Mind Wise Podcasts on Mental Health and Well-Being

The podcast “Mind Wise,” hosted by Dr. Ron Parks, explores holistic perspectives on emotional and mental health, psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and wellness. In this episode, Dr. Parks welcomes Eric Stoller, a wellness media entrepreneur and motivational strategist known as the “Brand Whisperer.” Stoller shares his journey, which spans a background in education and motivational seminars and led him to become an advocate for regenerative medicine, anti-aging treatments, and personal transformation. His story highlights the influence of family, the power of mentorship, and his evolution from traditional business ventures to a focus on health and longevity.A key theme in the episode is the importance of mindset in achieving lasting wellness and well-being. Both Dr. Parks and Stoller emphasize that genuine change requires more than physical transformation; it also involves shifting one’s narrative and mental patterns. They cite motivational figures such as Zig Ziglar, Albert Ellis, and Les Brown to show how fixed mindsets and “stinking thinking” can hinder progress, while flexible thinking and storytelling can help individuals rewrite their personal journeys. According to the speakers, this process is essential for breaking free from limiting beliefs and embracing growth.The conversation also examines the role of innovative therapies and community-based healing. Stoller shares his experiences with stem cells, peptides, and alternative modalities, including hyperbaric and red light therapy. He discusses the impact of group events focused on wellness and longevity that he has successfully promoted. These gatherings provide a relaxed, supportive environment for exploring new wellness practices and underscore the importance of collaboration among participants and advocates in the wellness field. Dr. ParksThe podcast concludes with reflections on purpose and passion. Stoller explains that rediscovering his love for performance and music—and integrating them into his brand—reinforced his motivation and confidence. Both hosts agree that sustaining health and happiness means aligning one’s goals with core values, staying open to new experiences, and supporting others through teaching, collaboration, and sharing authentic stories. Overall, the message is that wellness is a continuous, individualized journey driven by internal motivation and external support. Dr. Parks supports the work now underway in holistic medicine and lifestyle psychiatry, which relies on evidence-based research and science. #HolisticWellness #PersonalTransformation #MindsetMatters #Longevity #EmotionalHealth #WellbeingThe caption for the collage of photos is: Wellness and Longevity—RRP Design with Canva and stock photos I appreciate your interest. Please share with others. Thanks to Shan Parks, editor and project manager, for his valuable contributions and editing. All content is created and published for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical services or guidance. Always consult a healthcare provider for care related to medical or mental health conditions. This communication does not provide medical diagnoses, recommendations, treatment, or endorsements.Thank you!For inquiries, go to: Parksmd.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Welcome to Mind Wise, an audio and video podcast exploring holistic perspectives on mental health care, psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and wellness. I am your host, Dr. Ron Parks—a writer, teacher, and physician. Today, we’re going to explore:Stinking Thinking Revealed and Getting Unstuck from Ideas and Beliefs—with Mindfulness, CBT, and Holistic Strategies for Lasting Mental WellnessThe chill of winter, the news, and politicsIt was midwinter, with a chill in the air and sleet and snow steadily falling, coating the roads enough to form a treacherous layer of black ice and making travel precarious. Those of us caught indoors often turned on the TV to get the latest weather report, searching for how long our forced winter hibernation would last. On TV, news reports featured recurring stories about outlandish things the president or his party representatives were doing to upset the applecart of democracy. The more dramatic the reporting of threatening changes to the status quo of established institutions and our way of life, the greater the weight on our minds and emotions. Our emotions balanced between worry, fear, and some anger. As the final reports grew more ominous, they predicted more frigid weather, icy rain and sleet, impassable roads, and the closing of businesses and events. My wife lingered to catch the final news and reports. Still, I scurried away to enjoy my nighttime herbal tea and routine of yoga and meditation to shake off the negativity and emotional burden of my earlier exposure to network news, some articles I’d read, and the reported climatic changes, both environmental and political.A dream of arrogance, deceit, and deceptionMy pre-bed sleep-enhancing routine worked, and I drifted into a night of peaceful slumber until early morning, when my mind began transitioning toward wakefulness. A realistic dream appeared, drawing on residues of the prior day’s images and unsettled emotions, as if to bring them to a settled, completed state within an ensembled narrative to file away in the depths of memory, perhaps for wisdom or future retrieval. In the dream, I was part of a group at a large event center in a fancy high-rise in the middle of Manhattan. I had responsibilities as a senior facilitator and offered to organize and lead an activity in several large adjoining rooms with open floor space. It was to be a workshop on mindfulness and pickleball mastery. Each person had a tennis ball and a smaller hard rubber ball used for racquetball or handball, as in some of the city’s gyms and spas with small, enclosed courts.To my surprise, one of the best-known public figures, whose personality and behavior often offended many, was participating in the event, possibly because it was his building. He seemed pleased to take part and exuded a casual confidence that fit his image as more nonchalant. It was hoped that he would see it as a fun way to get a little away from his worries and win over some admirers at the same time. To my surprise, I was supposed to team up with this famous public figure, whose arrogant, dismissive, or bullying behavior often offended others and was considered unforgivably offensive.My job was to pair the other participants and have them practice together as a collaborative team. Each pair was to find a line in the room that would act as a net. I intended to use the activity and movement of a pickleball competition between the two, along with practiced focus and concentration on the ball, as an exercise in mindfulness. My goal was for the realization to occur with the release from the usual background thought chatter, bringing peaceful flow and connectedness through the coordinated flow of the activity and the fun game.I was hoping my very public celebrity partner could let go of some of the entrapment in his own worries, pressures, and self-defeating personality traits, as well as in his tightly woven beliefs about himself, since I sensed he wanted to. I questioned how to address each other in our interconnected pair activity to encourage us to let go of some of our tightly held mental preoccupations and distractions that keep us from being fully present in the moment.Because my attachments to my sense of self and titles, including my moniker as doctor, seemed to be a potential problem or distraction for others, I told my partner and the group they were free to call me by first name or by my career title, whichever was comfortable for them, and that it was not something I was overly attached to. As for my partner, it would be his choice to let go of his closely held public identifiers and image. The exercise felt a little awkward for everyone, including my partner, but there was a glimmer of hope that he and I could relax and enjoy the meant-to-be therapeutic activity.I awoke and noted my related thoughts for later recording in my dream and insight journal, which I came to value as a helpful tool for mental and emotional health on our journey toward understanding and, perhaps, wisdom. My reported dream and insights from it are presented to heighten understanding of the danger of entrapment or fixation in the mind’s thoughts, interpretations, and beliefs, whether firmly fixed or, for most, hopefully flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. The figures in the dream are not meant to represent any public figure or anyone I know. Most likely, the representations are projections of aspects of myself for my self-understanding and self-improvement work, possibly highlighting some of my inflexibility or arrogance in self-perception and behavior.It is a hidden gem to know oneself as more fluid and adaptable rather than set and immutable. All this underscores the importance and benefits of healthy practices such as journaling, mindfulness, meditation, and other sensible lifestyle choices. Constant attention to when our thoughts and beliefs are tied to strong emotions, over-identification, and attachment is an important way to avoid mental imbalance, emotional distress, and unhappiness, as the Buddha’s spiritual teachings on our thoughts, mind, and attachments emphasize.The importance of keeping your focus on the ball in the game of pickleball is a metaphor that appeared in the dream segment above. It is a reminder of the ancient wisdom and spiritual teachings that, by allowing the mind to focus, reduce its hectic activities and mental preoccupations, and relax, it can enter a restorative, healing state.Stinking thinking and the roots of cognitive behavioral therapy“Stinking Thinking” became a popular expression, popularized by Zig Ziglar,1 an American motivational speaker, in his self-help, personal, and career development talks. Albert Ellis, a psychologist who founded Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), used the phrase to describe the kinds of negative, self-sabotaging thoughts that can make people feel emotionally distressed and dissatisfied. Some core cognitive beliefs or distortions that lead to emotional distress can be characterized as rigid, absolutist thinking; irrational beliefs that rarely align with reality; and what we may call “stinking thinking.”Some examples from Ellis’s work of distortions in thinking that can become so well set in the mind that they influence thinking, emotions, and behavior in ways others see as irrational include: feeling you must excel at everything, which breeds fear of failure and self-criticism, leading to over-striving for perfectionism and competence; believing and being convinced that you must be universally liked or approved of, making your self-worth dependent on others and making you overly needy for others’ love and approval; catastrophizing, exaggerating problems and discomfort, and viewing setbacks as unbearable disasters; obsessive worrying about dangers and believing that the constant worry is protective, when it actually leads to avoidance and paralysis; and feeling that you must always be dependent on others and rely on someone stronger and more competent, undermining independence and self-confidence.2The idea that adverse thoughts influence emotions and behavior has deep historical roots in ancient wisdom—such as the Stoic philosophy of Epictetus, who taught that people are disturbed not by events but by their interpretations (thoughts) of them, and the Buddhist understanding of the impact of the mind and its thinking on life and well-being. It is therefore understandable how stinking thinking, as an expression, found its way into popular culture. Modern psychology, psychiatry, and therapies have likewise evolved from the fascination with the operations of the mind and mental activity, from ancient times through the times that followed, up to the present: philosophers, scientists, researchers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and healthcare workers.Aaron Beck, MD, is considered the father of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This psychotherapy has become mainstream in mental health care and treatment, as well as in addiction recovery and personal development. Cognitive-behavioral therapy challenges and seeks to modify problem-causing thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes, along with associated behaviors, to aid emotional regulation and foster better ways of coping with and addressing problems. Beck expanded the idea of schemas as core beliefs that strongly affect emotional responses and behavioral patterns, and he identified negative schemas as significant contributors to depression and anxiety.CBT has evolved into a range of valued psychological and behavioral psychotherapeutic treatments that focus on clearly delineated medical, psychological, and emotional difficulties, based on carefully conducted and validated research: dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, spirituality-based CBT, acceptance and commitment therapy (a specialist branch of CBT that uses mindfulness and acceptance interventions), and EMDR. CBT has demonstrated effectiveness for such difficulties as anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, substance use disorders, eating disorders, PTSD, and interpersonal relationship problems, as well as for treating people exposed to adverse childhood experiences and trauma from abuse or neglect.3The Schemata and Cognitive-Behavioral TherapySchemata in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) refer to long-lasting, negative ways of thinking (perhaps “stinking thinking”), feeling, and acting that often begin in childhood and persist into later life. These internalized patterns were thought to originate in unmet emotional needs or difficult prior experiences, shaping how a person sees themselves, others, and their external experiences. Schemata were viewed as mental maps or organizing templates that integrate new and existing information into memory. The term originated with Jean Piaget, who defined schemas as “mental structures that organize knowledge and guide understanding”.Our mental work is always forming representations, schemes, or patterns that are remembered and reinforced, and that can become concretized in the sense of being held onto and embedded as an immutable belief or identity. These schemes or schemata are valuable only as long as they serve as a framework for achieving a desired or intended outcome, or as a rationalization for carrying out or avoiding certain valued or feared behaviors, outcomes, or consequences. Their reality or benefit is only to the extent of their utility or their relativity to other held needs, desires, or expectations, for continued existence, growth, or movement towards decline, dissolution, death, or rebirth of new beginnings.In cognitive psychology, CBT, and schema therapy, schemata are understood as more than just thoughts, representing a complex framework “involving memories, emotions, and physiological sensations that drive maladaptive behaviors and maintain psychological distress.” The schema is also seen as an “organized pattern of thought and behavior” or “a mental structure of preconceived ideas, a framework representing some aspect of the world, or a system of organizing and perceiving new information.” For example, a person who, as a child, was abandoned or neglected can become overly sensitive and be triggered into an emotional outburst or panic attack when they believe they are undervalued or rejected by others. Perhaps we’re oversimplifying by calling it “stinking thinking,” but in a sense, it really is undesirable, problematic thinking.4When thoughts and thinking become maladaptive and inflexibleThese organized, strongly held, or ingrained structures of thought, whatever you call them, can become the underpinnings of significant maladaptive or inflexible ways of interacting with the world, to the detriment of the person themselves or the outside community. These deeply embedded and patterned networks of beliefs strongly influence how we perceive the world, our moods, emotions, and behaviors. When the composite of these inner frameworks of firmly implanted ideas, their influence, and their manifestations is considered, it can be understood as personality or identity. It would be a disorder of personality if significant maladaptive impairments in self or interpersonal functioning persist over time and become a focus for therapeutic intervention.5But most of us, to a certain degree, get entrapped in our own stinking thinking—schemata, or patterns of erroneous or distorted beliefs that go against life’s natural flow of happiness, productivity, social relatedness, and peaceful coexistence. Those with significant maladaptive thought and belief systems and difficulties integrating and coexisting in society, causing significant detriment to themselves and others, often need outside intervention, such as medical, psychiatric, psychotherapeutic, or even intensive residential or inpatient programs. Given how deeply these personality or characterological imprints are embedded, it is more difficult to get affected people to seek help or stay in treatment, as seen in antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders. There is also a lower likelihood of success for any of the commonly used treatments, but some forms of CBT or mentalization therapy have shown promise.6 7 These difficult personality issues have been well studied to identify therapeutic interventions that promote positive, healthy change.8Emerging integrative models that emphasize personalized, holistic mental health care, combining evidence-based science, spirituality, and experiential healing, show promise. For example, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a newer iteration of CBT, can be integrated with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, such as ketamine-assisted therapy, and with breathwork practices. Combining these methods can be a transformative mental health treatment, reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders and contributing to better outcomes and longer-term remissions.Holotropic Breathwork, developed by Stanislav Grof, induces altered states of consciousness through deep, rhythmic breathing and is often used as a non-pharmacological alternative to psychedelics in transpersonal psychotherapy and within CBT or ACT frameworks that support emotional release, trauma processing, and self-exploration. It is thought to activate neuroplasticity and promote psychological well-being, especially when paired with mindfulness and awareness of the body and the environment.Integration of experiences from these therapies is often supported by practices such as breathing exercises, mindfulness, yoga, dream work, journaling, and psychoeducation. These practices help individuals process insights gained during psychedelic or breathwork sessions, promoting more lasting change through behavioral and cognitive reorganization. 9 Mindfulness has become a widespread practice that benefits focus, stress management, and pain management, and it builds emotional regulation and resilience.10Some things to consider and points to ponder:* As most of us still have the capacity for learning, change, and adaptability, whether our thinking is marginally “stinking” or “overly fragrant,” we might describe the latter as someone who is too cheerful or enthusiastic, carefree, or out of touch with life circumstances, which would also imply a lack of adaptability and less-than-optimal coexistence with others. So, what about those of us who fall into this not-so-extreme or not-so-optimal majority category? We would again have to look to the best experiences and advice of the masters of the art of well-being, successful living, peaceful coexistence, happiness, and spiritual attunement. As I would like to think of myself as a student of all this and as thwarted by the same human limitations and fallibility that we all have, I can only do my best to seek wisdom and explore some of these age-old questions about our human potential to best help ourselves and others during our finite existence and consciousness.* If thinking, emotions, moods, physical health, career, and personal relationships are causing you a painful downward spiral and you have not benefited from your personal efforts, many community or private resources are available, some of which require out-of-pocket payment or are covered by insurance, and others are public programs. Find out about options from your own network of family and friends, research online if you have access, any healthcare providers you may see or have contact with, community mental health services, or emergency services if necessary. There are many possible fits for your needs. In a prior article, I focused on holistic lifestyle psychiatry, an approach mindful of the many vital areas that can improve mental health.11For inquiries, go to: https://parksmd.com/scheduling/For the full article and references, go to: https://parksmd.com/library-of-all-posts/ and to the article: Stinking Thinking Revealed and Getting UnstuckI appreciate your interest. Please share with others. Thanks to Shan Parks, editor and project manager, for his valuable contributions and editing. All content is created and published for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical services or guidance. Always consult a healthcare provider for care related to medical or mental health conditions. This communication does not provide medical diagnoses, recommendations, treatment, or endorsements.Thank you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Welcome to Mind Wise, an audio and video podcast exploring holistic perspectives on mental health care, psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and wellness. I am your host, Dr. Ron Parks—a writer, teacher, and physician. Today, we’re going to explore: Vigilance and Memory: Safeguarding Humanity After the HolocaustA call to remembrance and words from a survivor, the poet Iren Steier, that bring the reality of the past to inform the presentMy Family’s Journey Through Loss, Reunion, and RemembranceI recall a poignant personal story I wrote about my reunion with an aged cousin of my mother during a visit to Israel, who was believed lost in a Nazi death camp. Her location was revealed through a letter my mother gave me before her death. The realization now is that it was the deepest and darkest proximity I’ve experienced to the heart of tragedy, human cruelty, and the depravity of others toward humanity, the evilest side of humankind, inflicted on vulnerable people by one of the most sinister forces in the history of our civilization. It also shows the resilience and the beaming forth of the human spirit, and our greatest strength and power to reach the highest state of enlightenment and pure spirit.As a child in the late 1940s, my mother took me to a local shoe repair shop on Upshur Street in Washington, DC. The shop was near the row-house community where we lived. The struggling shoemaker, amid his buzzing machines, appeared to be a quiet, humble man, his face worn by years of hardship. He had an unfamiliar accent. My mother knew he was from Hungary, where her parents had lived before migrating to this country in the late 1800s. My mother showed him letters she had recently received from a cousin, Iren, her age, whom she had visited as a small child with her mother while seeing their family in Hungary before the war years. I understood that a terrible war had occurred in Eastern Europe, and it was over with the German defeat.As a child, I only knew that horrible things had happened to the unfortunate people living there, including my mother’s cousin and her family. Her cousin, Iren, was now a refugee from her destroyed home and community, having lost family members. With a voice of despair, the shoemaker in the store translated and read the letters to my mother. He helped write and address my mother’s letters in Hungarian to my mother’s cousin, along with whatever money or goods my mother could send.My mother was never sure her letters or anything she sent would reach her or get past the authorities or the people providing her refuge. She received the last letter from her cousin after the war had ended, which included her new address in Israel, where she had successfully migrated. The letter expressed hope of seeing my mother in the future. The cousin could reach Israel after her release from a Nazi concentration camp and a brief stay at a refugee center, as one of the few family survivors. The Germans had invaded her hometown in Transylvania near the Hungarian border, destroyed her community, and left her without a place to return to.No further attempts to make contact were successful. Years later, when my mother could finally travel to Israel, she was terribly disappointed not to find her cousin.Before my mother died, she gave me the well-kept last letter from Iren, now worn, hoping I would reconnect with her one day. In the mid-eighties, my wife and I traveled to Israel, taking with us the old, worn letter from Iren that my mother had given me before her death. It was my quest to find her, hoping she was still alive. What transpired when we arrived in Israel was a blessing and an inspiration beyond my belief and expectations.On a sunny, warm day in 1985, in the arid, desert-like landscape, my wife and I walked into the modest hotel lobby near Jerusalem. We were to meet a newfound niece of my mother’s dear cousin. We were young and full of wonder, adventure, excitement, and anticipation that something profound would soon happen.My mother hoped I would find her beloved cousin and complete the connection she had hoped for since her childhood visit to their European family and their occasional letters thereafter.Now, Iren’s niece drove us to the rustic lodge where Iren and her husband were staying. I had found Iren’s niece by taking the envelope my mother had given me, with the old address and family name, to a multilingual shop owner. He took time out from his work in his small, stall-like shop to phone twenty or so people with a family name similar to the one on my mother’s envelope. He kept telling our story until Iren’s niece recognized it on one of the calls. The shopkeeper was so sweet to help us, and of course, we bought a few gifts to remember him and his colorful shop.When we walked into the room, Iren, now in her eighties, appeared slightly frail, with a concentration number tattooed on her arm, beaming with such warmth and a smile that melted our hearts. We all cried and hugged. A profound sense of meaning came with the joining of our hearts and the family’s past. The occasion was also profoundly moving, as we had visited the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem the day before. There were many reminders of that era’s horrific events, including an exhibit of thousands of children’s shoes belonging to those sent to the crematoriums at the death camps. Some of these children were from my mother’s and Iren’s families.It was profound to meet Iren, a survivor of one of the worst tragedies in modern history. Iren had not only survived but, as I perceived, had moved to a much higher place of spirituality and love, though she still carried the deep scars of her losses and sacrifices. She had also become an accomplished poet and gave me poems about her Holocaust experience, written in her native Hungarian, in search of meaning in suffering and loss. When I returned to the States, I found a Hungarian professor who translated her poems.January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance DayIn 2005, the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27th as the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This annual observance serves as a worldwide reminder of the dangers posed by the drift towards rogue and extremist authoritarian rule, hatred, bigotry, and antisemitism. People across the globe are called to remember, reflect, and act to prevent history from repeating itself, with commemorative events held at United Nations Headquarters and offices worldwide.What becomes startlingly clear is that the worst of history can repeat itself. A warning to maintain vigilance is evident in the persistence of less visible undercurrents that can build toward a potential recurrence. It is more worrisome when individuals and groups develop a lack of public responsibility and respect for diversity, and show behaviors that suggest a need to control, gain power, and accumulate wealth at the public’s expense. Drift in this direction is clear from both the ideological extremes of the right and the left.The perpetrators of fear and division gain traction by stoking basic human fears of losing essentials such as livelihoods, economic security, and food and shelter, and of being overrun or replaced by others. Ideologically polarized political parties achieve dominance by espousing disinformation that foments hatred, fear, and division.Today’s technological advances in communications make it easier for entities seeking an advantage to influence and control, to the point of becoming destructive forces against public welfare. Technology also makes it easier for ill-intentioned people to take advantage of others by manipulating human frailties through deception, rhetoric, and propaganda. The reality is that what occurred in the past can gain momentum and again lead to the degradation of the social fabric, democracy, and the environment essential to health and well-being.The Enduring Lessons and Warnings from History’s Darkest ChapterIren was one of the few in her village and family to survive the Holocaustand the Nazi concentration camps, and live to write about the ordeal. Her poems were written from 1944 to 1945, during her last days in her native town of Nagyvarad and as a prisoner at Auschwitz. As Iren wished, her poems are shared to remind everyone never to forget and to watch for any movement toward hatred, division, or a recurrence of the tragic history she had experienced. Her poems offer a poignant reminder of the fate of a democracy that evolves into a brutal, totalitarian, fascist government.A Haunting Poem from Iren Steier: A Survivor of Auschwitz’s Journey and the Gripping Reality of her Tragic ExperienceA translated poem by my mother’s cousin is below: a warning that the poem in its entirety is harsh, graphic, and shocking, but shared because of Iren’s wish to keep people aware that, without vigilance and remembrance of this tragic history, recurrence can become a future reality.AUSCHWITZ by Iren W. Steier,In a far, strange country, very—very far,Where maybe the star in the sky is even different,Where there is no friend, not even the grass,From where even the flying bird has no message…A train rumbles into the hell of Polish earth,It brings wounded, deprived prisoners.Its doors open, and ten thousand Jews.are driven into rows — some alive, some dead.And thousands of Jews are coming, and fall, and fall on and on,Their unsteady eyes are searching for life.The prisoners whisper: “ Give them your child!”Is it possible? — That you save your own life thereby!I will not give up my child! Never, never, never!And her two embracing arms clasp it to her bosom.So they line up, mothers with childrenTo the great “executioner” — with throbbing hearts.And the spouses come hand in hand.But not even a minute—their lives are divided.I go to the right; he goes to the left — This is life, the other is death.We are looking on, praying — Whose fate will be what?Mother, father, brother — Why do I not find them?Why do they not come with me on this journey?My eyes stare far — I am looking unsteadily,Where will my dearest brethren be taken?Mengele, the executioner, waves here and there,Who could know that left means death?If we had known this, we would have gone all there.Where will we die together with our beloved ones?And the march is on — to the left — to the road of grief,Their dearest lives were taken from them…to the gas death!Where its leprous stomach devoured them continuously.And drank blood amply to quench its thirst.And then he danced, devilish dance,And hung the clanging prisoner’s chain on the living ones.Within spiked wires, haunted by their hounds,The “ragged army” — to the right — with eyes cast down…Click here: For the complete poem and other poems by Iren W. Steier,or go to: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/remembering-the-holocaust?s=w%20sTips and Points to Ponder* Prevention is needed to break the recurring cycle of division and hate fueled by ideological and political differences. These cycles are fueled by the rise of divisive, authoritarian, and destructive leaders and by the fomenting of age-old animosities toward minorities and targeted groups. Wise and enlightened leaders must rise to the top to foster peace, cooperation, and well-being for the populace. Be informed by history, be more aware, and be active in preventing tragedies from recurring.* Peaceful coexistence can return through a strategic alliance at the highest levels, the positive use of educational programs, and the wise use of artificial intelligence and social media. Dedicated world organizations need to thrive and grow to combat destructive tribalism and selfish interests, recognizing that to exist, we must co-exist and cooperate for everyone’s mutual interest, security, health, and safety.* Support research and resources that promote a better society and advance understanding of the psychology and neuroscience of human behaviors and personalities that drive greed, suppression of others, hatred, violence against minorities, and violence against vulnerable populations. Solutions are needed to provide more adequate resources for those vulnerable to mental health challenges.* More clarity is needed about the impact of misinformation and propaganda on large population segments in our digital age of social media, to prevent misuse by self-serving and promoting entities. The hope is to foster the use of artificial intelligence and social media as tools for a more just, safe, and peaceful coexistence.For complete articles with references or inquiries, go to parksmd.com and the library of all posts: https://parksmd.com/library-of-all-posts/ Psychiatry.For inquiries, go to: https://parksmd.com/scheduling/I appreciate your interest. Please share with others. Thanks to Shan Parks, editor and project manager, for his valuable contributions and editing. All content is created and published for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical services or guidance. Always consult a healthcare provider for care related to medical or mental health conditions. This communication does not provide medical diagnoses, recommendations, treatment, or endorsements.Thank you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

