREDICAMENT IS IDENTIFIED BY A NEED FOR ESCAPE FROM THE CIRCLE OF EVER-FOR ESCAPE FROM THE CIRCLE OF EVER-RECURRING EVIL HABITS WITH THEIR RECURRING EVIL HABITS WITH THEIR ENSUING MISERY. THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION ENSUING MISERY. THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION REGARDS THE CURE OF THIS MALAISE AS A REGARDS THE CURE OF THIS MALAISE AS A RETURN TO INTIMACY WITH GOD, WHICH IS RETURN TO INTIMACY WITH GOD, WHICH IS THE SOURCE OF HUMAN WHOLENESS.”THE SOURCE OF HUMAN WHOLENESS.”

THE HEART OF THE WORLD, THE HEART OF THE WORLD, PG. 40PG. 40

FATHER THOMAS KEATINGFATHER THOMAS KEATING

““ACCORDING TO ALL GREAT ACCORDING TO ALL GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD, THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD, THE ESSENTIAL WORK OF EVERY HUMAN ESSENTIAL WORK OF EVERY HUMAN LIFE IS TO PREPARE FOR UNION LIFE IS TO PREPARE FOR UNION WITH THE ULTIMATE REALITY.”WITH THE ULTIMATE REALITY.”

THE HEART OF THE WORLD, THE HEART OF THE WORLD, PG. 40PG. 40

Linear (Duality) vs. Non-linear (Non-Linear (Duality) vs. Non-linear (Non-DualityDuality)

LINEAR NON-LINEAR• OBJECTIVE• NEWTONIAN PHYSICS• MANIFEST WORLD

(CONTENT)• SEPARATE SELF

– EGO

• CAUSE-EFFECT– BLAME

• WORLD OF OPPOSITES

• SUBJECTIVE (SPIRITUAL)• QUANTUM PHYSICS• UNMANIFEST WORLD

(CONTEXT) • “ONENESS”

• EFFECT• PARADOX OF THE

OPPOSITES

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

• HIDE AND SEEKHIDE AND SEEK• WHERE ARE YOU?WHERE ARE YOU?• WHO ARE YOU?WHO ARE YOU?• PATHWAYS TO TRUE HAPPINESSPATHWAYS TO TRUE HAPPINESS• TECHNIQUESTECHNIQUES• TOOLSTOOLS

WHERE ARE YOU?WHERE ARE YOU?

• FIRST HALF OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEYFIRST HALF OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY– WHY ARE YOU HIDING?WHY ARE YOU HIDING?• GENESIS 3-GOD’S QUESTION TO ADAM AND EVEGENESIS 3-GOD’S QUESTION TO ADAM AND EVE

– WHERE AM I?WHERE AM I?• IN RELATION TO …..IN RELATION TO …..

–GODGOD–MYSELFMYSELF–OTHER HUMANSOTHER HUMANS


• WHEN ANSWERED HONESTLY ONE BEGINS WHEN ANSWERED HONESTLY ONE BEGINS THE SPIRITUAL SEARCHTHE SPIRITUAL SEARCH

• GOD WANTS YOU TO COME OUT FROM GOD WANTS YOU TO COME OUT FROM HIDING AND BECOME INTIMATEHIDING AND BECOME INTIMATE– ADAM AND EVEADAM AND EVE• DUALITY SEPARATES ONE FROM GODDUALITY SEPARATES ONE FROM GOD• WITHOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF NON-LINEAR WITHOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF NON-LINEAR

CONSCIOUSNESS NOTHING QUITE WORKS OUT RIGHTCONSCIOUSNESS NOTHING QUITE WORKS OUT RIGHT


“ “STRIVE TO ENTER IN THROUGH STRIVE TO ENTER IN THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR; FOR I SAY THE NARROW DOOR; FOR I SAY TO YOU, THAT MANY WILL SEEK TO YOU, THAT MANY WILL SEEK TO ENTER IN AND WILL NOT BE TO ENTER IN AND WILL NOT BE ABLE.”ABLE.”

LUKE 13:24LUKE 13:24


• INVOLVED IN A SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS IN INVOLVED IN A SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS IN ALL THE WRONG PLACESALL THE WRONG PLACES– EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR ITEVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR IT– VERY FEW KNOW WHERE TO FIND ITVERY FEW KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT– THOSE LOOKING GET LOTS OF HELP FROM THOSE LOOKING GET LOTS OF HELP FROM

OTHERS LOOKING WHO ALSO DON’T KNOW OTHERS LOOKING WHO ALSO DON’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ITWHERE TO FIND IT

– GIVES A SENSE OF SOLIDARITY BUT NOT GIVES A SENSE OF SOLIDARITY BUT NOT SECURITYSECURITY


• SEEK-A SPIRITUAL HUNGERSEEK-A SPIRITUAL HUNGER• WE ARE DESIGNED FOR AND DESIRE FOR WE ARE DESIGNED FOR AND DESIRE FOR

HAPPINESS, TRUTH AND LOVE WITHOUT ENDHAPPINESS, TRUTH AND LOVE WITHOUT END• AT AROUND 12-14 YO DEVELOP SELF-AT AROUND 12-14 YO DEVELOP SELF-

REFLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESSREFLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS– ABILITY TO QUESTION AND DOUBT WHAT ONE ABILITY TO QUESTION AND DOUBT WHAT ONE

KNOWS, TO DENY OR AFFFIRM ONE’S BELIEFS, KNOWS, TO DENY OR AFFFIRM ONE’S BELIEFS, JUDGE ONE’S PERCEPTIONS AND TO REFLECT ON JUDGE ONE’S PERCEPTIONS AND TO REFLECT ON ONE’S PASTONE’S PAST


• INSTINCTUAL PROGRAMS ARE ALL WE HAVE INSTINCTUAL PROGRAMS ARE ALL WE HAVE TO BUILD PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS, LOVE TO BUILD PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS, LOVE AND TRUTHAND TRUTH

• WITHOUT REASON TO MODIFY THESE WITHOUT REASON TO MODIFY THESE PROGRAMS WE BUILD A UNIVERSE WITH PROGRAMS WE BUILD A UNIVERSE WITH OURSELVES AT THE CENTER (EGO)OURSELVES AT THE CENTER (EGO)

• EVERYTHING IS EVALUATED BASED ON EVERYTHING IS EVALUATED BASED ON MEETING OUR NEEDS FOR HAPPINESS MEETING OUR NEEDS FOR HAPPINESS


• WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR SECURITY, AFFECTION WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR SECURITY, AFFECTION AND CONTROL NEEDS ARE DEPRIVEDAND CONTROL NEEDS ARE DEPRIVED– COMPENSATE-LOOK FOR SYMBOLS WITHIN OUR COMPENSATE-LOOK FOR SYMBOLS WITHIN OUR

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT– IF UNBEARABLE-REPRESSED INTO UNCONSCIOUSIF UNBEARABLE-REPRESSED INTO UNCONSCIOUS

• HIDE THE PAIN WE CANNOT FACE LEAVING ONE HIDE THE PAIN WE CANNOT FACE LEAVING ONE TO REPRESS (REPEAT PAINFUL EVENTS TO REPRESS (REPEAT PAINFUL EVENTS UNCONSCIOUSLY) OR COMPENSATE WITH UNCONSCIOUSLY) OR COMPENSATE WITH EXTERNAL FORMS OF PLEASURE TO OFFSET PAINEXTERNAL FORMS OF PLEASURE TO OFFSET PAIN

• START OF THE “ADDICTIVE PROCESS”START OF THE “ADDICTIVE PROCESS”


• AROUND AGES 4-8 INTERNALIZE VALUES OF AROUND AGES 4-8 INTERNALIZE VALUES OF FAMILY, PEER GROUP, RELIGION, FAMILY, PEER GROUP, RELIGION, NATIONALITY, RACE, GENDER AND SEXUAL NATIONALITY, RACE, GENDER AND SEXUAL IDENTITYIDENTITY– SOURCE OF SOURCE OF • OPINIONSOPINIONS• POSITIONALITIESPOSITIONALITIES• MOTIVESMOTIVES• BIASESBIASES• PREJUDICESPREJUDICES


• JESUS SAID YOU NEED TO HATE YOUR JESUS SAID YOU NEED TO HATE YOUR PARENTS IN ORDER TO BE HIS DISCIPLEPARENTS IN ORDER TO BE HIS DISCIPLE– SHOULD LOVE, RESPECT AND CARE FOR YOUR SHOULD LOVE, RESPECT AND CARE FOR YOUR

PARENTS IN THEIR OLD AGE (4PARENTS IN THEIR OLD AGE (4THTH COMMANDMENT COMMANDMENT OF THE TORAH)OF THE TORAH)

– BUT SHOULD NOT BE NAIVELY LOYAL TO ANY BUT SHOULD NOT BE NAIVELY LOYAL TO ANY PERSON OR GROUP THAT DISREGARDS PERSON OR GROUP THAT DISREGARDS INJUSTICES IN NEED OF CORRECTIONINJUSTICES IN NEED OF CORRECTION

WHERE ARE YOU? WHERE ARE YOU?

• Repent-To change the direction from which Repent-To change the direction from which you are looking for TRUE happiness (sin-to you are looking for TRUE happiness (sin-to miss the mark)miss the mark)– So you are free to follow the values of your own So you are free to follow the values of your own

conscience (INTENTION)conscience (INTENTION)– Without being fearful of upsetting the groupWithout being fearful of upsetting the group– We are members of the whole human raceWe are members of the whole human race– NOT NON-ATTACHMENT BUT DETACHMENTNOT NON-ATTACHMENT BUT DETACHMENT• Wear the world like a light garmentWear the world like a light garment

WHERE ARE YOU? WHERE ARE YOU?

• Repent (CONTINUED)Repent (CONTINUED)– GROW UP-GIVE UP CHILDISH WAYSGROW UP-GIVE UP CHILDISH WAYS– CONSCIOUSNESS IS DOORWAY TO INTUITIVE CONSCIOUSNESS IS DOORWAY TO INTUITIVE

AND UNITIVE LEVELSAND UNITIVE LEVELS• PRESENCE OF GODPRESENCE OF GOD

• ““FOR I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I DO; AND I DO FOR I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I DO; AND I DO NOT DO THE THING WHICH I WANT, BUT I DO NOT DO THE THING WHICH I WANT, BUT I DO THE THING WHICH I HATE. THAT IS EXACTLY THE THING WHICH I HATE. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I DO.” ST. PAUL, ROMANS 7:15WHAT I DO.” ST. PAUL, ROMANS 7:15

ROMANS 7ROMANS 7

15 FOR I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I DO; AND I DO 15 FOR I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I DO; AND I DO NOT DO THE THING WHICH I WANT, BUT I DO NOT DO THE THING WHICH I WANT, BUT I DO THE THING WHICH I HATE. THAT IS EXACTLY THE THING WHICH I HATE. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I DO.WHAT I DO.

16 SO THEN IF I DO THAT WHICH I DO NOT 16 SO THEN IF I DO THAT WHICH I DO NOT WISH TO DO, I CAN TESTIFY CONCERNING WISH TO DO, I CAN TESTIFY CONCERNING THE LAW THAT IS GOOD.THE LAW THAT IS GOOD.

17 NOW THEN IT IS NOT I WHO DO IT BUT SIN 17 NOW THEN IT IS NOT I WHO DO IT BUT SIN WHICH DOMINATE ME.WHICH DOMINATE ME.

ROMANS 7ROMANS 7

18 YET I KNOW THAT IT DOES NOT FULLY 18 YET I KNOW THAT IT DOES NOT FULLY DOMINATE ME (THAT IS IN MY FLESH): BUT DOMINATE ME (THAT IS IN MY FLESH): BUT AS FAR AS GOOD IS CONCERNED, THE CHOICE AS FAR AS GOOD IS CONCERNED, THE CHOICE IS EASY FOR ME TO MAKE, BUT TO DO IT IS IS EASY FOR ME TO MAKE, BUT TO DO IT IS DIFFICULT TO ME.DIFFICULT TO ME.

19 FOR IT IS NOT THE GOOD THAT I WISH TO 19 FOR IT IS NOT THE GOOD THAT I WISH TO DO, THAT I DO; BUT IT IS THE EVIL THAT I DO DO, THAT I DO; BUT IT IS THE EVIL THAT I DO NOT WISH TO DO, THAT I DO.NOT WISH TO DO, THAT I DO.

