A summary of our latest posts on healing trauma, understanding spirituality and mediation on Elizabeth Bader’s Blog. Introduces contributors Tim Hicks and Leyla Navaro.
The Self of Peace: Elizabeth Bader at the Science and Nonduality Conference 2012
Reflecting on her spiritual journey, 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.
The Superego (Inner Critic) and Mediation
It is a true joy to live life free of a punitive superego (inner critic). In order to do this, though, we have to learn about the phenomenon of judgment, the superego and the inner critic. In a previous post, the basic structure and function of the superego was described. In this post, the superego’s (inner critic’s) relationship to conflict and conflict resolution is discussed.
Beyond the Superego: A Musical Offering
A wonderful video for inspiration, meditation and reflection. Jennifer Berezan and her friends demonstrate collaborative spirituality by weaving their voices together in a spirit of lovingkindness for all.
Tim Hicks on the Neuroscience of Mediation and the IDR Cycle
In this post, Tim Hicks, of the University of Oregon, presents his reflections on the neuroscience of mediation, knowing and identity and the IDR Cycle in mediation. He explains that the psychological experience that the IDR cycle theory describes (inflation, deflation, realistic resolution) is well-supported by what we believe to be true of the neurophysiology of learning, knowing, memory, and identity. His commentary ties the three phases of the cycle to some of the basic aspects of embodied consciousness. (For current research on embodied mind, see, for example, work by Don Tucker, Gerard Edelman, Antonio Damasio, Ben Bergen, Lawrence Barsalou, Vittorio Gallese, Mark Johnson, George Lakoff and David Geary ).
Beyond Technique: Trauma Healing, Mediation and Spirituality
This is a post about the tension between technique and presence during deep moments of resolution in trauma healing, spirituality and mediation. Draws on Peter Levine’s work on healing trauma (Somatic Experiencing®), Daniel Stern’s work on now moments in healing relationships, Elizabeth Bader’s work on the psychology of mediation impasse and the IDR cycle, the Theory of Holes, a theory about the relationship between psychology and spirituality (A. H. Almaas and Faisal Muqaddam) and the work of J.G. Bennett, a Fourth Way teacher. Discusses the nature of true mastery as the ability to hold and negotiate this tension.
Appendix to “Beyond Technique: Trauma Healing, Mediation and Spirituality”
In “Beyond Technique: Trauma Healing, Mediation and Spirituality,” Elizabeth Bader uses several terms from Daniel Stern repeatedly. However, Stern uses these key terms in ways that do not necessarily conform to their obvious meaning or normal usage. For that reason, this post provides those definitions. All definitions are from Daniel Stern’s book, The Present Moment in Psychotherapy and Everyday Life (W. W. Norton & Company, 2004).
Mediating with Genghis Khan: On Working with Difficult People (Yeh-Lu Ch’u Tsai)
Yeh-Lu Ch’u Tsai saved millions of lives through his work with difficult people, including Genghis Khan. Using his life as a model, this post discusses how to work with difficult people, and how respect and spiritual integrity, combined with hard-headed realism and objectivity, form the basis for service to others.
Gender, Conflict and the Woman Mediator: Notes from Leyla Navaro
Issues relating to gender, conflict and women mediators are discussed in these notes from Leyla Navaro, M.A., a group therapist, author, educator and trainer. The notes were originally generated for an international telesalon organized by Elizabeth Bader, with Leyla Navaro, M.A. and Sharan L. Schwartzberg, Ed.D.
Nelson Mandela: Peace Through Music and Dance
In this touching video, Nelson Mandela teaches us to make peace with the world and with ourselves through music and dance.
Trauma 101: Physiology & Causes of PTSD
This post discusses the causes of PTSD and the “defense cascade” of fight, flight and freeze which is often described as the basic mammalian response to trauma. The work of Peter Levine, Stephen Porges, Walter Cannon, and Schauer and Elbert will be discussed.