This narrative traces a journey from traditional psychiatric training to a more holistic, experiential approach to mental health, highlighting the transformative impact of integrating practices like yoga, mindfulness, and community engagement. Early medical education emphasized memorization and established treatment protocols, but personal exploration opened doors to broader philosophies and healing traditions.Lifestyle psychiatry emerges as a new paradigm, advocating for prevention and healing by focusing on core lifestyle pillars such as physical activity, nutrition, restorative sleep, and, crucially, connectedness—with oneself, others, and the wider world. The approach expands traditional medical boundaries by incorporating happiness, purpose, empathy, and spirituality as essential elements of well-being.Central to this model is embodiment: the process of deeply internalizing and sustaining positive changes through lived experiences, emotional engagement, and supportive communities. By moving beyond purely intellectual understanding, individuals can cultivate resilience, flexibility, and meaningful transformation, ultimately achieving long-term mental, physical, and spiritual health.·         #Embodiment·         #Connectedness·         #LifestylePsychiatry·         #HolisticWellbeing·         #TransformativeChange This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Explore the tragic story of the Reiner family to understand America’s crisis of violence, addiction, and mental health. Discover key lessons on prevention, risk factors, and strategies to support families and communities.The tragic story of the Reiners spotlights America’s crisis of violence, addiction, and mental health care—ideas for preventive action. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

My father’s journey of self-healing and discovery of the transformative power of embracing life’s natural rhythms and mother’s wisdom—life’s ebb and flow—by accepting rather than resisting the challenges, losses, and uncertainties of life; embraces life’s current and vicissitudes instead of trying to force outcomes, which leads to healing, renewal, and deeper wisdom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Welcome to Mind Wise, an audio & video podcast and newsletter that embodies holistic perspectives on mental health, healthcare, and wellness. I am your host, Dr. Ron Parks—a writer, teacher, and consultant.  Today, I’m discussing a topic that has been interesting to me: The life-changing and enhancing benefits of exercise for body, brain, and spirit, and the title of our topic today.The talk and the articleI had an interesting talk with my son about the benefits of physical activity, as he works with me on many projects that sometimes involve research or editing. He is very skilled with technology and usually gets to the core of things after spending a lot of screen time on the computer. Our conversation focused on the many advantages of being more physically active and exercising. It occurred to me to write a compelling article to support my case, backed by research literature. I also thought this would be a grand strategy since my son often does the final edit on many of my articles. Since he would likely read it, I might get some validation that I am convincing in my advocacy for a healthy lifestyle and exercise.I thought more about the problems people face when they become more passive and avoid an active lifestyle, especially when they skip confronting daily physical and emotional challenges. A clear sign of too many passive lifestyle choices is when someone does less activity outside the home, has less involvement in relationships, does less physical exercise, and avoids tasks that require physical effort.Essential commitments and decisions that promote health and longevityA recent research article I reviewed highlights the significant impact of physical activity on reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that individuals who consistently engage in moderate to vigorous exercise have a lower likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those with sedentary lifestyles. Regular physical activity is linked to improved cognitive function and a slower rate of cognitive decline, even among those with genetic risk factors for the disease. Therefore, incorporating exercise into daily routines may act as a protective factor against Alzheimer’s, emphasizing the importance of an active lifestyle for long-term brain health.Lack of engagement in activities that promote socialization, career development, and physical health and well-being may underlie why men in the United States face disproportionately higher rates of suicide, addiction, and homelessness compared to women. Recent data show that men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide and are less likely to seek mental health support. Substance use disorders are also more prevalent among men, who have higher rates of illicit drug use and alcohol dependence. Additionally, men constitute the majority of the homeless population, with single adult men being especially overrepresented among those experiencing chronic homelessness.Watching an interview with Scott Galloway about his new book, Notes on Being a Man, prompted me to reflect further on the vital role that active mental, physical, and spiritual pursuits play in overall health and success in our challenging, complex, and competitive society. He feels that “Boys and men are in crisis. Rarely has a cohort fallen further and faster than young men living in Western democracies. Boys are less likely than girls to graduate from high school or college. One in seven men reports having no friends, and men account for three of every four deaths of despair in America.”Optimizing mental and physical healthMaintaining optimal mental and physical health requires active engagement and attention to related needs, such as capacity, endurance, stamina, strength, concentration, and focus. Low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, lack of confidence, fears of failure or rejection, anxiety, depression, and a loss of motivation to take risks for change can hinder efforts to pursue health-promoting activities. Any existing health issues, whether physical or emotional — such as fatigue, low energy, brain fog, anxiety, or depression — can serve as significant barriers, even to taking simple steps. Every moment offers an opportunity to make small moves toward increased physical activity and to build momentum, which can lead to forming habits that support a healthier lifestyle. Choosing to get up, take a little more risk, and engage in more physically demanding tasks can help sustain progress and change.Taking a walk to explore the neighborhood clears the mind of limiting inner narratives and reasoning. It also opens the door to new surroundings and sensory experiences that foster more rewarding or pleasant feelings and, potentially, a better outlook on life. The mind often becomes caught up in micro-narratives and schemes focused on gaining or achieving something, which can frequently lead to failure and trap someone in a pessimistic worldview filled with negative emotions and fears of change. When someone steps outside their restrictive inner story through active physical activities that involve both body and mind, new sensory experiences emerge from the body and the external environment. Our brain then constructs new meaningful mental narratives, helping us to break free from a negative self-view and a self-defeating inner narrative weighed down with emotional baggage.What dreams teach us about our awake lives and thinkingIf you observe dreams or keep a dream and awakening thought journal, you’ll notice how the mind quickly tries to piece together loose fragments of content from the previous day’s experiences, whether they are negative or positive, emotionally charged, simply interesting, or unresolved thoughts about a task or matter of importance. These fragments could come from watching a movie, having an angry encounter with a loved one, or getting overly involved in something unfinished, like a negative story about current politics. The mind easily spins new dreams or stories, trying to find meaning or resolution from all these fragmented bits swirling around, awaiting a meaningful connection. During the day, the mind works similarly, trying to piece things together into a meaningful narrative or pattern that helps set a framework for purposeful actions — whether it’s seeking safety, a pleasurable reward, power, achievement, or survival from a threat. Observing disturbing dreams and the organized content in our awake mind can alert us to when things are not going well. It may be time to make active changes, which could mean moving toward a more positive, engaged lifestyle and social commitment — more movement and exercise of mind and body to reach healthy, achievable goals.Point to Ponder and Healthy Considerations:* Physical activity is vital for maintaining optimal performance, health, and well-being. Staying active helps prevent degenerative changes such as loss of capacity, brain fog, and reduced concentration or focus. Even small increases in daily movement, like walking, cleaning, or engaging in hobbies, can break cycles of passivity and isolation. Active choices, such as outdoor walks or gym visits, provide essential sensory stimulation and social interaction, both of which are crucial for mental and physical health. These activities help individuals break free from negative personal narratives and encourage adaptability, flexibility, and a more positive outlook.* Scientific evidence strongly shows the link between regular physical activity and a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and neurodegenerative disorders. Exercise is especially vital for healthy aging, as it helps maintain muscle strength, bone health, and cognitive function, improving independence and quality of life for older adults. The physiological benefits of exercise result from improvements at the molecular, cellular, and system levels, including enhanced repair, regeneration, and stress resilience. Significantly, these benefits depend on the dose and can be achieved through various types and intensities of exercise, making physical activity a versatile and affordable way to prevent disease.* Beyond its physical health benefits, regular exercise is a powerful tool for mental well-being. Physical activity is associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and it boosts mood, self-esteem, and overall psychological health. These effects come from neurochemical changes, including the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which help regulate emotions and support brain function. Exercise also encourages social connections and emotional resilience, especially when done in group or team settings, and fosters a sense of competence and mastery.* Large-scale studies and meta-analyses show that physical activity benefits a wide range of groups, including children, adolescents, adults with chronic conditions, and those with mental health issues. The positive impact of exercise on mental health is evident across various activities, including aerobic exercise, strength training, and mind-body practices like yoga. While exercise isn’t a substitute for all mental health treatments, its low cost, minimal side effects, and wide-ranging benefits make it a useful addition for improving mood, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and boosting overall psychological and social well-being.I appreciate your interest. For complete articles with references or inquiries, or for a video podcast of the presentation, click here! Please share with others. Thanks to Shan Parks, editor and project manager, for his valuable contributions and editing. All content is created and published for educational purposes only. It should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical services or guidance. Always consult a healthcare provider for care related to medical or mental health conditions. This communication does not provide medical diagnoses, recommendations, treatment, or endorsements. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

In this episode of Mind Wise, Dr. Ron Parks delves into the concept of neurodiversity, sharing personal experiences and exploring the varying ways people learn and process information. Discussing both the challenges and strengths associated with neurological differences, Dr. Parks examines the implications for education and employment. He also highlights the impact and potential of AI in supporting neurodivergent individuals. Learn about the importance of earlyintervention and the potential drawbacks of over-reliance on AI. Join us for a holistic perspective on embracing neurodiversity in today's world.00:00 Introduction to Mind Wise00:39 Personal Reflections on Neurodiversity03:57 Understanding Neurodiversity: Definitions and Origins06:14 Challenges and Traits of Neurodivergence14:42 Early Recognition and Interventions20:22 The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Neurodiversity23:01 Potential Downsides of AI Overdependence28:15 Conclusion and Further Resources#Neuodiversity #AI #VisualSpatialLD, #ADHD, #AutismSpectrumFull Script:Embracing Neurodiversity: Navigating Differences and ChallengesEarly recognition, intervention, lifelong adaptation, and the role of artificial intelligenceWelcome to Mind Wise, a video podcast and newsletter that embodies holistic perspectives on mental health, healthcare, and wellness. I am your host, Dr. Ron Parks—a writer, teacher, and consultant.  Today, I'm discussing a topic that has been particularly interesting to me: Embracing Neurodiversity, which involves navigating personal differences and challenges, recognizing them early, intervening effectively, adapting over time, and exploring the role of artificial intelligence.Personal reflections on neurodiversityWhen I was growing up, I was three years younger than my brother Benton. As I recall, I was more successful, outgoing, social, and focused. In daily life, things seemed to go more smoothly for me, while Benton often faced harsher criticism from our father, especially in school when he struggled to keep up and pass to the next grade. He was always in some special education or tutoring program. Once, my father sent him to a military school where he might get more discipline and better support to meet his learning and organizational needs. It turned out that, aside from experiencing more bullying and having the cookies and gifts my mother sent stolen, the only benefit he gained from his year there was a gray military-style uniform and a more stoic demeanor, having survived the experience.Fortunately, when he was older, he found some suitable jobs, including one where he worked with our older brother in construction, and later a position with the local government in construction-related work as a building inspector. He had to deal with some bullying and discrimination because he was different in his ways, but he was always friendly with others. He married and had two children, who I noticed struggled with some of the same learning and processing issues my brother experienced. Ironically, as I faced my challenges in achieving and entering my profession, I observed that many of the traits my brother had appeared in different degrees and forms throughout our family, including myself.I became increasingly interested in how people learn and process information, which seems to pose challenges to varying degrees in both children and adults. When they received a professional evaluation or diagnosis, it often fell short in helping to establish or meet educational or treatment needs, or in finding the best resources for their optimal benefit or skill development. Although there are broad differences across the population, some individuals have neurological variations that make learning, communication, and interactions with others more difficult. Brain neurological variations are categorized into diagnostic labels such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD), dyslexia, and others for purposes like research, classification, treatment protocols, and insurance billing.Understanding neurodiversity: definitions and originsThe term “neurodiversity” was coined by sociologist Judy Singer, who said that “we are all neurodiverse because no two humans on the planet are exactly the same.” Singer defines neurodiversity as the variation in how the human nervous system learns and processes information, which exists in everyone. The nervous system includes the biological brain, spinal cord, and nerves, all of which are constantly changing and influenced by external perceptual, sensory, and learning inputs.Importantly, the term “neurodiversity” is used as an advocacy term for the civil rights of individuals labeled with developmental, psychological, or medical conditions, as well as their allies. It recognizes all the interconnected factors that contribute to an advantage or disadvantage, but is not intended to define “Neurological Disability” or “Otherness” as diagnoses or genetic anomalies.1Landmark College defines neurodiversity as a social ideal rooted in biological fact. “The human brain is the most complex thing on Earth, and every brain is different. Instead of separating people into normal and abnormal, neurodiversity asks us to accept variation. To us, it means that autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities are valuable forms of humanity that enrich culture. New ideas, insights, and unique ways of viewing the world come from diverse minds. This is a strength. Brain-based diversity is a natural phenomenon that exists within our population, and it is not only beneficial but also essential for human progress.” Neurodivergence is an identity or expression, not a medical or psychological disorder or diagnosis. Neurodivergence can present itself as an exceptional talent, but can also be disabling for a person when a high degree of social, communication, and thought-processing issues exist.2Neurodivergence and its manifestationsA person can be born with or develop unique ways of learning and processing information, which determines how their brain and nervous system communicate and coordinate tasks essential for learning, memory, retrieving information, processing new sensory input, and creating functional patterns for specific uses. One example is the construction of a central narrative about the present, using memories of experiences—whether joyful or traumatic—to guide behavior with perceived meaning or purpose. The functioning brain can imagine a future story about what might be feared or avoided, as well as what could be anticipated for potential gratification or fulfilling an expected need. When the brain functions at a level that is both capable and adaptable within society, such a person may be well-suited for specialized roles and meet societal needs as highly qualified, information-based workers such as scientists, doctors, analysts, artists, or business entrepreneurs.Some subdivide the concept of neurodiversity into two categories: individuals who are considered “neurotypical” and have brain processing, functioning, and behavior that are average, typical, or standard, and those who are “neurodivergent,” meaning they process and function differently from the typical or average population. Without typical neural development or integration of visual-spatial memory skills, for example, individuals may tend to be less social, more isolative, and work-focused; yet, they still succeed in their expected roles.There are many labels and diagnoses used to describe variations in learning, information processing, memory, planning, or other observable characteristics. The extent to which traits, behaviors, or symptoms are present within a specific category of mental or brain functioning can indicate whether an individual has an advantage, a disadvantage, a disability, or the potential to excel in a particular career or social setting. I realized the reality of the neurodiversity concept when I noticed differences in myself and compared them with what I perceived as average or typical learning and information processing in others. Some excelled in their work, careers, and other vital aspects of life, while others struggled and faced disadvantages.I find visual-spatial learning difficulties (nonverbal processing issues) to be a challenge for myself, my family, many friends, and professional colleagues. Nonverbal learning disorders (NVLD) share some traits with ASD and ADHD. Still, more notably, they may experience unique challenges with motor skills, social skills, visual-spatial abilities, and related memory functions, which can impact social interactions, relationships, and brain processes involved in memory and concept formation. NVLD is currently being further researched and developed by a working group at Columbia University for inclusion in the upcoming DSM-6, the widely used diagnostic manual for medical, psychological, and research professionals. Its new name will be Developmental Visual-Spatial Disorder (DVSD).3Developmental visual-spatial disorder (DVSD): traits and challengesIndividuals who primarily learn and process information verbally, predominantly in left-brain regions, with less availability and support from visual-spatial processing and memory-related brain regions, generally recognize the drawbacks. Similar traits of DVSD are often seen in other family members. When there is a more substantial genetic influence, it can lead to significant dysfunction that requires support and intervention. In both children and adults, signs of Developmental Visual-Spatial Disorder (DVSD or formerly NVLD) may include:* Lack of fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil or tying shoelaces* Difficulties with physical coordination and gross motor skills, as awkwardness in sports activities* Challenges in inferencing, deduction, reasoning, and multitasking* Difficulties with math, using maps, and reading comprehension* Issues with understanding, reasoning, organizing, and remembering visual information related to physical objects and space* Lessened awareness of one’s position in space, which affects the body’s ability to move and perform, such as in navigating crowded areas, handwriting, and right-left perception* Struggles to visualize concepts, remember words, number series, or sequences, or solve problems that require visual-spatial skills, imagery, or memory* Challenges with organization, planning, attention, focus, working memory, and executive functioning* Executive functioning challenges that impact problem-solving, organizing thoughts, planning, and breaking down large projects into smaller tasks* Problems identifying the steps to start and complete a project* Difficulties with problem-solving, pattern recognition, and understanding information without sufficient verbal context* Trouble in organizing thoughts and concepts for planning, adapting, or transitioning to new situations* Issues with social skills, interaction, and communication because of difficulty interpreting body language or facial cues and emotions* Missing signals in social interactions can lead to out-of-context or inappropriate behavior or speech4Advantages of early recognition and interventionThere are crucial benefits to recognizing neurodiversities in early childhood learning. In such cases, interventions such as special education programs and tutoring can help the child develop better skills in areas that may be challenging in adult life, particularly in social interactions, communication, learning, and memory, leading to more adaptive functioning. Individuals with these early differences, without intervention, often spend a lot of energy trying to mask or hide their differences to fit in and avoid ostracism, bullying, or rejection.Many atypical development and connectivity patterns observed in brain areas during childhood often persist into adulthood, despite early interventions, and can pose challenges later on. The level of difficulty or adversity may depend on how well a person has adapted or found workarounds, as well as the extent of neuroatypicality, and the degree to which information learning and processing are affected. Research and advances in neuroscience, particularly concerning children’s development and education, are crucial. Breakthroughs and AI innovations will support both children and adults facing their unique needs and challenges associated with neurodiversity.Learning difficulties are often neurological in origin, affecting how the brain processes information and making it challenging for individuals to acquire basic skills such as reading, writing, and math. These challenges can also impact skills such as organization, time management, and abstract reasoning. Although the exact causes are unknown, potential contributing factors include neurological impairments, genetic influences, or conditions present before birth or during early childhood. Some early signs of learning and information processing difficulties in schoolchildren have been identified within the field of special education. Recognizing these signs allows for early detection, which helps minimize the adverse effects on a learner’s development through prompt remediation and intervention.Recognizing learning and information processing difficultiesThe indicators of learning difficulties vary and may include trouble following directions, issues with reading, handwriting, spelling, staying organized, and understanding math; difficulty remembering information, participating in classroom discussions, expressing thoughts aloud, poor coordination, slow acquisition of new skills, and inconsistent academic performance often with a gap between expected and actual results; difficulty listening, behavioral problems, and staying on task; poor adaptation to change, mispronouncing words, delayed speech development, and immature speech; as well as challenges with social skills, emotional regulation, and coping strategies. Importantly, a learning difficulty does not reflect a child’s intelligence or potential but shows that they process information and learn differently. Recognizing these signs helps parents and educators provide appropriate support and timely interventions.Lifelong adaptation and support strategiesAlthough learning challenges are often lifelong, numerous resources and effective teaching strategies can help children succeed, including special education services, personalized instruction, and targeted tutoring. An accurate diagnosis, which a licensed professional must make, involves meeting specific criteria and distinguishing learning difficulties and needs, such as issues with speech development, academic skills, coordination challenges, or behavioral problems. By staying informed and collaborating with skilled educators, parents can foster a supportive environment that enables their children to thrive and reach their full potential. Many of the difficulties or challenges mentioned above, whether early interventions are provided or not, may continue into adulthood. Early interventions are considered the best time to address and work on these issues, as the brain is in a state of heightened potential for learning and growth.5Artificial intelligence (AI), the age of computing, and automationArtificial intelligence programs, interventions, and similar tools are just as relevant and valuable to adults with persistent information processing and learning difficulties. AI programs have been beneficial when carefully selected and appropriately used to support individuals with special needs or those affected by any level of neurodiversity in learning and information processing. Neurotypical people who do not have issues also rely heavily on AI to complete tasks more efficiently and accurately. A grammar and spelling checker was used in writing this article to improve readability. Search engines helped find related articles and research studies. A timer on my computer was used to remind me to take strategic breaks.People are increasingly relying on AI for its many benefits and applications, such as completing more complex tasks, retrieving information, processing data, and building models for actionable projects. Overuse and dependence on AI could potentially cause the verbal, intellectual processing parts of the brain to become more dominant and overdeveloped. In contrast, other brain areas may weaken or become less effective contributors. This lack of integration with other vital brain regions can lead to over-specialization, limiting a person’s ability to adapt, similar to a factory worker who, before automation, put caps on bottles on an assembly line. Ironically, scientific advances in AI have driven industrialization and automation, resulting in highly specialized roles for many workers. As automation and AI advance rapidly, the demand for these skilled, specialized workers is decreasing.Artificial intelligence: friend or foe?The overuse of information seeking beyond our basic survival needs, for gaining power, dominance, or personal advantage over others—especially in an interdependent society and world—has the potential to lead to conflict and destruction. A very articulate neuroscientist researcher, psychiatrist, and philosopher, Dr. Iain McGilchrist, book The Master and his Emissary: the Divided Brain and Making of the Western World, sees our world’s populations evolving toward a society where people’s brains become more skewed toward verbal and intellectual processing by overzealously accumulating verbal and scholarly knowledge, resulting in brains that focus more on information gathering while losing integration and balance with the sensory and perceptive parts of the brain.6 These areas access our moment-to-moment presence, awareness of perceptual awareness, and connect us to our environment and collective consciousness. There may have been a greater balance and integration of mental and brain function in earlier periods and societies, such as during the Renaissance or in the ages of more peaceful and productive communities. Of course, with the rapid advancement of AI, the trend toward more specialized brains, along with the conflicting societal pressures to conform, may be our current path, for better or worse.A 2020 study of London cab drivers reveals a potential decline in hippocampus function, a crucial brain region responsible for memory and spatial navigation. It is also among the first areas to deteriorate in Alzheimer’s disease. The research shows that people who regularly engage in complex, real-time navigation—such as London taxi drivers—have stronger hippocampal structures and lower rates of Alzheimer’s-related illnesses compared to those who solely rely on GPS. The study suggests that challenging the brain through frequent spatial navigation may help build cognitive reserve and potentially reduce the risk of dementia. On the other hand, heavy reliance on GPS or other AI technologies seems to weaken spatial memory, even in individuals who were once skilled navigators. This underuse of the hippocampus may diminish its resilience to age-related decline.The implication is that overdependence on specific AI programs could have disadvantages, as it may reduce the stimulation and activity of brain areas vital for maintaining optimal function, health, and balance. In preventive medicine, it has been shown that actively exercising both body and mind promotes health and longevity, as evidenced by the decline in health among individuals with sedentary lifestyles and limited physical activity. Therefore, practicing navigational skills may help preserve brain health and potentially ward off Alzheimer’s disease, just as other health-promoting activities are encouraged.7Preventive strategies and lifestyle considerationsThere is a potential that overuse or dependence on specific current AI programs over time could lead to increased social isolation among users. These individuals might be better served or could serve society and our survival as an interdependent collective through alternative types of training and lifestyle changes, such as meditation and mindfulness, nutrition, exercise, social group programs, or AI programs that support the interactive needs essential for individual well-being and societal health. I appreciate your interest. For the complete article with references, click here Please share this with others. Thanks to Shan Parks, editor and project manager, for his valuable contributions and editing. All content is created and published for educational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical services or guidance. Always consult healthcare providers for medical or mental health concerns. This communication does not constitute medical diagnoses, recommendations, treatment, or endorsements. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