ROMANS 7ROMANS 7

20 NOW IF I DO THAT WHICH I DO NOT WISH, 20 NOW IF I DO THAT WHICH I DO NOT WISH, THEN IT IS NOT I WHO DO IT, BUT THE SIN THEN IT IS NOT I WHO DO IT, BUT THE SIN WHICH DOMINATES ME.WHICH DOMINATES ME.

21 I FIND THEREFORE THAT THE LAW AGREES 21 I FIND THEREFORE THAT THE LAW AGREES WITH MY CONSCIENCE WHEN I WISH TO DO WITH MY CONSCIENCE WHEN I WISH TO DO GOOD, BUT EVIL IS ALWAYS NEAR, GOOD, BUT EVIL IS ALWAYS NEAR, DISTRACTING ME.DISTRACTING ME.

22 FOR I DELIGHT IN THE LAW OF GOD AFTER 22 FOR I DELIGHT IN THE LAW OF GOD AFTER THE INWARD MAN;THE INWARD MAN;

ROMANS 7ROMANS 723 BUT I SEE ANOTHER LAW IN MY MEMBERS, 23 BUT I SEE ANOTHER LAW IN MY MEMBERS,

WARNING AGAINST THE LAW OF MY MIND, WARNING AGAINST THE LAW OF MY MIND, AND IT MAKES ME CAPTIVE TO THE LAW OF SIN AND IT MAKES ME CAPTIVE TO THE LAW OF SIN WHICH IS IN MY MEMBERS.WHICH IS IN MY MEMBERS.

24 O WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO SHALL 24 O WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THIS MORTAL BODY?DELIVER ME FROM THIS MORTAL BODY?

25 I THANK GOD FOR DELIVERANCE THROUGH 25 I THANK GOD FOR DELIVERANCE THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. NOW THEREFORE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. NOW THEREFORE WITH MY MIND I AM SERVANT OF THE LAW OF WITH MY MIND I AM SERVANT OF THE LAW OF GOD; BUT WITH MY FLESH I AM A SERVANT OF GOD; BUT WITH MY FLESH I AM A SERVANT OF THE LAW OF SIN.THE LAW OF SIN.

FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHNFIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN• CHAPTER 3CHAPTER 3– 15 LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS 15 LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS

THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. HE WHO LOVES THE THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. HE WHO LOVES THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.

– 16 FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD IS THE LUST OF 16 FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD IS THE LUST OF THE BODY, THE COVETOUSNESS OF THE EYES, AND THE BODY, THE COVETOUSNESS OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF MATERIAL THINGS; THESE THINGS DO THE PRIDE OF MATERIAL THINGS; THESE THINGS DO NOT COME FROM THE FATHER BUT FROM THE NOT COME FROM THE FATHER BUT FROM THE WORLD.WORLD.

– 17 AND THE WORLD PASSES AWAY, AND THE LUST 17 AND THE WORLD PASSES AWAY, AND THE LUST THEREOF; BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD THEREOF; BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER.ABIDES FOREVER.

WHO ARE YOU?WHO ARE YOU?

• SECOND HALF OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEYSECOND HALF OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY• DIVINE THERAPY AND AA BASED ON FACT THAT DIVINE THERAPY AND AA BASED ON FACT THAT

YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AND YOUR LIFE IS YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AND YOUR LIFE IS “UNMANAGEABLE”“UNMANAGEABLE”

• EMOTIONS OF ANGER, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, EMOTIONS OF ANGER, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, ETC. ARE OFTEN SIGNS UNCONSCIOUS ETC. ARE OFTEN SIGNS UNCONSCIOUS PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN TRIGGEREDPROGRAMS HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED– TRIGGERS OLD UNCONSCIOUS VALUE SYSTEMS TRIGGERS OLD UNCONSCIOUS VALUE SYSTEMS

(UNMET NEEDS)(UNMET NEEDS)

WHO ARE YOU?WHO ARE YOU?

• BECAUSE OF UNMET INSTINCTUAL NEEDS BECAUSE OF UNMET INSTINCTUAL NEEDS LIFE IS CONTROLLED BY EXTERNAL EVENTS LIFE IS CONTROLLED BY EXTERNAL EVENTS AND OUR EMOTIONAL REACTIONS TO THEMAND OUR EMOTIONAL REACTIONS TO THEM– FINDING SPOUSEFINDING SPOUSE– WHO WE WORK FORWHO WE WORK FOR– THINGS WE BUYTHINGS WE BUY– THINGS WE DOTHINGS WE DO

• IMPEDIMENT TO FREE WILLIMPEDIMENT TO FREE WILL

FALL OF MANFALL OF MAN

• DOCTRINE OF THE FALL AS THEOLOGICAL DOCTRINE OF THE FALL AS THEOLOGICAL EXPLANATION OF THE PERVASIVE DISEASE EXPLANATION OF THE PERVASIVE DISEASE OF THE HUMAN CONDITIONOF THE HUMAN CONDITION

• BETTER EXPLAINED BY PSYCHOLOGYBETTER EXPLAINED BY PSYCHOLOGY– FREUD FREUD – PIAGETPIAGET

FREUDFREUD

• Psychic remnant of inadequate attentionPsychic remnant of inadequate attention• Very prevalent in West (LOW SELF-ESTEEM)Very prevalent in West (LOW SELF-ESTEEM)• Involves early life neglectInvolves early life neglect• Perceived by individual as “inner emptiness”Perceived by individual as “inner emptiness”• During meditation history of estrangement During meditation history of estrangement

will surface as early unmet longingwill surface as early unmet longing

FREUDFREUD

• Freud taught that for successful therapy Freud taught that for successful therapy – Remembering of early forgotten aspects of Remembering of early forgotten aspects of

childhood was criticalchildhood was critical– Three approaches:Three approaches:• CATHARSISCATHARSIS• FREE ASSOCIATIONSFREE ASSOCIATIONS• REPEATINGREPEATING

– Represented a shift to the presentRepresented a shift to the present

FREUDFREUD• Doesn’t involve exploration of past but Doesn’t involve exploration of past but

looking at present behaviorlooking at present behavior• Rather than recalling an early formative Rather than recalling an early formative

experienceexperience

FREUDFREUD• One crucial and defining feature:One crucial and defining feature:

FREUDFREUD

• Unresolved psychological issues can block Unresolved psychological issues can block our true “being”our true “being”– Comes from losing access to or lack of Comes from losing access to or lack of

development of the capacities needed to development of the capacities needed to respond creatively to challengerespond creatively to challenge• PowerPower• LoveLove• FlexibilityFlexibility• ConfidenceConfidence• TrustTrust

JEAN PIGETJEAN PIGET

• JEAN PIGET LOOKED AT THE ROOTS OF JEAN PIGET LOOKED AT THE ROOTS OF UNCONSCIOUS EMOTIONAL PROGRAMS FOR UNCONSCIOUS EMOTIONAL PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESSHAPPINESS– EACH OF US NEEDS TO BE REASSURED AND EACH OF US NEEDS TO BE REASSURED AND

AFFIRMEDAFFIRMED– IF CHILD DOES NOT RECEIVE LEADS TOIF CHILD DOES NOT RECEIVE LEADS TO• Defensive strategiesDefensive strategies• Compensatory measuresCompensatory measures

– CHILD EMOTIONALLY GETS STUCK AT THE LEVEL CHILD EMOTIONALLY GETS STUCK AT THE LEVEL OF DEPRIVATIONOF DEPRIVATION

JEAN PIGETJEAN PIGET

• OVER TIME THIS FIXATION HARDENS INTO A OVER TIME THIS FIXATION HARDENS INTO A PROGRAM FOR HAPPINESS SUPPORTED BYPROGRAM FOR HAPPINESS SUPPORTED BY– THOUGHTSTHOUGHTS

• OpinionsOpinions• PositionalitiesPositionalities

– BEHAVIORSBEHAVIORS– EMOTIONSEMOTIONS

• LATER EXPERIENCES THAT TRIGGER THE LATER EXPERIENCES THAT TRIGGER THE PROGRAM ARE EVALUATED AS HELPFUL OR PROGRAM ARE EVALUATED AS HELPFUL OR HARMFUL TO THE PROGRAMHARMFUL TO THE PROGRAM


• PROGRAM IS REINFORCED BY FAMILY, PROGRAM IS REINFORCED BY FAMILY, CULTURE AND PEER GROUPCULTURE AND PEER GROUP

• ERICKSON-TRUST (HOPE) BALANCED ERICKSON-TRUST (HOPE) BALANCED AGAINST MISTRUSTAGAINST MISTRUST

• AS ADULTS WE YEARN FOR AN UNSELF-AS ADULTS WE YEARN FOR AN UNSELF-CONCIOUS UNITY THAT WAS LOST DUE TO CONCIOUS UNITY THAT WAS LOST DUE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEPARATE SELFTHE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEPARATE SELF


• CARL ROGERS THREE PARENTAL CARL ROGERS THREE PARENTAL CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS– ABILITY TO ACCEPT CHILD’S FEELINGS AND ABILITY TO ACCEPT CHILD’S FEELINGS AND

STRIVINGSSTRIVINGS– ABILITY TO ACCEPT OWN FEELINGS THAT ABILITY TO ACCEPT OWN FEELINGS THAT

CERTAIN OF THE CHILD’S BEHAVIORS ARE CERTAIN OF THE CHILD’S BEHAVIORS ARE UNDESIRABLEUNDESIRABLE

– COMMUNICATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMMUNICATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF THE CHILD AS A PERSONCHILD AS A PERSON


• THESE PARENTAL CHARACTERISTICS CREATE THESE PARENTAL CHARACTERISTICS CREATE CONDITIONS OF WORTH THROUGH WHICH CONDITIONS OF WORTH THROUGH WHICH CHILD FILTERS EXPERIENCECHILD FILTERS EXPERIENCE

• SUBCEPTION-INDIVIDUAL PERCEIVES THREAT SUBCEPTION-INDIVIDUAL PERCEIVES THREAT BUT DOEN’T ADMIT IT TO FULL AWARENESS BUT DOEN’T ADMIT IT TO FULL AWARENESS IN HIGHER COGNITIVE CENTERS; CREATES IN HIGHER COGNITIVE CENTERS; CREATES ONSET OF DEFENSIVE PERSONALITY ONSET OF DEFENSIVE PERSONALITY DISORGANIZATIONDISORGANIZATION


• GOAL IS HAPPINESS BUT FALSE SELF DOESN’T GOAL IS HAPPINESS BUT FALSE SELF DOESN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ITKNOW WHERE TO FIND IT

• FROM ST. AUGUSTINE’S THEOLOGY OF FROM ST. AUGUSTINE’S THEOLOGY OF ORIGINAL SIN THE CONSEQUENCES ARE..ORIGINAL SIN THE CONSEQUENCES ARE..– ILLUSIONILLUSION• DON’T KNOW WHAT TRUE HAPPINESS IS OR WHERE DON’T KNOW WHAT TRUE HAPPINESS IS OR WHERE

TO FIND ITTO FIND IT– CONCUPISCENCECONCUPISCENCE• WE ARE MADE FOR HAPPINESS BUT TRY TO FIND IT IN WE ARE MADE FOR HAPPINESS BUT TRY TO FIND IT IN

THE WRONG PLACESTHE WRONG PLACES


• FROM ST. AUGUSTINE’S THEOLOGY OF FROM ST. AUGUSTINE’S THEOLOGY OF ORIGINAL SIN THE CONSEQUENCES ARE..ORIGINAL SIN THE CONSEQUENCES ARE..(CONT.)(CONT.)– WEAKNESS OF WILLWEAKNESS OF WILL• EVEN IF WE DISCOVER WHAT AND WHERE TRUE EVEN IF WE DISCOVER WHAT AND WHERE TRUE

HAPPINESS IS OUR WILL IS TOO WEAK TO DO HAPPINESS IS OUR WILL IS TOO WEAK TO DO ANYTHINGANYTHING

• NOT GOING TO HAPPEN THRU OUR OWN EFFORTNOT GOING TO HAPPEN THRU OUR OWN EFFORT– NEED TO ATTACH TO SOMETHING GREATER THAN NEED TO ATTACH TO SOMETHING GREATER THAN

OURSELVESOURSELVES


• DEEP SEATED INSTINCTUAL DRIVESDEEP SEATED INSTINCTUAL DRIVES– OUR WILL IS TOO WEAK TO RECOVEROUR WILL IS TOO WEAK TO RECOVER– WE EMOTIONALLY REACT TO PEOPLE, PLACES WE EMOTIONALLY REACT TO PEOPLE, PLACES

AND THINGSAND THINGS– EVERYTHING JUDGED BY..EVERYTHING JUDGED BY..

