Belief vs Hope?

Which Is More Important In Mental Illness Recovery?

Journal of Semantics (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recently, I’ve been following an interesting battle of semantics. Both were offering words of slight distinction. These terms were presented relative to mental illness. What you see posted below, is what I wrote in response to it. To both parties in the conversation, I give you credit. You have both identified matters of import. This is true even if these matters are wrapped in semantics. This discussion inspired me to write this as an article. These wrappers of linguistics cover an underlying fundamental principle about improving our lives. 

Parental Advisory: Explicit Semantics! (Photo credit: dullhunk)

Does It matter?

It may be just semantics or maybe not. It  does not matter what you call it belief or hope. There is a great barrier of fear in people. This fear is generally of the unknown. While in this state it is very common that people are reactionary and lack clear perspective. They don't realize what they can and cannot control.

They don't realize that the way that they have to look at things from this point forward is going to be entirely different. It can be hard to dismiss your entire ego. This presents a big challenge.

The Buddhists have been trying to tell us this for 2000  years. It is very hard to identify with our core being. Most of us identify with the present experience that we are having. These factors all contribute to limit our ability to make good / rational choices.

It Gets More Complicated

To compound this, people who are suffering from mental illnesses cannot identify with the life that is free from suffering. The suffering that they know is at least familiar and therefore more comforting than the vague promise of equanimity. It can be difficult to sever the attachment that we have to our suffering.

As a person does begin to believe or to become hopeful, they begin to have the ability to recover. In this way they have overcome the first hurdle. This hopefulness / belief may be based on an understanding that they have options. Options offer empowerment.

Belief & Hope!

As I have suggested, fear is the fear of the unknown. Our part of the puzzle is to help people to come to terms with, and understand their predicament. This helps them breed basic human understanding and compassion. This breeds the ability to self-advocate. Now, in this way, I can both believe in and have hope for people, not just the mentally ill.

How To Be The Shaman In Your Own Life

Goldes shaman priest in his regalia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you stop to think of it, the best medicine that we experience enters into our lives when we can understand how to heal our whole life. This happens when we accept the individual truths that we have. These truths are like those of Gandhi. 

In his, "experiments in truth", he found a much more pure path for himself when he looked honestly at each moment. He transformed his commitment to consistency of truth to the acceptance of current truth, examined under the lens of compassion.  It is said that , "each pilgrim has their own path up the mountain." This Buddhist's contribution to understanding counsels us to view our basic needs in a broad yet simple manner. This is seconded by Gandhi's encouragement; do so renewed in each moment and each state of being.

Shamans aptly describe our nature as if we are spirits wrapped in dirt. This dirt is the vary substance of the universe. It is matter. This gives a cocoon for, "us", to dwell in. Our bodies are the, "spacesuits," in which we exist. Most spiritual or vision led healers heal mind, body, and spirit. When we understand how we see things, we start finding the best medical practices for ourselves. This change in understanding is exactly what the shaman is hoping that you find. The answer then comes from the doctor with in. In doing this we stand one step closer to our own healer or shamanic nature.

Almost all of the shamanic traditions include some version of  a, "vision-quest". This is a process where we learn to transcend our egos. It helps to remove the critical portions of our being and it allows us to just experience. 

The real substance of shamanic healing is what we take from these experiences. The impression that this makes on us helps us to choose our point of view. These conclusions can be very instructive. They help us identify what we truly believe. Seeing this clearly is how we are empowered like the shaman is to heal. We can practice the medicine that best suits the needs of the soul, spirit and body.

Deutsch: Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948), politischer und spiritueller Führer von Indien. Ort unbekannt English: Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948), political and spiritual leader of India. Location unknown. Français : Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), Guide politique et spirituel de l'Inde. Lieu inconnu. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The sages tell us that this is how we can heal whole lives. It helps us to find healing in a personal way. The, "spirit-led" doctor seeks, with their visions and instruction, to help us contend with the struggles of our reality. It is how we can influence our own existence in this landscape of life. Physicist Werner Heisenberg and others suggest that matter does not exist unless it is observed. It is only the potential to, "be," anything. We create our world by how we see it.

