If we accept that memes or mirror neurons could play a part in religion or beliefs, might cults or movements, or even therapy, operate via a similar mechanism? Are further factors likely to be involved in complex issues?
The placebo effect seems relevant for whether or how quickly we get better. Does this apply to how convincing a psychotherapist is, or how damaging the wrong emphasis is for some vulnerable people who go for help?
Do some therapists seem like cult-leaders, strongly motivated by a belief system - regardless of how relevant or damaging they may be for an individual? See Doc Matrix asks about Help at http://trubbles.angelfire.com
Two books worth looking at, or finding out about!
'Making Minds and Madness' by Mikkel Borch-Jacobsen
'Feet of Clay' by Anthony Storr (about Gurus - including Freud and Jung)
Links to Playlists on Youtube
Mirror Neurons, Cults, Placebos, Therapy
http://www.youtube.com/user/cynthialysis#grid/user/E383BF591D8CBB9F
Boundaries in Therapy, Regulation
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCojent#grid/user/D2753A64B3C22835
Hypnosis, Abuse, Cults
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCojent#grid/user/2F89B8F7707DED1A
Survivors, Safety, Rights, Law
http://www.youtube.com/user/survivorway#grid/user/B9223ACB03EC93B3
Videos leading to information for Survivors of various kinds:
Bullying, Domestic violence, Coercion;
Child abuse, Abuse survivors; Sadistic abuse;
Homelessness, Missing from Home;
Con-tricks, Scams, Getting set-up or hustled; 'The Real Hustle';
Consumer information, BBC Watchdog, Rogue Traders;
Ageing, Alzheimer's;
Mental health, MIND;
Samaritans;
Citizens' Advice Bureaux, Advice;
United Against Injustice: Miscarriages of Justice;
Liberty: Human rights, Civil liberties;
Your rights & liberties - versions for young people & older people;
Safety online & off; Safety tips for meeting up with someone - Phone a Friend!
Boundaries in therapy
Guidelines for Seeking Help & Self-Help: www.tansal.org.uk/guidelinesforhelp.html
Project Caressing: Our children - whose investment?
PROJECT CARESSING - Cause for concern?
See Youtube Playlist on ARK Academies and more specifically Project Caressing 'Children: Whose Investment?' at http://www.youtube.com/user/exgenic#grid/user/E0D2E05D8ED7903B
Videos on Youtube channel Cazzac111
http://www.youtube.com/user/Cazzac111#p/u/13/RBxQpft5F_k
http://www.youtube.com/user/Cazzac111#p/u/12/zyqsOBkLWh0
Websites for further information
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2008/09/409398.html?c=on
http://lifeinthemix.org.uk/ark_academies_school.html
http://lifeinthemix.org.uk/ark_schools_ac_ii.html
http://www.children-ourinvestment.org/
http://www.children-ourinvestment.org/PCpage.htm
Common Purpose Exposed website
http://cpexposed.com/about_common_purpose/
http://cpexposed.com/news/
http://cpexposed.com/readers_comments/
http://cpexposed.com/document_library/#
Video link http://www.cpexposed.com/video/?video=
Or seach on Youtube for Brian Gerrish Common Purpose
See Youtube Playlist on ARK Academies and more specifically Project Caressing 'Children: Whose Investment?' at http://www.youtube.com/user/exgenic#grid/user/E0D2E05D8ED7903B
Videos on Youtube channel Cazzac111
http://www.youtube.com/user/Cazzac111#p/u/13/RBxQpft5F_k
http://www.youtube.com/user/Cazzac111#p/u/12/zyqsOBkLWh0
Websites for further information
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2008/09/409398.html?c=on
http://lifeinthemix.org.uk/ark_academies_school.html
http://lifeinthemix.org.uk/ark_schools_ac_ii.html
http://www.children-ourinvestment.org/
http://www.children-ourinvestment.org/PCpage.htm
Common Purpose Exposed website
http://cpexposed.com/about_common_purpose/
http://cpexposed.com/news/
http://cpexposed.com/readers_comments/
http://cpexposed.com/document_library/#
Video link http://www.cpexposed.com/video/?video=
Or seach on Youtube for Brian Gerrish Common Purpose
Alter Ego: Alternate Views
This video lists some books offering insights into what makes us tick as we do - sometimes! Everyone is different, and some people change over time more than others. No single approach makes sense for all scenarios or individuals. If we use labels to describe people, they should be helpful for those people in that situation rather than counter-productive. The sad thing about extremes of opinion is that people can easily get hurt or ostracised through no fault of their own.