““IS THIS GOOD FOR MY INSTINCTUAL IS THIS GOOD FOR MY INSTINCTUAL PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS OR PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS OR NOT?”NOT?”


• WESTERN PSYCHOLOGY– SCHEMAS– SCRIPTS– DYSFUNCTIONAL THOUGHTS– NEGATIVE SELF-TALK– STINKIN’ THINKIN’

PATHWAYS TO TRUE HAPPINESSPATHWAYS TO TRUE HAPPINESS

• PATWAY I: PATWAY I: SURRENDERING SECONDARY SURRENDERING SECONDARY GAIN OF THE EGOGAIN OF THE EGO

• PATHWAY II: PATHWAY II: CONTEMPLATIVE CHRISTIAN CONTEMPLATIVE CHRISTIAN APPROACHAPPROACH

• PATHWAYIII: PATHWAYIII: PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESBEATITUDES– THE BEATITUDES CAN BE USED AS A TRUE PATH THE BEATITUDES CAN BE USED AS A TRUE PATH

TO UNITY WITH GODTO UNITY WITH GOD– OTHER SPIRITUAL PATHWAYS INCLUDING AAOTHER SPIRITUAL PATHWAYS INCLUDING AA

THE EGO TO SELF RATIOTHE EGO TO SELF RATIO

EGO EGO SELFSELF

EGO SELFEGO SELF

EGO EGO SELFSELF

PATHWAY I: PATHWAY I: SURRENDERING SURRENDERING SECONDARY GAIN OF THE EGOSECONDARY GAIN OF THE EGO

• NEGATIVE EMOTIONSNEGATIVE EMOTIONS• EGO’S VALUE SYSTEMS FOR HAPPINESSEGO’S VALUE SYSTEMS FOR HAPPINESS• REVERBERATING LOOPS OF NEGATIVE REVERBERATING LOOPS OF NEGATIVE

THOUGHT AND EMOTIONTHOUGHT AND EMOTION• THE EGO AND SECONDARY GAINTHE EGO AND SECONDARY GAIN• SURRENDERING SECONDARY GAINSURRENDERING SECONDARY GAIN• RIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESSRIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESS

SURRENDERING SECONDARY GAIN OF SURRENDERING SECONDARY GAIN OF THE EGOTHE EGO

STIMULI NEGATIVE EMOTIONSTIMULI NEGATIVE EMOTION

EGO’S UNCONSCIOUS VALUE SYSTEMSEGO’S UNCONSCIOUS VALUE SYSTEMS

COGNITIVE LOOPSCOGNITIVE LOOPSSECONDARY GAINSECONDARY GAIN EMOTIONAL LOOPSEMOTIONAL LOOPS

NEGATIVE EMOTIONSNEGATIVE EMOTIONS

• Once triggered chemicals released by the Once triggered chemicals released by the brain surge thru the body causing a brain surge thru the body causing a physiological responsephysiological response

• Within 90 seconds the chemicals have Within 90 seconds the chemicals have dissipated if one chooses to allow this to dissipated if one chooses to allow this to happenhappen– For example, moving back into the For example, moving back into the

momentmoment

NEGATIVE EMOTIONSNEGATIVE EMOTIONS• Ego is not unconditionally attached to my Ego is not unconditionally attached to my

happinesshappiness• At 90 seconds can go into a spiraling negative At 90 seconds can go into a spiraling negative

interrelated thought and emotional loop orinterrelated thought and emotional loop or– Monitor body for signs of stressMonitor body for signs of stress– Label feelingsLabel feelings

• Increase PFCIncrease PFC• Reduce amygdalaReduce amygdala

– Have PFC speak- “Really not interested in being Have PFC speak- “Really not interested in being angry right now.”angry right now.”

– Change BehaviorChange Behavior


• If you approach me with anger and If you approach me with anger and frustration the choices arefrustration the choices are– Can engage and reflect your anger in my Can engage and reflect your anger in my

obsessing left hemisphereobsessing left hemisphere– Can become empathic (right hemisphere)and Can become empathic (right hemisphere)and

approach you with compassion and a non-approach you with compassion and a non-judgmental heartjudgmental heart


• The important question becomes….

DO I WANT TO TAKE DO I WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT I RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT I ATTRACT IN MY LIFE?ATTRACT IN MY LIFE?

EGO’S VALUE SYSTEMS FOR EGO’S VALUE SYSTEMS FOR HAPPINESSHAPPINESS

HEINZ KOHUT-EGO PSYCHOLOGYHEINZ KOHUT-EGO PSYCHOLOGY

GRANDIOSE SELF (EGO) IS FORMED BY GRANDIOSE SELF (EGO) IS FORMED BY INTERNALIZING “ALL GOOD” AND INTERNALIZING “ALL GOOD” AND

EXTERNALIZING “ALL BAD” EXTERNALIZING “ALL BAD” EXPERIENCESEXPERIENCES


• SECURITY AND SURVIVALSECURITY AND SURVIVAL• AFFECTION AND ESTEEMAFFECTION AND ESTEEM• POWER AND CONTROLPOWER AND CONTROL

EGO’S UNCONSCIOUS VALUE EGO’S UNCONSCIOUS VALUE SYSTEMS FOR HAPPINESSSYSTEMS FOR HAPPINESS

• SECURITY AND SURVIVALSECURITY AND SURVIVAL– Regular pay check and retirement plan as opposed to Regular pay check and retirement plan as opposed to

career risk takingcareer risk taking– Looking for someone or something that makes you Looking for someone or something that makes you

feel protected or securefeel protected or secure• RELATIONSHIPRELATIONSHIP• EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT

– FEELING OF “SOMETHING MISSING”FEELING OF “SOMETHING MISSING”– A PERVASIVE EXISTENTIAL ANXIETY REGARDING A PERVASIVE EXISTENTIAL ANXIETY REGARDING

LOSS, A KNOT IN CHEST OR ABDOMENLOSS, A KNOT IN CHEST OR ABDOMEN– A FEAR OF DISCONNECTION FROM OTHERS AND A FEAR OF DISCONNECTION FROM OTHERS AND

OURSELVES (OUR OWN HEART)OURSELVES (OUR OWN HEART)


• SECURITY AND SURVIVAL (continued)SECURITY AND SURVIVAL (continued)– Fear of Aloneness and DisconnectionFear of Aloneness and Disconnection

• Fear of abandonment, loss or deathFear of abandonment, loss or death• ““Fundamental Aloneness”- “how to be at home with Fundamental Aloneness”- “how to be at home with

ourselves”ourselves”– Affairs-often to avoid alonenessAffairs-often to avoid aloneness

• Want others to take away our fearsWant others to take away our fears– ““If someone will pay attention to me my loneliness will If someone will pay attention to me my loneliness will

disappear.”disappear.”– If partner is reading a book and you expect attention can If partner is reading a book and you expect attention can

experience abandonmentexperience abandonment» Will demand or inappropriately try to attract attentionWill demand or inappropriately try to attract attention


• SECURITY AND SURVIVAL (continued)SECURITY AND SURVIVAL (continued)– Only way to transcend is not to avoid the

loneliness but to invite it in• Must feel these fears and take responsibility for the

feelings

– To develop genuine intimacy must first overcome our neediness and fear of aloneness


THE NEXT FRONTIER:EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY,BILL WILSON, JANUARY, 1958“SUDDENLY I REALIZED WHAT THE MATTER WAS. MY

BASIC FLAW HAD ALWAYS BEEN DEPENDENCE-ALMOST ABSOLUTE DEPENDENCE-ON PEOPLE OR CIRCUMSTANCES TO SUPPLY ME WITH PRESTIGE, SECURITY, AND THE LIKE. FAILING TO GET THESE THINGS ACCORDING TO MY PERFECTIONISTIC DREAMS AND SPECIFICATIONS, I HAD FOUGHT FOR THEM. AND WHEN DEFEAT CAME SO DID MY DEPRESSION.


• AFFECTION AND ESTEEMAFFECTION AND ESTEEM– Always looking for someone or something to Always looking for someone or something to

make you feel good about yourselfmake you feel good about yourself– Join an organization or do volunteer work as a Join an organization or do volunteer work as a

way to seek appreciation or to be seen as a way to seek appreciation or to be seen as a “good person”“good person”

– Always telling others the good things we have Always telling others the good things we have done looking for admirationdone looking for admiration

– ““Roller-Coaster”Roller-Coaster”


• AFFECTION AND ESTEEM (continued)AFFECTION AND ESTEEM (continued)– Basic Fear of UnworthinessBasic Fear of Unworthiness• Creates a narcissistic grandiosityCreates a narcissistic grandiosity• Live by comparison and contrastLive by comparison and contrast

– ““I’ll never measure up”I’ll never measure up”– Generally inadequate and unworthy of loveGenerally inadequate and unworthy of love• ““No matter what I do…”No matter what I do…”

– Leads to forcefully proving ourselvesLeads to forcefully proving ourselves• Self-critical and perfectionisticSelf-critical and perfectionistic


• AFFECTION AND ESTEEM (continued)AFFECTION AND ESTEEM (continued)– Or giving upOr giving up– Both means allow one to avoid the basic fear of Both means allow one to avoid the basic fear of

unworthinessunworthiness– Merciless self-judgmentMerciless self-judgment

• Example-Fear of public speaking triggers dread and shame of public failure and humiliation– This threatens our projected self-image of who we are

supposed to be and confirms our negative belief of unworthiness» “Fear of failure feels fatal”

• The fear is the path


• POWER AND CONTROLPOWER AND CONTROL– WANT TO DICTATE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WANT TO DICTATE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN

IN EVERY SITUATION, CANNOT BE HAPPY UNLESS IN EVERY SITUATION, CANNOT BE HAPPY UNLESS YOU DOYOU DO• WHEN FRUSTRATED EXPERIENCE GRIEF, ANGER, WHEN FRUSTRATED EXPERIENCE GRIEF, ANGER,

DESPAIR, ETC.DESPAIR, ETC.• PROJECT PROBLEM ONTO ANOTHERPROJECT PROBLEM ONTO ANOTHER• PUTS YOU INTO COMPETITION WITH MILLIONS OF PUTS YOU INTO COMPETITION WITH MILLIONS OF

OTHERSOTHERS

– Need to be in charge because “I Know Best”Need to be in charge because “I Know Best”


• POWER AND CONTROL (continued)POWER AND CONTROL (continued)– Fear of Losing Safety and ControlFear of Losing Safety and Control– Like an anxiety disorder-if I don’t control Like an anxiety disorder-if I don’t control

something bad will happensomething bad will happen– These individuals tend to be very linear and These individuals tend to be very linear and

rational and when you speak to them about rational and when you speak to them about nonlinear realities they often respond..nonlinear realities they often respond..• ““I already know all of that” orI already know all of that” or• ““It doesn’t matter anyway”It doesn’t matter anyway”


• POWER AND CONTROL (continued)POWER AND CONTROL (continued)– Nonlinear cannot be controlledNonlinear cannot be controlled

• Words like Words like lovelove and and energy energy create a problem for someone create a problem for someone in a rigid linear realityin a rigid linear reality– Makes one feel uncertain and insecureMakes one feel uncertain and insecure

– Triggered by any sign of danger and insecurity (real or Triggered by any sign of danger and insecurity (real or perceived)perceived)• Limbic responseLimbic response

– Often imaginary fears that will lose controlOften imaginary fears that will lose control• Be criticizedBe criticized• What I am doing is wrongWhat I am doing is wrong


• POWER AND CONTROL (continued)POWER AND CONTROL (continued)– In spiritual practice bring the fear and anxiety to In spiritual practice bring the fear and anxiety to

the forefront and must “let go with both hands”the forefront and must “let go with both hands”– Brings us face to face with darkest emotion and Brings us face to face with darkest emotion and

unhealed painunhealed pain– Fundamental security develops with willingness Fundamental security develops with willingness

to work through the emotion and fearto work through the emotion and fear– May use rage to express inner feelings of May use rage to express inner feelings of

powerlessnesspowerlessness


• Everyone experiences some level of developmental problems leading to…– REPRESSION OF PAINFUL AND FRUSTRATING REPRESSION OF PAINFUL AND FRUSTRATING

EXPERIENCES INTO THE UNCONCONSCIOUSEXPERIENCES INTO THE UNCONCONSCIOUS– DEVELOPMENT OF COMPENSATORY ATTITUDES DEVELOPMENT OF COMPENSATORY ATTITUDES

AND BEHAVIORSAND BEHAVIORS

• Needs become drives Needs become drives – EGO OR FALSE SELF BECOMES FIRMLY EGO OR FALSE SELF BECOMES FIRMLY

ENTRENCHEDENTRENCHED


• Developed to compensate for the pain of unfulfilled instinctual needs– SUPPRESS PAINFUL AFFECT BUT ENERGY REMAINS SUPPRESS PAINFUL AFFECT BUT ENERGY REMAINS

IN OUR BODIESIN OUR BODIES– WE REMAIN UNAWARE OF THE EFFECTS OF THIS WE REMAIN UNAWARE OF THE EFFECTS OF THIS

INTENSE ENERGY ON OUR LIFEINTENSE ENERGY ON OUR LIFE• By time you reach the age of reason around 12-By time you reach the age of reason around 12-

14 years of age and develop full reflective self-14 years of age and develop full reflective self-consciousness these programs from infancy and consciousness these programs from infancy and childhood are fully in placechildhood are fully in place


• THE NEED TO GRATIFY OUR CHILDISH THE NEED TO GRATIFY OUR CHILDISH PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS CAN TURN INTO PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS CAN TURN INTO ADOLESCENT AND ADULT DEMANDS. WE ADOLESCENT AND ADULT DEMANDS. WE EXPECT OTHERS TO MEET OUR EXPECTATIONSEXPECT OTHERS TO MEET OUR EXPECTATIONS

• The ego is compelled by fear to live in the past The ego is compelled by fear to live in the past and future. God is only in the present and future. God is only in the present moment.moment.