On this basis another physics thought experiment, Schrödinger's Cat, gives a hypothetical consideration about what a cat would experience if locked in a box. In this postulate, the box is hardened against all detection of events within. There is no ability to observe anything accept the qualities that are presented by the exterior of the box. This incidentally establishes the box as matter.

While the box's external is established by our perception, the actual status of the cat becomes questionable. Since there is no one to observe the cat, does it really exist? There is no observation at all. There is nothing to establish the particular properties of the universe without rational conception of being.

The shamanic schools are built upon this rationale. What you really think about your life is why you have the reality that you have. How you really feel about things is what matters. It is, in fact, matter. When we begin to step out of our drama and seek visions, we begin to notice something. We can change our lives by how we choose to see them. It affords us options in the quality of the life that we experience. We can maintain a perspective of wellness. We can have the serenity of confidently and purposely established constitution. We can have a high quality of life.

This mind over matter helps us to create our existence each day. It could be considered to be our form of cybernetic connection to the universe. This is where we affect the all. It is how to have life and life more abundantly. 

Werner Heisenberg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the case of Schrödinger's Cat, to help "isolate" it from manipulation, conditions existed to keep it from external jeopardy. There was randomly offered, "uncontrolled" peril for the cat. This stipulation existed insuring that you would never know if the cat was ever able to be perceived as alive. We can also learn from this. When begin to see our medicine as the medicine-men of old, we are forced to confront our existence beyond the body. The mystical healers urge us to understand that we fight a losing battle trying to preserve our bodies.

We are beings that are much broader and dynamic than our bodies which are fixed in time. We are eternal beings. What we truly seek is to prosper and perpetuate the being within. If we take the most wholesome practice of our medicine and apply it to ourselves and to others, we not only live better but so do they. This is what makes us all the shaman, the visionary, the ones who heal by faith. It is in this moment we can look at our lives with gratefulness. This is when we can take assurance that we have found the path and restore our wellness. With this revelation absorbed, you have become the shaman for yourself.

What Does It Mean To Be Mindful?

There are a lot of words that we could use when talking about being mindful. In its essence mindfulness is being aware in the present moment. Much of the time our attention is in

vested in our passions about the past. This is because our process of growth has given a foot hold on those memories. Our minds give a sense of present reality to feelings that you have at this time about our past and tries to speculate about our futures. Our minds are constantly drifting in and out of awareness.

For example, for those of us who are old enough to remember when most clocks ticked you would notice the sound. If you apply yourself to something like reading a book your attention becomes captivated by the content. When we stop reading we begin to notice things around us and we notice again the sound of the clock. Our reality is closely tied to what we are aware of. There is a part of you that notices everything. It does not judge and does not get distracted. It is the observer.

Deepak Chopra, (www.deepakchopra.com) who teaches mindfulness as a part of a process of spiritual, physical and mental health suggests that we can step back and look at ourselves in a mindful manner. This ability to be mindful comes when we understand ourselves as one person in several states. There is part of us that observes, there is that part of ourselves that is invested in the process observing, and the part that evaluates what we observe. The more we identify with the part that observes, impartially without getting caught up, the more we begin to have the ability to be mindful about our lives.

While there are many methods for fostering a mindful awareness, most are comprised of practices that quiet the mind. A quiet mind helps us to not get swept away. A quiet mind helps us identify

Jan3 Mindfulness Journal (Photo credit: maile&justin)

 less with the experience and more with the one that experiences. As we have a quiet mind we can begin to watch our thoughts and feelings. As we watch our thoughts and feelings we develop the ability to choose our reactions to what we feel, think and see the world.

The Buddhist have a saying, "There are many paths up the mountain" or sometime it is put as, "There are many paths to God". In mindfulness training you may find that certain paths fit your needs better than others. For some people meditation methods such as watching yourself breathe works to foster a "present awareness". Others may find a simple stroll does the trick. Maybe a good bath puts you in that place where you can watch everything in the present moment. It really does not matter which path, school or technique that you choose if they work for you they will all lead to the same place.

This is a place of personal empowerment and peace. For one who is mindful has the power to do anything they want. We only have this moment. Yesterday is just merely a memory and tomorrow a dream. Right now at this moment, with the power of mindfulness behind you your life can be forever changed.