If you have experience or knowledge that is upsetting, the video is not meant to make things worse. It may be of interest, and could help people to find approaches or ideas that make sense for them. If something does not feel helpful there is nothing to feel ashamed of in steering away from it. It is not a failure on your part. Learn what suits you, be ready to change an approach, or look for things to be doing to help yourself.
The placebo effect seems relevant for whether we get better or how quickly. Does this apply to how convincing a psychotherapist is, or how damaging the wrong emphasis is for some vulnerable people? If you had unsuitable help, perhaps you can gain strength from that in some way.
Since preparing the video, we have come across other material agreeing with some issues, disagreeing with others or providing further information. What makes sense for us is individual, depending on what happens and how we experience it. Areas need to be open to discussion without putting all one's eggs into one ideological basket, or doing things to jeopardise other people's wellbeing or reality.
How we remember things may differ from actual events and many factors are involved. Laboratory experiments on memory are not ideal, but people who have studied memory say we probably don't repress memories to surface later on. Other people think traumatic events get stored differently, or perhaps there are even more types of memory?
This is a difficult subject to raise because of people's painful experiences and the accusations that can follow. When someone is abused they may want to set the record straight and tell people, which is natural. Sometimes the wrong person is accused through confusion over facts or impressions, and their life gets damaged too. Some issues may be straightened out over time but not always.
Books where you may find useful information are listed here in addition to ones in the video, and covering a spectrum of views. Inclusion of these books is not meant to imply acceptance of any or all of their content. The list appears at http://whorls.angelfire.com/falseconfessions.html
Divided Minds & Successive Selves by Jennifer Radden
First Person Plural: Multiple personality & Philosophy of mind by Stephen E Braude
I: the philosophy and psychology of personal identity by Jonathan Glover
Memory and Abuse by Charles Whitfield
Multiplicity: the new science of personality by Rita Carter
Open to Suggestion by Robert Temple
Pillar of Salt by Janice Haaken
Searching for Memory by Daniel Schacter
Suggestions of Abuse by Michael Yapko
Theater of Disorder: Patients, doctors, & the construction of illness by Brant Wenegrat
The Plural Self: multiplicity in everyday life by John Rowan, Mick Cooper
The Saturated Self: dilemmas of identity in contemporary life by Kenneth Gergen
Blog on behaviour that is out-of-character for us is at http://toukanalia.blogspot.com
If you have experience or knowledge that is upsetting, the video is not meant to make things worse. It may be of interest, and could help people to find approaches or ideas that make sense for them. If something does not feel helpful there is nothing to feel ashamed of in steering away from it. It is not a failure on your part. Learn what suits you, be ready to change an approach, or look for things to be doing to help yourself.
The placebo effect seems relevant for whether we get better or how quickly. Does this apply to how convincing a psychotherapist is, or how damaging the wrong emphasis is for some vulnerable people? If you had unsuitable help, perhaps you can gain strength from that in some way.
Since preparing the video, we have come across other material agreeing with some issues, disagreeing with others or providing further information. What makes sense for us is individual, depending on what happens and how we experience it. Areas need to be open to discussion without putting all one's eggs into one ideological basket, or doing things to jeopardise other people's wellbeing or reality.
How we remember things may differ from actual events and many factors are involved. Laboratory experiments on memory are not ideal, but people who have studied memory say we probably don't repress memories to surface later on. Other people think traumatic events get stored differently, or perhaps there are even more types of memory?
This is a difficult subject to raise because of people's painful experiences and the accusations that can follow. When someone is abused they may want to set the record straight and tell people, which is natural. Sometimes the wrong person is accused through confusion over facts or impressions, and their life gets damaged too. Some issues may be straightened out over time but not always.
Books where you may find useful information are listed here in addition to ones in the video, and covering a spectrum of views. Inclusion of these books is not meant to imply acceptance of any or all of their content. The list appears at http://whorls.angelfire.com/falseconfessions.html
Divided Minds & Successive Selves by Jennifer Radden
First Person Plural: Multiple personality & Philosophy of mind by Stephen E Braude
I: the philosophy and psychology of personal identity by Jonathan Glover
Memory and Abuse by Charles Whitfield
Multiplicity: the new science of personality by Rita Carter
Open to Suggestion by Robert Temple
Pillar of Salt by Janice Haaken
Searching for Memory by Daniel Schacter
Suggestions of Abuse by Michael Yapko
Theater of Disorder: Patients, doctors, & the construction of illness by Brant Wenegrat
The Plural Self: multiplicity in everyday life by John Rowan, Mick Cooper
The Saturated Self: dilemmas of identity in contemporary life by Kenneth Gergen
Blog on behaviour that is out-of-character for us is at http://toukanalia.blogspot.com
Core Self, Core Complex, Core Values, Core Beliefs
What is Vital? What DO we Fight for?