The significant contributions of talented neurodiverse individuals and their vital role as leaders in both the development and ethical use of AI for the betterment of all humanity are acknowledged. Several innovative applications are discussed that have the potential to benefit us all, particularly the neurodiverse community and individuals with visual-spatial memory challenges.A video interview with Derek Crager, founder of Practical AI and an enlightened AI scientist and developer, is particularly relevant today, during a time of concern about AI’s rapid growth, finding its most beneficial applications, and potential misuses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Welcome to Mind Wise, a video podcast and newsletter that presents holistic mental health, healthcare, and wellness perspectives and information. I am your host, Ron Parks, MD, writer, teacher, and consultant. The following audio podcast is about a family in turmoil over the treatment of their son, diagnosed with ADHD, and the tough choices. Dr. Parks shares his experience and what the research suggests as the best options. Careful evaluation is vital in getting to the root of the problems, triggers, or influences for the best treatment. The downside of defining an individual with a label or diagnosis is that opportunities for successful interventions and comprehensive treatment can be missed. The confusion between DVSD (developmental visual–spatial disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and ASD (autism spectrum disorder) is discussed for your understanding and finding the best approach to treatment. Developmental visual–spatial disorder understanding and future research may bring the best help in prevention, early life interventions, and better treatments.For full transcript go to: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Promise of Substack's Mental Health Revolution is an astonishing former French Buddhist monk, teacher, meditation teacher, and lifestyle medicine advocate who has thoroughly studied ancient wisdom, scientific research, and psychology and developed a simple wellness practice for busy people that is extremely valuable for health and well-being in these challenging times. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Audio Podcast Click Above:Video Podcast Click Below:Script for Video and Audio Podcast:Welcome to the Mind Wise Video podcast, which presents holistic mental health, healthcare, and wellness perspectives and information. I am your host, Ron Parks, MD writer, teacher, and consultant.RP: Today’s video podcast is about:Collaboration: friend or foe in making critical choices?What is the cure for indecisiveness in personal, business, or political matters?There is, I believe, an art to being more decisive. It requires developing your innate inner resources and collaboration with trusted others. What follows are several personal vignettes and discussions to highlight what to consider and do to be better guided when making important choices.Mentoring or biased advice? Recently, in a conversation with my adult son, I wanted to better understand the benefits versus the risks of collaboration with others during times of challenge and indecision. My son was in throngs of indecision about whether to return to graduate school. As a parent, one often finds oneself in the problematic place of wanting to give advice but knowing that if taken by your child, you might get blamed if things go awry and may not have supported their growth of self-confidence and independence. Our conversation concerned the value of my son calling and collaborating with his graduate school educators about what they were offering regarding courses and support. Doing so would help him better assess if returning would be in his best interest. But is seeking help or collaboration from others always the best consideration?Making a discerning choice between two or more options is sometimes fraught with the potential of being misguided. Psychologists have called it a double bind when one gets stuck in not knowing which way to go, creating fear of the consequence of a possible poor choice. We all face these dilemmas and indecisive movements that may become protracted with undo worry and evolve into despair and health breakdown—physical, mental, and spiritual—with the loss of zest for living, ability for adaptive change, or thriving. Also, during times of challenge, our awareness of our human limitations and vulnerability comes to the forefront, and we can only know what we have learned with an occasional intuitive glimpse at future possibilities. With age and wisdom, at least to me, it has become apparent that help is often available by reaching out to others.Collaboration with others may be easier for some than others. Ease with social communication can vary widely from person to person. Someone who has experienced significant trauma from others might be more reluctant to be trustful. Some may uniquely function best and express their talents by working alone, without pressure or distractions. An example would be those with a talented genetic predisposition to work and perform better when they can maximize their concentration without distraction from their environment or social interaction. People with such neurodiversity can be the best researchers, analysts, tech specialists, physicians, mechanics, artists, and other fields requiring exceptional intellectual ability to combine diverse data and elements for unique solutions for complex problems."Going from the frying pan into the fire when adversity prompted flight—perhaps the best I could do, considering the circumstances."When I was young, in the earlier phases of my medical specialty training, I started in a residency graduate program at one of the prestigious institutions in the Midwest. I felt fortunate and privileged to get into what I thought was such an outstanding program. A relative of my wife was a leading neurosurgeon in our city and spoke highly of the program and how it got his career off to a successful start. Coming from a modest, industrious family with few members who had gotten medical, graduate, or college degrees, it was a big jump for me. I had trepidation about getting accepted into such a well-known residency training that was quite rigorous and demanding.The day before I left with my wife for our new destination in a midwestern city, I met an older physician who had been in the same program that I was to begin. When I brought up proudly that I was going to start there also, he became upset, with a lot of expressed anger toward his former training program. He said the pressure there was immense, triggering intense anxiety and difficulty sleeping and focusing, to the point where he went to the psychiatry department there for some help. According to him, he was immediately dismissed when the residency program discovered it. He had to return home and restart his career and training at a local institution.So, whatever my trepidation or fear, they increased maybe 1000% before I left for my new training opportunity. Earlier in my career, I had some difficulty with anxiety and occasional panic attacks, which I thought I had learned to manage.When my wife and I arrived in the quiet, conservative, midwestern town home to my new internal medicine residency, we were well received and befriended by another physician on the faculty there and his family from our hometown area. I admired him and his work in preventive medicine and research and thought this might be an area for me to pursue. A rigorous schedule began for me, including night calls, and I felt the stress with mounting anxiety and increasing irritable bowel symptoms, especially as I was on the run all the time and grabbing snacks. I did not realize then how gluten-sensitive I was.It was a time when I could have received some wise counseling or guidance beyond the small circle of friends that my wife and I had. Of course, I was terrified of what the older former trainee, previously at the same institution, had told me about being dismissed from the program when he reached out for help. Also, several of my fellow physicians were up in arms about the weaknesses and abuse they felt from the program. The faculty physician I knew there was a way on a sabbatical. So, as I thought I had to be resourceful, I needed to seek a better situation on my own.With my wife's support, I got on the phone. I called some of the top Master of Public Health and Preventive Medicine programs on the East and West Coast. I thought I would pursue an academic career as the physician I befriended on the current program faculty. One physician I reached was the head of the Preventive Medicine Program at UCLA in Los Angeles. He was amazed that I called at that moment, and when he heard of my plight, he said that he had just gotten a grant for a new training position and asked how soon I could transition out there.My wife and I pulled together in the fantastic collaboration we have had in a short amount of time. I resigned from the residency program. I told them about my acceptance into the new program and my desire to attend. The residency program director said they had 200 other resident trainees and could accommodate me for the new position. We got a rental truck, packed all our belongings, and got to Los Angeles in two weeks.When we arrived, I was warmly greeted by my new boss and head of department at UCLA. As he could not get me a paycheck immediately, he reached into his pocket and gave us cash to tide us over for a few days. I felt immediately at home and well-supported. But the quick transition would take a toll on my psyche that I could not have expected.From the beginning, I found things disappointing in the new program, such as lacking the content, structure, and training I had expected. I fretted I had not given enough consideration to my choice by not doing enough investigation or consulting others. I felt increasingly anxious, with my thoughts racing to find some helpful solutions, and I had difficulty relaxing or sleeping. Venting with the calming influence of my wife or talking with close friends in the area did not help. I felt terrified and insecure that maybe I had ruined my career with an impulsive decision.I knew I had to seek help, so I took a deep breath and made an appointment with a psychiatrist in the student health program.Once I had reached out for help, I felt some relief. It was my great fortune that the person assigned to me was very understanding, humanistic, and listened with compassion. She astutely observed that I was more angry than anxious, probably with myself, but mainly with the program for not meeting my expectations, especially with my prior training and academic background. The psychiatrist was not arrogant, didn't label me or pigeonhole me into some diagnosis to medicate me, but was there to allow me some space and time for insight with her collaboration and support. I felt understood and validated. I almost immediately felt clarification of my dilemma and the direction to take. Most importantly, I felt relief from my worry and anxiety.It was a one-session wonder, as I felt quickly back to normal. The door remained open if I needed to talk more in the future. The psychiatrist was a role model for me when I went into psychiatry later in my career. Also, my long-time friend, Jay, suggested a part-time clinical job at the LA County Hospital emergency room where he was training, the busiest hospital emergency room in the country. Re-engaging in some clinical work was very helpful and grounding.Getting in touch with my feelings, especially anger, helped me get unstuck and act. Almost directly, I went to my new program's faculty and the head of the department, where I vehemently expressed my concern and disappointment. With my assertiveness, additions, and modifications occurred, making the program more workable and valuable to my needs. It became an excellent program for me and helped to launch my career in areas suitable for my interests and talents.Perhaps it is a lengthy story, but it makes a point about the value of collaboration, seeking help and guidance at critical junctures when feeling overwhelmed, where two heads might be better than isolation in your reasoning. There are two sides, the positive and negative, of advice, influence, and collaboration with others, as indeed, in some situations, it can be counterproductive or even destructive. There is always the danger of losing one's agency, free will, or inner integrity when under the unhealthy influence of significant others.In today's world, the risk of dependence on trusting others who are strong influencers that can affect our choices, decisions, and life directions is especially critical as it is a time of the growth of the media and the power of influential people that use self-serving propaganda such as seen in cults, and ideological or political movements. Some even depend on AI search engines or programs like Google for information or guidance, which can be misleading or erroneous.  The paradox of my favorite mentor's advice is to "never give anyone advice."In the early years of my training, one of my best-loved mentors, Sam, gently guided me in the art of listening and allowing the other person to find their inner voice, perspective, purpose, and meaning. When I had to leave and move onto a new city and program, he warmly embraced me and, with a smirk, teasingly told me his last clinical pearl was never to give anyone advice. The role of an advisor, therapist, teacher, or expert in his field, as I learned from my favorite mentor, Sam, was to be an excellent, compassionate listener and collaborator, to allow the space for insight, learning, and healing to occur through healthy dialogue and collaboration.Evaluating the value or potential risks of choosing a different path based on the influence of another.It may be hard to judge choices influenced by others until time has passed and we can better assess the impact of a critical decision at a vital life juncture. I remember when I was early in college, under stress, adjusting to the challenge of my new, demanding life situation. I befriended and maybe came under the influence of a more senior student who had left school for a couple of years to study and live at an Israeli kibbutz. He said the experience had changed his life. He started working with me on how I could access and sign up for the same program he did.I became enamored with the idea and romance of getting out, or perhaps escaping from my early college challenges, dropping out and going abroad. I shared my dilemma with one of my older, admired brothers on a visit home. He was aghast at my thought of doing so as we came from a very modest, hard-working family, where opportunities for education and career were a luxury available to a few of us.Our dialogue or collaboration sobered me and made me reflect on the pros and cons of not completing the educational track I had started because of deep fears of not being good enough to succeed in a traditional academic track. I stayed the course. It all led to my career and work, which has been gratifying. I cannot say that at my current age, that time will tell, or if it's worth having any lingering regrets that the other path would have been a better life choice.Collaboration with a trusted other prevented me from falling under the unsavory influence of a famous yoga guru.Another time, when I was a year away from completing my medical residency, I became fascinated with yoga and the holistic culture of wellness. I studied when the opportunity arose with a well-known and esteemed yoga teacher and guru who had established quite a following. Some of his followers invited us to a retreat in the mountains of Pennsylvania. There was a strong flavor of merriment, celebration, the awe of the teacher and what he represented, spiritual openness, and admiration for exotic organic, healthy food, movement classes, and exercise, including yoga and meditation practices. I felt intoxicated by him and was excited to be invited to his quarter for a meeting. The excitement made my head spin a little. He was establishing a more significant holistic yoga-oriented health center in the mountains on his large retreat-like center property. He offered me a cottage for free where my wife and I could live if I left the current medical residence training. I would not be paid for my professional services there and would only receive room and board for my wife and me. Also, I would be one of his trainees and disciples.I felt special and excited and told him I would consider it. I left his cottage on the hill and descended the well-kept and flowery path down to the bottom retreat site, feeling euphoric and giddy. My wife joined me on the path, and I excitedly told her the story. My wife has always been my most valued confidant and collaborator when faced with hard choices. In a few words, she deflated the influence of the highly esteemed yoga guru or perhaps a cult leader. I do not remember Jan's exact words, but they might have been, "'Are you crazy?' 'You are only one year from completing your specialty training.'" My trust and openness to her collaboration brought me back to a more sensible reality, which she had done more than a few times at critical junctures during our marriage. These were times when I was more challenged by inner conflicts and turmoil and not totally in touch with the larger perspective. With time, do I regret my choice to continue my career path? Here, not at all, as I incorporated much of my learning from my later developed work and teachings in holistic and integrative medicine. Tips and Points to Ponder:1. Realize the importance of collaboration with others.But always be aware of being overly influenced by another with an agenda that may not be in your best interest. Advice givers often have biased opinions that do not always support the most beneficial or ideal choices for you. Avoid getting entrapped by your or another's logic, shallow perspective, and partial or rigid thinking. With more openness, input, or feedback from your intuition, inner wisdom, sensibility, or trusted others, and outside resources, you can gain greater perspective and flexibility and find better options to make discerning choices.2. Develop the art of accessing the mind and consciousness's wise, intuitive, and rational aspects.Establish ease in moving to an inner peaceful place where clear-minded reflection is possible, away from a turbulent or overthinking mind, worrying, configuring, constructing, planning, strategizing, etc. The ability to move to that quiet place of reflection comes naturally for some, and others require practice and study by oneself or with a teacher. The benefits are immense and perhaps essential for mental, spiritual, and physical health, balance, and well-being. Thanks for your interest in the above article. Please share with others.I appreciate your interest; your ideas and comments are welcome. Please share with others. A special thanks to Shan Parks, editor and project manager for ParksPress, for his invaluable collaboration in developing and editing the final article.Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com. All content is created and published for educational purposes only. It should not be considered as a substitute for professional or medical services or guidance. Always seek your healthcare provider’s care regarding medical or mental health conditions. This communication is not intended to provide medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Thank you.---For the complete article and other information about Dr. Parks and his work, and the article: go to https://parksmd.com/collaboration-friend-or-foe-in-making-critical-choices/Go to https://parksmd.com/scheduling/ for help setting up or improving your holistic program for mental and physical health and well-being. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

For video or audio-only podcasts, click on your choice above to view or listen only.Transcript:Welcome to the Mind Wise Video podcast, which presents holistic mental health, healthcare, and wellness perspectives and information. I am your host, Ron Parks, MD writer, teacher, and consultant. A link to the entire presentation and article, with recommendations and references, is at the bottom of the transcript below.Is there value in taking nutrition supplements in a holistic health program?In today's fast-paced world, prioritizing our health and well-being is vital. The pros and cons of taking nutritional supplements are often prominent topics for the health-conscious and concerned. The arising issues are worth exploring, especially with all the confusing information. Supplement use is for a variety of reasons or needs. Examples of reasons or rationales for use might be for the seeking of health assurance, as an aid in recovery from illness, protection from unknown disease risk, gaining the edge in physical performance, or the search perhaps for invisibility or to counter our fears of our human vulnerability to health challenges.Holistic health practitioners advocate for a balanced lifestyle with an optimal nutritional program to ensure the body receives the nutrients for optimal functioning and health protection. A healthy diet is essential for good health, considering that sometimes extra support is required with nutritional supplements to bridge any nutritional gaps or lack. In this article, I will share my experience and perspective on the need, if any, for high-quality dietary supplements and whether their use has value or merit.My introduction and fascination with health and nutrition:My exposure to the ideas about nutrition and the value of vitamins began when I was a small child when the marketing of food products was prominent on the radio and in the early days of TV, with the fortification of bread products with vitamins or minerals, or the promotion of orange juice for being rich in vitamin C, or vitamin D and calcium for strong bones in milk products. I remember one product that was a powder fortified with vitamins that you mixed with milk. It made a chocolate-like drink that didn't taste good for my taste buds, even with its significant promotion in the media and on one of my favorite kid's shows. The same was true of a mixed vegetable drink promoted to bring considerable health benefits. The idea and selling points were that exposure to more vitamins and minerals, as in concentrated vegetables or fruit drinks, would bring substantial health and growth benefits, perhaps make you an outstanding athlete, or protect you from the common cold and flu.During a sweltering summer when I was a pre-teen, in the years before the polio vaccine, I came down with high fevers, headaches, and a stiff neck. My pediatrician knew right away that I had developed a form of polio, polio meningitis, and was sent immediately to the city children's hospital. After a meticulous evaluation, including a painful spinal tap, I was hospitalized with a diagnosis of post-polio meningitis but luckily recovered after 2–3-week hospitalization, with no residual symptoms as the feared paralyzes that left many with severe disabilities with loss of limb use. The severely affected died even with the use of sophisticated equipment of the day, such as artificial lungs for respiratory support. In the hospital, I was exposed to dietitians, nutritionists, physical therapists, and a slew of other medical and health-oriented people to optimize my recovery from the dreaded virus and regain my strength. I was fascinated by it all, and of course, it was a significant early life experience that strongly influenced me toward my medical career. The value and emphasis on nutrition, physical exercise, warm heat packs, hot baths in a heated pool, and the holistic approach to healing stuck with me and influenced my career direction.Later in medical school, I was always fascinated with the early courses on nutrition and illness which occurred because of vitamin or mineral deficiencies, such as rickets when there is a lack of vitamin D and calcium, or scurvy when there is insufficient Vitamin C, and illness from vitamin, B12 or folic acid insufficiency. I was always amazed at how treatment or improvement occurred with corrections to nutrition. Nutritionists and dietitians were always part of the treatment teams when I worked in hospitals throughout my early career. Commonly, we would prescribe vitamin supplements or add nutritional additives to intravenous (IV) infusions or provide vitamin, mineral, or protein-fortified drinks to boost nutrition and provide support when bowel and digestive function was compromised. Nutrition education about dietary and nutritional choices was a part of the patient's hospital treatment to assist the patient in making good food choices and serving them what was considered a balanced diet.When practicing, I had the opportunity to work with a prominent MD interested in nutrition, who researched the literature on the application of nutrition to support health and recovery from illness. He later published a compendium of his work in a textbook for holistic medical doctors and practitioners that was well received. He was also a proponent of IV nutrition support and nutritional supplements when indicated. So, I became interested and a proponent of using nutritional support when it felt of a need and value, which I integrated into my holistic approach to helping others and myself.Understanding Supplements: Clearing Common MisconceptionsMany areas in medicine, such as studying the value of supplements, where we would like to find conclusive research evidence of benefits, are often lacking because of the complexity of the research issue, considerable variation in individual unique characteristics, and uncontrollable influencing factors, or simply lack of interest or a large amount of funding needed to do a complex study.Supplements often get a poor reputation, with many misconceptions surrounding their use. It's essential to clear these misconceptions and understand the actual role of supplement use in our overall health. Supplements do not replace a balanced diet but complement it by filling in potential nutritional gaps. Professionally and ethically formulated nutritional products have the proper concentrations and forms of nutrients to ensure that they are better absorbed and utilized. However, choosing high-quality supplements, rigorously tested for purity and potency, is essential.Taking supplements based on research and observational studies is often not as conclusive as we would like them to be or as marketers would like to suggest. Unfortunately, much of our behavior in taking nutritional products comes from our belief and faith that supplement use has real value. Many people derive what they know about nutrition and supplements from unreliable or misleading marketing material and advertising from supplement suppliers, businesses, and manufacturers. However, if you have decided that supplement taking is beneficial for your needs and trust the sources of your information, have done your research, or have felt the benefit of using supplements, it may be a wise choice.I have pulled a few studies from nutritional literature to show the implications of some available studies. There are many studies in nutritional literature. Suppose you pull examples like those referenced below. Generally, they support the idea that dietary supplements may improve the nutritional state and reduce malnutrition in specific populations, such as geriatric patients and people with specific or chronic conditions.Debunking Myths: Quality vs QuantityOne common misconception is that taking more supplements will lead to better health. However, the key lies in the quality of the supplements we choose, not the quantity. Also, discerning choice is required when selecting supplements with a track record based on research, demonstrating benefit in the areas where we seek improvement or prevention. High-quality supplements contain the proper form and amount of active ingredients to optimize absorption and utilization. Low-quality supplements may contain fillers, additives, or nutrient forms that are not easily absorbed, rendering them less effective or potentially harmful in the long run.It's not about how many pills we take or our beliefs, but critically about what's inside the pills, the formulation, and the quality of the active ingredients. You must ultimately decide if the supplement is beneficial based on positive experiences and observed health improvement, recovery, or prevention. Whether you are a believer or scientist, quality over quantity should be a priority when you take supplements. Today, we often hear of illness when foods or processed nutritional products appear with contaminants, such as lead and arsenic, and where illness or worse occurs. Then, there is a widespread recall of contaminated products or processed foods. Also, reports will suggest that harm occurs when there is too much of a particular ingredient or a formulation is not well formulated, balanced, or lacks adequate quality control.Navigating Through Deceptive MarketingThe supplement industry has many products that make grandiose claims without substantial scientific evidence to back them up. It's essential to look beyond the marketing hype and do your research. When choosing supplements, it is worthwhile to examine the company and the product, looking for transparency in ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, and third-party testing. Trustworthy brands are usually upfront about their products, providing clear information and evidence of their supplement's efficacy. Educating yourself is the best defense against deceptive marketing and the first step towards finding supplements that support health and have valid reasons for taking them.High-quality supplements have a better potential to boost or support health by providing nutrients in the right amounts and forms that may be difficult to get from diet alone or poor-quality supplements. High-quality supplements would be wise for individuals with specific health conditions or dietary restrictions. For example, a high-quality omega-3 supplement can support heart health and cognitive function, areas where these fatty acids play a crucial role and are needed.Holistic Approach to Supplement UseAs a holistic health practitioner, and my journey in his discovery about the importance of nutrition, I have accepted the value of supplementation in my personal health program and support the use of supplements in others where they might offer benefit, especially when there is the desire for combining their use with a well-structured holistic health program. My journey with supplements began when I faced my own health challenges, such as developing a life-threatening viral illness, polio, as a child. As an adult putting myself through the rigors of athletic competition, as with my swimming, I felt my endurance and recovery benefited, as well as my overall health and longevity. I believe I avoided many health issues that besieged my peers. I lost an older brother to the ravages of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as other significant family members who very well might have had a longer life and aged more gracefully. In striving to maintain the best nutrition possible with a holistic health program, I felt generally more energetic, had better sleep, and had a more robust immune system. My personal experience sparked a passion for understanding and sharing the benefits of a vital nutrition program that might include nutritional supplementation.Many individuals invest in ineffective products when ill-advised or misled by misinformation and misleading marketing, when sought or used to address a health need better addressed in other ways, or when a more comprehensive program needs consideration.ConclusionIncorporating high-quality supplements into one's daily routines and a holistic health program can enhance the journey toward optimal health and wellness. You can make wise, informed choices by dispelling common misconceptions and discovering the potential benefits of supplements for your health and specific needs. Always use a reputable supplier that carries and makes available the highest quality professional-grade supplement company products, educational materials, and support.For the complete presentation and article with recommendations, references, and information about the supplier Dr. Parks uses for quality, professional-grade supplements, go to https://parksmd.com/is-there-value-in-taking-nutrition-supplements/. Click here.I appreciate your interest; your ideas and comments are welcome. Please share with others. Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com. All content is created and published for educational purposes only. It should not be considered as a substitute for professional or medical services or guidance.Always seek care from your healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health conditions. This communication is not intended to provide medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Thank you.For suggestions or help to set up or improve your holistic program for our mental and physical health and well-being. To schedule a personal session with Dr. Parks, go to https://parksmd.com/scheduling/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Welcome to the Mind Wise podcasts, which present holistic mental health, health care, and wellness perspectives and information. I am your host, Ron Parks, M.D., writer, teacher, and consultant.Today’s topic is: An “Ensurance Plan” for healthy aging, productivity, and vitality or how to structure a practical and sensible plan to maintain or enhance physical and mental health, longevity, and well-being?There are reasonable choices for promoting health and longevity and preventing future disease and disability.Scientific research studies of those who have aged successfully and been productive for many more years than the average have shown that similar achievable benefits are possible for others. You might wonder why more people are not following or ignoring beneficial choices. The finding that most don’t heed the growing knowledge and wisdom about living longer with more years of vitality and productivity is perplexing for most medical people, caregivers, and well-intentioned medical researchers and social scientists who continue to uncover remarkable findings.I was contemplating where to start my article on health and longevity. While pacing in my warm, cozy basement office, perplexed, I spotted across the room on one of my bookshelves a closed blue and gold patterned box with a colorful oriental motif.Kia’s profound giftI remembered the warm and valued friendship I had with a chef and Chinese restaurant owner who was attending a course on macrobiotic nutrition, food choices, and cooking in the majestic western Massachusetts mountains. It was a popular trend then, and I was interested in exploring health alternatives. It was a valuable experience, but I mostly appreciated it because I met a new valued friend. As I remember, Kai first appeared as a happy and healthy man, perhaps in his early forties, lovingly supportive, inspiring to all he encountered, and a joy to be around, especially for my wife and me.Kai was always devoted to the practices of the program’s well-known authority and primary teacher. He had the hope of gaining some improvement or reversal of a condition he had, of which I was unaware. Towards the end of the course, Kai was having some difficulty breathing and asked me to drive him down the mountain to the local hospital emergency room. Even though he was frightened by his discomfort, he embraced his plight as something he could overcome. He was confident that he could find the way to the best of his abilities and his traditional and naturally oriented way of life and self-care. We talked, sharing some of our deepest thoughts and convictions. There was a bond and a deep feeling of friendship in our urgent journey down the mountain to whatever his felt destiny was to be.Kai told me that a tumor, small at first, was growing in his chest. He and his family have been following natural ways of supporting health and well-being for generations. He felt his path was his own and his choices would be the best for him. Once at the hospital, an x-ray showed a round cancerous growth interfering with his breathing. They recommended hospitalization and surgery and the treatments of the day. I encouraged him to at least consider. Kai was firm to continue his path and choices and returned to the program’s last days. We embraced when he left, and he gave me one of his prized possessions, two colorful, decorated metallic Chinese therapy balls that played musical tones when you rolled them in your hands. I tried to decline such an unexpected and generous gift. But he insisted in his warm and charming way.I appreciated and accepted it as a special remembrance of our friendship and our time pursuing our mutual interest in health and longevity. These crafted wonders were not only charming but reputedly of value for their therapeutic, meditative, and relaxation enhancement. Kia’s wife informed me he died later that year, feeling true to himself, fulfilled, and peaceful. I can’t judge him for not taking the path and medical advice I probably would have. Apparently, something deeper influenced his choices, possibly that his survival wouldn’t have benefited from the intervention recommended.The flow of life, influences, challenges, and choicesWith the warm remembrance of my friend, I picked the Chinese therapy balls up out of their colorful box, rolled them gently in my hands with the sweet tones emanating from the interior of the hollowed spheres, and thought about the flow of life and the constant changes and challenges that confront us. I was reminded of the powerful influences that affect our choices. We hope our decisions will alter our destinies and counter the influences of past poor “karmic” choices and actions. Then, I launched into my writing with a respectful reverence for the topic and acknowledgment of the limitation of what we think we know and what is unknowable and that any decisions we make may be more consequential than what is in our awareness.The reality remains that while some of these valuable interventions for healthy life and longevity might be obvious, understandable, and doable for some, the beneficial interventions are the lowest priority and focus for many others. Unfortunately, most either reject or don’t know or are prevented from acting on healthy alternatives because of socioeconomic factors, lack of resources, and education. Unduly influenced by others is a significant factor driven by false information and the marketing of unhealthy but enticing consumer goods, such as those that contribute to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.Even when there has been a severe social and economic disadvantage, poverty, affliction by disease, disability from injuries, or illness related to family genetics, some people have, against the disadvantages, optimized their time alive with life-sustaining and enhancing choices. Studying the actions taken when there has been obvious benefit has been worthwhile in finding and documenting the best alternatives for those with unfortunate circumstances, high risks, and challenges.Choosing the best options for mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual healthThe positive health and longevity choices, at least to the best of current knowledge and scientific investigation, stem from studies and research in specific illnesses and significant public health issues, as in the work on preventing medical illness, cardiovascular, heart disease, mental decline, and degenerative brain disease. When specific degenerative health conditions are carefully examined, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, valuable health interventions often apply and are beneficial to other mental, emotional, and physical forms of illness, where there is a loss of capacity and vitality at a younger age than expected.Many areas of investigation have given insights and clues into the matter of choosing the best alternative to relieve pain and suffering, optimize health and longevity, and help recovery from illness or substance use difficulties. Two current areas of interest may highlight strategies shown in scientific investigation and clinical reports that could answer what many seek as alternatives for prevention and maintaining healthy aging, working capacity, and vitality. The first would be from the ameliorative and preventative approaches that have shown benefits in substance use disorder and the deadly overdose problem in opioid use disorders. The brain’s addictive propensities are an essential part of the conversation, especially in terms of behaviors that are a detriment to our health and well-being. Understanding substance abuse and addictive behavior might also illuminate why we have destructive habits and don’t follow or make wiser decisions.[i]Using opioids has grown beyond medical use for pain management to abusive use of derivatives such as heroin and fentanyl, now morphed into an epidemic of overdose deaths. The second would be the preventive strategies shown in current medical research and clinical studies for the dreaded degenerative and debilitating illnesses that afflict the brain and nervous system. Alzheimer’s disease, for example, is a common cause of loss of brain function, cognitive impairment, memory loss, and dementia.[ii]Looking at causation in Alzheimer’s and substance abuse disorders, there are usually some inherited or genetic factors, as with the discovery of other family members with similar impairments or illnesses. A person can have the genes or propensities for one of these disabling illnesses that compromise longevity and quality of life. Still, they don’t occur or express themselves unless there is some trigger, such as something a person might do or not do, such as a chemical or substance exposure or something present or lacking in lifestyle as too much stress or not taking part in beneficial activities.Family geneticsI was first exposed to the idea of family genetics or inheritance when I was fourteen years old when my Uncle Jack walked me to the back of a Baltimore cemetery during a funeral for a family member. He showed me the tombstone of my grandfather.My uncle says, “Pay attention to how the tombstone is tilted far to the left. It is a reminder that your grandfather was a drunk and made all our lives miserable, especially after he deserted my mother and all of us kids. Your father was the oldest and, at fourteen years old, had to take a dangerous job in shipyards to help support the family.” Genetic research has shown that there is a propensity for succeeding generations to have a higher propensity for developing alcohol use disorders. A more immediate adverse impact occurs on the children and family when one or both parents have alcohol use disorder, as documented by health care and social scientists.My dad certainly had his emotional struggles to grow into adulthood and independence because of his early childhood traumas related to his alcoholic father, as did his brothers and sisters. Dad rarely talked about it.Geneticists call triggers or influences that turn on a gene’s action and expression or occurrence of the disease epigenetic factors. I’ve certainly seen in my medical career when very aggressive cancer occurred after a person became weakened by several significant stresses, life setbacks, and losses. Of course, there are many unexpected diseases, some at an earlier age than expected, where there is no family history, genetic propensities, or identifiable lifestyle issue. So, we continue to observe, monitor, measure, and make predictions and provide the best-studied strategies and recommendations to prevent or lessen pain, suffering, and disease. I realize, with humility, that our medical science is far from knowing all that will be knowable in the future. However, I feel strongly that preventable strategies are essential to consider, given the significant advancement of our knowledge, wisdom, and research.Strategies for preventionSuccessful strategies for prevention and amelioration (recovery, improvement, or reduction in pain or suffering or disability) that are evidence-based on research and population studies for specific illnesses and disabilities have cross applications and shown successes in other related and non-related conditions. From such information, it is possible to develop a more extensive personal overall program focusing on vital specific actions that are doable for the individual and necessary to build a comprehensive prevention strategy. A developed program would also give “ensurance” or confidence in the future that preventing adverse conditions or improving or recovering from existing medical, emotional, or mental health problems would be highly likely.Tips and Points to Ponder for disease prevention, optimizing health, longevity, and recovery:An “ensurance plan”1.   I have an older brother who spent most of his career developing and running an insurance agency. I understood that insurance products were like a safety net for providing financial help after an accident, injury, or death. Insurance products or contracts protect someone from future losses, such as damage, theft, illness, or death, in exchange for a premium payment. The concept of an insurance plan can be re-imagined and applied to developing a personal “ensurance plan” to ensure a better, healthy future. Such an undertaking is best accomplished in collaboration with someone experienced in preventive and holistic health care. Working collaboratively with a skilled and knowledgeable other can be a way out of being stuck in counterproductive ideas and habitual responses that contribute to future premature decline or persisting relapses of a current or reoccurring condition;2.   I like the idea of an “ensurance plan.” The term ensurance is preferred, as it implies ensuring that an outcome would most likely occur, be achieved, or become a reality. Insurance generally refers to a policy, program, or contract that provides financial protection against certain risks. Ensurance implies making sure that something is protected or safe. In the insurance industry, ensurance can denote measures taken to ensure something is done correctly or to safeguard against potential problems related to risk management and safety[iii];3.   Ensurance strategies, as I conceive it, would include a macro and micro level. The macro level, for example, would comprise activities you would like to add, remove, or lessen that you are doing or have done in the past that have been beneficial and that you would like to continue in a consistent program.A. Macro-level activities or areas for consideration are:a. Spiritual practices—such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, tai chi, loving-kindness, and gratitude; b. Insight, dream, or other journaling for reflection and insight;c. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, nutrition, support and social network, and career work fulfillment; d. Activities in place that can be accessible to ensure care and protection when triggers or compounding situations arise and relapse is a concern, such as having a regular therapist, 12-step programs with a sponsor, social and nurturing, therapeutic safety net available, recreational, sports programs, groups, or retreat or residential program to get respite and recovery away from overload or toxic situation. e. An important caveat is that in developing a successful and enduring plan, it may mean, rather than adding activities and practices, to eliminate or reduce the many things already felt as necessary that contribute to overload or overwhelm, which are unnecessary, non-essential, life draining pursuits—so less, sometimes very much less, might be the key. With careful selection and discernment, one will discover what is most vital for sustaining, recovery, and thriving.B. Micro Adjustments: a. What areas seem problematic or areas that need fine tuning: environmental sensitives, nutrition, restorative sleep, exercise, and recreation program;b. Areas that need more consistency or to be addressed, such as family, children, and disruptive situations;c. Keep a daily record for self-monitoring, reflection, and insight - pick four items, such as sleep, mood, exercise, journaling insight, gratitude, breath work, or meditation practices. Rate each chosen item daily: 1 to 4 (25% of optimal, best intentions, or efforts to 100% or optimal).4. An ensurance program would intend to put a protective framework or mechanisms in place to ensure you have the proper resources, reserve, and support when unanticipated events or triggers occur. When adequately applied, the person might avoid future ill health and disability, premature aging, and loss of vitality and functional capacity. With relapse or recurrence of illness and its telltale symptoms, such as seen in a sensitive, over-reactive, or vulnerable nervous system, such as seen in the mood cycling of bipolar disease or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when past significant trauma, the intention would be “to inoculate” or “ensure” you to prevent or minimize severe and painful recurrences or minimize the instability, cycling, and recurrence.5. The body-mind has a naturally strong inclination to heal, get back in balance, and be healthy, at least most of the time, so a structured, achievable plan of action, to do now to reduce vulnerability now and avoid future health risks should be the highest priority for everyone. Some essentials to building a program are to have activities or ingredients that will nurture and increase the body-mind resistance to unexpected or overwhelming circumstances, plus having resources such as a significant other or a therapist as a backup or support when needed. It is doing consistent activities that will increase mental, emotional, and physical reserve and the capacity to recover or have the endurance to sustain recovery and healing. Success is more likely in a developed personalized program when carried out consistently over time.6. The structured, intentional program could then settle in as a positive brain habit (as the ninety days to work on sobriety in a step program). The best elements for such a program include past activities that were tried and experienced with positive results, plus what has been recommended by trusted and experienced collaborators or consultants. I will pick up where we left off here and continue in my subsequent posts to develop sensible and strategic health, vitality, and longevity programs for the motivated and interested.Getting unstuck and gaining insight, wisdom, and humblenessIf I get stuck in my writing, I will reflect on my personal and professional experiences over the years or walk across my office room, see the two boxed colorful Chinese therapy balls, remember my friend Kia, roll them in my hand, and maybe gain some wisdom, insight, and humbleness to move on with vital and challenging topics.I appreciate your interest. Your ideas and comments are welcome. Please share with others. Subscribe to my Substack newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com.All content is created and published for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional or medical services or guidance. Always seek your healthcare provider’s care regarding medical or mental health conditions. This communication is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Thank you.[i] Addiction article by Dr. Parks - https://www.inmindwise.com/p/addiction-survival;https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/22/opinion/pain-recovery-drug-addiction.html?smid=nytcore-android-share[ii] Dementia Society of America® | Definitions;https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/preventing-alzheimers-disease-what-do-we-know;https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/alzheimers-prevention/faq-20058140.[iii] https://thecontentauthority.com/blog/assurance-vs-ensurance This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Script of Podcast:Welcome to the Mind Wise video podcasts, which present holistic mental health, health care, and wellness perspectives and information. I am your host, Ron Parks, M.D., writer, teacher, and consultant.Today’s topic is New Year’s—the hope, meaning, and the promiseThe holidays are a time for reflection and an opportunity to rebalance self-needs, relationships, spirituality, and wisdom.The spiritual essence of the candles and mysteries for a childAs a child in the quiet of the darkest night towards the end of the year, I came to the kitchen of our single-floor, modest house in the rural countryside. My mother was there, lighting two small round white candles on the top of the washing machines at the back of our kitchen. A spark of light from a struck match ignited a flame and a warm glow that enveloped the room. It was the usual place for her sacred ceremony, repeated every Friday night as the sun went down, as her family had done for generations before, the holy sabbath ritual. She would close her eyes as she recited her fervent prayer with silent words left to my imagination for a version of my own.I always guessed that she was in deep communion or remembrance of her family members, now gone. I was a child, but I was sorry I never asked her what she thought of or what her prayers were. It was a regular tradition for my mom that I took for granted and never thought to inquire further. It felt the specialness and sacredness of her solitary Friday evening ritual, as my father often worked late to close his store or was in another part of the house. My mother seemed to carry the tradition, and her spiritual ways taught for the benefit of us all. I would often watch in respectful silence. Sometimes, I would return later to see the last flicker of candlelight when everything suddenly went back into darkness.Years later, when I watched my wife light the Shabbat candles, I was spellbound until the candles burned down to the last flicker and then darkness. My beloved mother has died after slowly slipping into eternal sleep following an illness and hospitalization. With the profound sense of loss and finality, I couldn’t hold back the tears and feeling of overwhelming grief.Remembrance of my motherI remember my mother’s silent prayers and spiritual moments when darkness came at the beginning of the Friday night Sabbath. I imagine her thoughts turned to those dear ones lost and the hope for new beginnings at the end of the day and in anticipation of tomorrow or another week. She seemed in profound harmony with all beyond what our mind divides in either this or that, light or darkness, and good or evil. Was she feeling the flow and spiritual harmony of being beyond the mind and its divisive ways of labeling something as valuable or not, safe or toxic, something of use to construct or build on? Was she feeling and experiencing the beyond our petty divisiveness, merging with a higher order of all things, where creativity arises that brings form but also division? Maybe she was beyond seeing or separating light and darkness. She has departed and is now of the spiritual essence we mortals seek, for perspective and wisdom and for escaping the narrow confines of our biased thought and narrow mind entrapments of hatred, fear, competitiveness, separation, lack, and loneliness.Meanings and Reflections on New Year’s HolidayNew Year is a time of festivity and partying on the eve of the new year for some or a time for gloom and loneliness for others.For many, the holiday season can be a time of reflection and “soul searching,” an occasion for joy and celebration, or dread and remorse. Holidays are quite a unique experience according to your life experience or circumstances. Those who suffer pain and anguish might associate it with past painful or traumatic experiences that are related to these final days of the year. It might have been the time when there was the death of a loved one or a significant loss. It might have been the trauma or tragedy around a violent time, as seen now in current events when there was loss and death when in war or living in a war zone. It might be the emotional pain related to the longing for nurturance, connection, and friendship when none is apparent or available. It may be the desperate need to stave off the darkness and despair of loneliness, loss of purpose, meaning, and hope, as one with a background of rejection or desertion or unavailability of a parent, or if bullied as a child. A youth or adult who has lacked the support and nurture of family or peers growing up might find times especially painful when others seem to celebrate holidays with friends or family.The New Year’s holiday represents the old transitioning into the new, as we are reminded of the life cycle of birth to death, of growing and gaining, with the gradual transitioning into aging and decline. There is a parallel to the season with longer and increasing days and light, changing to shorter days with lesser light and more darkness. Cycling towards the shortest day of the year, celebrated in ancient pagan times as the Winter Solstice. In religious and spiritual traditions, the ending of the old year and the beginning of the new is a sacred time for reflection. The focus might be on where one is or on occurrences in the past, such as mourning or regret for what is lost. There also might be reverence for the uncontrollable as to what one’s fate or expectation will be in the new year. The ending of the calendar year and the beginning of a new year with longer days and light may be a time for seeking forgiveness or being forgiven for past transgressions and hope for a new opportunity, renewal, health, life, and prosperity in the future. Or, if aged, a person might envision a peaceful transition from the living to the eternal darkness.Perhaps the light itself could have meaning in the sense of gaining a broader perspective and wisdom, to be enlightened and brought out of the narrowness of limited vision and narrow-mindedness.TIPS and Points to Ponder· The time and seasonal change are often caricatured as aging, “Old Father Time,” being replaced at the end of the year by the birth of a child, representing the new year, to grow to maturity in the new year with whatever the new year has in store. Each culture or religious tradition has its own story or customs associated with the time of year when the darkest and shortest day, the winter solstice, transitions gradually to the more extended day until the days of spring and summer. It all fits with the two-sidedness of how our mentation and brain define things and split the whole into two halves or components for better labeling and understanding. The narrowing down and discrete division is done with the hours, day, seasons, and years, which, in a sense, loses the spiritual essence of the totality and meaning beyond our limited mental operations and reasoning.· The perception of time established the division of the timelessness of reality into discrete definable parts that the mind can grasp or define. We all can experience the whole or entirety of things but often live in the reality of duality or the binary as we can easier grasp a part of the whole to understand and use as building blocks that are manageable for us to understand, to build on, and function with and carry on practical or essential activities and behavior or intellectual pursuit. Working with more definable discrete entities benefits us with a practical ability to organize, sustain, and create.· Unfortunately, we often get caught up in how we define, interpret, or conceive of our experience. It becomes a reality that is accepted by us, even though it is a constructed belief system from only partial perceptions of the whole, the true nature of reality that our minds have abstracted into less reliable components of the larger or actual reality. The positive for us is our unique capacity and potential for experiencing realization and growth beyond the personal limitations of the somewhat deceptive configuration we often accept as the true nature of things, which forms the filter through which we understand and judge.· The entrapment at the limiting level of understanding is based on how we define selective parts of our experience. However, there is an essential need for awareness and keeping a balance between the practical operation of our minds, which needs a more selective focus on more minor aspects of the whole to-do efficient left-brain function and production. However, the larger perspective is lost, which is required for wisdom, wise choices, and discerning actions.· “Moving into the light” expresses gaining awareness, an enlightened perspective, or the wisdom to comprehend the larger spiritual essence of all life beyond the individual, self-identity, and personal needs. For all the world’s diverse communities, including all with unique characteristics and differences, to survive and thrive, there is the essential need for “enlightenment” to the basic reality that we all are interdependent on each other for our existence and survival.· It is the larger perspective, and perhaps a reality, that if we only care about ourselves and our tribes, there will continue to be bloodshed and war to defeat competitive, feared, or despised others. A positive perspective is that there is more extraordinary resourcefulness and power with people working together, with others, for the greater welfare and prosperity of everyone.Hillel, a revered Jewish sage, rabbi, and philosopher, in his famous and very often quoted saying in The Ethics of the Father, 1:14, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?”I appreciate your interest. Your ideas and comments are welcome. Please share with others. Subscribe to my Substack newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com.All content is created and published for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional or medical services or guidance. Always seek your healthcare provider’s care regarding medical or mental health conditions. This communication is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Thank you.For consultation or help in gaining clarity and perspective, go to parksmd.com/scheduling/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Hi! Welcome to a Mind Wise audio video podcast, presenting perspective and information about holistic mental health, health care, wellness, neuroscience, philosophy, and spirituality. I am your host, Ron Parks, MPH, MD, writer, teacher, and consultant.Today's focus and topic is how Sleep is the best guide and feedback for your health, longevity, and productivity.Monitoring sleep quality can be an invaluable tool in choosing your priorities and be an early warning sign of impending difficulties.Attention to sleep cues is essential for preserving or restoring health and vitality. Disruptive and perturbed sleep or anxiety dreams and nightmares can portend problems ahead. Dilemmas, indecisions, and conflicts are impediments to productivity and well-being. Disruptive sleep is an indicator of distress levels and a warning that critical life areas need attention. Ignoring unhealthy sleep patterns can have dire consequences now or in the future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Hi! Welcome to a Mind Wise audio podcast, presenting perspective and information about holistic mental health, health care, wellness, neuroscience, philosophy, and spirituality. I am your host, Ron Parks, MPH, MD, writer, teacher, and consultant. Our focus and topic today are, Overcoming dilemmas and conflicts releases productivity and flow. Getting stuck in a dilemma, indecision, and fear are the roadblocks to success and well-being.A dilemma is when one gets stymied in choosing between two unsuitable alternatives. It is frustrating to be stuck and unable to move forward to completing a project or task. The desirable ending might be as significant as survival or as minor as making a healthy decision for something that will be positive or sustaining for one's health and well-being.Fear of Being Duped by a Fraudster—a dream brings insight!I was checking my emails as I dutifully do. One new bill arrived. I receive most of my bills by email and periodically pay them online before they are due. Soon, unpaid bills are placed in an easily accessible file to be paid on time. I did not expect that the one new bill with a slightly distinct look would perplex me and set my brain off with its problem-solving mode, which caught me in an aggravating dilemma. It got me going back and forth about whether to pay for it or to investigate it. The invoice bottom was odd, as it had the name of my business and address where the name and address of the vendor or biller would usually appear and to whom and where the bill would go for payment. I would get busy with other things but come back to trying to decide whether to pay the invoice with an unusual appearance or do further time-consuming research. I wasn't sure how to proceed with an investigation or where to make inquiries. I was frozen or stuck in going forward with it and fulfilling my responsibility to make payment for a purchase I had apparently made.As no simple solution was in my grasp, I would put it aside and then return to it, like a vicious obsession in my brain to complete what I felt pressured to do. In one of these cycles and attempts to bring resolution and completion of the task, my mind took another direction with the thought, "Maybe this is a scam that you read so much about; maybe some criminals are using AI had figured out my patterns of bill payment and had come up with a devilish scheme to con me into sending money to a familiar address with money getting someway diverted to them."It was an interference with my restorative sleep but a gateway to insight!Thankfully, it was just a nightmarish dream that interfered with my early morning restorative sleep. The dream content was, however, suitable material to reflect on in my insight dream journal. The interesting point was how parts of our brain and psychology work and the realization of how we easily get hung up in perplexing situations that can put us at risk and interfere with our productivity and flow. And maybe for me, it signaled how I am vulnerable to getting caught up in the details, missing out on the larger picture, and getting drawn away from what is really needed or perhaps apparent. The red flags were a warning to be aware of high-tech, AI-derived, and sophisticated scams. I had in the past been nearly drawn into a sophisticated criminal scam from which I was saved by figuring it out before it was too late. See my article about the scam by a criminal syndicate.Maybe all of this will make more sense if we look at how the brain is thought to work.Part of our brain works for us in defining and labeling things, allowing us to make choices for healthy achievements and sustainability. Another reason for the distinguishing process is distinguishing between danger and things that are safe, gratifying, and beneficial. According to neuroscientists, the left part of our brain creates patterns or constructions to give meaning and organization to all visual and sensory data from our external environment. The processing of data can, by the specialized brain areas, make simple or complex data into patterns of behaviors or objects. These patterned formations allow us to carry out or perform, as having to flee danger, hide, or fight for survival, as in gathering food, seeking security, or accumulating wealth for times of drought or lack.Usually and optimally, all parts of the nervous system, such as the right brain areas, try to coordinate and keep the balance so the left brain's specialized operations for utility and accomplishment can be successfully performed. If the left-brain activity overly dominates, other vital operations may be suppressed as the right-brain perspective-giving function. There needs to be checks and balances to allow for human sustainability. There always had to be protection and a balance of mental operations to maintain perspective, awareness, and wisdom for any action or endeavor considered or taken. The other brain areas bring in and provide novel incoming information from our memories of experiences. The left brain areas will suppress the input from different areas of the brain when the accomplishment of an operation is deemed more significant or priority over anything else, as when there is the felt need to survive when danger is perceived. It appears to be a reasonable way of operation. Still, when left-brain dominance becomes too much in overriding the need for perspective and appreciation of the larger context or bigger picture, it can leave one in a vulnerable or "operating in the dark" situation. Trying to operate without the needed and valuable coordinated working of other brain areas places one in a quagmire of indecision and dilemma, interfering with making safe and wise decisions and progress. When our mental operations are healthy, balanced, and coordinated, it enhances awareness, preparedness, and flexibility for complications or obstacles.Extreme fear from past trauma and the "double bind."Sometimes, there is extreme fear, especially in one who has had earlier life trauma, as in someone who has post-traumatic stress disorder. The mental operation of an overly fearful individual can quickly become left-brain dominated to be excessively cautious, selective, extraordinarily focused, and hesitant in doing anything that might put one at risk for repeat trauma. Fear and dread of any outcome can cause one to be stuck and avoid anything requiring a decision or choice. Someone may become excessively introverted, fearful, withdrawn, or avoidant.A popular expression from the past was that people get caught in a "double bind" where any choice or decision is fraught with dangers or difficulties. A person can become severely compromised, stymied, and at risk when profoundly stuck in indecision and blocked from doing much of anything that might be productive in improving one's situation, sustenance, or well-being.How does one avoid getting caught in a double bind, persisting dilemma, and immobilization? Or how does one free oneself when stuck and desiring to move on and be free from anxiety, worry, and fear, to get beyond all these obstructions to allow flow and prosperity again? The best saying that perhaps captures the solution is to be like water that flows in a river. There are obstacles, rocks, and obstructions, but water is fluid, flexible, and moving around obstacles. Another similar analogy from nature is how a supple and flexible tree will bend and sway with strong winds or a storm and not break. Tips that come to mind, or at least to consider when stuck, might be as follows.Tips and Points to Ponder1. Maintaining a consistent health program includes getting enough rest, relaxation, recreation, exercise, optimal nutrition, and restorative sleep. All these elements maintain both body and brain health to better function and maintain better perspective, insight, and problem-solving.2. If something doesn't feel right or seems askance or suspicious, seek better understanding, get a consultation from a trusted or professional source, or at least find a connection with someone to have a constructive dialogue to gain a better perspective. If done, being victimized by scams in this high-tech age hopefully can be avoided. It also may be an aid to recognize better when you are caught up in an unhealthy cycle of stress and conflict, pulling you out of balance. It is the time to take any steps necessary to avoid damage or a downturn in your mental and physical health. It is time for you to identify the issue and find remediation or help from a valued source.3. I find insight dream journaling a valuable tool to get necessary insight and perspective on important things that might lurk below the surface of our thinking, planning, and calculating mind. (Put reference in about my insight, dream journaling article.) Try it; you may find it fun and helpful.4. Suppose we don't constantly strive for awareness and perspective. In that case, it is easy to get too caught up in our left brain or restricted way of thinking, planning, and perhaps scheming that may lead us in the opposite direction of our best interests or lead to unhealthy stress, conflict, and unproductivity. It is a path away from health, happiness, and well-being. Getting caught up in scams, deception, dilemmas, immobilization, and inflexibility often results from a lack of self-care and awareness or over-thinking or planning something in isolation or away from potentially helpful others as social connections. For many, the root problem may be the disadvantage of lack of resources and the disadvantages of poverty or those that are victims of discrimination.