One Way To Find Peace

This article is dedicated to Nancy Randolph, without her this could not have been written. She is one of my personal heroes. She works in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, at the Manitowoc County Human Services Department. She applied for the initial grant to start Painting Pathways Clubhouse. On behalf of the members and staff, thank you!!

Most of us can identify with a certain amount of suffering. Some are submerged in it all the time. It, suffering, is part of the human condition. Life can be hard sometimes. Fortunately, you can learn to grow. You can begin to move past much of the suffering. It can be hard to do so alone. We must look for teachers and companions who are willing to walk down the path with us for a while. Hopefully we will find this sort of mentor and friend. The caveat is that you have to actively seek out help and advice. This is a place where many falter. It is never easy to ask for help. But take the chance, it may just change your life. 

My life experiences gave me a pretty practical understanding of suffering. I began to see this going on in the lives of others also. I could identify with the terrible cost to the souls of those who suffer. That cost can easily spread to the friends and families around them. All of this has got me thinking. When I see someone who is suffering I just want them to know they are not alone. I want to help her. The question is how do we do it? 

I have already learned that the real magic happens when you can touch the person behind the trauma. It helps to establish a place of safe acceptance and compassion for that person. This demonstration of goodwill can dry up tears and encourage. To accomplish these things with people is a bit of an art. You have to be open to them, but not captivated by their crisis. You must be compassionate and decoupled from pity. This is manifested by two people talking openly and unmasked. Being open in this way is the real miracle that we experience. I get to see these events more often at this point in life and have become grateful in the process. Sometimes we can get caught up in the drama of others. The passions are intriguing. Will She? 

Won’t He? Will they have to operate?  Are you gonna go to jail? It is hard to not get caught up in the process and the drama. Many of these crisis's are heart wrenching. Our best role is that of gentle friend. What can we really tell them about their pain that they don’t already know? To hold their hand and cry with them may be the greatest human service you can provide.

You can get convinced that you must take action or the person will face peril. Thankfully humility is ubiquitous in the universe. It offers constant little reminders for those who choose to see them. Although we are occasional conduits of grace and good will, we are not the only source of grace that is available to others.

Jane & Eglinton (Photo credit: AshtonPal)

Life, in the face of our hubris, occasionally will show us an absolutely beautiful illustration of grace. This grace is demonstrated in simple, humble human interaction. It is a moment that is bigger than just that moment. It is a bond between two people. It is no different for you and me today. It is about us. At that moment there is a partnership that is built.  

The Buddha says that to gladden the mind, we should think of things of virtue. One of these moments of virtue has been in my remembrance always. As I watched the events transpire it gladdened my mind considerably. It taught me so much in just one moment.

I spend almost every day in a wonderful place called Painting Pathways Clubhouse. The clubhouse is a successful example of what makes a great community. It is the best that I have ever seen. Great passions and ideas are mediated into something truly impressive. Most of the people who make things happen and make decisions are the members. Members at a clubhouse are people who have a mental illness. It is clear that their mental illness does not prohibit accomplishment. The clubhouse is thriving because of the members. The staff would not be able to run the place on their own.

I have come to know and appreciate many new people in my time there. Most feel like adopting family to me at this point. But in this case, I met my friend Jane on a winter afternoon. She came into the clubhouse like many do. She was a bit confused and lacked confidence. She was a good person who really felt fear about almost everything. In the process of her life she lost a good job, her emotions, her ability to remember and all of her confidence. She was not sure if the clubhouse was right for her. What would she be forced to do? I think that I suggested trying to answer the phones. She broke out in a dead sweat and swore that there was no way that she could do that. She wasn’t sure if she can handle taking messages. 

I am not sure how it happens. She began to answer calls. There is a set of skills that someone has to master in order to operate the phones. She had already achieved more than she had expected to achieve. She found a place to sit. Other members and staff  worked side-by-side with her. She became part of the business unit at our club and answers the phone regularly now. A short training session was held so more people would know how to use the phone system.  They used my friend as the example receptionist. She did the job without a flaw.  It really touched me. “Do you see recovery is possible? Good for you, Jane! See, I knew you could do it.”, echoed through my thoughts. 