What Would we Fight for?
These terms mean different things, and they may also be used differently in an attempt to describe what is very basic and important to us as individuals, our very self, our values, what we regard as 'us', 'ours', or our 'territory' - emotional or physical, or even another person.
People get into difficulties, fights or wars over any or all of them. It helps to work out what really relates to us, or to others, where boundaries are, where they probably should be, or where they can get confused.
Readers with a philosophical bent may know of Antonio Damasio, a neuroscientist who wrote The Feeling of What Happens describing 3 types of self: a proto-self, a core self and an autobiographical self.
We could have some feelings or emotions without knowing what they are or where they came from. Would we necessarily know why we reacted in a certain way, or did something or wanted something that we cannot now fathom?
Perhaps the best we can do is try to understand why something has gone amiss, in actuality, in memory, or in narrative.
What other aspects could come into play? What needs looking at, leaving alone, or just regarding as inexplicable?
Full version of this Blog with updates is at: www.midground.me.uk (new link)
What Would we Fight for?
These terms mean different things, and they may also be used differently in an attempt to describe what is very basic and important to us as individuals, our very self, our values, what we regard as 'us', 'ours', or our 'territory' - emotional or physical, or even another person.
People get into difficulties, fights or wars over any or all of them. It helps to work out what really relates to us, or to others, where boundaries are, where they probably should be, or where they can get confused.
Readers with a philosophical bent may know of Antonio Damasio, a neuroscientist who wrote The Feeling of What Happens describing 3 types of self: a proto-self, a core self and an autobiographical self.
We could have some feelings or emotions without knowing what they are or where they came from. Would we necessarily know why we reacted in a certain way, or did something or wanted something that we cannot now fathom?
Perhaps the best we can do is try to understand why something has gone amiss, in actuality, in memory, or in narrative.
What other aspects could come into play? What needs looking at, leaving alone, or just regarding as inexplicable?
Full version of this Blog with updates is at: www.midground.me.uk (new link)
Protective Measures & Countemeasures
Measures and Countermeasures
Examples here may not be to your taste. Choose music, imagery, articles or activity you like. The idea is for you to have some breathing space to find ways to get through, and gradually improve your situation. You can search on Google for images, and eBay is another source. Find images, art, articles, poems and music to suit you and your situation.
Saint Nicholas
Full Prayer To Saint Nicholas - The Wonderworker
All-praised and all-honoured hierarch, great wonderworker, saint of Christ. Father Nicholas, man of God and faithful servant, man of love, chosen vessel, strong pillar of the Church, most-brilliant lamp, star that illuminest and enlightenest the whole world; thou art a righteous man that didst flourish like a palm tree planted in the courts of the Lord; dwelling in Myra thou hast diffused the fragrance of myrrh, and thou pourest out the ever-flowing myrrh of the grace of god. By thy presence most-holy Father, the sea was sanctified when they most-miraculous relics were carried to the city of Bari, from the East to the West to praise the name of the Lord.
O most-superb and most-marvellous wonderworker, speedy helper, fervent intercessor, good shepherd that saveth the rational flock from all dangers we glorify and magnify thee as the hope of all Christians, a fountain of miracles, a defender of the faithful, a most wise teacher, a feeder of the hungry, the gladness of those that mourn, clothing of the naked, healer of the sick, pilot of those that sail the sea, liberator of prisoners, nourisher and protector of widows and orphans, guardian of chastity, gently tutor of children, support of the aged, guide of fasters, rest of those that labour, abundant riches of the poor and needy.
Hearken unto us that pray unto thee and flee to thy protection, show thy mediation on our behalf with the Most High, and obtain through thy God-pleasing intercessions all that is useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies; keep this holy habitation (or this temple), every city and town, and every Christian country, and the people that dwell therein, from all oppression through thy help; for we know, we know that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much for good; and after the most-blessed Virgin Mary, we have thee as a righteous mediator with the All-Merciful God, and to thy fervent intercession and protection we humbly hasten.
Do thou, as a watchful and good shepherd, keep us from all enemies, pestilence, earthquake, hail, famine, flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of aliens, and in all our misfortunes and affliction do thou give us a helping hand and open the doors of God's compassion; for we are unworthy to look upon the height of heaven because of the multitude of our unrighteousnesses; we are bound by the bonds of sin and have not done the will of our Creator nor kept His commandments.
