Insights and reflections on the spiritual journey.
In “Bone Dreaming” meditation, we gently sense into our bones in harmony with the rhythm of our breath. As we enter into the deepest layers of our body, we experience deep relaxation and an enhanced ability to sleep. In effect, we give ourselves a private cranial-sacral massage as we feel into the bones of the […]
The opening of Elizabeth Bader’s chapter in a book published by the American Bar Association. Discusses the inevitability of lawyers encountering human suffering.
The Nei-yeh is an ancient Chinese text that has profound words for those who wish to transform difficult situations, including mediators, therapists and everyone else. This post contains the text of Chapter 9 and an audio of Elizabeth reading Chapter 9. From the translation by Harold D. Roth.
Inspired by Daniel Shaw’s book, Traumatic Narcissism, this post discusses “detachment” and “emancipation” from hatred and trauma in mediation, trauma work and spirituality.
Avi Magidoff’s profound response to Elizabeth’s post on the Psychology of Spiritual Groups and the IDR Cycle, and Elizabeth’s comments on his response. Avi Magidoff is an internationally known teacher of spirituality, Buddhism and acupuncture. He emphasizes the role of compassion in the IDR cycle, and the role of the teacher in holding or alleviating the student’s suffering. Elizabeth’s comments relate his insights to mediation and the Theory of Holes, among other things.
Understanding the psychology of spiritual groups requires understanding group psychology and the unique challenges of the spiritual path. In many ways our path to spiritual maturity follows the IDR cycle, as we learn to move from idealization of ourselves and our teachers to spiritual maturity.
Elizabeth Bader speaks about the profound lessons conflict resolution can teach us about peace and who we are. A blend of psychology, spirituality and neuroscience, including the work of Stephen Porges, Tali Sharot and Peter Levine.
A video of Peter Levine’s talk on spirituality and trauma to the Jung Society of Austin. Related to previous post: Peter Levine: Presence in Trauma and Spirituality.
Profound words from Peter Levine on the relationship between the presence experienced during trauma and the presence which catalyzes spiritual transformation. Elizabeth’s note on the opening of the heart during spiritual practice and its closing during trauma.
Devotion is essential on the spiritual path, but we must also avoid cults and cultishness. Some points from Khandro Rinpoche are summarized here.