EGO’S UNCONSCOUS VALUE SYSTEMS EGO’S UNCONSCOUS VALUE SYSTEMS FOR HAPPINESSFOR HAPPINESS

• THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE FALSE SELF ARE….THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE FALSE SELF ARE….– ENERGY INVESTED INTO THE EMOTIONAL ENERGY INVESTED INTO THE EMOTIONAL

PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESSPROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS• Emotions are the key to discovering our programs for Emotions are the key to discovering our programs for

happinesshappiness– TENDENCY TO OVERIDENTIFY WITH ACCEPTED TENDENCY TO OVERIDENTIFY WITH ACCEPTED

VALUES PRE-PROGRAMMED BY FAMILY, VALUES PRE-PROGRAMMED BY FAMILY, COMMUNITY, CULTURE, CUSTOMS, ETC.COMMUNITY, CULTURE, CUSTOMS, ETC.• POSITIONALITIESPOSITIONALITIES• OPINIONSOPINIONS• MOTIVESMOTIVES

Jesus Said….

““If you want to save your life, you If you want to save your life, you will bring yourself to ruin. But if will bring yourself to ruin. But if you bring yourself to nothing, you bring yourself to nothing, you will find out who you are.”you will find out who you are.”

(Matthew. 10:39)(Matthew. 10:39)

• SECONDARY GAINSECONDARY GAIN– Unconscious appeasement of the EgoUnconscious appeasement of the Ego– Secondary to a negative experienceSecondary to a negative experience– The negative emotions are the gainThe negative emotions are the gain– Precipitates reverberating and escalating Precipitates reverberating and escalating

cognitions and emotionscognitions and emotions– COGNITIONSCOGNITIONS– ““They don’t know what they are doing.”They don’t know what they are doing.”– ““People always do this to me.”People always do this to me.”– ““Why can’t they see they are wrong.”Why can’t they see they are wrong.”

SECONDARY GAINSECONDARY GAIN

– Precipitates reverberating and escalating Precipitates reverberating and escalating cognitions and emotions (continued)cognitions and emotions (continued)• EMOTIONSEMOTIONS

– AngerAnger– AnxietyAnxiety– DepressionDepression

– Leading toLeading to• ResentmentsResentments• RevengeRevenge• PrejudicePrejudice• Self-harmSelf-harm

REVERBERATING LOOPS OF NEGATIVE REVERBERATING LOOPS OF NEGATIVE THOUGHT AND EMOTIONTHOUGHT AND EMOTION

• Internal verbal abuse is not acceptableInternal verbal abuse is not acceptable• Most susceptible when under stress, Most susceptible when under stress,

physically tired, not sleeping well, physically tired, not sleeping well, emotionally vulnerable, hungry, etc.emotionally vulnerable, hungry, etc.

• Powerful thoughts simultaneously run Powerful thoughts simultaneously run multiple circuits of emotion and physiologymultiple circuits of emotion and physiology

GIVING UP SECONDARY GAINGIVING UP SECONDARY GAIN

• STEP ONE:– Understanding that resistance is the cause of Understanding that resistance is the cause of

continuing problems (human property)continuing problems (human property)– HEALING can take place utilizing both HEALING can take place utilizing both

psychological and spiritual toolspsychological and spiritual tools– SPIRITUAL TOOLS INCLUDE…SPIRITUAL TOOLS INCLUDE…

GIVING UP SECONDARY GAGIVING UP SECONDARY GAININ


• STEP TWO (CONTINUED)– Look for the theme in the history of RESULTS– Explore Secondary Gain• What is the Ego getting out of this?What is the Ego getting out of this?• What do you say to yourself after a results failure?What do you say to yourself after a results failure?• What do you do to self or others?What do you do to self or others?

– This probative process brings the information This probative process brings the information from right to left hemisphere where logic and from right to left hemisphere where logic and order prevail. History and pattern should yield order prevail. History and pattern should yield ACCEPTANCEACCEPTANCE


• STEP THREE:– ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP THE SECONDARY ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP THE SECONDARY

GAIN?GAIN?– DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS SOFTWARE DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS SOFTWARE

INSTALLED DURING EARLY LIFE? IT IS NOT YOU!INSTALLED DURING EARLY LIFE? IT IS NOT YOU!

• GOALGOAL


• STEP THREE (CONTINUED)– SURRENDER the secondary gain to God or to your the secondary gain to God or to your

Higher PowerHigher Power– COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL approach allows for COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL approach allows for

understanding how this process operates, to understanding how this process operates, to catch oneself in the self-defeating dynamic and catch oneself in the self-defeating dynamic and ultimately change patternsultimately change patterns

EXERCISEEXERCISE

• THINK BACK TO A SITUATION THAT CAUSED THINK BACK TO A SITUATION THAT CAUSED YOU UNDUE ANGER, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, YOU UNDUE ANGER, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, RESENTMENT, GRIEF, ETC.RESENTMENT, GRIEF, ETC.

• Using the flow model on page 7Using the flow model on page 7– Analyze the situation to discover the unconscious Analyze the situation to discover the unconscious

value system (think of your early life)value system (think of your early life)– What were your cognitive and emotional What were your cognitive and emotional

reactions?reactions?– What was the reward?What was the reward?

EXERCISEEXERCISE• SITUATION:SITUATION:

• EMOTION:EMOTION:

• THOUGHTS:THOUGHTS:

• UNCONSCIOUS VALUE SYSTEM:UNCONSCIOUS VALUE SYSTEM:

• REWARD:REWARD:

PATHWAY II: PATHWAY II: CONTEMPLATIVE CONTEMPLATIVE CHRISTIAN APPROACHCHRISTIAN APPROACH

• Contemplation is a more advanced spiritual practice Contemplation is a more advanced spiritual practice (as compared to focused meditation). Focused (as compared to focused meditation). Focused meditation is a left brain dominant practice whereas meditation is a left brain dominant practice whereas contemplative prayer in the silence of God enlists the contemplative prayer in the silence of God enlists the right hemisphere connected to all consciousness right hemisphere connected to all consciousness allowing for Divine insight.allowing for Divine insight.

• Detachment from the content of the ego leads to a Detachment from the content of the ego leads to a sense of serenity. The more you relate to the sense of serenity. The more you relate to the subjective context (love, truth, caring, gratitude, subjective context (love, truth, caring, gratitude, acceptance, etc.) the greater the serenityacceptance, etc.) the greater the serenity.

CONTEMPLATIVE APPROACHCONTEMPLATIVE APPROACH

• CONCEPT OF A DIVINE THERAPISTCONCEPT OF A DIVINE THERAPIST– LOOKS AT THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY AS A FORM LOOKS AT THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY AS A FORM

OF PSYCHOTHERAPY DESIGNED TO HEAL THE OF PSYCHOTHERAPY DESIGNED TO HEAL THE EMOTIONAL WOUNDS OF CHILDHOOD AND OUR EMOTIONAL WOUNDS OF CHILDHOOD AND OUR MECHANISMS FOR COPING WITH THEM MECHANISMS FOR COPING WITH THEM (KEATING, (KEATING, INVITATION TO LOVE, PG 145)INVITATION TO LOVE, PG 145)

• CONTEMPLATIVE JOURNEY INVOLVES THE CONTEMPLATIVE JOURNEY INVOLVES THE PURIFICATION OF THE UNCONSCIOUSPURIFICATION OF THE UNCONSCIOUS


• IN DEEP REST (USING CENTERING PRAYER) IN DEEP REST (USING CENTERING PRAYER) REPRESSED MATERIAL IS RELEASED AS IT IS REPRESSED MATERIAL IS RELEASED AS IT IS EXPERIENCED AND SURRENDERED TO GODEXPERIENCED AND SURRENDERED TO GOD

• YIELDS HUMAN GROWTH INTO A FULLY YIELDS HUMAN GROWTH INTO A FULLY RESPONSIBLE, SELF-REFLECTIVE RESPONSIBLE, SELF-REFLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESSCONSCIOUSNESS

• THE MORE THAT IS RELEASED THE CLOSER TO THE MORE THAT IS RELEASED THE CLOSER TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY ONE BECOMESSPIRITUAL MATURITY ONE BECOMES


• STEP ONE: AFFIRMATION OF BASIC GOODNESS STEP ONE: AFFIRMATION OF BASIC GOODNESS (SELF)(SELF)– NOT YOUR PERSONALITY OR WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN NOT YOUR PERSONALITY OR WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN

TOLD YOU ARETOLD YOU ARE– GOD DOESN’T ASK YOU TO EARN ANYTHING-JUST GOD DOESN’T ASK YOU TO EARN ANYTHING-JUST

BECOME THAT WHICH YOU AREBECOME THAT WHICH YOU ARE– ILLUSION OF SINILLUSION OF SIN– NO AMOUNT OF DISREGARD FOR OUR OWN NO AMOUNT OF DISREGARD FOR OUR OWN

CONSCIENCE AND THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF OTHERS CONSCIENCE AND THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF OTHERS CAN TAKE AWAY OUR CAPACITY TO RECOVER FROM CAN TAKE AWAY OUR CAPACITY TO RECOVER FROM THE WOUNDS OF THE HUMAN CONDITIONTHE WOUNDS OF THE HUMAN CONDITION

CONTEMPLATIVE APPROACHCONTEMPLATIVE APPROACH• AFFIRMATION OF BASIC GOODNESS (SELF)-AFFIRMATION OF BASIC GOODNESS (SELF)-

CONTINUEDCONTINUED– WE ACT BASED ON CHILDHOOD BELIEF SYSTEMS-WE ACT BASED ON CHILDHOOD BELIEF SYSTEMS-

TRUE OR FALSE, CONSCIOUS OR UNCONSCIOUS-TRUE OR FALSE, CONSCIOUS OR UNCONSCIOUS-WITHOUT REEVALUATING THEMWITHOUT REEVALUATING THEM

– THE OVERIDENTIFICATION WITH THESE BELIEF THE OVERIDENTIFICATION WITH THESE BELIEF SYSTEMS MAKE THEM ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SYSTEMS MAKE THEM ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FULFILLFULFILL• The idea that we are unlovable, unworthy, or The idea that we are unlovable, unworthy, or

a failure is an insult to Goda failure is an insult to God• Creates an inability for us to choose what we Creates an inability for us to choose what we

truly believe is righttruly believe is right


• STEP TWO:BECOMING AWARE OVER TIME OF STEP TWO:BECOMING AWARE OVER TIME OF WHATEVER IN US IS OPPOSED TO THE IMAGE IN WHATEVER IN US IS OPPOSED TO THE IMAGE IN STEP ONESTEP ONE– USING LOSS, ADDICTION, TRAUMA OR OTHER USING LOSS, ADDICTION, TRAUMA OR OTHER

FORMS OF TRAGEDY AS SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIESFORMS OF TRAGEDY AS SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIES– TO TAKE AWAY SUPPPORT SYSTEMS (BELIEFS) THAT TO TAKE AWAY SUPPPORT SYSTEMS (BELIEFS) THAT

KEEP THE FALSE SELF IN CONTROLKEEP THE FALSE SELF IN CONTROL– BY REDUCING ATTACHMENTS TO OUR EMOTIONAL BY REDUCING ATTACHMENTS TO OUR EMOTIONAL

PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS AND OUR OVER-PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS AND OUR OVER-IDENTIFICATION WITH THE GROUPIDENTIFICATION WITH THE GROUP


• STEP THREE: DISMANTLE THE EMOTIONAL STEP THREE: DISMANTLE THE EMOTIONAL PROGRAM-HEALING THE PROBLEM AND NOT PROGRAM-HEALING THE PROBLEM AND NOT MANAGING SYMPTOMSMANAGING SYMPTOMS– First notice the emotion(s) that most disturb you First notice the emotion(s) that most disturb you

and name itand name it– Write down the particular event or memory that Write down the particular event or memory that

triggered the emotiontriggered the emotion– Identify the program(s) that is its sourceIdentify the program(s) that is its source

EXERCISEEXERCISE

• EMOTION:EMOTION:

• SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY:SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY:

• IDNETIFY PROGRAM(S) FOR HAPPINESS:IDNETIFY PROGRAM(S) FOR HAPPINESS:–SECURITY AND SURVIVAL____SECURITY AND SURVIVAL____–AFFECTION AND ESTEEM____AFFECTION AND ESTEEM____–POWER AND CONTROL______POWER AND CONTROL______


– Deliberately let go of the desire to avoid Deliberately let go of the desire to avoid something or to have something-this undermines something or to have something-this undermines the habitual responsethe habitual response• ““I give up my desire for (program).”I give up my desire for (program).”