Wherefore, we bow the knees of our broken and humble heart to our Maker, and we ask thy fatherly intercession with Him; lest we perish with our sins, deliver us from all evil, and from every adverse thing, direct our minds and strengthen our hearts in the Orthodox Faith, which, through thy mediation and intercession, neither wounds, nor threats, nor plague, nor the wrath of our Creator shall lessen; but vouchsafe that we may live a peaceful life here and see the good things in the land of the living, glorifying the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God glorified and worshipped in Trinity, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
All-praised and all-honoured hierarch, great wonderworker, saint of Christ. Father Nicholas, man of God and faithful servant, man of love, chosen vessel, strong pillar of the Church, most-brilliant lamp, star that illuminest and enlightenest the whole world; thou art a righteous man that didst flourish like a palm tree planted in the courts of the Lord; dwelling in Myra thou hast diffused the fragrance of myrrh, and thou pourest out the ever-flowing myrrh of the grace of god. By thy presence most-holy Father, the sea was sanctified when they most-miraculous relics were carried to the city of Bari, from the East to the West to praise the name of the Lord.
O most-superb and most-marvellous wonderworker, speedy helper, fervent intercessor, good shepherd that saveth the rational flock from all dangers we glorify and magnify thee as the hope of all Christians, a fountain of miracles, a defender of the faithful, a most wise teacher, a feeder of the hungry, the gladness of those that mourn, clothing of the naked, healer of the sick, pilot of those that sail the sea, liberator of prisoners, nourisher and protector of widows and orphans, guardian of chastity, gently tutor of children, support of the aged, guide of fasters, rest of those that labour, abundant riches of the poor and needy.
Hearken unto us that pray unto thee and flee to thy protection, show thy mediation on our behalf with the Most High, and obtain through thy God-pleasing intercessions all that is useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies; keep this holy habitation (or this temple), every city and town, and every Christian country, and the people that dwell therein, from all oppression through thy help; for we know, we know that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much for good; and after the most-blessed Virgin Mary, we have thee as a righteous mediator with the All-Merciful God, and to thy fervent intercession and protection we humbly hasten.
Do thou, as a watchful and good shepherd, keep us from all enemies, pestilence, earthquake, hail, famine, flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of aliens, and in all our misfortunes and affliction do thou give us a helping hand and open the doors of God's compassion; for we are unworthy to look upon the height of heaven because of the multitude of our unrighteousnesses; we are bound by the bonds of sin and have not done the will of our Creator nor kept His commandments.
Wherefore, we bow the knees of our broken and humble heart to our Maker, and we ask thy fatherly intercession with Him; lest we perish with our sins, deliver us from all evil, and from every adverse thing, direct our minds and strengthen our hearts in the Orthodox Faith, which, through thy mediation and intercession, neither wounds, nor threats, nor plague, nor the wrath of our Creator shall lessen; but vouchsafe that we may live a peaceful life here and see the good things in the land of the living, glorifying the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God glorified and worshipped in Trinity, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
More prayers to St Nicholas
Patron of Children, Patron of Russia, Patron of Bakers & Pawnbrokers
www.2heartsnetwork.org/Nicholas.htm
St Nicholas of Myra
Patron of: children, mariners, pawnbrokers, merchants, bakers, travelers, the Byzantine Catholic Church
http://catholicism.about.com/od/thesaints/p/Saint_Nicholas.htm
The Legend of Saint Nicholas: Though his family had been rich, Saint Nicholas decided to distribute all of his possessions to the poor. It is said that he would toss little pouches of coins through the windows of the poor, and that sometimes the pouches would land in stockings that had been washed and were hung on the windowsill to dry. Once, finding all the windows in a house shut, Saint Nicholas tossed the pouch up to the roof, where it went down the chimney.
Patron of: children, mariners, pawnbrokers, merchants, bakers, travelers, the Byzantine Catholic Church
http://catholicism.about.com/od/thesaints/p/Saint_Nicholas.htm
The Legend of Saint Nicholas: Though his family had been rich, Saint Nicholas decided to distribute all of his possessions to the poor. It is said that he would toss little pouches of coins through the windows of the poor, and that sometimes the pouches would land in stockings that had been washed and were hung on the windowsill to dry. Once, finding all the windows in a house shut, Saint Nicholas tossed the pouch up to the roof, where it went down the chimney.
St Nicholas, Wonderworker on Wikipedia with images from around the world
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas
PRAYER TO ST PANTELEIMON
Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon,
thou imitator of God's mercy!