We went our separate ways for a while. I got involved in a few projects and saw Jane on occasion. We would say hello and pass. By that time I had gotten  pretty used to helping and supporting Jane. Often, I have been someone who she could talk to. One day I walked in and saw dear Jane in a state that I had seen before. This was not a posture of happiness, it was a crisis.

Boston in the View (Photo credit: Werner Kunz)

Instantly I saw the eye to eye contact she had with one of the staff members. The staff member showed incredible compassion and a face of hopeful acceptance. She cared for Jane in such a tender and human way. I captured an image of it. I went about my business in the usual way. She was getting what she needed. I was confident that she was in good hands. These two wonderful women will be etched in my memory as a moment of virtue and it still gladdens my mind. Like the song says, “We don’t always get what we want, but we get what we need”. 

A Practical Approach To Self-Compassion

Image via Wikipedia

Self-compassion is your greatest source of strength. In my previous article, Self-compassion In Mental Health Recovery, I talked about becoming compassionate with yourself is a life long process. It stands to reason that the process has to start somewhere. The trick, if there is one, comes in finding the methods and tools that are exclusive to your needs. For self-compassion to rise in you, a very personal approach must be adopted. This is true not only for developing the skills of compassion but all work that you do in personal development. The fortunate part of this process is that once you do get methods and tools that work for you personal growth starts to build its own momentum.

I recommend in my work with others to start very simply. I suggest that you start by simply watching your intentions at least twice a day for 5 minutes. The reason that I suggest that you start with 5 minutes is because it can be hard in our busy lives to grant ourselves any time for personal work. It is easier to build a regular habit of reflection if we are not defeated at the beginning by not having sufficient time to do the work. It also contributes to fostering the first skill that we need to successfully realize growth. This skill is learning to quiet your mind.

The Buddhist call the unquieted mind the, "Monkey Mind". It is full of chatty frenetic conversation about everything. Will she like me? Should I check my email? What should I do for dinner? What if my boss does not like that report? It is involved in almost endless consideration of everything accept peace and quiet. It gets lost in every moment but now. It ruminates about the past and speculates about the future. It does this in a less than conscience manner. To be compassionate with yourself you have to be rooted in the the present moment. Life is a series of many moments. The only time that you can do anything is right now. If you can not focus on right now you are defeated in the process.

So how do we begin to quiet the mind? To quiet the mind it is helpful to quiet the body. Find a place where you can be relaxed and are not likely to be disturbed. Turn off the phone. You must give yourself the permission to take the time that you need. We afford ourselves other needs that we have. Even really busy people must eat. Does being quiet rate as a need like eating? My simple answer is that to be happier and more self-compassionate it does. This permissive state is an example of self-kindness. We need to start allowing ourselves the things thats are required for our mental and spiritual health.

Image via Wikipedia

Once you have found a place where you can be physically relaxed the process of quieting the body can be as simple as sitting still. This again can be a challenge. Be gentle with yourself at this time. If you need to scratch yourself, shift your weight it is ok to do so. Just do so in a relaxed state and return your body to rest. Don't worry if you have a hard time. This is a skill and any skill takes some time to develop. If you find that you have more physical angst you may find it necessary to add some breathing techniques. We want to encourage ourselves to breathe in a relaxed manner. Perhaps you may want to start off with slowly inhaling deeply. Fill your lungs completely. Breathe from your stomach.


Try not to let your shoulders rise with your inhalation. If you let your shoulders rise you are adding stress to your body not relaxing it. This tends to stress the shoulders, neck, back, and head. After you have inhaled, pause for a two count, then slowly and completely exhale. Do this several times. As you begin to take full breaths in and out, in a slow and steady manner you can begin to let your breath settle down to let it do its own thing. Our breathing is interesting in that it can be both voluntary and involuntary. When you are relaxed your breathing will be also.


Okay so what if you find it hard to sit for 5 minutes in this way, are you prevented from quieting the body and the mind? Certainly not. Perhaps going for a nice stroll will help you to relax. What we are trying to foster is something that Herbert Benson, M.D. and others refer to as the, "Relaxation Response". Simply, this is the response that our body and minds have when stilled. This response is key to progress in building the skill of a quieted mind.

So now that you have begun to quiet your mind you are on the road to finding compassion for yourself. In my next article I will explore more steps along the path to your personal self-compassion.