• May also develop an active prayer sentence May also develop an active prayer sentence such as “Oh Lord, come to my assistance!”such as “Oh Lord, come to my assistance!”

• Any contemplative prayer technique is Any contemplative prayer technique is helpful-CENTERING PRAYER or other helpful-CENTERING PRAYER or other TECHNIQUES (see TECHNIQUES section)TECHNIQUES (see TECHNIQUES section)

CENTERING PRAYERCENTERING PRAYER

“BUT AS FOR YOU, WHEN YOU PRAY, BUT AS FOR YOU, WHEN YOU PRAY, ENTER INTO YOUR INNER CHAMBER ENTER INTO YOUR INNER CHAMBER AND LOCK YOUR DOOR, AND PRAY TO AND LOCK YOUR DOOR, AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER IN SECRET, AND YOUR YOUR FATHER IN SECRET, AND YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET SHALL FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET SHALL REWARD YOU OPENLY.”REWARD YOU OPENLY.”

MATTHEW 6:6MATTHEW 6:6


• Puts you in the presence of God and Puts you in the presence of God and consenting to HIS practice and presence consenting to HIS practice and presence within uswithin us

• Commits us to the liberation of conscious Commits us to the liberation of conscious and unconscious motivationsand unconscious motivations

• Helps bind us to everyone else in the human Helps bind us to everyone else in the human communitycommunity

• Meaningful because of one’s intention to Meaningful because of one’s intention to open oneself up to Godopen oneself up to God


• Prepares one for contemplationPrepares one for contemplation– Presence of God is true security-there is no Presence of God is true security-there is no

otherother–Give control and power to GodGive control and power to God– By emptying oneself-BECOMING By emptying oneself-BECOMING

NOTHING-one receives LOVE (AFFECTION) NOTHING-one receives LOVE (AFFECTION) and PERFECTION (ESTEEM)and PERFECTION (ESTEEM)– LEADS TO FREEDOM AND HAPPINESSLEADS TO FREEDOM AND HAPPINESS


““Whoever would save his Whoever would save his life would lose it and life would lose it and whoever loses his life whoever loses his life will find it”will find it”

Matthew 16:25Matthew 16:25


• Life as a continuous “dying to self”, giving up Life as a continuous “dying to self”, giving up smaller self to discover SELFsmaller self to discover SELF

• Christian moral theology- “dying of self”-will Christian moral theology- “dying of self”-will (ego) and its opinions, motives, etc.(ego) and its opinions, motives, etc.– Willing to let go of what “I” want to create a Willing to let go of what “I” want to create a

space for the Divinespace for the Divine• If latch on to a thought, feeling or revelation If latch on to a thought, feeling or revelation

it is an attachment that will take you back to it is an attachment that will take you back to egoego


• Core gesture of Jesus’ life-KENOSIS (SELF-Core gesture of Jesus’ life-KENOSIS (SELF-EMPTYING)EMPTYING)– Paul seems to see “self-emptying” as the core reality Paul seems to see “self-emptying” as the core reality

underlying every moment of Jesus’ journeyunderlying every moment of Jesus’ journey

• Two types of loveTwo types of love– EROS-human love as mans way to GodEROS-human love as mans way to God– AGAPE-Divine love as God’s way to manAGAPE-Divine love as God’s way to man– What if they are the same pathway?What if they are the same pathway?

• HOLY SPIRITHOLY SPIRIT


• Most believe the way to God is “up”-ascendMost believe the way to God is “up”-ascend• To ascend requires energy (EROS)To ascend requires energy (EROS)– Vast majority of worlds spiritual approaches Vast majority of worlds spiritual approaches

work on basis of “conservation of energy”work on basis of “conservation of energy”• Storing or attaining thru conservation (not spending Storing or attaining thru conservation (not spending

on worldly pleasures) and concentration (chi or life on worldly pleasures) and concentration (chi or life force purified and concentrated by prayer, fasting and force purified and concentrated by prayer, fasting and ascetic practices)ascetic practices)–Works thru self-mastery Works thru self-mastery


• Another path is more in line with AGAPEAnother path is more in line with AGAPE– Not thru storing but giving it all awayNot thru storing but giving it all away– Energy of consciousness is infiniteEnergy of consciousness is infinite– Dissolution of the ego not achieved by Dissolution of the ego not achieved by

renunciation and guarding the purity of being but renunciation and guarding the purity of being but thru radical giving of everythingthru radical giving of everything• Jesus gave himself fully into life and death-this is what Jesus gave himself fully into life and death-this is what

he taught and what he didhe taught and what he did• A love that reaches “oneness” thru complete A love that reaches “oneness” thru complete

vulnerabilityvulnerability


• VULNERABILITYVULNERABILITY– LOVE OF CHRIST MANIFESTED BY COMPLETE LOVE OF CHRIST MANIFESTED BY COMPLETE

VULNERABILITYVULNERABILITY– UNLIMITED READINESS TO FORGIVEUNLIMITED READINESS TO FORGIVE– TO HURT OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITHOUT TO HURT OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITHOUT

LOVING LESS BUT LOVING MORELOVING LESS BUT LOVING MORE– OPENESS TO GIVING USUALLY ENCOUNTERS OPENESS TO GIVING USUALLY ENCOUNTERS

PERSECUTIONPERSECUTION


• VULNERABILITYVULNERABILITY– BEST WAY TO RECEIVE DIVINE LOVE IS TO GIVE IT BEST WAY TO RECEIVE DIVINE LOVE IS TO GIVE IT

AWAYAWAY– BEING VULNERABLE MEANS LOVING ONE BEING VULNERABLE MEANS LOVING ONE

ANOTHER AS JESUS LOVES USANOTHER AS JESUS LOVES US– IF INJURED IN PROCESS CREATES GREAT IF INJURED IN PROCESS CREATES GREAT

OPPORTUNITY FOR FORGIVENESS AND MERCYOPPORTUNITY FOR FORGIVENESS AND MERCY


• Garden of GethsemaneGarden of Gethsemane– Surrounded by fear, contradiction and betrayal Surrounded by fear, contradiction and betrayal

he released everything including life itselfhe released everything including life itself• This connects one instantly to the wellspring This connects one instantly to the wellspring

(CONSCIOUSNESS)(CONSCIOUSNESS)– JESUS WAS CALLED UPON “TO BE SIN” (2COR JESUS WAS CALLED UPON “TO BE SIN” (2COR

5:21), TO TAKE UPON HIMSELF THE SINS OF ALL 5:21), TO TAKE UPON HIMSELF THE SINS OF ALL AND TO SENSE ALIENATION FOR GODAND TO SENSE ALIENATION FOR GOD

• Self-emptying is not the means to something Self-emptying is not the means to something but is the full expression of the meaningbut is the full expression of the meaning


• Pathway to happiness lies in and in fact is Pathway to happiness lies in and in fact is coextensive with the sacramental act of coextensive with the sacramental act of giving it all away making self-giving the core giving it all away making self-giving the core gesture through which meaning and purpose gesture through which meaning and purpose of our life is convergedof our life is converged– KENOSIS-LOVE MADE FULL IN THE ACT OF KENOSIS-LOVE MADE FULL IN THE ACT OF

GIVING ITSELF AWAYGIVING ITSELF AWAY– SELF-GIVINGSELF-GIVING– AIMS TO ATTAIN NOTHINGAIMS TO ATTAIN NOTHING


“THE HUMILITY OF GOD IS TO CEASE TO BE THE HUMILITY OF GOD IS TO CEASE TO BE GOD. WITHIN THE TRINITY THERE IS THE GOD. WITHIN THE TRINITY THERE IS THE TOTAL EMPTYING OF THE FATHER INTO THE TOTAL EMPTYING OF THE FATHER INTO THE SON AND THE SON INTO THE FATHER. WHAT SON AND THE SON INTO THE FATHER. WHAT BINDS THEM TOGETHER IS THE SPIRIT, THE BINDS THEM TOGETHER IS THE SPIRIT, THE MUTUAL LOVE OF THE FATHER AND THE MUTUAL LOVE OF THE FATHER AND THE SON. EACH MEMBER OF THE TRINITY LIVES IN SON. EACH MEMBER OF THE TRINITY LIVES IN THE OTHERS RATHER THAN IN ITSELF.”THE OTHERS RATHER THAN IN ITSELF.”

KEATING, KEATING, THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST, PG. 100THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST, PG. 100

STAGE OF PERFECT WISDOM:CONNECTED STAGE OF PERFECT WISDOM:CONNECTED BY HOLY SPIRIT ONE TO ANOTHERBY HOLY SPIRIT ONE TO ANOTHER

STAGE OF PERFECT WISDOM:CONNECTED STAGE OF PERFECT WISDOM:CONNECTED BY HOLY SPIRIT ONE TO ANOTHERBY HOLY SPIRIT ONE TO ANOTHER

• HEALING IS ON AN ENERGY LEVELHEALING IS ON AN ENERGY LEVEL• WHEN TENSION IS REDUCED THE BODY RELEASES WHEN TENSION IS REDUCED THE BODY RELEASES

UNCONSCIOUS PENT-UP ENERGYUNCONSCIOUS PENT-UP ENERGY• PAINFUL FORGOTTEN OR REPRESSED MEMORIES PAINFUL FORGOTTEN OR REPRESSED MEMORIES

SURFACESURFACE• FACE THESE EMOTIONAL MEMORIES AND FEEL THEMFACE THESE EMOTIONAL MEMORIES AND FEEL THEM• BY EMPTYING ONESELF OF NEGATIVE ENERGY BY EMPTYING ONESELF OF NEGATIVE ENERGY

(EMOTIONS), ONE CAN BE FILLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT(EMOTIONS), ONE CAN BE FILLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT• HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE EXPERIENCED ONLY WHEN HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE EXPERIENCED ONLY WHEN

INNER LIFE IS ATTUNED TO IT AND CONDITIONS ARE INNER LIFE IS ATTUNED TO IT AND CONDITIONS ARE RIGHTRIGHT

CENTERING PRAYERCENTERING PRAYER““THIS DISPOSITION OF GIVING EVERYTHING THIS DISPOSITION OF GIVING EVERYTHING

AWAY-ONE’S TIME, ENERGY, SPACE, AWAY-ONE’S TIME, ENERGY, SPACE, VIRTUES, SPIRITUALITY, AND FINALLY VIRTUES, SPIRITUALITY, AND FINALLY ONESELF-IS NOT REALLY GIVING ANYTHING ONESELF-IS NOT REALLY GIVING ANYTHING AWAY BECAUSE, IN THE TRUEST SENSE, AWAY BECAUSE, IN THE TRUEST SENSE, WHATEVER WE GIVE AWAY, WE ARE GIVING WHATEVER WE GIVE AWAY, WE ARE GIVING TO OURSELVES. THE GESTURE OF OPENING TO OURSELVES. THE GESTURE OF OPENING ONE’S HAND IS THE SAME GESTURE AS ONE’S HAND IS THE SAME GESTURE AS RECEIVING.”RECEIVING.”