Look down in thy loving kindness and hearken unto us, sinners,
who offer heartfelt prayers before thy holy icon.
Ask for us from the Lord God,
before Whom the Angels stand in heaven,
remission of our sins and transgressions.
Heal the ills of body and soul of the servants of God whom we here commemorate,
who are here present,
and of all Orthodox Christians who seek thy help.
For behold, we, who because of our sins are possessed by bitter ills and have no help or consolation,
yet flee to thee for refuge, since thou hast been given Grace to pray for us and to heal every ill and every disease.
Grant, therefore, to all of us, by thy holy prayers,
health and strength of soul and body,
a good growth in the Faith and in devotion,
and all that is needful unto this temporal life and unto our salvation:
So that, having been granted great and rich mercy thorugh thee,
we may glorify thee and Him that bestoweth all good things,
our God Who is wondrous in His Saints,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
thou imitator of God's mercy!
Look down in thy loving kindness and hearken unto us, sinners,
who offer heartfelt prayers before thy holy icon.
Ask for us from the Lord God,
before Whom the Angels stand in heaven,
remission of our sins and transgressions.
Heal the ills of body and soul of the servants of God whom we here commemorate,
who are here present,
and of all Orthodox Christians who seek thy help.
For behold, we, who because of our sins are possessed by bitter ills and have no help or consolation,
yet flee to thee for refuge, since thou hast been given Grace to pray for us and to heal every ill and every disease.
Grant, therefore, to all of us, by thy holy prayers,
health and strength of soul and body,
a good growth in the Faith and in devotion,
and all that is needful unto this temporal life and unto our salvation:
So that, having been granted great and rich mercy thorugh thee,
we may glorify thee and Him that bestoweth all good things,
our God Who is wondrous in His Saints,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Page showing icons of St Panteleimon
http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/07/st-panteleimon-great-martyr-and.html
http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/07/st-panteleimon-great-martyr-and.html
Feast of St Panteleimon with history and images
http://frbenedict.blogspot.com/2011/07/feast-of-st-panteleimon-great-martyr.html
http://frbenedict.blogspot.com/2011/07/feast-of-st-panteleimon-great-martyr.html
Archangel Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection
against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him,
we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince
of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and
all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the
world seeking the ruin of souls
Amen.
Listen to Hymn - Angels from the Realms of Glory
www.2heartsnetwork.org/Angels_From_The_Realms_of_Glory.mid
www.2heartsnetwork.org/Angels_From_The_Realms_of_Glory.mid
www.ourcatholicprayers.com/the-saint-michael-prayer.html
As a special patron and protector of the Church, St. Michael has been assigned to fight against Satan; to protect faithful souls from him, especially at their death; to champion God’s people; and, further along this line, to escort them to their judgment... Although we tend to downplay the notion of the devil as being too quaint or outmoded today, he does indeed exist and not just as a symbol of evil, or as character in a fairytale to frighten us.
Orthodox Christian Music
Examples here may not be to your taste. Choose any music, imagery, articles or activity you like - it doesn't have to be serious or religious! If you like flowers and have Facebook, go to https://www.facebook.com/rhshome and click Like to get beautiful pictures in your News Feed.
The idea is for you to have some breathing space to find ways to get through, and gradually improve your situation. You can search on Google for images, and eBay is another good source.
There are inexpensive agate or jasper crosses, Celtic or Christian crosses, Archangels and guardian angels, Orthodox crosses, icons and figurines. You can find images, art, articles, poems, hymns and music that suit you and your situation best.
There are inexpensive agate or jasper crosses, Celtic or Christian crosses, Archangels and guardian angels, Orthodox crosses, icons and figurines. You can find images, art, articles, poems, hymns and music that suit you and your situation best.
Information on Cults and Psychic Self-Defence
People need to use their personal circumstances and discretion, their beliefs or disinclinations. Waters have become so muddied that opinion settles one way or another, for or against this approach or that, leaving people with no personal options. We have to find some!
The following are suggestions that have been made. You are free to make up your own mind. But please find out all you can on your own behalf, or for someone you know.
www.salvationarmy.org.uk
Anti-Human Trafficking www2.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-sublinks/025D829BF4D3A2DF8025744A003FF0B7?openDocument
www.cultavoidancesociety.org
Aims to pro-actively educate about the dangers of destructive cults, in order to reduce the risk of people becoming involved in abusive and totalitarian groups.
Principles which can be used to control others can also be used to undo control
Could any of us get entangled?
The reader must choose where to draw the boundary on anything
'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing' Edmund Burke
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