* Your ideas are welcome; two or many heads are often better than one.For a consultation with Dr. Parks, for help in gaining clarity and perspective, go to parksmd.com/scheduling/I appreciate your interest. Please share with others. Subscribe to my Substack newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com. All content is created and published for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional or medical services or guidance; Always seek your healthcare provider’s care regarding medical or mental health conditions. This communication is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Welcome to a Mind Wise podcast, presenting perspective and information about holistic mental health, health care, wellness, neuroscience, philosophy, and spirituality. I am your host, Ron Parks, M.P.H., M.D., writer, teacher, and consultant. Today's video-podcast interview is with Rob Hosking, an inspired teacher and lecturer who shares his hero's journey, recovery, and awakening from his difficulties with traumatic exposures while doing public service and police work.Rob is a previous frontline police officer who became an inspiring motivational speaker. Rob’s two main areas of expertise are happiness and mental health. He is a motivational TEDx Speaker on happiness, mental health, and workplace well-being. Through a traumatic last shift, which saw him witness a suicide and his colleague dying in front of him, Rob awakened and looked into his happiness. Rob speaks about his own depression and mental health struggles. He is the Co-Founder of Rise of Happiness, a movement to become happier. Rise of Happiness publishes free happiness magazines, including inspirational and uplifting stories, expert tips, and research on happiness. He is a trained mental health first aider on a mission to ensure people figure out what makes them happy and change their lives.Rob tells about himself and his journey in his healing process.Ron: Rob, it’s fascinating. I listened to your TED Talk, which was quite good. And so, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself and your journey in this healing process we all go through? For the full transcript, go to the video podcast, where you can also view the video podcast version: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/post-trauma-suffering-to-happiness This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Dream of Dream WorkI was getting off an elevator in a building, and another younger gentleman, who seemed focused on his work and position, recognized me. He asked about the dream journaling article I discussed at a party we all had attended. He seemed interested in the topic, but I wasn't sure from his playful tone if he was interested in some practical information or if he wanted to tell me something about personal concerns or a dream he had had.Reflection and journaling on the above dream segment reminded me that I had been approached earlier at a party, where I was discussing my dream journaling article. The interested person shared a dream with me and asked what I thought it meant. I replied kiddingly that he'd have to read my article. But then I said that the dream is for the individual to work with because he knows best how to make sense of it. I realized my dream segment reminded me that instead of completing my current dream article and publishing it, I wasn't sure where I was going with it. My floundering around had kept me adding things and making the articles too long. Part of our brain works, always trying to complete undone awake thoughts or emotions in our dream stories or images. The attempts, sometimes fulfilled, are to bring these residues of incomplete segments of ideas and feelings towards satisfactory closure and to be stored away in less active memory storage areas. Any material from remembered dreams or pieces is fertile ground for getting insight, perspective, and sometimes direction for application in waking hours.My interest in dreamwork and journaling started when I began my psychiatry residency and my mentoring by faculty in my training programs that had in-depth training and experience in Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy work and Jungian depth, analytical psychology with its exploration of the unconscious and transpersonal aspects of human experience with the investigation of dreams, complexes, and archetypes. I used to facilitate a dream group with 8-10 people meeting weekly in the earlier years of my career, further developing my interest and appreciation of dream work. I was also fortunate to have done some Jungian analysis with talented people who utilized dreamwork as part of their psychotherapeutic process.Most importantly, much of what I learned about dreamwork came from periods when I consistently did dream journaling and personal reflection about the meaning and relevance of dreams to my daily life. The seeking and journey toward wisdom and knowledge is a valued goal for many, as it has been for philosophers, teachers, and spiritual seekers. Dreamwork can be an asset in seeking and exploring a deeper meaning and understanding of yourself and others.Dialogue as a Key to Finding Perspective and WisdomThe usual internal mental dialogue and reasoning during wakeful hours help us find perspective and guidance in making choices as often relate to life activities and relationships. External exchanges in a social context with others, including significant relationships, are vital in getting us out of the stuck or locked-in perspectives of our closed-in internal reasonings, beliefs, and rigid ideas. Likewise, dreamwork allows you to develop a self-dialogue between your waking mind and remembered dream material on which you can reflect for insight and perspective on your life and activities. Dream journaling and dreamwork are avenues for use alone by yourself, with a teacher of the art of dreamwork or a trained psychotherapist knowledgeable in doing dreamwork. Dreamwork is a great help to gain perspective, new ideas for your work, insight into your relationships, and deep-help beliefs about yourself.For some, getting out of locked perspectives and rigid thinking is possible with self-work and self-learned skills. Most can learn reflective journaling, mindfulness, and insight work can be learned and done on one's own. However, a relationship with a skilled psychotherapist can be of great value when one is significantly stuck or caught in mental and emotional issues or past trauma experiences. The therapist is often a trained facilitator in a safe and non-threatening space where the interchanges and discussion can help transition one out of the self-imposed isolation of their thinking and cognitive processing to gain insight and perspective from a supportive and caring other.The Art of Dream Journaling and DreamworkYou can harness dreams to witness the informative interaction of yourself or a figure with whom you identify in the dream events that are occurring analogous to what is happening in your awake life or similarity to events or dramas of the day: anything from a relationship with a significant other, a boss, or a person on the street, or in a movie seen on T.V. Dream journaling becomes a revealing inner dialogue with yourself which can bring insight and precious perspective on life issues which can enhance growth and creativity.Reflection on Dreamwork, Dream Interpretation, and Benefits The dream's story, characters, or images, when reflected on after awakening, can often bring up the recall of related recent events or linked memories from the past. These can help in understanding and gaining valuable perspective on present life experiences. When helpful, dreams may bring benefits for better clarity, direction, and making wiser, thought-out choices. The anxiety in a dream story and its relation to memories or significant figures in my life have often informed me to take a wiser course of action or proceed with something with more caution and further reflection.Dreamwork is a helpful tool for enhancing awareness and recognizing anxiety, conflict, or indecision that may need attention. It offers a reflective time to tap into a resource that can benefit your life's journey and emotional and mental health—it is like your own handy personal tool, monitoring and feedback for what you might not be aware of or what you may need to see but are avoiding. Healers and therapists, at least in the past, were often trained to study and reflect on their dreams and inner emotional life to be more available and steadier with their own emotional and mental functioning, to be as present as possible for helping another without getting their unworked out inner difficulties entangled with the person for whom they were trying to be helpful.Interpretation of dreams is an endeavor best accomplished by you, as the dreamer, who can best make associations with the variety and complexities of one's unique life experiences and memories. One can self-learn and improve skills with time, self-study, and practice. Others may need or benefit from a teacher or therapist who can teach them about dreamwork until they are confident and motivated to apply it independently. It can become a path for getting closer to understanding oneself, potentialities, and the realities of one's life. It can be a journey towards self-actualization, as Carl Jung, the renowned writer and psychiatrist, discussed in some of his classic writings.For dream journaling, any available recording means can be used. It has traditionally been in a dedicated writing pad or notebook where one could write and draw or sketch. A mobile phone app can handily record into a journal like a Word document by quick and easy dictation. Whatever works for you is fine. Recording and journaling allow one to go back, further reflect, and add other associations and thoughts that arise. Some, like me, are slower learners at times and need the benefits of seeing a similar story, theme, symbol, or message to understand what is being conveyed in a dream. For example, suppose someone has a current situation that is very perplexing, stressful, or threatening. In that case, dream journaling might give the impetus to do something about it, get help, change course in one's awake life and activities, or attend to something that needs your attention.I remember in my early days of dream journalling to have dreams about some malfunction in my car, and in ignoring, not attending to the care of my car, I soon woke to some problem with my car as a flat tire. Of course, there have been prominent warnings that would point to significant areas, such as my work, health, and relationships, that needed attention. A myriad of books and courses are available on sleep and dreaming. There are many skills, however, from which one can learn and benefit in the quest for enhanced sleep and dreaming.The anxious or frightened mind is often super-alert, focused, or hypervigilant, scanning the environment for a threat. It is the reason the sleep quality can be poor. If dreams arise, they can be nightmarish and wake one up when the luxury of deep sleep is most wanted. Disruptive dreams interfere with our need for restorative sleep to recharge the body and mind. Panic attacks can occur when trauma memories arise, and the body-mind gets hyper-aroused and in a preparatory state. A panic attack's intense physiologic arousal prepares the body for combat or attack, to run or fight. Episodes can be brief but sometimes more prolonged, with a pounding heart, rapid pulse, sweating, racing thoughts, and fearful dread of impending loss of control, death, or physical harm.,You may need support or help if these occurrences repeatedly happen, which could signal developing or impending medical, emotional, or mental health difficulties. It may be the time to seek help or assistance from a trusted other or health care professional. Intense episodes like those described can also mean that the body and mind seek healing, restoration, or emergence to a higher order of wellness and well-being, as in the Spiritual Emergence-oriented transpersonal psychology approach.TIPS:Sleep is the gateway to dreams and is essential for health maintenance and recovery from illness or for the emergence of a higher level of emotion, mental, physical, and spiritual health and well-being. Learn the skill to enhance or get consistent restorative sleep. Always be the caretaker of the body-mind-spirit and sleep, and appreciate the value of dreams and journaling as a self-help and care tool.If you have disruptive, disturbed sleep, don't feel restored the next day, or have excessive daytime sleepiness. There are often correctable, underlying causes, and resources are always available, and you are encouraged to seek them out.Likewise, suppose your sleep and waking life are disturbed by severe anxiety, dreams, nightmares, depression, mood swings, panic attacks, residual upset after severe loss or trauma, or a major disruptive life event. In that case, you may benefit from getting help from a trusted resource, your primary healthcare person, a sleep specialist, or a mental health provider.Dreamwork can be an invaluable tool that you can use to support yourself in your daily life activities. It can provide a better understanding to help resolve inner turmoil, conflicts, and indecision. It is also a path towards greater understanding and awareness about yourself and others. It can be a tool to support your creativity and benefit you in your life management and relationships. Your interest, further study, and skill-building in dreamwork can be enriching and valuable.Part One of this article is at https://www.inmindwise.com/p/dreams-and-journaling-for-mindfulness#details. Please comment and let me know if you would like to participate in a several-session study group on mastering the art of dream journaling. I will be open and accessible for all subscribers to the Mind Wise newsletter, both for beginners and those already working with dreams who want to develop their skills better. Email me if interested at [email protected]. Parks offers sessions for help in gaining clarity and perspective. If interested, click here.I appreciate your interest. Please share with others. Subscribe to my Substack newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com. All content in this podcast is created and published for educational purposes only, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and should not be relied on for medical decisions. Always seek your healthcare provider's guidance regarding medical or mental health conditions. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Welcome to the Mind Wise podcast, presenting perspective and information about mental health, holistic health care, wellness, neuroscience, psychiatry, philosophy, and spirituality. I am your host, Ron Parks, M.P.H., M.D., writer, teacher, and consultant.Today I begin a 2-part series exploring a readily available phenomenon that occurs in your slumber and sleep world—dreaming.The Dream CatcherDream catchers are integral to Native American tradition, particularly from the Ojibwe tribe. They serve as protective symbols, filtering out negative dreams and allowing positive ones to pass through. The dream catcher traditionally consisted of a willow hoop adorned with feathers, arrowheads, and beads. When hung near the bed, it intercepts dreams as they flow through the night air. Good dreams effortlessly navigate through the outer holes, descending along the feathers without the sleeper realizing they are dreaming. Bad dreams become entangled and vanish with the dawn. Dream catchers symbolize strength, unity, and the power to capture positive dreams.Dreams are a valuable resource in managing life's challenges.I was attending a university program and staying in a room in a dorm-like hotel. My course required crafting an original story with characters and a captivating plot to keep the reader's attention. Some older, experienced writers in the program liked mentoring other writers, and if you were on their list, they would call at certain times of day regularly to check in on you and maybe give you some guidance. I had many competing responsibilities, and it was hard to prioritize doing more work with a mentor. I was juggling too many things. I thought that would be a good thing to do with these other writers but didn't have the time to do it, so I felt a bit like I was making progress but maybe floundering around and not really on the target with a focus on the story writing and taking advantage of the learning program. As I was leaving the dorm, I ran into my smiling father, who seemed happy and amused at my frenetic activity in what I was doing. Though he didn't speak, I felt he conveyed that I needed to do my best and not take life so seriously, as it all passes quickly, and one needs to be present as much as possible and involved in meaningful life needs and relationships.The above was a recent dream segment and shared as an example of one of my ways of recording and reflecting on dream experiences. Understanding, interpretations, and application of dream material are personal and unique to the dreamer. It is primarily helpful to the person doing the dream work and journaling themselves or with a therapist or guide. My arising morning reflections and journaling were feedback that maybe I was worried about my overload of too much-unfocused activities. The dream caught some of my concerns and worries about doing too much and exceeding my capacity to accomplish things. The reflection and journaling reminded me not to get overextended or compelled to do something in my mind that I might have felt needed to prove myself, feel important, or be relevant. My father's appearance in the dream was a pleasant visit as he died many years ago, but he still comes up in my dreams. In his actual life, he was often overinvolved in all kinds of business activities to support himself and his family and had to endure many setbacks and tragedies in his 81 years of life. Did you ever wonder what a dream means, if it has any value, whether it predicts some outcome or portends some possible threat or danger? Dreams have fascinated people for centuries. There are luminous books and literature on the subject, some written by scientists trying to understand the phenomenon that is part of our sleep and recovery cycle. Philosophers, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, artists, and many other interested researchers and academics have tried to unravel the nature and meanings of dreams. Some early pioneers in mental health work have sought to figure out the brain phenomenon of dreaming through neuroscience and research. Others have focused on harnessing dream experiences to improve mental and emotional health and functioning.Early pioneers in psychology and psychiatry focused on understanding what is in the mind's hidden layers of memory or the unconscious that influences or interferes with daily functioning during our waking hours. Dream studies have examined the relation of dream material to forgotten past experiences or trauma hidden from awareness and waking memory. The understanding and analysis of dream occurrences have evolved as some dreams seem related to emotional turmoil and disrupt sleep and its restorative benefits. Dream research has new specialty fields, such as sleep medicine and chronobiology, with an interest in sleep architecture and the function of dreams. There are even international organizations devoted to dream studies and their understanding.Dream phenomena can be of a great variety of compositions, stories, emotions, environments, and backdrop, with sound or graphic (picture) like scenes in color or not, people or monsters, or loving creatures, all very much influenced by incomplete residues of incomplete mental or emotional work from the proceeding days, that the active part of the brain, thought to be the left brain, is trying to complete or bring an undertaking to fulfillment. The residues in functional storage areas have stayed active until completion to put files away in memory for future service—at least felt to be so in the minds of some neuroscientists or dreamer researchers. A significant amount of arising dream material is undoubtedly influenced and colored by the accumulation of the individual's past emotional and physical experiences and current concerns and worries.Dreamwork is a valuable resource and aid in self-help and therapy work. It is a practical and always available tool that supports personal growth, productivity, and mental and emotional health. Learning to do dream work is generally easy if one has the interest, motivation, and discipline to practice when dream material is available. It is much like getting on a good nutrition, exercise, or self-improvement program, which requires learning and mastering the necessary skills and consistent practice and application. Increasing gratification and benefit comes with consistency and persistence in journaling and related learning activities. Mastery of dreamwork and journaling comes quickly for some and longer for others.Sometimes, according to the needs of the individual, dream work and its application must be individualized and structured according to the person's schedule and preferences. Suppose there has been a history of emotional or mood disturbance. In that case, there may be a need for a teacher, mental health practitioner, or therapist experienced in dream work and its application. If one's dream work has a guide or therapist, the process and assistance are according to the training, orientation, and experience of the person assisting with the therapy. An example would be someone trained in Jungian or psychodynamic, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, or transpersonal, existential psychotherapist might have different methods or orientations in doing dream work. Getting as much information as possible and talking to several prospective therapists may be necessary to see what fits your needs best.Dream journaling can be simple without much fuss or educated know-how.Many don't have a complex history of significant trauma or emotional and mental health issues; they may simply want to learn some self-help ways and practices you can learn and practice on your own for the positive benefits there are for you. If desired, Dreamwork and its framework can be an easily obtainable resource for growth, wisdom, and well-being.Most take dreaming and sleeping for granted. Dreams are often forgotten or thought of as silly concoctions fabricated during sleep. If a scary or threatening dream occurs, as the notorious nightmare, it feels like a sleep nuisance and sometimes frightening. When associated with a flashback, recall, or re-experiencing of past trauma, as in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it can terrify and interfere with restorative sleep and functioning the next day. If persistent, it could require mental health and medical intervention.Continue reading Part Two of this article with tips and references to follow soon. Please comment and let me know if you would like to participate in a several-session study group on mastering the art of dream journaling. I will be open and accessible for all subscribers to the Mind Wise newsletter, both for beginners and those already working with dreams who want to develop their skills better. Email me if interested at [email protected]. Parks offers sessions for help in gaining clarity and perspective. If interested, click here.I appreciate your interest. Please share with others. Subscribe to my Substack newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com. All content in this podcast is created and published for educational purposes only, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and should not be relied on for medical decisions. Always seek your healthcare provider's guidance regarding medical or mental health conditions. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Welcome to the Mind Wise podcast, presenting perspective and information about mental health, holistic health care, wellness, neuroscience, psychiatry, philosophy, and spirituality. I am your host, Ron Parks, M.P.H., M.D., writer, teacher, and consultant.Today I continue to explore the life and journey of unique holistic healthcare enthusiasts and practitioners, their innovative services, and their tips on what they feel works best for themselves and others seeking better health and well-being. My guest today is Corey Costanzo, the co-owner and developer of the unique Still Point Wellness Spa in Asheville, North Carolina. But I'll let Corey tell you who he is, and he will tell us a little about himself, how he got started on his journey, and how he ended up with one of the most beautifully designed and outstanding holistic spas in the country, Still Point Wellness. It is a place to see, experience, and a healthy destination here in Asheville, North Carolina.Ron: Hi, Cory!Cory: Hey, Dr. Parks. Thanks so much for asking and being curious about me, my life, business, choices, and all that good stuff. I'm happy to share.Ron: So, tell us about who you are and your incredible journey.Cory: All right. So first off. I am a dad of an 18-year-old and a 14-year-old. Two incredible, incredible young women. One of which is about to go off to NYU to study drama next week. So, I am a mixed-emotional dad. Bittersweet. In love with my daughter. So happy that she's just, you know, breaking free.Follow her dreams in her heart, and nothing's stopping her, and I'm going to miss her like crazy. So yeah, this is a very exciting time in my life. I grew up in Brooklyn, New York. My whole family is in New York City. So, all of us are just so excited for her. So, yeah. Lots were going on for me with the transition, with my daughter about to leave home.Professionally, I spend most of my time in full-time private practice working with trauma and addiction using somatic experiencing, Peter Levine's trauma release, and the business, Still Point Wellness that my wife and I co-own.We have a 9, 000 square foot wellness spa with four float tanks** and a full staff of Esalen massage therapists. We also do physical therapy and coaching. Craniosacral therapy. And we have a far infrared sauna and an incredible integration room for people to really hit those deep places of relaxation and integrate the mind-body experiences they're having through touch and with the float tank and all of our other services.Yeah. So that's, that's pretty much what I do. I love my work. I'm extremely passionate about it. And I work with adolescents, teenagers, adults, couples, individuals, and families. I'm also constantly doing my own work, which I think really lends itself to constantly learning and growing.Once, sometimes two or three times a week, I'm in my own type of therapy experience with my counselor or with one of my kids' counselors, or in couples counseling as a client. And for me, it's a long life, lifelong process of discovery that just keeps getting better and better and better. Not easier, but better.Ron: Corey, if you want to share what comes up for you, what were some early life experiences that got you on your journey to learning and discovery? And I understand that you were at Esalen.Cory: Yeah, that's right, yeah. So, I, my gosh, I could spend days talking about this, and I'll spare everybody that.And I'll try to sum it up by saying that a little bit of my journey was after college in Burlington, Vermont. Manhattan became my playground and work ground. And I worked for a startup company called Delia's that wound up going from 10. I was maybe the number 10 employee or so to 500 employees within five years.And I rode that wave, and this was 1995 to 2000, and wound up being in human resources and call center management and doing a lot of work and, getting basically out of college, getting paid peanuts to pack boxes for this, for this IPO company that wound up after five years, I got a lot of stock options, and the company was sold, went public and cashed out.And made a lot of money very fast for someone in my mid-twenties and was basically just spending a lot of money and realized the more money I made, the more money I spent, and it was, and it was unsustainable. So, I started looking at other possibilities of what to do instead of just trying to make money.My heart led me to bodywork and helping people, which led to travel. So, I bought an apartment in Manhattan and then rented it out and used the money that I was making renting out the apartment after paying the mortgage and traveling around the world for a few years, learning different systems of bodywork, and having all sorts of great experiences.My main teacher, my main place that I would do a deep dive into something in the healing arts, basically wound up at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, which is this incredible place where teachers from all over the world come to Esalen to bring their gifts. I was there for five years, met my wife, had a kid, went to graduate school, and found somatic psychology and my love of that. And yeah, that's it in a nutshell right there.So Big Sur, California, although an amazing, powerful place, is a very hard place actually to live and grow a family. So, we had our first daughter and lived there for about four years. And we realized we really needed to buy a home and, you know, wanted to lay down some roots. So, we found Asheville and moved to Asheville after being evacuated.So, we were not really taking the leap, although we wanted to, out of Big Sur. And there were these fires every few years. Big Sur is always on fire every few years. And it's a very hot place. And I mean, it's a very wet and beautiful place as well, but every few years, it just seems that nature has its way with it. It winds up getting evacuated in one way, shape, or form, if not road closure because of mudslides and landslides, because it's too wet, it's too, you know, it could be very easily too dry, and fires pushed us out for a month. We moved to Topanga Canyon and had full-body work practices that developed during that month. And we were just thinking, wow, if we could do this so effortlessly and so quickly in LA, let's look elsewhere. And these mountains in Western North Carolina are just tremendous.Powerful and beautiful, and they attract a lot of people. They attract people that want to get close to nature and to experience different mindsets and be kind to their bodies and healing, and you know, so there is a lot, there's a lot of consciousness in these mountains around the power of bodywork massage.Ron: Corey, are there any things that come to mind to share?Cory: Yeah, I am a big fan of the self-inquiry process. And whatever it takes to get curious about your life. Take a bird's eye view and figure out what you need to do to stop Responding to things that don't go wrong or to ailments to injuries to illnesses To, mental health struggles, whatever it is, you know, taking a bird's eye view and getting curious about, you know, about what led to that and what's out there that can possibly help. I love somatic experiencing and psychotherapy as a client because, for me, that is such an incredible way to take a look and observe my life and notice what's working and what's not working and figure it out.You know, what needs to shift and what needs to change, what patterns keep repeating themselves that have some underlying forces that keep them locked in. I like to think of psychotherapy as the bridge way to the, to the subconscious too, that really runs the show in my life, and you know, how can I move out of a place of suffering, and so for me, the therapeutic process, psychotherapy, and counseling really has been tremendous.And I think everyone's got their own thing. You know, there are workbooks out there that people can be self-directed to use the self in the self-inquiry process to better their lives. There are so many different, great modalities out there and practitioners and people, and I would encourage people to follow their hearts, notice what they're drawn to, and then have the courage to try new things.Ron: Thank you, Corey.Tips and Points to Ponder:1.  Be always mindful and aware of options you may have for improving your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual wellness and well-being. You may consider finding a time-out, even if only momentary, in a healing setting or with a healing state of mind.  2.  Read my 2016 article about flotation, my floatation experience, and about Cory Costanzo and Still Point Wellness: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/saltwater-flotation-tank-experience3.  ** Further comment by Cory on the float tanks Still Point uses: They have the latest technology and are by Float Lab Technologies. They are the only float manufacturer right now that are fully NSF certified through the National Safety Foundation for their entire float tank. And the process took over ten years and lots of money to gain that certification. You can stand up in them; they're about 7 feet tall. And then when you lay down, there's no light, no sound. It's about skin temperature, water, so it's warm. And you just float effortlessly. At the national level, the health department at the national level has drafted a federal guide, federal guidelines, and best practices for float tanks. It's called the model aquatic health code based on research done certifying float lab tanks. So basically, we use ozone gas and UV light to purify the tanks, which is the best sanitation method. And really, the only sanitation method that the EPA allows for float tanks. And that, again, was based on studies that the NSF did with our float tank manufacturer. We have four of these float lab tanks, and they are, so there's about 12 inches of saltwater solution in them.Dr. Parks offers sessions for help in gaining clarity and perspective. If interested, click here.I appreciate your interest. Please share with others. Subscribe to my Substack newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com. All content in this podcast is created and published for educational purposes only, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and should not be relied on for medical decisions. Always seek your healthcare provider's guidance regarding medical or mental health conditions. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