KEATING, KEATING, THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST, THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST, PG 106PG 106


• Movement beyond conversation to Movement beyond conversation to communion with Christcommunion with Christ

• Conversation or listening to the word of God Conversation or listening to the word of God in Scripture (Lectio Divina) gives way to in Scripture (Lectio Divina) gives way to communioncommunion

• Gregory the Great (sixth century) summarizes Gregory the Great (sixth century) summarizes the Christian contemplative tradition as the Christian contemplative tradition as “resting in God”“resting in God”


• ““RESTING IN GOD”RESTING IN GOD”– ““COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE

HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.”HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.”• MATTHEW 11:28MATTHEW 11:28

– REST COMES FROM THE EARLY CONTEMPLATIVE REST COMES FROM THE EARLY CONTEMPLATIVE MONKS OF THE EGYPTIAN DESERT AND MEANS MONKS OF THE EGYPTIAN DESERT AND MEANS “WANTING WHAT GOD WANTS” AND NOT WHAT “WANTING WHAT GOD WANTS” AND NOT WHAT THE EGO WANTSTHE EGO WANTS


• STEP FOUR: THE NIGHT OF SENSE (JOHN OF STEP FOUR: THE NIGHT OF SENSE (JOHN OF THE CROSS)THE CROSS)– AN INTUITIVE AWARENESS OF FACTSAN INTUITIVE AWARENESS OF FACTS• Cannot find happiness in the gratification of Cannot find happiness in the gratification of

emotional programsemotional programs• Cannot find happiness through the symbols of security Cannot find happiness through the symbols of security

and survival, power and control or affection and and survival, power and control or affection and esteemesteem

• Once profoundly understood creates an internal Once profoundly understood creates an internal freedom and opens up a space for the Holy Spirit to freedom and opens up a space for the Holy Spirit to enterenter


• THE NIGHT OF SENSE (JOHN OF THE CROSS)THE NIGHT OF SENSE (JOHN OF THE CROSS)– AN INTUITIVE AWARENESS OF FACTS-(continued)AN INTUITIVE AWARENESS OF FACTS-(continued)• This awareness can create disillusionment, This awareness can create disillusionment,

discouragement, depressive symptoms or period of discouragement, depressive symptoms or period of mourningmourning

• Natural process of mourning is response to loss of Natural process of mourning is response to loss of something we lovedsomething we loved

• Possible feeling of loss of Grace (projection into God Possible feeling of loss of Grace (projection into God of our grief and belief He is displeased with us)of our grief and belief He is displeased with us)


• THE NIGHT OF SENSE (JOHN OF THE CROSS)THE NIGHT OF SENSE (JOHN OF THE CROSS)– AN INTUITIVE AWARENESS OF FACTS- AN INTUITIVE AWARENESS OF FACTS-

(continued)(continued)• Don’t be saddened by the fact that we could not live Don’t be saddened by the fact that we could not live

up to our idealized images of ourselves and how we up to our idealized images of ourselves and how we should have or could have should have or could have acted-EGO TRIPacted-EGO TRIP


• STEP FIVE: THE NIGHT OF SPIRIT (JOHN OF THE STEP FIVE: THE NIGHT OF SPIRIT (JOHN OF THE CROSS)CROSS)– MOVEMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRITMOVEMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT– DEEPENING OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DIVINEDEEPENING OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DIVINE

• WILLINGNESS TO HOLD DESIRES IN ABEYANCE AND WILLINGNESS TO HOLD DESIRES IN ABEYANCE AND SURRENDER PERSONAL WILL AT EVERY MOMENTSURRENDER PERSONAL WILL AT EVERY MOMENT

• AS EACH THOUGHT, FEELING, DESIRE OR DEED IS AS EACH THOUGHT, FEELING, DESIRE OR DEED IS SURRENDERED TO GOD THE MIND BECOMES SURRENDERED TO GOD THE MIND BECOMES INCREASINGLY SILENTINCREASINGLY SILENT

• NO “IN HERE” OR “OUT THERE”- ALL IS ONE (NO NO “IN HERE” OR “OUT THERE”- ALL IS ONE (NO PROJECTIONS-PROBLEM IS NOT “OUT THERE”)PROJECTIONS-PROBLEM IS NOT “OUT THERE”)


– THE NIGHT OF SPIRIT (JOHN OF THE CROSS)-THE NIGHT OF SPIRIT (JOHN OF THE CROSS)-(continued)(continued)• MOVEMENT TOWARD UNITY-BECOMING THE PRAYERMOVEMENT TOWARD UNITY-BECOMING THE PRAYER

– PICK A VIRTUE AND INITIATE IN ALL OF YOUR AFFAIRS WITH PICK A VIRTUE AND INITIATE IN ALL OF YOUR AFFAIRS WITH EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING INCLUDING YOURSELF ALL OF EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING INCLUDING YOURSELF ALL OF THE TIMETHE TIME

»KINDNESSKINDNESS»FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS»LOVELOVE»UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

JOHN 18:21-23 (LAST SUPPER)JOHN 18:21-23 (LAST SUPPER)• ““SO THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE;JUST AS THOU, SO THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE;JUST AS THOU,

MY FATHER, ART WITH ME, AND I AM WITH MY FATHER, ART WITH ME, AND I AM WITH THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE WITH US: THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE WITH US: SO THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU SO THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU DIDST SEND ME. AND THE GLORY WHICH THOU DIDST SEND ME. AND THE GLORY WHICH THOU GAVEST ME, I GAVE TO THEM; SO THAT THEY GAVEST ME, I GAVE TO THEM; SO THAT THEY MAY BE ONE JUST AS WE ARE ONE. I WITH MAY BE ONE JUST AS WE ARE ONE. I WITH THEM AND THOU WITH ME, THAT THEY MAY THEM AND THOU WITH ME, THAT THEY MAY BECOME PERFECTED IN ONE; SO THAT THE BECOME PERFECTED IN ONE; SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT THOU DIDST SEND WORLD MAY KNOW THAT THOU DIDST SEND ME, AND THAT THOU DIDST LOVE THEM JUST ME, AND THAT THOU DIDST LOVE THEM JUST AS THOU DIDST LOVE ME.”AS THOU DIDST LOVE ME.”


TO BE NO ONE IS TO BE EVERYONE.TO BE NO ONE IS TO BE EVERYONE.TO BE NO SELF IS TO BE THE TRUE SELFTO BE NO SELF IS TO BE THE TRUE SELFTO BE NOTHING IS TO BE EVERYTHING.TO BE NOTHING IS TO BE EVERYTHING.

WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN LIBERATED FROM WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN LIBERATED FROM THEM ALL (PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS), THEM ALL (PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS),

YOU ARE IN A SPACE THAT IS BOTH EMPTY YOU ARE IN A SPACE THAT IS BOTH EMPTY OF SELF AND FULL OF GODOF SELF AND FULL OF GOD


““IF WE DON’T EXPERIENCE OURSELVES IF WE DON’T EXPERIENCE OURSELVES AS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, WE HAVE AS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO, BECAUSE THAT MORE WORK TO DO, BECAUSE THAT IS WHO WE REALLY ARE.”IS WHO WE REALLY ARE.”

KEATING, KEATING, THE HUMAN CONDITIONTHE HUMAN CONDITION, PG 45, PG 45

PATHWAY III: PATHWAY III: PSYCHOEDUCATION-PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESTHE BEATITUDES

• AFFIRMATIONS (BEATITUDES) MATTHEW 5:1-12 AFFIRMATIONS (BEATITUDES) MATTHEW 5:1-12 SERMON ON THE MOUNTSERMON ON THE MOUNT– SUMARIZES JESUS’S TEACHINGS ABOUT TRUE SUMARIZES JESUS’S TEACHINGS ABOUT TRUE

HAPPINESS VIA THE DISMANTLING OF THE FALSE HAPPINESS VIA THE DISMANTLING OF THE FALSE SELFSELF

– ALLOWS GOD TO ENTER OUR LIVES ESPECIALLY ALLOWS GOD TO ENTER OUR LIVES ESPECIALLY DURING TIMES OF CONFLICTDURING TIMES OF CONFLICT

– NEED TO ACCEPT PAINFUL CONDITIONS AND WORK NEED TO ACCEPT PAINFUL CONDITIONS AND WORK TO MAKE THEM BETTERTO MAKE THEM BETTER

– FOCUSES ON OUR SECURITY NEEDS THAT DEMAND FOCUSES ON OUR SECURITY NEEDS THAT DEMAND MORE AND BETTER TO BE ALRIGHTMORE AND BETTER TO BE ALRIGHT

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESPSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDES• BLESSED ARE THE HUMBLE, FOR THEIRS IS THE BLESSED ARE THE HUMBLE, FOR THEIRS IS THE

KINGDOM OF HEAVENKINGDOM OF HEAVEN– Jesus died between two criminals, betrayed by a Jesus died between two criminals, betrayed by a

friend, abandoned by his disciples and rejected by friend, abandoned by his disciples and rejected by religious and public authorityreligious and public authority• Being is more important than doingBeing is more important than doing• Not how successful but who one isNot how successful but who one is

– Destruction of one’s life is a classic way to Destruction of one’s life is a classic way to SURRENDERSURRENDER

– Innate desire to feel secure is an obstacle to enjoying Innate desire to feel secure is an obstacle to enjoying all that existsall that exists

– Accepting what is as it isAccepting what is as it is

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESPSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDES

– All creation is yours if you do not try to possess it All creation is yours if you do not try to possess it (attachments)(attachments)

– ““IF YOU WANT TO POSSESS EVERYTHING DESIRE TO IF YOU WANT TO POSSESS EVERYTHING DESIRE TO POSSESS NOTHING.” JOHN OF THE CROSS, ASCENT POSSESS NOTHING.” JOHN OF THE CROSS, ASCENT TO MT. CARMEL, BOOK I, CHAPTER 13, PG 11TO MT. CARMEL, BOOK I, CHAPTER 13, PG 11

– Letting go of the neurotic search for more and betterLetting go of the neurotic search for more and better– DISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESSDISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS

• AFFECTION AND ESTEEMAFFECTION AND ESTEEM• POWER AND CONTROLPOWER AND CONTROL

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESPSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDES• BLESSED ARE THEY WHO MOURN, FOR THEY BLESSED ARE THEY WHO MOURN, FOR THEY

SHALL BE COMFORTEDSHALL BE COMFORTED– Love distorted by selfishness desires to cling to Love distorted by selfishness desires to cling to

ephemeral or illusory happinessephemeral or illusory happiness– When lose something you love it creates grief but When lose something you love it creates grief but

also gives rise to a new freedomalso gives rise to a new freedom• We learn we can live without what we previously thought We learn we can live without what we previously thought

to be essentialto be essential• Not to make external pleasures into idolsNot to make external pleasures into idols• Peace is the consolationPeace is the consolation• We never lose anything that deserves to be loved we We never lose anything that deserves to be loved we

simply enter into a more mature relationshipsimply enter into a more mature relationship


– DISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESSDISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS• AFFECTION AND ESTEEMAFFECTION AND ESTEEM• POWER AND CONTROLPOWER AND CONTROL• SECURITY AND SURVIVALSECURITY AND SURVIVAL

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESPSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDES• BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY SHALL BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY SHALL

INHERIT THE EARTHINHERIT THE EARTH– Meek are those who do not get angry in the face Meek are those who do not get angry in the face

of insult or injuryof insult or injury– They are taking apart their need to control They are taking apart their need to control

othersothers– Refuse to injure others in spite of provocationRefuse to injure others in spite of provocation• Violence begets violenceViolence begets violence

– Non-judgmentalNon-judgmental• May not approve but don’t make judgmentsMay not approve but don’t make judgments

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESPSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDES• Allows for compassion for those still stuck in Allows for compassion for those still stuck in

the need for power and controlthe need for power and control• Not a passive attitude but one that reveals Not a passive attitude but one that reveals

lovelove– GANDHI-GANDHI-AHISMAAHISMA- “THE PRACTICE OF - “THE PRACTICE OF

NONVIOLENCE”NONVIOLENCE”• BASIC TENET OF INDIAN RELIGIONS SUCH AS BASIC TENET OF INDIAN RELIGIONS SUCH AS

BUDDHISM AND HINDUISMBUDDHISM AND HINDUISM

• BELIEF THAT TO SHOW LOVE IS MANS TRUE BELIEF THAT TO SHOW LOVE IS MANS TRUE NATURENATURE


• DISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESSDISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS– POWER AND CONTROLPOWER AND CONTROL

• The first three move one to further levels of The first three move one to further levels of self-consciousness and greater feelings of self-consciousness and greater feelings of alienation. Might consider..alienation. Might consider..

