Wow, it feels SOOO much better to be out of the grasp of my unconscious mind. It can get so bleak so quickly. I see the power of this "dark voice" in my patients and feel it in myself. We all have this battle waging within us and need to harness all our resources to stay conscious and awake. For me this time, it took connecting with a wise friend, writing about my predicament, and cycling through my mental process to bring me back to the present and out of my funk. The trip down was relatively short this time and thankfully without lasting consequences. Having a process helps; having a friend to talk to openly and honestly definitely helps; writing helps; NOT slipping down the road to rejecting myself is absolutely key. Back in the game and not a moment too soon.
This is a picture from the Eucalyptus Grove At UCSD -- my dogs' favorite walk. Upon our return from our adventure, I read this from Buddhist psychologist, Rick Hanson. I really resonate with this aspect of connection. Connecting is in 3 directions -- inside with oneself, with others and with the world. When we strengthen one direction, we simultaneously strengthen our general connection. This is guidance to connect more deeply with the world. What makes you feel connected? I'd like to know. Are we really so separate? The Practice Love the world. Why? Your brain evolved in three stages (to simplify a complex process): Reptile - Brainstem, focused on AVOIDING harm Mammal - Limbic system, focused on APPROACHING rewards Primate - Cortex, focused on ATTACHING to "us" With a fun use (to me, at least) of animal themes, the first JOT in this series - pet the lizard - was about how to soothe the most ancient structures of the...
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