The intertwining of supposed separate worldsBrother Promise is a fellow writer on Substack, where I discovered his work and connected with him. Our seemingly two separate worlds surprisingly resonate and intertwine with each other in many ways. As teenagers, we both had significant health challenges. Brother Promise sought better answers and was inspired to study, find help, and support in his search. He discovered mindfulness meditation through the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh[i] and eventually became ordained as a monk in the tradition of Zen Buddhism. He now lives in a monastery and internationally known retreat center in southwestern France called Plum Village, where he continues his learning, teaching, and developing his holistic health program to help others.  A terrifying health challengeMy journey to the interests and advocacy for holistic health[ii] programs started at a young age. Undoubtedly, the unhealthy ways of my youthful years and cultural influences impacted my developing body and mind and contributed to vulnerability and health risks. I was infected with polio when I was a young teenager.[iii] It was traumatic, but I was brought back to health after months in a children's hospital, which at the time had an integration of traditional treatments and alternative therapies such as warm water and PT therapy as developed by Sister Kenny.[iv] The frightening encounter with polio, which caused many to die or become paralyzed, along with other severe illnesses of family members, inspired me to seek answers and better healthcare ways. Eventually, my search for better alternatives led to my interest in medicine and my studies in a prominent medical school. The reality was that medical school wasn't a very healthy but stressful environment, with little attention to students' health and well-being. The training and struggles to succeed were difficult, especially with what I now know, that I had to work around some dyslexia and autism spectrum traits common in my family.I experienced significant anxiety and panic attacks during my training years. I thought my duress was just part of the training necessary to achieve my goals. That I was successful in meeting the requirements, talented and intelligent enough to pass, made me feel that this was acceptable, a trial by fire, to be successful in our culture.In a bookstore, books about Eastern culture, especially yoga, attracted me. I bought a yoga book with instructions and began practicing the best I could. After graduating from medical school, I felt there was more to learn and a better way for healthcare and personal practice. I was able to study more yoga and some meditation and mindfulness Buddhist practices.But the big enlightenment came when I attended a 10-day silent retreat for intensive study and practice. After a couple of days in the beautiful mountain setting and emersion in a wonderfully supportive and nurturing world of fellow participants and teachers, I experienced what true mental health and well-being were and felt like. I broke through the narrow reality that I had, that how I was living and taking care of myself was normal for a striving person in our culture, and that I was succeeding reinforced that my lifestyle and ideas that my way of doing things was best I could do, and all that was available.[v]At the retreat, I felt a glow of health, relaxation, and peace in the flow of daily moment-to-moment experience, with a feeling of contentment. I didn't miss that insatiable striving for more or fear-based worry and thinking about the future. The retreat had a plant-based diet, daily routines of invigorating exercise, often in a natural setting, mindfulness and meditation practices, and participation in sharing and working with our participants in the care of the grounds, our living quarters, and the kitchen helping with food preparation.The realization came that proper mental, physical, and spiritual health was getting beyond our learned ideas and beliefs and being open to the deeper reality of what contributed to health and well-being. There was now a beacon of light showing the way toward a holistic form of living for health and well-being.Over the years, many of the influences for my teaching and career work have come from many of the elements and practices found in Brother Promise's Daily Wellness Empowerment Program (DWEP). The simple structure of his program for daily use, teaching aids, videos, and the daily practice sheet make it an effective program for many to get started on some primary practice to move towards the reality of better health and well-being, significantly where traditional recourse or medications-based treatment have fallen short or have been ineffective.Tip and Points to Ponder:* As noted in the prior part one of these articles, A Journey to enlightened healthcare, I hope that more people will consider pursuing and trying out healthy alternatives to their present lifestyle, especially if there has been ill health or concern about not feeling their best in times of increasing demands and emotional distress. Brother Promise's Daily Wellness Empowerment Program (DWEP), presented in Part One, is free, with practices and lifestyle changes designed together in a concise, coordinated daily wellness program. Such beneficial programs can work well as a standalone but also would fit in with other more traditional healthcare you might be doing. Feel empowered to search and try wise and potentially healthy options when something seems lacking in your personal health and well-being program. Of course, listen to the advice of your primary healthcare provider for illnesses for which you are under their care. Still, it is quite alright to seek other opinions from trusted and experienced teachers, healthcare providers, and professional resources.* Suppose you have an interest in beginning a health and well-being program. In that case, it doesn't have to be in some type of intensive total emersion or retreat experience or commitment to a costly layer or complex program. Still, it may start with taking a simple step forward, attending a class, a lecture, or a simple workshop with a respected, experienced, recommended teacher or healthcare provider. Some, like me, began with reading and self-study and participating in health-enhancing activities with friends. So, whatever is your best starting point, commit and start as soon as the opportunity arises. If stuck and getting deeper into a problematic place, as with ill health or dysfunction, reach out to experience and professional resources for help and recommendations.Dr. Parks offers sessions for help in gaining clarity and perspective. If interested, click here.[i]. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (quoted from plumvillage.org) "is a global spiritual leader, poet, and peace activist, revered around the world for his pioneering teachings on mindfulness, global ethics, and peace. Ordained as a monk aged 16 in Vietnam, Thich Nhat Hanh soon envisioned a kind of engaged Buddhism that could respond directly to the needs of society. He was a prominent teacher and social activist in his home country before finding himself exiled for calling for peace. In the West, he played a key role in introducing mindfulness and created mindful communities (sanghas) around the world. His teachings have impacted politicians, business leaders, activists, teachers, and countless others. Thich Nhat Hanh has published more than 100 books, including classics like The Miracle of Mindfulness and Peace is Every Step. Through his simple yet profound teachings, mindfulness has reached a mainstream audience. With the energy of mindfulness, any action in our daily life—including walking, eating, brushing our teeth, or doing the dishes—can become joyful, relaxed, and meaningful. It’s a revolutionary approach that brings peace, clarity, and insight." https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh[ii]. What is Holistic Health? Below is a quote from https://www.wcsu.edu/ihhs/what-is-holistic-health/"Holistic health is an approach to life that considers multidimensional aspects of wellness. It encourages individuals to recognize the whole person: physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual. The individual is an active participant in their health decisions and healing processes, including wellness-oriented lifestyle choices. Holistic approaches to health are derived from ancient healing traditions that help to achieve higher levels of wellness and prevent disease. These approaches include the use of traditional medical systems, mind-body-spirit interventions, manipulative and body-based approaches, biological-based therapies, and energy therapies. Most of these approaches are used in combination with each other and with conventional medicine to provide a holistic and integrated approach to health. These traditional holistic approaches focus on the use of food, herbs, supplements, teas, homeopathic remedies, and essential oils as “medicine.” Movement, dancing, singing or chanting, sound and vibration, drumming, prayer, meditation, mindfulness, and touch are examples of activities that are included in holistic approaches. Holistic approaches include but are not limited to acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback, massage therapy, chiropractic physicians, manual therapy, naturopathic physicians, meditation, guided imagery, yoga, therapeutic touch, reiki, and other energy therapies, and ayurveda. On campus, the interest and enthusiasm for this inclusive and multidimensional approach to health and wellness have resulted in the development of a concentration in Holistic and Integrative health within the Health Promotion Studies major at WCSU." https://www.wcsu.edu/ihhs/what-is-holistic-health/[iii]. Ron Parks, MD article in Mind Wise: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/covid-19-polio-past[iv].   Sister Kenny Institute revolutionized the treatment of polio patients:  https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2012/11/sister-kenny-institute-revolutionized-treatment-polio-patients/[v]. Ron Parks, MD article in Mind Wise: Yoga and Eastern Influence on Holistic Healthcare  https://www.inmindwise.com/p/yoga-eastern-influence-on-holistic-healthcare This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

A conversation with Brother PromiseI had a conversation with a loving, joyous, youthful monk, living and developing a holistic health program to enrich the lives and health of others. He is a fellow writer on Substack, where I publish my Mind Wise newsletter, where I discovered his work and connected with him.(Ron Parks—"RP"): "Hi, can you please introduce yourself and tell us what got you interested in mental health?"(Brother Promise—"BP"): Hello, my name is Brother Promise. I was born and raised in a suburb of Paris, France. As a teenager, I went through a psychosis and it was extremely difficult. Unfortunately, the mental health professionals I met could not help me. When I asked my psychiatrist how I could take better care of myself, he could not answer me, so I set out to find the answer for myself. I joined a martial arts club, began to exercise more, and then discovered mindfulness meditation through the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. At 18, I went on my first retreat at his main monastery in southwestern France, Plum Village. A year later, I returned to ask for monastic ordination. Since then, I've lived in several monasteries, including in Thailand and the United States. I'm 34 years old now.(RP): "What is Mental Health Revolution?"(BP): "Mental Health Revolution is the name of my Substack and YouTube channel, and my attempt to keep the promise I made to myself as a teenager: that if I found things that helped, I would share them with others. I believe our world needs a Mental Health Revolution, and that this revolution should uphold three values: empowerment, holism, and positivity. Empowerment, because it's time to take a self-care centered approach to mental health. Holism, because mental health is multifactorial. And positive, because we can do more than manage our pain: we can cultivate well-being, purpose, virtue, love, and transcendence.The most important thing I share on Mental Health Revolution is my Daily Wellness Empowerment Program. I also speak about the intersection of mental health and social issues, and have a book for young people on this topic called Heal the System: Suggestions for Frustrated Youth. I am also fascinated by the analytical contemplations of Buddhism and have written another book called Vipassana: Contemplations Leading to the Bliss of Letting Go.Everything I do is free.(RP): What is the Daily Wellness Empowerment Program?(BP): "The Daily Wellness Empowerment Program (DWEP) is a program that aims to empower individuals with ten daily practices for mental and physical wellness. All these practices are do-it-yourself, simple, free, back up by science, and holistically effective, and are based on insights from Buddhism, lifestyle medicine, positive psychology, and physical exercises from Asia. For increased effectiveness, the process of implementing these daily wellness habits into one's life is informed by behavioral science.This is the DWEP Sheet that I invite your audience to print out if they're interested:On the left are the ten DWEP practices. In the middle is a space for DWEP practitioners to set their own goals in relation to these practices. And on the right is a space for them to check at the end of each day whether or not they have met their DWEP goals, to help them reflect on how their actions affect their well-being. I also encourage DWEP practitioners, if possible, to check in once a week with a friend, a "DWEP Buddy," to support and encourage each other. At the back of the DWEP Sheet are 1-sentence summaries of the instructions for each exercise.The full explanations for each of these practices can be found in the DWEP Manual and in the DWEP videos on my YouTube channel.So far I have given two DWEP courses at my monastery and the response has been wonderful. A course is eight weeks long, and we meet once a week for two hours. In those two hours, we begin with a half-hour DWEP check-in, where people bring in their DWEP Sheet from the previous week, pair up, and talk about how they did with their DWEP goals in a spirit of empathy and mutual support. Then I teach the DWEP practices for an hour. As much as possible, we learn by doing, such as practicing the sitting meditation together, the physical exercises, or the mindful communication exercises (as part of Meaningful Human Connections). I also share the science behind the practices. At the end of each DWEP meeting, participants set new goals for the following week. At the end of the eight weeks, participants leave with a comprehensive wellness strategy for their lives.As a teacher, I try to provide the maximum wellness value in the least amount of time, while creating a safe, comfortable atmosphere where people can connect authentically and meaningfully.My goal is to make the entire program available online for free. Right now there is enough material online for people to get started at home (with the DWEP Sheet, the DWEP Manual, and some videos), but I need to make more videos. There are so many things I want to do, but it's going to take some time!"(RP): "I've reviewed the teaching and practice materials Brother Promise has developed for The Daily Wellness Empowerment Program (DWEP). Everything is superbly organized, easy to follow, and all the components fit together organically and holistically. Or, to say in another way, they fit human nature and are incentivized to establish daily healthy habits and routines. Every component is beneficial and genuinely supported by users and medical research. Many of the program's elements come from long-standing cultural traditions and practices. The actual names of some of the components may vary in different cultures and traditions. Many of the program's features are consistent with what I have come to accept and integrated into my practices and teachings. I can vouch for the benefits of such programs and practices as they have kept me healthy, active, and working as I enter my 80s.Tip and Points to Ponder:* Thank you, Brother Promise, for sharing your inspiring story and journey to find better healthcare solutions for yourself and others. Your love and attention to your inspired work and program will well serve the needs of others seeking health, a beneficial lifestyle, and consistent practices. Hopefully, more people will consider pursuing and trying out healthy alternatives to their present lifestyle, especially if there has been ill health or concern about not feeling their best in times of increasing demands and emotional distress.* His DWEP program is free, and it might be what you need. Such beneficial programs can fit in with other more traditional healthcare things you are doing, and I'm sure you would have the support of your present healthcare givers. If not, you have my blessing and love to do your best and be open to trying new and wise alternatives. Of course, listen to the advice of your primary healthcare provider, but it is quite alright to seek other opinions from trusted and experienced healthcare providers or professional resources.Dr. Parks offers sessions for help in gaining clarity and perspective. If interested, click here.---Part Two of the article, A Journey to Enlightened Healthcare, will be available soon and continues with the story of how my early life experiences resonated with the journey of Brother Promise and his inspired work with his DWEP holistic health program. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Finding the right words to describe the indescribableDifficulty describing profound and highly impactful events is a challenge for most, as words cannot capture the essence and totality of the happening. There are talented writers, poets, spiritual masters, and philosophers who have come close to conveying the mystery and otherworldliness of personal and profound, unique experiences. Experiences can be momentary, powerful, ecstatic, liberating, and enlightening, or painful, life-threatening, tragic, traumatic, and damaging. The event can occur over time with duress until circumstances change. Finding the meaning and purpose of what happened and translating it into something beneficial, educative, and inspiring for others is a valuable gift for those capable of doing so. What is revealed and effectively communicated can bring value, meaning, and purpose to others. When it is a story of loss, pain, trauma, and suffering, with the finding of meaning, purpose, and recovery, others may find inspiration and hope to see a path forward for change and healing.Some will profess that these profound momentary, insightful revelations or insights speak the truth or tell the deep wisdom which guides them in finding a more authentic life direction or meaning. Attempts to describe such unusual and profound happenings are difficult. Many expressions come up to capture the essence, such as revelation, epiphany, spiritually enlightening instant, expansive, spontaneous, highly charged, or insightful, emotional experience. Most fall short of imparting the occurrence's depth, the whole meaning, and value.The devotion and the impactful experiences that brought ecstasy and joy to the world—Rumi, the divine poet of the agesRumi, one of the world's most revered poets and communicators of the ecstatic mystical experience, beautifully expresses his release from the bonds of shallow, mundane mental preoccupations to the embrace of love and union with the divine. He was a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic who famously expressed his experiences of love, longing, and loss through mystical love. Rumi's philosophy emphasized the practice of love to achieve union with the divine, with the guidance of spiritual mentors. His poetry, which incorporated various languages, gained popularity worldwide. His quotes encourage self-reflection, love, pursuing wisdom and profound insights into the universe's interconnectedness, and the importance of using words wisely.Some of Rumi's famous quotes include: "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself." "Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made for the eye of one who sees." "Seek the wisdom that will untie your knot. Seek the path that demands your whole being." "You were born with wings. Why prefer to crawl through life?" "Raise your words, not your voice."The beyond traumatic life experience that brought profound insight into the world - Viktor Frankl and LogotherapyViktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust World War II survivor. His experience with excruciating trauma and often near-death experiences while in the Nazi concentration camps profoundly influenced his writing and the formation of his therapeutic approach called Logotherapy. It had a profound impact on the field of psychology. Frankl's book, "Man's Search for Meaning," has been translated into 24 languages and is an all-time best seller. It is a testament to his journey during his time in the concentration camp, with his transcendent experiences and enlightenment amid extreme suffering and revelation about the human moral prerogative.During his time in the camp, Frankl witnessed unimaginable suffering and saw firsthand the devastating consequences of a lack of meaning in life. These experiences shaped his belief in finding purpose and meaning even in the most challenging circumstances, even in extreme suffering. He highlights the human capacity for resilience and the power of the mind to transcend difficult circumstances.Logotherapy, the therapeutic approach developed by Frankl, emphasizes the spiritual dimension of human beings and the inherent desire to find purpose. Frankl believed individuals are driven by a "will to meaning" and that a lack of meaning can lead to negative behaviors and emotions. Logotherapy aims to help individuals discover their unique purpose and take responsibility for their lives—to find meaning, purpose, meaningful goals, and values, even amid adversity. By integrating human beings' physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects, Logotherapy is a holistic approach to the therapeutic encounter. The outcome of his personal trauma, tragedy, and realizations have inspired and guided many.Finding a path forward or out of a mental or emotional quagmire to inspiration and freedomDoing an intentional and intensive therapeutic intervention in a professionally supervised setting can be critical when stuck in mental torment and frustration, with a loss of direction and meaning. The hope is to unlock or get beyond the intelligent, thinking, planning, contriving, and patterning mind, which can get stuck in a brain neuro loop of unproductive mental activity. Getting free from fixation or beyond a sticking place sometimes requires feedback, and working with a responsible and well-trained therapist or teacher to get new input or guidance that can help us see the larger context or perspective beyond the present hampered mental reasoning. Sometimes there is a push or drive to seek an enlightening experience and clarity to help change a dark outlook. Sometimes changes are sought to allow completion of something deemed essential to achieve, as for gratification of accomplishment. To grow and mature can also be a compelling underlying driving force. The chosen means might be in a conducive therapeutic setting in group psychotherapy, with an individual therapist, or with the conjunctive use of mind-altering or expanding agents as psychedelic substances. The idea of revelation goes back through history, including those described as spiritual or religious experiences. People often felt transpersonal and inspired ideas closer to truth and reality. There can be a trap in the belief that the generated idea is an authentic perspective, which may be biased by prior felt needs, wishes, and desires. The thought that there has been the transmission of supernal ideas or communications to the deserving or as a gift for adherence to intense rituals and practices may reinforce a person's self-centered, selfish needs. There also may be the unconscious need to be special with entitlement to act out against others and social norms. Individuals may embrace an absolute authority to give meaning, order, and comfort to counter the feeling of vulnerability to life's struggle and suffering. If caught in an inflexible mindset with a loss of meaning and clear purpose, emotional bleakness of helplessness and hopelessness can lead to a downward spiral, loss of spirit, and ill health.For a profound, revelatory, enlightening experience to have a meaningful impact and benefit, the person may need a supportive, safe, communal, or therapeutic setting. Of further help would be having the presence of experienced guides and prior preparation through study and practices for the acquisition of wisdom and enhancement of the love of self and others beyond one's personal and selfish ideas and needs.Vulnerabilities when falling into despairFalling into despair might intensify the desire to find relief with rituals and practices. A spiritually enlightening instant, or a spontaneous, highly charged, insightful, emotional experience can occur, that there is a larger essence and potentialities from an untapped, more extraordinary infinite resource. Eastern religions sometimes phrase it as the ground of all-being or as G-d in Western religions. When coming out of despair and hopelessness, the experience might include intense feelings of happiness, ecstasy, love, inclusiveness, and acceptance by something more significant than the isolated, self-absorbed person. When there is too much clinging to self-interests or tribal interests, eventually, there can be a shift from love to hatred, fighting, and destruction between individuals and groups. Acting on a profound feeling, revelation, spiritual awakening, ecstatic connectedness, or communication believed to be from a divine agency is perhaps not the best time to make any critical decisions about significant life changes until the experience has had time to mature and integrate with one personal life and the practical needs of self and significant others. Tips and Points to Ponder:1.    It is natural sometimes to feel overwhelmed, confused, or have a loss of perspective, mainly when suffering arises in one's life. It is at these times primarily that one seeks change and alternatives. When in a dilemma on how to proceed, there can be emotional distress, interference with health, relationships, work, creative endeavors, productivity, or the ability to make accurate risk assessments. Getting direct advice from biased others with self-serving points of view may not be beneficial. When necessary, find an experienced and professional helper you can trust to engage in dialogue to help you explore all the issues, allowing you to find your clarity and perspective with your decision-making, integrating new insight from intensive experiences, or getting unstuck in making wiser choices. Doing so can be critical for resolving dilemmas, especially when caught in confusing and complicated situations. 2.    If wanting to expand your horizons and grow beyond the limitations of your habits and constrictive inner narrative, fears, emotions, or other felt limitations, carefully search for alternatives that may provide guidance and insight. Take time to be sure that the services or offers are with trustworthy people with experience, certification, and professional training when required. Some positive choices would be services such as a holistic mental health program, settings that teach trusted ways from other traditions and cultures such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, or practices and techniques deeper in your own religious or spiritual community. Get help from your own research or community resources where services are reviewed and evaluated. You certainly, and hopefully, would at least do this if looking for someone to do home repairs or a surgeon to do an intricate critical procedure.*A continuation of the article - Part One: Impactful moments and experiencesMind Wise is a valuable resource for your search and interest in mental health and well-being by Ron Parks, MD, MPH, an Integrative Psychiatrist, Holistic Medicine consultant, and writer.Dr. Parks offers sessions for help in gaining clarity and perspective. If interested, click here to schedule a session.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

