Belief Systems AND Psychosocial Maturity?

      "Religion is important to people. Returning to the words of William James, it deals with 'whatever is seen as most primal and enveloping and deeply true'.
     However, if religions are captured by the ego habits of the outer mind and used to comfort and aggrandize the outer self, the mixture can become explosive. The dualities of a good me & mine versus an evil other soon follow, and shortly 'ignorant armies clash by night.'
     Yet religion may also be the institution in society that most readily specializes in the center of the mandala, in those faculties of the human that might lie below the surface of the mind or dwell beyond the mind altogether (which, as we have seen, does not have to be given a theistic interpretation). There are presently spiritual renewal movements in all the major religions. What magic might happen were each religion to find and embrace its own inner wisdom path?"
       Eleanor Rosch, Professor, University of California, Berkley
       "Beginner’s Mind: Paths to the Wisdom that is Not Learned" in Ferrari M, Potworowski G, eds. “Teaching for Wisdom: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Fostering Wisdom.” Heidelberg: Springer. 2008.

      See also "Faith?": http://healthyhealers.blogspot.ca/2012/03/faith.html

CM Tam   www.dpreview.com

"The wisdom of no escape"

     Most of us realize that the problem-solving approach Arnold Schwarzenegger used in his movies was meant to be comedic. "The war to end all wars" (WW I) didn't. And yet, the public continues to support equally useless wars on drugs, terrorism, crime ...

     To (attempt to) eradicate something, it's first demonized - made utterly hateful AND foreign to ourselves individually and collectively to "our tribe", then it's fine to swat it like a mosquito. It's awkward of course when "one of our own" commits a reprehensible act - then we have to "disown" the unfortunate - an outcast, left behind to fend for himself in the wilderness. Most awkward is when we ourselves mess up! Then we have to disown the act - through lying, denial, repression, suppression, avoidance, temporary insanity ... "The system" or one's parents are also handy targets to deflect the blame.

     We each have to take personal responsibility - start looking at our self deeply and honestly. What is our role in this mess? This is infinitely more complex and challenging than diagnosing and treating patients' physical illnesses. Most of us have minimal training in psychosocial matters, and deep self-reflection is uncharted territory for us. Nevertheless, if we wish to fully engage the complexity of our single, short, precious life, then it's worth really serious effort.

     A personal / professional "shipwreck" can suddenly force this inward journey. For this liminal experience to be a productive growth experience, for externally-oriented perfectionists, it's a really good idea to have professional guidance. In Nova Scotia, we have a free, confidential Professionals' Support Program for dentists, physicians and veterinarians, operated by Doctors Nova Scotia. The two fine people behind it are:

Tracy Scott MD  and  Carolyn Thomson MD
Confidential help line: 902-468-8215
E-mail: professionalsupport@doctorsns.com

        Title of today's blog is from the excellent book:         Chodron P. “The Wisdom of No Escape.” Shambhala, Boston, 1991.