– Service work such as volunteering, visiting the sick, Service work such as volunteering, visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, etc.feeding the hungry, etc.


““TO SAY THAT I AM MADE IN THE TO SAY THAT I AM MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD IS TO SAY THAT LOVE IMAGE OF GOD IS TO SAY THAT LOVE IS THE REASON FOR MY EXISTENCE, IS THE REASON FOR MY EXISTENCE, FOR GOD IS LOVE. LOVE IS MY TRUE FOR GOD IS LOVE. LOVE IS MY TRUE IDENTITY. SELFLESSNESS IS MY TRUE IDENTITY. SELFLESSNESS IS MY TRUE SELF.”SELF.”

THOMAS MERTON, THOMAS MERTON, BOOK OF HOURS,BOOK OF HOURS, PG 143 PG 143


• BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR JUSTICE, FOR THEY SHALL BE WELL FOR JUSTICE, FOR THEY SHALL BE WELL SATISFIEDSATISFIED– Hunger for HOLINESS and the TRUTHHunger for HOLINESS and the TRUTH– Life without the false selfLife without the false self– Overcoming the emotional programs of early Overcoming the emotional programs of early

childhood involving over-identification with social childhood involving over-identification with social groups regarding acceptance and approvalgroups regarding acceptance and approval• Remain loyal to family and social group but not absolutelyRemain loyal to family and social group but not absolutely

– Not clinging to naïve loyalty that refuses to see defectsNot clinging to naïve loyalty that refuses to see defects


– Love is not a feeling it is a way of beingLove is not a feeling it is a way of being– Manifest Divine Love under all circumstances Manifest Divine Love under all circumstances

even if it goes against your peer groupeven if it goes against your peer group– DISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESSDISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS• SECURITY AND SURVIVALSECURITY AND SURVIVAL• OVER IDENTIFICATION WITH SOCIAL GROUPSOVER IDENTIFICATION WITH SOCIAL GROUPS

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESPSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDES• BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL

HAVE MERCYHAVE MERCY– Moving beyond the self into selflessnessMoving beyond the self into selflessness

• ““To love one another as I have loved you.”To love one another as I have loved you.”– Love the person even if you find their personality Love the person even if you find their personality

(character defects) irritating(character defects) irritating– May feel overwhelmed by the injustice of the world. May feel overwhelmed by the injustice of the world.

If so..If so..• Continue to work on SELFContinue to work on SELF• Reach out to others in need (inspiration of the Holy Spirit)Reach out to others in need (inspiration of the Holy Spirit)• Look at the opportunities right in front of youLook at the opportunities right in front of you

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESPSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDES– Compassion toward ourselvesCompassion toward ourselves

• Improve self-imageImprove self-image• Reduce self-hatredReduce self-hatred

– Not able to live up to the idealized image (compensation) of self Not able to live up to the idealized image (compensation) of self (narcissistic pride)(narcissistic pride)

– DISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESSDISTORTED PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS• AFFECTION AND ESTEEMAFFECTION AND ESTEEM• POWER AND CONTROLPOWER AND CONTROL

• GOD STARTS COMING TO US ON A MORE INTUITIVE GOD STARTS COMING TO US ON A MORE INTUITIVE BASIS BASIS


• BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GODSEE GOD– Single-hearted see God as SELF, in others and in ordinary Single-hearted see God as SELF, in others and in ordinary

events of life- “oneness”events of life- “oneness”– Important component of contemplative prayerImportant component of contemplative prayer

• Transform the creative vision of transformation into day to day Transform the creative vision of transformation into day to day lifelife

– Contemplative vision and its incarnation into everyday Contemplative vision and its incarnation into everyday life leads to purity of heart freeing one from the false self life leads to purity of heart freeing one from the false self giving way to freedom to serve others (MOVING BEYOND giving way to freedom to serve others (MOVING BEYOND FALSE SELF)FALSE SELF)

– INTUITIVE LEVEL BEYOND PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESSINTUITIVE LEVEL BEYOND PROGRAMS FOR HAPPINESS

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESSSBEATITUDESSS

• BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GODSHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD– One who establishes peace with the self and One who establishes peace with the self and

becomes a servant of creationbecomes a servant of creation– Delicate and complex balance between human Delicate and complex balance between human

nature and God’s will-not emotional but a way of nature and God’s will-not emotional but a way of being in the worldbeing in the world

– Peacemakers are in a sense God acting in the Peacemakers are in a sense God acting in the world-Divine Empowermentworld-Divine Empowerment


– Commitment to enter the human family-we are Commitment to enter the human family-we are not our own but belong to everyonenot our own but belong to everyone

– TRANSCENDS THE EMOTIONS AND EMOTIONAL TRANSCENDS THE EMOTIONS AND EMOTIONAL PROGRAMSPROGRAMS

– FOURTH DIMENSION OF REALITY-DIVINE UNIONFOURTH DIMENSION OF REALITY-DIVINE UNION– NONATTACHED TO OUTCOMENONATTACHED TO OUTCOME

PSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDESPSYCHOEDUCATION-THE BEATITUDES• BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO YOU ARE PERSECUTED FOR BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO YOU ARE PERSECUTED FOR

THE SAKE OF JUSTICE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF THE SAKE OF JUSTICE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN MEN REPROACH YOU HEAVEN. BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN MEN REPROACH YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU AND SPEAK AGAINST YOU EVERY AND PERSECUTE YOU AND SPEAK AGAINST YOU EVERY KIND OF EVIL, FALSELY, FOR MY SAKEKIND OF EVIL, FALSELY, FOR MY SAKE– The stage of perfect wisdom and humility-a nobodyThe stage of perfect wisdom and humility-a nobody– Being detached from all worldly goods and spiritual goodsBeing detached from all worldly goods and spiritual goods– Finding happiness in persecutionFinding happiness in persecution– When you suffer in my name, rejoice for your reward will be When you suffer in my name, rejoice for your reward will be

in heavenin heaven– Totally beyond self-interest and at peace with God and with Totally beyond self-interest and at peace with God and with

othersothers– Thru them God is pouring divine light, love and life into the Thru them God is pouring divine light, love and life into the

human familyhuman family

TECHNIQUESTECHNIQUES

• CENTERING PRAYERCENTERING PRAYER• WELCOMING PRAYERWELCOMING PRAYER• GUARD OF THE HEARTGUARD OF THE HEART• RIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESSRIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESS

CENTERING PRAYERCENTERING PRAYER• MethodologyMethodology– Choose a sacred wordChoose a sacred word• Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you with a short word Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you with a short word

suitable to yousuitable to you– Examples include God, Jesus, Mary, Mother, Abba, Amen, Examples include God, Jesus, Mary, Mother, Abba, Amen,

Love , Peace, Faith, Silence, Peace or MercyLove , Peace, Faith, Silence, Peace or Mercy

– For some noticing one’s breath or an inward For some noticing one’s breath or an inward glance toward the Divine presence may be more glance toward the Divine presence may be more suitablesuitable• SACRED GAZESACRED GAZE

– No visual image, turn inward as if to look at someone you No visual image, turn inward as if to look at someone you love and recall that God is embracing you with a loving gazelove and recall that God is embracing you with a loving gaze

CENTERING PRAYERCENTERING PRAYER• Methodology (continued)Methodology (continued)– Sit comfortably and introduce the sacred word as Sit comfortably and introduce the sacred word as

consent to God’s presence and action withinconsent to God’s presence and action within– When engaged with your “thoughts” return When engaged with your “thoughts” return ever ever

so gently so gently to the sacred word, breath or gaze to the sacred word, breath or gaze• Thoughts include body sensations, feelings, images, Thoughts include body sensations, feelings, images,

concepts, insights and reflectionsconcepts, insights and reflections• Various types of thoughts include ordinary Various types of thoughts include ordinary

wanderings of the imagination and memory, thoughts wanderings of the imagination and memory, thoughts giving rise to attractions or aversions, insights, self-giving rise to attractions or aversions, insights, self-reflection like “Am I doing this right?” and thoughts reflection like “Am I doing this right?” and thoughts and feelings arising from the unconsciousand feelings arising from the unconscious


• Methodology (continued)Methodology (continued)– ““Thoughts” are inevitable and normalThoughts” are inevitable and normal– By returning By returning ever so gently ever so gently a minimum of effort a minimum of effort

is indicated. This is the only activity involvedis indicated. This is the only activity involved– Usual period is 20 minutes twice per dayUsual period is 20 minutes twice per day– Physical sensations are normal and include slight Physical sensations are normal and include slight

pains, itches, twitches, lightness or heaviness. pains, itches, twitches, lightness or heaviness. Tears are not uncommonTears are not uncommon


• Represents a deepening of faith in God’s Represents a deepening of faith in God’s abiding presenceabiding presence

• Simply resting in GodSimply resting in God• The principle benefits are experienced in The principle benefits are experienced in

daily lifedaily life• Familiarizes us with the language of God-Familiarizes us with the language of God-

SILENCESILENCE

WELCOMING PRAYERWELCOMING PRAYER

• Surrender as an underlying attitude in daily Surrender as an underlying attitude in daily lifelife

• Used in a psychotherapeutic context to Used in a psychotherapeutic context to extend Centering Prayer to gain relief from extend Centering Prayer to gain relief from afflictive emotions of the egoafflictive emotions of the ego

• Enhances the quality and quantity of Enhances the quality and quantity of awakened consciousnessawakened consciousness


• Designed by Mary Mrozowski-a psychiatric Designed by Mary Mrozowski-a psychiatric hospital administrator and literacy volunteer in hospital administrator and literacy volunteer in prisonsprisons

• Redirects the emotional energy so that it is Redirects the emotional energy so that it is liberated from the egoic system and recaptured liberated from the egoic system and recaptured as vital energy for inner transformationas vital energy for inner transformation

• Can be used with negative emotions, pain and Can be used with negative emotions, pain and false positives achieved by appeasement of the false positives achieved by appeasement of the egoego


• Three-step ModelThree-step Model

–Focus and Sink InFocus and Sink In–WelcomeWelcome–Let GoLet Go


• Focus and Sink InFocus and Sink In– Focus on the upset and feel the sensation in your Focus on the upset and feel the sensation in your

bodybody– Don’t try to change anything just be Don’t try to change anything just be presentpresent– Don’t psychoanalyze yourselfDon’t psychoanalyze yourself

• Tendency is strong in religious seekers to “make a Tendency is strong in religious seekers to “make a religion out of the better moments” and repress the religion out of the better moments” and repress the negativenegative

• This is counterproductive as energy stays trapped in This is counterproductive as energy stays trapped in the bodythe body


• WelcomeWelcome– Although it seems counterintuitive, while present in Although it seems counterintuitive, while present in

the sensation of your upset say ever so gently..the sensation of your upset say ever so gently..• ““Welcome anger, Welcome pain, etc.Welcome anger, Welcome pain, etc.

– Don’t let the upset chase you from the presence of Don’t let the upset chase you from the presence of the momentthe moment

– By embracing what you once repressed you disarm By embracing what you once repressed you disarm itit

• Awareness and surrender convergeAwareness and surrender converge


• Let GoLet Go– Letting go is just for nowLetting go is just for now– Can say “I let go of my anger” or “I Can say “I let go of my anger” or “I

surrender my anger to God”surrender my anger to God”–Or a more complex versionOr a more complex version• ““I let go of my desire for security and survival”I let go of my desire for security and survival”• ““I let go of my desire for esteem and affection”I let go of my desire for esteem and affection”• I let go of my desire for power and control”I let go of my desire for power and control”

WELCOMING PRAYERWELCOMING PRAYER“A false self system is a system working at a A false self system is a system working at a

low level of being, which is why it remains so low level of being, which is why it remains so mechanical and viciously self-reinforcing. mechanical and viciously self-reinforcing. With its vital energy largely locked up in its With its vital energy largely locked up in its defenses and neurotic programming, there is defenses and neurotic programming, there is little left over to reach escape velocity into little left over to reach escape velocity into real awakened consciousness, which both real awakened consciousness, which both requires and produces a higher level of requires and produces a higher level of spiritual vibrancy than we are used to.”spiritual vibrancy than we are used to.”