A dynamic, momentary, or more prolonged experience can alter and mold your life and its expression. Any of us can recall certain impactful events that may have significantly changed our life experiences and choices. Today, for instance, was boiling and muggy with overhead threatening storm clouds and a distant rumble of an approaching thunderstorm. It took my mind back to a past eventful summer's day. I was seventeen and had worked hard that summer, earning enough to have my first car, and began dating my childhood sweetheart, my future wife. My older brother, who was working with a seasoned builder and involved with a construction project, hired me for the summer to assist the job superintendent with whatever help he needed. I felt both lucky and proud to be relied on for everything that came up. I remember one of the heavy equipment drivers who was always bragging about his smooth ways and dating life. He would tease me about being green behind the ears and maybe a little spoiled. I had to get up early before the sun came up to drive to the remote work site in a nearby city. The day began hot and humid with dark threatening storm clouds overhead. The sky opened with torrid, heavy rain with a loud burst of thunder. I was running for cover and got drenched. The super yelled at me to head for a trailer used as a construction office. The moment I grabbed the metal door handle, a loud burst of thunder snaked through the sky and struck a power line that fell on the roof of the construction shack. My body shook as electricity transmitted through the metal structure to my grasping hand and body. I was stunned and thrown back through the air for at least ten feet. I was shaken, scarred, and still stunned, but I could gradually get to my feet with the help of a kind employee. He said, "Young man, you're lucky to be alive, and remember to always touch things with the back of your finger before grabbing." It turns out he was also an electrician and always did that when there was any chance of getting a shock. But of course, I didn't know the construction shack had a live wire on it.I was deeply affected and imprinted with the idea of our profound connection and interdependence with nature and the forces of immensity beyond our small, fragile, and vulnerable existence. I had survived and realized the need to walk with more caution, humbleness, and respectfulness of all beyond our knowing and control. It no doubt became part of my inner narrative and growth into adulthood. Later that hot summer, when things seemed to fall into more of a routine, and I was accepted more and befriended by the other employees, an unexpected event gave me the first foreshadowing of my future career in healthcare. Later that same summer, not too long after the instance above, the supervisor at the worksite yelled for me to run over to one of the partially constructed buildings where there were low-hanging exposed metal beams that would be covered later in the construction. He said, "Take a towel for the carpenter injured there and cover his wound with pressure. He and his buddies had several beers with lunch and, when running back to get to work on time, ran through the building with the exposed beams. His head hit one of the beams, and his scalp had been partially ripped off, reminding me of the Western movies where people got “scalped.” Luckily, he could keep enough pressure on his injured head while I drove him to a nearby ER, where they quickly took him in and sutured him up. He thanked me and apologized if he had gotten any blood on my car seats. He probably was drunk enough to be spared some of the pain of the injury. I thought they would fire him, but as he was one of the lead carpenters and led one of the crews, he was warned and kept on the job. It was one of my first experiences overseeing a medical emergency, which I'm sure portended and influenced my later career choice, as was my earlier traumatic life experience with a hospitalization for an early form of polio, but that is another story.The underappreciated, dramatic, or profound effects of highly charged emotional experiencesIn modern psychology and psychiatry, much has been said and popularized about the impact of severe trauma and life-threatening events on a person's mental health and life. The sometimes underappreciated dramatic or profound effects of highly charged emotional experiences have mostly had attention in religious, spiritual, and Eastern cultural philosophies.Just as traumatic negative experiences can change and shape lives, so can a very intense time of experiencing and being flooded with positive emotions and feelings such as belonging, ecstasy, love, inclusiveness, sensory expansion, quietness, peacefulness, and unity. Such experiences often have revelatory ideas, insights, and an expanded sense of clarity. The choice of pursuing or being open to such experiences may greatly benefit some. Still, it may, in others, lead to an addiction or obsessive search for a sustained state of continual gratification and release from pain and suffering.Escape from ego-mind-entrapment and self-centerednessHistorically, efforts occurred to release individuals from ego mind entrapment and self-centeredness toward group dependence, responsibilities, cohesiveness, and allegiance to something greater and more powerful than the separated, isolated individual. In indigenous cultures, there were offerings by healers as shamans with ceremonial groups and spiritual practices, along with hallucinogenic plant medicine, music, dancing, or movement.Now, therapies using similar modalities have gradually entered the mainstream of medicine and psychiatry. Today many therapeutic modalities are pursued with different motivations, such as a search for life-changing, unlocking experiences to gain more profound wisdom or for relief from the suffering of depression, PTSD, and addictions. Other reasons might be purely for the sake of adventure and spiritual awaking or the seeking of clarity, enlightenment, and inspiration. Mind-influencing natural and psychedelic agents can help treat specific psychological and emotional difficulties.Caution and admonitions with new, innovative, and psychedelic therapiesIn the Psychotherapy field, there have been group therapies, intensive therapeutic encounters, and now psychedelic drugs, as indigenous people use some natural plant agents in their communities to induce spiritual and awakening experiences to enhance community bonds. Today, with ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA, Ayahuasca, LSD, and others, it becomes worthwhile to understand the ecstatic or revelation experiences and effects on users.Besides the promising benefits, some practical precautions need consideration as there are sometimes unforeseen consequences, such as the possible harmful or traumatic experience with mind-affecting or altering therapies. See reference to recent articles below about psychedelics, exploring the history, potential benefits, and risks.Often, it is recommended by mental health practitioners doing drug-assisted psychotherapy or intensive group therapies that whatever occurs or comes up often adequate reflection and processing as with continued discussion or therapy. The time required may vary to allow the novel perceptions and ideas to mature and integrate into the context of a person's life, inner narrative, and core beliefs. To do so is highly encouraged before jumping to any decisions or significant life-altering decisions. Tips and Points to Ponder:* Deciding or planning at the time of a profound mind-influencing experience might be an opening for change and growth or a disaster with dire consequences. A revelation or profound insight often has the potential for growth and enlargement of perspective. Still, it needs to be integrated with the larger context beyond one's current level of experience and knowledge to bring value to the experience. Otherwise, such an experience might reinforce a constrictive tendency to become more self-absorbed into a constrictive personal ego or drawn to others that reinforce a needed idea, belief, or new identity. It could further descend into destructive or radicalized "group thinking" that feeds hatred and division.* Every change or seeking growth entails a certain amount of risk, so wisely choosing your opportunities and course of action is essential. Many offerings to meet your desired or even felt desperate needs require careful consideration, and as the adage goes, "Buyer Beware." When necessary, find an experienced and professional helper you can trust to engage in dialogue to help you explore all the issues, allowing you to find your clarity and perspective with your decision-making, integrating new insight from intensive experiences, or getting unstuck in making wiser choices.Mind Wise is a valuable resource for your search and interest in mental health and well-being by Ron Parks, MD, MPH, an Integrative Psychiatrist, Holistic Medicine consultant, and writer.A special thanks to Jan Parks and Shan Parks, editor, for their valued feedback and assistance.Dr. Parks offers sessions for help in gaining clarity and perspective. If interested, click here to schedule a session. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

The reality of decision-making and unpredictable consequences.My mother's wise advice, the tragic news of an adventure vacation to see the Titanic wreckage in a submersible that imploded, my reflection on the nature of decision-making, and close calls of my own when choosing an adventurist trip, and Tips and Points to Ponder.A mother's advice on travel and finding answers, meaning, and perspectiveOnce in my youth, not too long after beginning the stress and challenging times of medical training, I told my wife one evening in our small cozy apartment, "I need to take some vacation time off to wrap my head around all these current demands and changes. I need a break to gain perspective on the meaning and purpose of my newly chosen medical career path." My wife and I agreed, so we planned and then set off on a long drive to a yoga retreat center in the mountains to meet, learn, and do practices with a popular and well-known yoga teacher. The experience was worthwhile for both of us, even after a stressful drive through the upper New York State mountains. It was beautiful to experience the deep relaxation and insight that there was more to life than all that occupied our thinking minds. When we returned, we went first to my parent's home in a lovely, wooded country setting in Maryland, where I grew up. My mother, who I always thought was a bit of a natural mystic as she always seemed insightful in a more profound way than you would experience with most people and always seemed in touch with the spirit of things above the mundane. She must have anticipated our arrival as she came out of the adjoining woods where she had been cleaning an area of leaves and branches covering some newly planted shrubs under her care. She beamed with warmth and gladness at our safe return.Her smile of deep understanding and a few words conveyed her heartfelt thoughts, "You don't have to travel far, as it is all right here." Implying to me that one doesn't have to search or look all over the place for what is imminent and close at hand in nature and daily life where we are and live. The clarity I was seeking and thought I found with my far travels to study with the skilled yoga teacher, apparently to my mother, was nearer than I had imagined. My mother's penetrating warmth and smile made it all seem to be present with the simple clearing of mind with intentional, purposeful, loving, and respectful actions. I understood that my mother's ways were the product of a person who had found her peace in the simple essence of how she approached life's challenges and stresses. She was respectful of our adventures and seeking the deeper meaning of things, but she knew that wisdom would come to us in its own way and time.Mother always worried about my safety when I traveled or went off on one of my adventures. When I was younger and would go out on dates and maybe stay out a little later, she would always be up waiting for me to return home safely. Of course, it took me many more years of trying and seeking to find that I didn't really have to travel too far, as it often was just a few breaths away with an unfettered mind. However, I persisted to a certain extent and still feel at times that a change of venue is a necessary and valuable thing to do. Maybe someday I will reach that same level of enlightenment and spirituality as my mother and her acceptance of what is and have the wisdom that we don't have all the control over as much as we think we do. She died soon after I had established my first medical practice. After she died, I realized she had stoically kept the pain and early warning signs of her failing heart to herself, from myself, and her internist, who had always admired her warmth and smile. She must have sensed her soon end of life, with complete acceptance for what was to be, and didn't want to burden anyone with worry.Exploring the recent ill-fated mini-submarine implosion, descending to view the sunken Titanic, and my scuba diving misadventuresThe recent tragedy of the research mini-submarine like-vessel that imploded on its way down, instantly killing its crew, including a paying adventure traveler and his son, brought up traumatic memories of my close calls. Past scuba diving adventures came to mind when I was younger, and I went outside my comfort zone for risky, adventurous experiences. Why I did it still is not entirely clear: maybe it was my youth, adventurous spirit, and need to feel accepted and valued by my athletic peers and fellow lifeguards who were into scuba diving. Or perhaps it was a need to prove my masculinity or bravery, find my direction in life, or explore new things. Other reasons might have been the challenges of the adventure itself, the gratification of pushing the envelope to increase confidence or overcome fears, or to prove my self-worth in meeting a formidable challenge, perhaps to increase bragging rights or egotistical needs. My first scuba diving adventure with my friends and fellow lifeguard was going for a deep dive in a rock quarry lake—maybe a trip not chosen wisely.My equipment was handed down diving gear from an older brother, which I had checked out and serviced at a local dive shop. I was certified by a scuba diving training course and did a couple of run-throughs with the group going on the intended dive. We practiced in a swimming pool where we all worked as lifeguards and were all excellent swimmers. As the actual dive in open and deep water was new to me, I was pretty anxious. I calmed myself down by saying, "With all this preparation, what could go wrong?" My friends, especially the group leader, had much more experience than the rest of us, and he constantly was the voice of reassurance, "All will be fine; just follow my lead, breathe, and stay calm." I think I immensely underestimated the risk, as did the travelers on the tragic Titanic dive in the supposed safe submersible deep diving vessels.When we got to the rock quarry lake far out in a rural area, it was colder than expected; but we were prepared with neoprene insulated diving suits, which, as I remember, were tricky to get into. Our diving masks had good seals, and our diving tanks were freshly filled with oxygen and tested. We all know about the risk of descending or returning to the surface too quickly without proper decompression and the dangers of oxygen poisoning or what are called "bends." We all had diving watches to measure our time submerged and returning to the surface. Our leader carefully led us down to the plan depth, frequently stopping to let the painful ear pressure adjust and subside. I gradually felt more relaxed and confident until our dive leader became a little frantic and gestured to me that we had to return to the surface, but slowly for safety. He was pointing to my nose in my mask, where I could feel some fluid which turned out to be blood trickling down the sides of my nose. I was a little frightened but confident in our lead driver. As we got closer to the surface, I gradually felt safer and okay. Unfortunately, as we got to the warm surface of the lake, everything began to spin around, and the diver in charge had to lead me to the shore. Once I had my feet on the ground, the spinning or vertigo disappeared. Though that was many years ago, I still will have, with rapid changes in pressure, as when flying, a small amount of dizziness.I guess I don't entirely learn from my experience, or perhaps I get the false confidence that because of my experience, I'd be safer and better prepared the next time. However, the next couple of times, I went scuba diving; it was in much shallower water, and I was okay with even more wisdom and experience under my belt—at least, I thought so. Of course, that isn't the end of my tale because many years later, my wife and I were vacationing at a resort in the Caribbeans where they offered a deep scuba dive in the warm tropical waters with an experienced diver who was reputed to have been a diver with the famous French explorer, Jacques Cousteau. My wife wisely passed on the scuba diving experience and was grateful I would be doing it. But again, I underestimated the risk for myself, especially when I learned the diver in charge was only French-speaking, and I wasn't. I felt that I understood his hand gesture enough to follow his lead. I didn't realize he was going deeper than I had expected or with what I would be comfortable with.He safely took us slowly down so we could accommodate the changing pressure. I think I became more anxious when I looked up from the great depth we were at, and I said to myself, "The surface and light are so far away." I felt increasingly anxious and a little claustrophobic. The diver in charge signaled me to calm down, especially my breathing. He checked the air gauge on my tank and signaled that my air had run out. My anxious, more rapid breathing had caused this, no doubt. The leader signaled me that we would need to go back to the surface slowly and with taking turns breathing from his mouthpiece and tank. Fortunately, my pre-training included how to alternate breathing with another person in case an oxygen tank or breathing supply failed and how to read hand signs. I didn't experience the nosebleed or vertigo that occurred with my first deep dive. Had I proven myself under pressure, or was it an unwise or not adequately planned undertaking?Lessons to be learned and why we do the things we doThis story's moral is to ensure you understand all the aspects of a planned experience; in this situation, I was not informed immediately before the dive that the leader didn't speak English for adequate pre-dive preparation. Also, you better learn and master French before going down with a French scuba diver without a translator. Even though some psychologists would consider this beneficial exposure work to overcome one's fear, it wasn't for me, just further trauma of getting caught up in doing the same type of poorly thought out or planned activity with potentially life-threatening consequences. Now I appreciate being on solid ground, swimming on the water surface, snorkeling, or just splashing around in a relaxing, warm, soaking tub.Looking back at my folly of getting caught up in a risky, potentially life-threatening situation gives me some appreciation of how easy it is to come close to an unexpected catastrophe or traumatic experience inadvertently. Any such experience can leave a residue or injury in our psyche and body of fear and reactivity. There was no doubt a complexity of contributory factors that led to the choices and decisions leading up to the unexpected traumatic death of the Titanic exploratory expedition members.Recently, I was a little frustrated at not being sure what direction to take with my writing and career efforts with my aging mind and body. I felt stuck in figuring out my next steps or course of action. It felt like I lacked perspective and clarity about things in general and felt blocked from getting restarted with my next writing project. My usual impulse is to escape the binding dilemma or stuck position and maybe go on a vacation to get some perspective with the change of scenery. My wife, Jan, reminded me that we recently went on a taxing driving holiday, and it wasn't the time for it again.Then I read about the wealthy millionaire who took his son on an adventure vacation to see the Titanic wreckage, which ended up as a disaster.,, Their submersible imploded because of the tremendous pressure of the depths, causing their instant death. The story of the tragic happening reminded me of some close call for me in my earlier life, as with my scuba diving adventure, and was a wake-up call for me to be more aware of my journey through life. The occurrence reinforced the purpose of my searches and curiosity to understand the influences behind choices and decisions, to fathom the deeper layer of my mind's workings, and to know why I often miss the bigger perspective of the actual reality of things and existence.Tips or Points to Ponder:   * Seek to understand and know what underlies your inner restlessness as wanting to travel for adventure or discovery or the need for a change to get perspective or to meet specific needs or gratifications.* Risk-taking is on a scale or continuum, slight to extreme. Some that have had severe trauma might be very guarded and protective and see all risks as frightening and dangerous, which can cause being too isolated, avoidant, and shut down to new experiences. Some risk-taking can be essential for learning, growing, and establishing a supportive social network. There is a learning curve to identifying unwise risk situations and gaining the tools necessary to assess the potential for harm in future planned endeavors. We often learn from our mistakes, but as we grow and learn, hopefully, extreme occurrences that lead to trauma, PTSD, or death will be avoided.* In deciding to leave the comforts of home or the status quo for a trip or adventure, complete a careful assessment of safety, including considering whom you will depend on, if not yourself, for trip planning, evaluation of your essential needs, and security. Be clear about the risk vs. benefits regarding your well-being and safety. If someone is organizing or managing a trip, ensure there is complete transparency and clarity of details that you understand.* There are educative comparisons when recalling the implosion disaster when a diving vessel collapsed with too much external pressure headed for a view of the sunken Titanic. One psychological occurrence like the implosion concept would be the sometimes insidious, dangerous collapse of one's mental or physical health when too over-extended in activities or relationships or taking on too much stress or "pressure." Awareness and action to reduce or ease too much pressure or anxiety would be paramount for mental and physical health. Regular exercise, meditation, mindfulness, and awareness-strengthening practices can benefit and protect people from excessive stress or pressures from the external world.* It is human sometimes to feel overwhelmed, confused, or have a loss of perspective, especially when considering a change or seeking alternatives. Other situations or contributory factors might be when feeling stuck or in a bind on how to proceed or decide. It could interfere with relationships, work, creative endeavors, productivity, or accurate risk assessment when seeking a change. Often, it is not beneficial to get direct advice from other people who are often biased with their self-serving point of view. Find an experienced and professional person you can trust to engage in dialogue to help you explore all the issues, allowing you to find your clarity and perspective to help with your decision-making, getting unstuck and freed so you can make wiser choices. Doing so at times when needed can be critical for resolving dilemmas, especially when you find yourself caught in confusing and complicated situations.Schedule a session with Dr. Parks, an Integrative Psychiatrist, Holistic Medicine consultant, and writer, to gain clarity and perspective for help with decision-making or understanding perplexing situations. Schedule a 30-minute appointment by clicking here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Writer's Block Strikes: The critical steps to reignite inspired creativity, growth, and productivity.I was returning from a vacation and felt guilty about not working on or beginning a new newsletter article. Every time I would sit down to start, I would find myself distracted and doing other things or just feeling tired or overwhelmed by the immensity of the task with all its components. Some basics of the task even felt too difficult, such as coming up with new material, doing the research, working through the succession of drafts, multiple edits, and the final publishing process.The worst was the mental ambiguity over how important it really was in my present life stage to do all this demanding, focused work. The arduous and challenging task, arguably, wasn't meeting any required needs, such as earning a living to support myself, my family, and others. Career work was a major priority when I was younger, but not so much now that I am mostly retired.Listening to the Inner VoiceAlso, there was the challenging inner voice that said in its accusatory or demeaning way, "Maybe you aren't skilled enough and too old to get into a field immensely challenging for even a young person," Or worse, "You really lack an audience even interested in what you have to say or find your content relevant to their interests and needs."Deeper in the recesses of my mind floats up the worrisome thought, "There are so many people out there that make a living, that are very skilled and manipulative in selling you their writing and publishing-related products for their own selfish needs and profits–the great American, capitalistic way. How do you know you are not being groomed, sold a lot of ideas and empty rhetoric, that to be successful, you need to participate in their program or course, buy their platform, writing tools or apps, consultations, or products? Are you spending more money and putting more effort and time into the promotions and products that end up not being needed by you? Are you being hustled with no chance of any return on your investment? Are you too susceptible or vulnerable to be in the league of writers and therefore just getting burned out from getting too drawn away from the joy of writing and creativity?"I was tempted to list in my mind all the products and courses I had bought that were perhaps of some help, but their sheer volume and cost always took a significant chunk out of earnings without a clear or any long-lasting benefit. I recalled the many time-management or efficiency courses or related products I bought and tried out. Some wasted more time with their complexity and learning curve. You almost had to take a class with each to apply them to your needs, hoping they would be of some benefit. Maybe some were helpful, but few met my needs or led me to the promised land of mastery and success regarding the specific goals and projects I was pursuing.The same voice, when it wanted to take a more subtle tack to undermine any weakened resolve to get restarted with my next writing project, that might be ready to take root, "Why do you want to do any projects so difficult and demanding if the likelihood of any success, notoriety, or financial gain are slim, given your lack of an existing audience to run out and buy any of your published works or to turn to you for a consultation? Is this a work of vanity or ego that wants to ride you over the cliff or exhaust you when you could do more social or health-oriented activities? Does this writing project have any real meaning or purpose for you, to drive you like your many years in a professional career when you had to get up at dawn and drive across town to your bustling office or the hospital? At least there, even though my office was percolating with all kinds of demands and stresses, it was gratifying and rewarding when you were helpful to others and earning a suitable income to take care of the needs of yourself and family."The other feedback from my inside voice of worry and fear, from my many years in medical and psychiatric practice, was: "Be worried that the reason you are feeling blocked from restarting a new writing project may be a medical or psychological problem. Your fatigue and tiredness could be the symptoms or warning of an underlying disease." Then I would think, "Oh, here comes the differential diagnosis, but it could be right, and I've seen significant illness underlie what seemed like mundane complaints throughout my career. You better worry, pay attention, and investigate."The Inner DiagnosticianMy astute, well-trained inner diagnostician loved to put me through the wringer, which I hoped I had avoided when working with patients during my medical career. But maybe I slipped up sometimes, and karma was catching up with me, or simply the fear inevitable with aging. The diagnosing inner worrier would step back a bit to more rational reasoning, "You have itchy eyes and some postnasal drip, stupid you, it is just allergies, which are high this time of year, that leave you exhausted with irritable eyes, and you just don't want to put in a lot of reading or computer time. Just take some antihistamines and get some more sleep." That sounded helpful but left me worried about many more possibilities. "Maybe the tiredness and lack of resolve to start a new article were you needing to wake you up to the possibility of losing some of your natural abilities with age. You can't push yourself or be motivated as when you were younger. It could be, as likely, that you need to find the same meaning and purpose when getting caught up in too many things, which end up being more demanding than you can do." I remembered my mother's favorite expression: "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach."From my career as a professional caregiver and diagnostician, I knew that many medical or psychiatric problems could be hidden and can present with symptoms such as difficulties in accomplishing things that are usually easily doable. Often, when falling short in the past, there would be an easy remedy as getting more rest, better nutrition, and social support. Maybe the answer would be to take a little break or a vacation or wait for the inspiration to hit to pick up my efforts to get productive again. I knew of all the tests available to check for hidden illnesses that came with the training in my profession for what to do and look for. I had been diligent over the years, probably with more resources than most people, and done all the routine evaluations. So, I felt some confidence on the medical side.In terms of the psychological, though I had some difficulties with panic and anxiety when younger, I had never had any difficulties with significant depression. I knew how it could often present with such complaints as worry, fatigue, loss of meaning, motivation, joy in doing things, and sleep difficulties. So, writer's block can mean many things to different people but is often the simple loss of direction, motivation, inspiration, perspective, too much overwork, fatigue, or the lack of new ideas. When stuck or experiencing uncomfortable or painful emotions or physical symptoms, it is sensible to have the wisdom to seek feedback and gain the perspective of friends, colleagues, and others. Professional helpers or teachers can be essential in times of deep distress or need.The Creative Process Running into ObstaclesWhen the creative workflow gets impeded or stops, it gets labeled by writers as "writer's block." To some, it is a feeling of being stuck in the writing and creative process and unable to begin or complete new writing projects and creations. The underlying causes and contributing factors are many and unique to the individual. Overcoming or investigating obstacles to creative flow and production is usually a worthwhile and vital step to pursue. In doing so, one may open the doors to new learning, find a new direction, and get more in touch with the realities of yourself and the larger context in which you exist and live. The symptoms may be a warning of more profound issues or problems, possibly medical, psychological, or spiritual unique to the individual. Interference in the creative workflow may mean that it is time for a reality check and redirection of one's efforts and a call for re-evaluation or appropriate corrective actions.The creative person may feel their problems come from lacking fresh ideas, the needed experience, or "natural" talent. Researchers in the past found self-doubt and associated issues. One was the sense of apathy when the writers felt constrained by the conventions expected of writers and struggled to find and keep their creative spirit alive. Another was anger when a writer was too egotistical or vain if their work was unnoticed. Fear and anxiety over not being good enough, worthy, or talented as a writer were also common. The fear of failing with one's inexperience and limitations would sometimes devastate a writer when their work was compared to accomplished writers.Traps and False PathsThere is always the risk of seeking false paths to unlock creativity or to expand beyond the place where we might be stuck in our work or mental preoccupations and worries, or burnout and fatigue. Many get introduced to using drugs or alcohol in their childhood or in association with a drug-using culture. There is the risk of becoming habituated to using addictive drugs or getting involved with the dangerous use of hallucinogens. The use of hallucinogenic substances has become an avenue of interest for physicians and therapists, as well as people having depression or those seeking to get unstuck or remove blocks to their creativity and inspiration. The dependence on drugs to get high or get inspiration can be risky, as drugs can be mixed with additives or have excessive potency in non-standardized preparation. The self-use of these, often illicitly got substances, can be incredibly risky when taken by oneself or in programs run by untrained individuals lacking structure, professional standards, and supervision.Well-structured mental health and psychiatric programs now use hallucinogenic therapies showing promise in safe, well-supervised, and structured programs. For centuries indigenous and tribal cultures have used plant and herbal substances as part of their spiritual and religious practice or rites of passage, usually done in a group context with an experienced shaman. Do careful research if interested in medication or hallucinogenic-assisted therapies and seek professional guidance from trusted people with expertise in these areas. If you are already suffering from substance use disorder or problems, especially opiates, seek professional help. In the situation with opiates, there has been a high death rate from illicitly obtained pills or drugs laced with a lethal substance.Spiritual AttunementIn the spiritual dimension, there might be a need to gain help in areas beyond the simple loss of inspiration and meaning or the mild physical and mental burnout. Spiritual attunement may be an avenue for those with entrapment in isolative mental configuring and processing with a loss of perspective of what is beyond our reasoning and mental capacities–the need to seek greater truth, understanding, or perspective about the whys and wherefores of our existence and interdependence on others for our substance and well-being.A spiritual teacher or guide may help to elevate our thinking above the mundane to see beyond our limited vision and horizons. Many simple or sometimes more demanding spiritual practices often are as important as health, physical care and exercise, nutrition, or any self-help-oriented programs. I try to keep myself involved with dream/idea journaling, mindfulness, and meditative, yoga-type practices. I also value the company of people that embrace spiritual awareness and enlightenment. All said and done, why was I still stuck and wanted to unlock the flow of renewed passion and zest for creativity?Getting Unstuck and Back into the FlowI finally got unlocked and back into my creative flow by getting some extra rest, taking some antihistamines for allergies and nutritional supplements to ward off a possible viral infection, reviewing my dream/idea journals, and just starting with the simple, heartfelt story of what was going on in my mind. I relaxed and accepted the need to take a vacation from my work, spend some meaningful time with my significant others and support community, and get back into a consistent program as with my exercise, swimming, and yoga. Also, the simplicity of just getting started again by focusing and beginning back with a small piece of the new writing projects opened the floodgate and released my energy and creative spirit. With the topic of writer's block, I explored the many things that often get me stuck by being reminded to look under the surface for possible significant medical, psychological, or spiritual issues that may need care and attention.Tips and Points to Ponder1. Sometimes there is the need to get unblocked and back into the flow by "leaning" into and processing what is coming into awareness that may be related to current difficulties. There may be a reluctance to uncover and process uncomfortable feelings, worries, and emotions. A concern might be that something dreadful or profound is underlying a loss of a usually readily available functioning as with creative flow and production. The daunting task of looking into or examining what may relate to changes in your mental or physical functioning is often required. Critical clues and answers are usually there and can help get you out of a rut or immobilization. Some are skilled and comfortable doing the task by being open to the awareness of thoughts and emotions, and perhaps past traumas may need the support of a compassionate and skilled other. Some learned or gained therapeutic skills to face underlying issues and feelings can be learned from programs with qualified teachers.2. There is always the risk of seeking false paths to unlock creativity or to expand beyond the place where we might be stuck in our work or mental preoccupations and worries, or burnout and fatigue. Many get introduced to drugs or alcohol in childhood or are associated with a drug-using culture. There is the risk of becoming habituated to using addictive substances or getting involved with the dangerous use of hallucinogens. The use of hallucinogenic substances has become an avenue of interest for physicians and therapists, as well as for people having depression or those seeking to unleash creativity or get unstuck or remove blocks to their creativity and inspiration.3. The dependence on drugs to get high or inspiration can be dangerous, as drugs can be mixed with toxic chemicals or additives or excessive dosing in non-standardized preparation. The self-use of these often illicit substances can be exceptionally high risk when taken by oneself or in programs or treatment by untrained individuals in programs lacking structure, professional standards, and supervision.4.  