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 key to the neurobiology of mediation: parties in mediation experience both threat and safety at the same time. This is one of the most important sections of Elizabeth Bader’s new article, The Psychology and Neurobiology of Mediation.”
![By Birrell Walsh (Khandro Rinpoche 8-7-2005 Smiling) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) or CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.elizabethbader.com/elizabethbadersblog/wp-content/uploads/Khandro_Rinpoche-905x400.jpg)
Devotion is essential on the spiritual path, but we must also avoid cults and cultishness. Some points from Khandro Rinpoche are summarized here.
The first in a series of posts about self-remembering and self-recognition. The work of George Gurdjieff, A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali) and Faisal Muqaddam, among others, will be explored. This post contains a poem by Derek Walcott that speaks beautifully to the subject.
A post about the tension between technique and presence during deep moments of resolution in trauma healing, spirituality and mediation. True mastery is not “doing” but wu wei, the ability to act while holding this tension. Draws on Peter Levine’s trauma work, (Somatic Experiencing®), the work of Daniel Stern, the Theory of Holes (A. H. Almaas and Faisal Muqaddam), and the work of J.G. Bennett, as well as Elizabeth Bader’s writings on the IDR cycle.
The “Theory of Holes” developed by Hameed Ali (pen name, A. H. Almaas) and Faisal Muqaddam with Karen Johnson provides a map for the process of recovering essence on the spiritual journey. Limitations in cases of trauma are noted.
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 […]
This post discusses law and spirituality. I begin by discussing my encounter with the realities of human suffering early on in my career. I then call for the legal profession to consider the profound human and spiritual questions raised by the practice of law. Ignoring these questions is dangerous. This post is part of a […]
A lovely yet profound poem by Meng Hao-Jan (689-741) on awakening in the spring.
The differences between hatred and anger are examined. From a practical perspective, the differences can be important, especially in mediation. Excerpts from Glen Gabbard’s article on Hatred and Its Rewards are presented.
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.
The Project to Train Intercultural Mediators for a Multicultural Europe used Elizabeth Bader’s insights on the psychology of mediation and the IDR cycle extensively in their training materials. Excerpts on the IDR cycle are presented here.
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.
A discussion of a core psychological dynamic in mediation: the IDR cycle. Based on Elizabeth’s articles on the subject, including The Psychology of Mediation: Issues of Self and Identity and the IDR Cycle, 10(2) Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal 183 (2010) and The Psychology and Neurobiology of Mediation, 17(2) Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution 363 (Winter 2106).