Bourgeault, Bourgeault, Centering Prayer and Inner AwakeningCentering Prayer and Inner Awakening, pg.148, pg.148

GUARD OF THE HEARTGUARD OF THE HEART– A watchfulness that notices when we lose our sense of peaceA watchfulness that notices when we lose our sense of peace– Lose peace whenever one of our emotional programs for Lose peace whenever one of our emotional programs for

happiness is frustrated-anger, grief, discouraged, fearful, etc.happiness is frustrated-anger, grief, discouraged, fearful, etc.– This sets off prerecorded cognitive loops that reinforce the This sets off prerecorded cognitive loops that reinforce the

emotionemotion– Can go back and try to identify the emotional program that has Can go back and try to identify the emotional program that has

been set into playbeen set into play– Can also use ACTIVE PRAYER SENTENCE repeated over and Can also use ACTIVE PRAYER SENTENCE repeated over and

over againover again• ““Oh God, I surrender this to you.”Oh God, I surrender this to you.”• ““Oh God, help me to forgive.”Oh God, help me to forgive.”

HOMING THOUGHTHOMING THOUGHT

• DR. JOHN DIAMONDDR. JOHN DIAMOND• USE A HOMING THOUGHT LIKE “THY WILL BE USE A HOMING THOUGHT LIKE “THY WILL BE

DONE” TO OVERCOME ANY NEGATIVE DONE” TO OVERCOME ANY NEGATIVE INFLUENCE OR DEBILITATING IDEA OR INFLUENCE OR DEBILITATING IDEA OR SITUATIONSITUATION

RIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESSRIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESS• Right hemisphere (RH) processes only what it Right hemisphere (RH) processes only what it

receives and nothing morereceives and nothing more• Left hemisphere (LH) appears to make Left hemisphere (LH) appears to make

elaborations, associations and searches for elaborations, associations and searches for logical patterns even when none are presentlogical patterns even when none are present

• RH retains veridical (RH retains veridical (actual; genuine) representations of each to-be-remembered representations of each to-be-remembered item and tends to accurately recognize item and tends to accurately recognize previously viewed items and reject new previously viewed items and reject new items even when they are similar items even when they are similar (Turk et al, (Turk et al, 2003)2003)

RIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESSRIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESS

• Left hemisphere drive to explain its world-no Left hemisphere drive to explain its world-no matter how bizarre- is also evident in matter how bizarre- is also evident in Capgras SyndromeCapgras Syndrome– Visual representation of a loved one is divorced Visual representation of a loved one is divorced

from the accompanying emotional feeling-loved from the accompanying emotional feeling-loved one interpreted as an “imposter” (Cooney and one interpreted as an “imposter” (Cooney and Gazzaniga, 2003)Gazzaniga, 2003)

http://www.annalsnyas.org/cgi/content/full/1001/1/65?ck+nckhttp://www.annalsnyas.org/cgi/content/full/1001/1/65?ck+nck


• LH tends to elaborate and make inferences LH tends to elaborate and make inferences about the material presented often at the about the material presented often at the expense of veracity expense of veracity (Metcalf, 1995, Phelps & (Metcalf, 1995, Phelps & Gazzaniga, 1992)Gazzaniga, 1992)

• LH also attempts to assign a coherent LH also attempts to assign a coherent explanation to events or behavior even when explanation to events or behavior even when none is presentnone is present (Wolford, 2000) (Wolford, 2000)

– Described as the LEFT HEMISPHERE INTERPRETER Described as the LEFT HEMISPHERE INTERPRETER Turk et al, 20030 Turk et al, 20030


• Interpretive function of the LH takes Interpretive function of the LH takes available information from the distributed available information from the distributed self-processing networks and creates a self-processing networks and creates a unified sense of self from the inputunified sense of self from the input– I AMI AM– Dualistic EGODualistic EGO

• Interpretive function tries to make sense out Interpretive function tries to make sense out of incomplete or ambiguous dataof incomplete or ambiguous data


• The LEFT HEMISPHERE INTERPRETER seems The LEFT HEMISPHERE INTERPRETER seems to be the link between trying to make sense to be the link between trying to make sense of the world and the perception of self in the of the world and the perception of self in the LHLH

• This might explain why everyone’s reality This might explain why everyone’s reality and perception of the world are different and and perception of the world are different and an illusion as described by spiritual traditions an illusion as described by spiritual traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduismsuch as Buddhism and Hinduism

RIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESSRIGHT BRAIN CONSCIOUSNESS• The Present Moment-Right here and nowThe Present Moment-Right here and now• Thinks in pictures and symbolsThinks in pictures and symbols• Receives sensory information that allows us Receives sensory information that allows us

to understand what the moment feels like, to understand what the moment feels like, smells like and tastes likesmells like and tastes like– Sensory collageSensory collage

• Connects to the energy all around usConnects to the energy all around us• We are energy beings connected to We are energy beings connected to

everything through the consciousness of our everything through the consciousness of our right hemisphereright hemisphere


• Part of a greater universePart of a greater universe• BreathingBreathing• Foods containing tryptophan (milk, bananas Foods containing tryptophan (milk, bananas

and turkey)and turkey)– Rapidly elevate serotonin to help concentration

and feeling of calm• Stay away from high level carbohydratesStay away from high level carbohydrates– Immediately converted into sugar so spike

sugar/insulin response with lethargic rebound


• ProteinProtein– Energy without the highs and lows

• AromatherapyAromatherapy– Find out what smells are soothing and which ones are

not• Vanilla, almond and rose

• SoundSound– Find out what music is soothing to you– Absence of sound

• Noise cancelling headphones


• Spiritual VisionSpiritual Vision– Right mind sees bigger picture• Blended or softened perception

– Perceives low frequency of sound– Perceives the longer wavelengths of light

– Left mind focuses on detail• Perceives shorter wavelengths

– Delineate sharp boundaries• Perceives high frequency sound

– Detect, discriminate and interpret tones associated with language


• Skin-our largest organSkin-our largest organ– Take a shower and feel the water– Massage– Feel the sunshine on your cheeks

• Avoid negative energyAvoid negative energy– Pay attention to how people, places and things

feel to you.– Some PPT will drain your energy

THE TOOLSTHE TOOLS• HUMILITYHUMILITY• SURRENDERSURRENDER• FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS• LOVELOVE• HONESTYHONESTY• GRATITUDEGRATITUDE• APPRECIATIONAPPRECIATION• KINDNESSKINDNESS• SELFLESS-SERVICE (ALTRUISM)SELFLESS-SERVICE (ALTRUISM)

BEING HUMANBEING HUMAN

• Brain is limited by physiology and genetics. This understanding leads to HUMILITY, HUMILITY, FORGIVENESS FORGIVENESS and SURRENDER. SURRENDER.

• Freud-out of guilt our animal nature is Freud-out of guilt our animal nature is repressed and projected outward as repressed and projected outward as CHARACTER DEFECTSCHARACTER DEFECTS

• One must master the world before one can One must master the world before one can transcend it.transcend it.

LOVELOVE

• ““AND NOW ABIDE FAITH, HOPE, AND NOW ABIDE FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, THESE THREE; BUT THE LOVE, THESE THREE; BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.”GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.”

• 1 CORINTHIANS 14:131 CORINTHIANS 14:13 LAMSA TRANSLATIONLAMSA TRANSLATION

LOVE IS NOT AN EMOTION BUT A WAY OF BEING IN LOVE IS NOT AN EMOTION BUT A WAY OF BEING IN THE WORLDTHE WORLD

THANK YOUTHANK YOU• IF YOU WANT TO BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT IF YOU WANT TO BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT

GOD INTENDED YOU TO BE, IT WILL NOT WORK. GOD INTENDED YOU TO BE, IT WILL NOT WORK. LIFE’S GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IT TO BE THAT LIFE’S GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IT TO BE THAT WHICH YOU AREWHICH YOU ARE

• WE CANNOT ACHIEVE UNION WITH GOD ON WE CANNOT ACHIEVE UNION WITH GOD ON DEMAND. IT IS A GIFT THAT IS FACILITATED BY DEMAND. IT IS A GIFT THAT IS FACILITATED BY BECOMING WHAT GOD INTENDED YOU TO BEBECOMING WHAT GOD INTENDED YOU TO BE– EGO-LESSEGO-LESS– JUST TO BEJUST TO BE– JUST TO DOJUST TO DO

• ““BE STILL AND YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM GOD”BE STILL AND YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM GOD”PSALM 46:11PSALM 46:11

REFERENCESREFERENCES• KEATING, THOMAS. KEATING, THOMAS. AWAKENINGS. AWAKENINGS. NEW YORK. NEW YORK.

CROSSROAD, 1990.CROSSROAD, 1990.• ________________. INTIMACY WITH GOD________________. INTIMACY WITH GOD. NEW . NEW

YORK. CROSSROAD, 1995.YORK. CROSSROAD, 1995.• ________________. ________________. INVITATION TO LOVE. INVITATION TO LOVE. NEW NEW

YORK. CONTINUUM, 1992.YORK. CONTINUUM, 1992.• ________________. ________________. THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST.THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST. NEW NEW

YORK. CROSSROAD, 1992.YORK. CROSSROAD, 1992. • ________________. THE BETTER PART. ________________. THE BETTER PART. NEW YORK. NEW YORK.

CONTINUUM, 2002.CONTINUUM, 2002.• ________________. ________________. THE HEART OF THE WORLD. THE HEART OF THE WORLD. NEW NEW

YORK. CROSSROAD, 1981.YORK. CROSSROAD, 1981.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

• Holy Bible From the Ancient Eastern Test Holy Bible From the Ancient Eastern Test ((George Lamsa’s Translation), Harper, San George Lamsa’s Translation), Harper, San Francisco, 1961.Francisco, 1961.

• Merton, Thomas. Merton, Thomas. A Book of Hours.A Book of Hours. Sorin Sorin Books, Notre Dame, Indiana, 2007.Books, Notre Dame, Indiana, 2007.

• Vyasa. Vyasa. The Bhagavad Gita. Borders Classics. The Bhagavad Gita. Borders Classics. Ann Arbor, MI, 2007.Ann Arbor, MI, 2007.

• The Cloud of Unknowing. The Cloud of Unknowing. Penguin Books, Penguin Books, London, England, 2001.London, England, 2001.

ReferencesReferences

• Taylor, Jill. Taylor, Jill. My Stroke of Insight.My Stroke of Insight. Viking, New Viking, New York, 2006.York, 2006.

• Turk, Heatherton, McRae, Kelley, and Gazzaniga. Turk, Heatherton, McRae, Kelley, and Gazzaniga. Out of Contact, Out of Mind: The Distributed Out of Contact, Out of Mind: The Distributed Nature of Self. Nature of Self. Volume 1001, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. Volume 1001, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 1001:65, 2003.1001:65, 2003.

• http://facstaff.gpc.edu/_bbrown/psyc1501/brain/loclat.htm

• BOURGEAULT, CYNTHIA. BOURGEAULT, CYNTHIA. THE WISDOM JESUS. THE WISDOM JESUS. SHAMBHALA. BOSTON, 2008.SHAMBHALA. BOSTON, 2008.

http://facstaff.gpc.edu/_bbrown/psyc1501/brain/loclat.htm

http://facstaff.gpc.edu/_bbrown/psyc1501/brain/loclat.htm


• Conway, MA, Pleydell-Pearce, CW, Conway, MA, Pleydell-Pearce, CW, Whitecross, S, and Sharpe, H. Brain Imaging Whitecross, S, and Sharpe, H. Brain Imaging Autobiographical Memory. Autobiographical Memory. Psychology of Psychology of Learning and Motivation. Learning and Motivation. 4, 229-263.4, 229-263.

• Metcalf, J, Funnell, MK, and Gazzaniga, MS. Metcalf, J, Funnell, MK, and Gazzaniga, MS. (1995). Right Hemisphere Memory (1995). Right Hemisphere Memory Superiority: Studies of a Split-Brain Patient. Superiority: Studies of a Split-Brain Patient. Psychological Science, Psychological Science, 6 (3), 157-164.6 (3), 157-164.


• Phelps, EA and Gazzaniga, MS (1992). Phelps, EA and Gazzaniga, MS (1992). Hemispheric Differences in Mnemonic Hemispheric Differences in Mnemonic Processing: The Effects of Left Hemisphere Processing: The Effects of Left Hemisphere Interpretation. Interpretation. Neuropsychologia, Neuropsychologia, 30, 293-30, 293-297.297.

• Wolford, G, Miller, MB, and Gazzaniga, MS. Wolford, G, Miller, MB, and Gazzaniga, MS. (2000). The Left Hemisphere’s Role in (2000). The Left Hemisphere’s Role in Hypothesis Formation. Hypothesis Formation. Journal of Journal of Neuroscience, Neuroscience, 20, RC64.20, RC64.

cardwell c. nuckols ma, phd [email protected]

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