Monday, April 14, 2008
insights from a gardener
This little blog entry on gardening holds some secrets for sustaining resilience. Namely: 1. letting, not fighting, and 2. remaining present with the task of the moment.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Website especially for returned soldiers
The Soldier's Heart website, run by Ed Tick, PhD, contains education materials, memorials, forums, and a different slant on PTSD as "Post Traumatic Soul disorder."
A blurb on Ed's latest book:
The key to healing post-traumatic stress disorder, says psychotherapist Ed Tick, is in how we understand PTSD. In war’s overwhelming violence, the soul—the true self—flees and can become lost for life. He redefines PTSD as a true identity disorder, with radical implications for therapy. First, Tick establishes the traditional context of war in mythology and religion. Then he describes in depth PTSD in terms of identity issues. Finally, drawing on world spiritual traditions, he presents ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness. War and the Soul will change the way we think about war, for veterans and for all those who love and want to help them. It shows how to make the wounded soul whole again. When this work is achieved, PTSD vanishes and the veteran can truly return home.
A blurb on Ed's latest book:
The key to healing post-traumatic stress disorder, says psychotherapist Ed Tick, is in how we understand PTSD. In war’s overwhelming violence, the soul—the true self—flees and can become lost for life. He redefines PTSD as a true identity disorder, with radical implications for therapy. First, Tick establishes the traditional context of war in mythology and religion. Then he describes in depth PTSD in terms of identity issues. Finally, drawing on world spiritual traditions, he presents ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness. War and the Soul will change the way we think about war, for veterans and for all those who love and want to help them. It shows how to make the wounded soul whole again. When this work is achieved, PTSD vanishes and the veteran can truly return home.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
How are we doing in the big picture? - the MDGs
The world is behind on achieving the Millenium Development Goals, measures set some years ago by the international community for reducing the suffering of millions of people in poverty. Success is still possible, but only if the world were to mobilize. Read more here. It appears instead that more energy is being spent on mobilizing for more war, but this, too, could be changed.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Compassion gathering to be webcast
SEEDS OF COMPASSION GATHERING
APRIL 11–15, 2008, SEATTLE, WA
"An unprecedented gathering to engage the hearts and minds of our community by highlighting the vision, science, and programs of early social, emotional, and cognitive learning."
APRIL 11–15, 2008, SEATTLE, WA
"An unprecedented gathering to engage the hearts and minds of our community by highlighting the vision, science, and programs of early social, emotional, and cognitive learning."
The Dalai Lama, on war
At the end of one of the Dalai Lama's talks someone from the audience asked,
"Why didn't you fight back against the Chinese?"
The Dalai Lama looked down, swung his feet
just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile,
"Well, war is obsolete, you know. "
Then, after a few moments, his face grave, he said,
"Of course the mind can rationalize fighting back... but the
heart, the heart would never understand. Then you would be divided in
yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you."
"Why didn't you fight back against the Chinese?"
The Dalai Lama looked down, swung his feet
just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile,
"Well, war is obsolete, you know. "
Then, after a few moments, his face grave, he said,
"Of course the mind can rationalize fighting back... but the
heart, the heart would never understand. Then you would be divided in
yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you."
BIBLIOGRAPHY of resources on balance
For a treasure-trove of resources on all the various aspects of leading a balanced life, click here.
tell the DOE what you think of new nukes
Springing off of Siddharth's articles below, which reminded us that preventing damage is easier than repairing it, the below letter might be an easy way to take action on preventing future wars. Apparently we are harking back to the Reagan-era space fiascos. -af
Hey all,
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to recreate a Cold War-esque capability to design, develop and produce new nuclear weapons.
Fortunately, through a required environmental review, you have the opportunity to tell the DOE what you think of the idea.
You can make use of a petition form that the Union of Concerned Scientists has developed, at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/854919676
That allows you to add comments to a statement I helped craft. It's not quite a thing of beauty, but I like it enough to encourage you to sign on and forward it to your friends and colleagues.
Or you can submit your own comments directly to ComplexTransformation@nnsa.doe.gov
More details on the government's (enormous) proposal and process are at: http://www.complextransformationspeis.com/index.html
I'm working on a detailed critique of the DOE's plans that I can send round to anyone who'd like to see it - just let me know. (It probably won't be out until May.)
All the best,
Stephen
Stephen Young
Washington Representative/Senior Analyst
Global Security Program
Union of Concerned Scientists
(202) 331-5429
NEW ADDRESS AS OF MARCH 31, 2008:
Union of Concerned Scientists
1825 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006-1232
Hey all,
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to recreate a Cold War-esque capability to design, develop and produce new nuclear weapons.
Fortunately, through a required environmental review, you have the opportunity to tell the DOE what you think of the idea.
You can make use of a petition form that the Union of Concerned Scientists has developed, at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/854919676
That allows you to add comments to a statement I helped craft. It's not quite a thing of beauty, but I like it enough to encourage you to sign on and forward it to your friends and colleagues.
Or you can submit your own comments directly to ComplexTransformation@nnsa.doe.gov
More details on the government's (enormous) proposal and process are at: http://www.complextransformationspeis.com/index.html
I'm working on a detailed critique of the DOE's plans that I can send round to anyone who'd like to see it - just let me know. (It probably won't be out until May.)
All the best,
Stephen
Stephen Young
Washington Representative/Senior Analyst
Global Security Program
Union of Concerned Scientists
(202) 331-5429
NEW ADDRESS AS OF MARCH 31, 2008:
Union of Concerned Scientists
1825 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006-1232
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