Stimulates like substances or drugs excite the mind and can make one very exuberant and over-energetic. Mental activity and behavior will excessively speed up with the synthesis of a lot of new patterns of information that may be useful and rational or not. At the extremes, one may appear manic or even psychotic with racing thoughts and incoherence. Using natural ways to stimulate the mind and body can bring release from mental sluggishness or mild depression as engaging in energizing social activities, recreation, sports activities, or doing things involving active movement and exercise of the body to increase your circulation of healthy blood flow to all your vital organs including your nervous system and brain. Getting outside into nature, walking, gardening, biking, and other activities revitalize the body, mind, and spirit. Explore new topics of interest, as in friendly conversations with valued and interesting others or in listening or taking part in educational activities that challenge yourself to achieve or accomplish a new goal or something you have thought about doing but have resisted for illogical reasons. Try some new creative endeavors.5. Well-structured mental health and psychiatric programs are now utilizing hallucinogenic-type therapies showing promise in safe, well-supervised, and structured programs. For centuries, indigenous and tribal cultures have used plant and herbal substances as part of their spiritual and religious practice or rites of passage, usually done in a group context with an experienced shaman. Do careful research if interested in medication-assisted therapies and seek professional guidance from trusted people with expertise in these areas. If you already suffer from substance use disorder or problems, especially opiates, seek professional help. With opiates, there has been a high death rate from illicitly obtained pills or drugs laced with a lethal substance.6. If you are too passive, stuck at your desk or computer, and inactive, consider picking and doing a simple exercise program to unlock more of your potential.7. Avoid being lured into schemes or remedies to ease your problems when experiencing overwhelm, productivity, motivation, and creativity issues. Do your research or get good advice from trusted sources to avoid seduction by clever marketing and sales promotions for products, courses, and such that may be unhelpful, costly, or potentially dangerous. Check out any underlying issues that might be present and seek help from trusted sources. Be open to feedback from knowledgeable others or professional sources when needed.8. Be aware that when a person becomes too isolated in their intellectual activity. Some prefer working alone for better productivity and concentration, which may lead to a loss of perspective, context, objectivity, and insight, especially without feedback from others, or in not doing adequate research to get needed input for developing a realistic and reliable formulation or presentation.I appreciate your interest in a topic so relevant to all trying to stay vital and creative. Please share this article with others. Thanks, Ron Parks, MDI look forward to any feedback, response to my articles and posts, or questions I can respond to and answer. All comments are valued and give direction to our continued work and guidance in meeting the needs of our readers.A special thanks to Jan and Shan Parks for their valued feedback and assistance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

There has been a lack of progress in passing new legislation and regulations to help curb the increase in mass shootings of innocent people. Tragic loss of life from mass shootings or active shooter incidences is now an almost daily occurrence and increasing. People feel helpless and angered that our elected officials, for-profit businesses, and organizations can't have fruitful discussions or surmount their partisan stuck talking points and biases.[i] The movie, A Man Called Otto[ii] can better inform people, and perhaps politicians, or at least open the conversation about the major contributing factors to suicides, homicides, and preventative measures. In the movie, Otto, played by Tom Hanks, is socially awkward and rude to neighbors and others encountered. He eventually inadvertently becomes a local hero and begins to build meaningful relationships. Otto's character is a grumpy widower who frequently criticizes and judges people he encounters. He struggles to get past his suicidal depression and loss of meaning after his wife's death and the end of his career. The movie has some comical moments and is emotionally moving.[iii]The movie is an excellent performance by Tom Hanks and the supporting ensemble of actors. Otto's character gives us a glimpse into the pain and suffering when significant anchors, meaning, and purpose to one's life are lost. There ensues a descent into a suicidal depression with potential self-harm or homicidal actions during his troubled journey to salvation. Otto's persistence of irritability and anger towards others is of note. There is always the possibility that a person accumulating grievances toward others may direct their anger and, eventually, violence toward them.A simplified notion is that depression is related to anger directed inward and that acting out and aggression towards others occurs when others get blamed for personal losses and grievances. Many accumulative issues can contribute to a despondent person focusing on self-harm or harming others (suicidal or homicidal). For instance, a person may be influenced by the feelings of victimization or maltreatment by others with the urge to act out with rage and homicidal intent or actions toward others.[iv]In the movie, Otto doesn't have to buy a firearm for his suicidal plan as he has one in storage upstairs. The gun becomes one of his ways for him trying to commit suicide. The people who, fortunately, interrupt his ill-conceived plans are neighbors who care for him to different degrees. Otto has been a tolerated neighborhood character for many years who has unintentionally or inadvertently helped others.Though Otto's intended solution to his loss, misery, and depression was suicide, it could have switched if circumstances were slightly different. Homicide or a mass shooting might have occurred if enough grievances accumulated or if he was more isolated and influenced by the prevalent news coverage of mass shootings or social media participation that have the potential to radicalize someone into becoming a home-grown terrorist for revenge or to gain notoriety as a champion of a radical cause, or to settle grievances by the targeting of a viewed enemy or hated other. Also, if he had easy access to weaponry often used in today's mass shootings, he might have considered homicide an option for his internalized pain and suffering. So, there could be a fine line or turning point with today's media and influences that could have led Otto to be another mass shooter or perpetrator of violence towards others.The bottom line here is that all would be more preventable if there were more and easier access to mental health services and better public education for identifying individuals at risk with significant mental health risks to self or others. The related issue of the role and presence of guns and the need for more monitoring and regulation opens a whole debate on gun ownership and personal rights. A significantly increased public funding would be necessary to implement any agreed-upon improvements in gun regulation and monitoring, public education for gun safety, and expanding law enforcement agencies and mental health services. Raising the need for revenue for critical services would require lawmakers and politicians to put aside their respective biases to pass legislation to increase government revenue by fair taxation of all and to spending cuts in less essential or needed areas. A combination of compromise and negotiation would potentially gain the tax revenues and changes required."Otto," starring Tom Hanks, might help you get off the fence about whether mass shootings are because of the proliferation of guns or mental health issues. The movie, I would argue, can help inform people that the issues are both guns and mental health problems. The gun violence archives have shown that most gun-related deaths were accounted for by suicide, where people took their own life with guns. Now mass shootings are competing as a cause of death from firearms.Mass shootings can often be related to mental health problems and access and availability of guns. There are many other contributing factors. A few would be conservative values to protect business interests, including the gun industry and individual rights to own and possess firearms. People argue that it's not guns and gun laws, as similar mass shootings occur in other states with the same rules, so full blame gets placed on mental health issues. Academics and social scientists look at statistics showing more guns owned, or availability accounts for more deaths. The political debate over gun deaths is skewed towards gaining influence over respective supporters. Candidates often depend on getting funding for their campaigns from wealthy contributors such as the gun industry or the business community against more regulation or higher taxation. Political paralysis continues to occur as both sides are entrenched in their respective political and partisan ideologies. Little has changed a year after the tragic Uvalde mass shooting of schoolchildren. Opposing sides about who is to blame or what to do to make change have only become more polarized with inflexible positions.[v]Increasing public education about the signs and symptoms of depression[vi] and warning signs of a potential active shooter would help reduce firearm deaths. Early recognition and treatment could prevent a descent into suicidal or homicidal actions, especially in today's atmosphere of inadequate mental health resources and easy access to firearms.Reid Meloy, a board-certified forensic psychologist, and FBI consultant, identified eight warning behaviors common to mass shooters:[vii]*   Planning and preparing the details of their attack, like buying ammunition and firearms in secret,*  Fixating on someone or a cause to the extent that it leads to deterioration in their social and work lives,* Assuming an identity that shifts from a preoccupation with other mass shooters to wanting to become one themself, commonly a young man,* Increasing energy and focus on preparing and carrying out the intended attack with a shift away from online internet behavior in the hours prior before the planned assault,*  Leaking communication of their intent to attack the intended victim or victims as a direct message on social media, such as posting a comment in a chat group,* Communicating direct threats to the intended target (less common),* Testing their ability to carry out violence by doing aggressive actions such as picking a fight or killing an animal. A reason might be to assess their ability to do violence or kill others,* Saying things that show their urgent need to act violently soon.Predisposing Factors to Gun Violence, Self-harm, or Harm to Others:With the growing incidences of gun violence and related deaths, debates persist about why this is happening and how to prevent it. Discussion often revolves around:· Problems with easy access to guns used for purposes other than recreation and hunting, especially guns that can inflict mass casualties.· Significant social-economic disparities, poverty disadvantages, and discrimination against those affected.· Polarized politics and ideologies prevent progress and the needed positive changes.· Mental health issues and lack of public funding for services and resources; at-risk people with mental and emotional problems can be prone to act violently toward others or themselves. Such individuals may have troubled personalities and unstable moods, anger, and rage, sometimes associated with the history of growing up in an unsupportive, dysfunctional, or abusive family or a history of being bullied, or severe paranoid, anti-social, borderline, narcissistic personalities or those that suffer from delusional or psychotic states would be considered more at risk for violent acting out.· Lack of firearm regulatory and governing laws related to guns and their possession.· Radicalization of vulnerable minds happens with exposure to extreme political discourse, hate groups, and propaganda. The message might be to hate and destroy perceived adversaries. Significant influences occur in social media, violent video games, adverse peer support groups (gangs), family, neighborhood, or their social media consumption — especially when glorifying violence, guns, or exposure to extreme ideas.· A higher risk of suicide or homicide exists when mental health issues such as severe depression co-occur with drug, alcohol, and other substance use disorders.· Psychological and developmental difficulties limit the ability to integrate social information and proneness to misinterpret information from others.· There can be a desperate need to feel a part of a social group and to fit in, even if it is an extremist group found on social media. Feelings and ideas associated with the susceptibility to being drawn into radical groups and ideologies that may lead to violence toward others include feelings of being marginalized, oppressed, bullied, victimized, anger, rage, and rejection. People with difficulties with socialization skills, significant anxiety, low self-esteem, and social isolation may also be more vulnerable to the manipulation of others and have a preoccupation with thoughts of destroying one's self or others.· Had exposure to violence: growing up witnessing domestic violence and being the victim of sexual and physical abuse or bullying.· Accumulated obsessional grievances of the wrongs done to them by others with growing resentment may exist.Tips and Points to Ponder:1.   Be an advocate for gun safety and regulation, and increase mental health funding and services, and support for law enforcement agencies and personnel—make available more places to call for help and find referral options; increase specialty-trained mental health personnel to assist law enforcement in response to drugs or alcohol intoxication, mental health, or disabilities situations.2.   Increase public education about the warning signs of emotional and mental health disturbances and the potential for violence.3.   Reduce the burden on the legal system by directing more funding toward drug treatment and rehabilitation and reducing factors contributing to substance use disorders.4.   Encourage those concerned about someone's safety to get involved and reach out to a qualified mental health provider for consultation and guidance.5.   Take money out of politics and let public funds support all public office seekers—removing hidden large money donations from Political Action Committees (PACs), large business interests, and corporations—set limits on contributions and require transparency.6.   Support the election of sensible candidates that are public servants with the interests of the people they serve as the priority.7.  Citizens and leaders need to work together and take action to prevent gun violence, with the realization that the issue is not going away without constructive work and effort. To best address the problem, it is essential to understand what is causing it and what steps are critical for prevention. Support funding and legislation that promotes sensible gun registration, licensing, and education about safe firearm use, along with other measures proposed in the past, such as background checks, protection orders for men subject to domestic violence to not have guns, safe storage when children are in the house, and trigger locks on firearms and ammunition, stored separately, and bans on bump stocks mimicking automatic weapon fire. Nicholas Kristof, a contributor to The New York Times article, How to Reduce Shootings, points out that the U.S. has more guns than any other country, with over 300 million guns, about one for every citizen, and a gun murder rate higher than most other countries. He feels guns should be at least as regulated as automobiles.[viii],[ix]     8.  Restrict or reduce the marketing and selling of military-level assault weapons designed for military conflicts and mass casualties.9.  Become more aware of and avoid being influenced by false information from media or news outlets, political propaganda, and rhetoric that fosters the growth of hate, racism, discrimination, division, hatred, and violence.I appreciate your interest in a topic that has affected too many tragically. I hope that wisdom will prevail and resolve this enduring crisis in our nation. Please share this article with others. Thanks, Ron Parks, MD I look forward to any feedback, response to my articles and posts, or questions I can respond to and answer. All comments are valued and give direction to our continued work and guidance in meeting the needs of our readers. Special thanks to Shan Parks for his excellent final read-through and editor's eye.[i] Mass shooting vs. active shooter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massshooting - A mass shooting is a crime in which an attacker kills or injures multiple individuals simultaneously using a firearm. In the United States, the Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012 defines mass killings as three or more killings in a single incident; https://community.fema.gov › ProtectiveActions › s › article › Active-Shooter-What; Active Shooter | What - FEMA "The Interagency Security Committee (ISC) defines an active shooter as an individual or individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. In most cases, firearms are the weapon of choice during active shooter incidents, but any weapon (such as a knife, etc.) can be used to harm innocent individuals."[ii] A Man Called Otto movie trailer: [iii] A Man Called Otto movie review (2022): https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-man-called-otto-movie-review-2022[iv] Related articles by Ron Parks, MD: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/the-us-gun-romance-and-harsh-reality; https://www.inmindwise.com/p/gun-violence-gaslighting-and-masking[v] A Year After a School Shooting, Divisions Run Through Uvalde: https://nyti.ms/3OxeiIu?smid=nytcore-android-share;[vi]  Concise Depression Anxiety Symptom Sheet: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/the-concise-anxiety-depression-help[vii] Eight warning signs of a mass shooter: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2022/05/28/8-warning-signs-mass-shooter-according-experts/9966901002/[viii] 2017 article by Nicholas Kristof, How to Reduce Shootings: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/11/06/opinion/how-to-reduce-shootings.html;[ix] 2023 article by Nicholas Kristof, A Smarter Way to Reduce Gun Deaths  https://gunandsurvival.com/2023/01/26/nicholas-kristof-a-smarter-way-to-reduce-gun-deaths/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

It was early morning when I got a call from the chief of medicine and cardiologist at the community hospital where I was on staff. In a more worried voice, than was usual for him, he said, "Ron, could you stop by my office on your way to make rounds? It's about your father. With everything I have tried, I can't stabilize him. We need to make some decisions!" With that, I grabbed my coat and headed out the door. Our chief of medicine was the top cardiologist in the immediate area. When my father, during a visit to our home, had another one of his heart attacks, I had him admitted to our local hospital under the care of an experienced cardiologist.With my father, I was always prepared for the worse or inevitable. My father had survived his previous heart attacks but, now in his eighties, was not in as good health. My trip to the hospital where I work and where my father was receiving his care was only a short drive from my house, perhaps fifteen minutes or less.It was pretty different when my father had his first heart attack when I was in my second year at the University of Vermont. I got a frantic call from my mother on the dormitory payphone. Mom said in a very sober and worried voice, "Your father was taken to the hospital; they think he has had a heart attack." I felt overwhelmed with dread and fear that he would die. I knew he had been healthy with no prior heart problems, so it was unexpected and shocking. My mother said as calmly as possible, "Your father wants you to stay at school, as he feels he will be fine, and you're almost a two-day car drive away, and you have no car. We'll keep you updated on things as we know more." I said, trying to be brave but holding back my tears. "Mom, I want to be there and will see if there is any way I can come home by bus." She again admonished me, "Stay put as your father advised."I was packed and down to the local Burlington, Vermont, bus station in an hour's time. I grabbed a warm coat on the way out as it was a typical cold Vermont evening where you could see the mist from your breath. I made the bus in time, sat in the back in one of the last seats, and rode all night with only my thoughts as my companion. Worries tormented me about whether I would get there in time to see my father again, what it would be like without him, or how he would survive with a damaged heart. We stopped at every small town along the way until we got to New York City, where I transferred to an express Greyhound bus into the Washington, DC area and was picked up there by one of my older brothers. It was the next day, and we all visited my father in the heart unit. He beamed with a warm, surprised smile when he saw me, making the tortuous journey worthwhile. He was younger and healthier then and recovered fine. Still, it would recur several times in the coming years, which I believed prepared me for his final episode when I admitted him under the care of a local cardiologist at the hospital near our home.After the short drive from my house to the conference with my father's cardiologist, it became apparent that Dad had taken a downturn from his recent and to be final damaging heart event. His doctor said, "We need to transfer him to an expert cardiologist at John Hopkins University Hospital, who can try some new, more advanced drugs and do procedures that only they are doing." In other words, he said things for my dad were not very promising and that my father's care was far beyond what he could manage at the local community hospital. I knew this to be true, being on staff at this hospital, and the probability was that this would be my father's last bout with a heart attack after many years of skirting death with the excellent care he fortunately had. This event had left him with far too much of a damaged heart. I consulted Dad, and he was all up for it, as he realized the situation was dire and different from before and a bit desperate. We arranged for an ambulance almost immediately. To add extra medical and emotional support, I rode the bumpy ambulance with my dad, his tubes, and IVs to the famous John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. It was to be our last road trip together.When we arrived at the hospital, and I was assisting in getting my father admitted, the profound reality came to me of how each of our lives is a composite of all these mental stories that we maintained as the narrative of our lives, which continue influencing our thinking and emotions. During our somewhat frantic but inevitable final journey, Dad, in a slightly detached and reflective way, reviewed some of his last thoughts and reminiscences, especially as the hospital was in East Baltimore, where he had spent his youth playing and surviving with his families' struggles and hardships. To my surprise, he talked about a situation that left him bitter and resentful, a problem with a brother-in-law where he was humiliated and angry about when he had felt deceived and taken advantage of in his entering into a business arrangement that he thought would benefit him and my mother. In the context of what was happening, it seemed inconsequential to me. It should have been the least of his worries and a call for self-examination, acceptance of the things that had occurred in the given circumstances, forgiveness, and moving on. However, I knew that in his later life; he had spent too much time preoccupied with what had happened to him, which soured his relationship with his brother-in-law.It was different several years before my father's death when I got a call from him in the middle of the night. In great anguish, he said, "Your mother had serious indigestion and chest pain, so I called an ambulance, and they're here now and taking her to a nearby hospital. Come right away and meet us at the hospital." At that time, I was in my internal medicine practice and living about an hour from the hospital where they were taking her. After telling my wife what had happened, I was dressed in minutes and headed to the hospital ER where my father and mother would be waiting. It was totally unexpected for me as my mother was always the caregiver and always there for everyone else.When I got to the ER, my father informed me that my mother's regular internal medicine doctor was out of town, but his covering doctor was on the way. I consulted with the ER doctors, and we both concurred that it was a severe heart attack and she needed to go immediately to the coronary care unit for intensive care. When I called my brothers, I could hardly talk and struggled to hold my tears, "Mom had had a heart attack and is on her way to the heart unit and seems very sick." My brothers were shocked as I was and said they would be there as soon as possible. My mother didn't survive and died after several days of skilled medical care. It was a crushing blow for all of us, as we were unprepared and didn't anticipate anything happening to Mom. We just weren't ready to lose our mother, who was the bedrock of our family. She was always loving, forgiving, and very generous to everyone. Being a young medical doctor at the time, I felt some remorse and guilt that I hadn't recognized some of the subtle signs of a pending heart attack.I, as my father, would sometimes fall short on the forgiveness side of things, reminiscent of the time he brought up in his final moments his burdened thought about an unresolved relationship issue with a family member. It called to mind the biblical tale of Caine and Abel, a festered brother-to-brother relationship that ended in tragedy. The recent news about the coronation of the new King of England has the related story of the brotherly feud between Prince William and Harry.The secret sauce in forgivenessForgiveness and its importance come up often, as in self-help books or addiction and recovery work. What does it really mean, and how could one benefit from it? It may not be what you think. From my perspective, the meaning is about developing increased awareness about how the mind works and its tendencies to get caught in ruts to the extent of being obsessive or harmful to the health and well-being of oneself and relationships with others. There are many reasons that memory can stay active and interact with the emotional response center of the brain, as seen in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or when memories are kept for future considerations, actions, or reactions. The dominant activity of the left brain is to work things out and bring its processing and configuring to the desired completion. The motivation for completing a desired mental formulation might be revenge, redemption, conquest, fulfillment of selfish pleasure, or self-recognition. There are tools such as meditation, compassion, and mindfulness to aid in letting go when stuck in mental traps, as with ruminations or obsessive thinking and worry.Seeing the larger perspective and discovering more contextual information about where and why things occurred could assist in letting go of a painful life experience, obsessiveness, or mental preoccupation. Other beneficial outcomes could be reframing something in a kinder light, allowing a release from being stuck with recurring, non-productive thoughts and emotions. Research supports the value of mindfulness and self-compassion practices for mental health as improving attention skills, decreasing rumination and negative thinking, and lessening self-criticism. Psychotherapy assistance can be of great value if one gets stuck with underlying issues negatively impacting physical and mental health, as when ruminations or obsessive thinking appear to take over.To err is human!So, perhaps forgiveness is more about taking care of yourself, getting things in perspective, and allowing the appreciation of the larger picture or more positive aspects of the situation. Getting the larger view and context is essential for the person who tends to be an intellectually predominant thinker, "left-brained." Such a person is more apt to lose crucial details, perspective, and context needed for accuracy, relevance, the meaning of thoughts, biases, felt victimhood, prejudices, etc. If one has been the victim of another and is emotionally distraught and caught wanting revenge, retribution, or exoneration, a place to start is with forgiveness. Forgiving and accepting one's human vulnerabilities and the same for the other may bring relief from an entrapping mind preoccupation and narrow, limiting, held perspective, as exampled by some of my guilt after my mother's death.The quotation from the English poet Alexander Pope, 'To err is human, to forgive divine,' gives credence to the idea that being human, fallible, and making mistakes, is inherent and part of being human. It is not only human and natural to make mistakes but also part of how the brain learns in a kind of trial-and-error-like process. It is like a ship on a voyage that must make many adjustments on its course to get to its destination.Suppose one feels responsible for setting oneself up by not being safe, too weak, or allowing it to happen. In that case, one must start with self-healing by getting a better perspective on the entire situation and then acting if necessary to enable justice towards the perpetrator to occur or to help others that may be at risk from such a victimizer if that is the situation. A neutral, trusted friend or another can help sort out these matters and aid in finding clarity and a path forward to resolve the mental entrapment.I had a requested consultation on Zoom with a person who had inquired about doing supervision. I remember putting it on my calendar but didn't write down all the necessary contact details. Without the required contact information, it would be impossible to proceed unless the person re-contacted me. I realized in my rush that I had made an aggravating mistake. Reflection on a personal slip-up to me at the time felt unforgivable. For my benefit and growth, it called for forgiving my tendency to overthink things with my left brain, configuring and processing without the moment-to-moment awareness and attentiveness needed to get the necessary details.I had not followed my rhythm or set way of doing things and established patterns to avoid these errors. Rather than being angry at myself for losing something that I had wanted to do for my valued work, I needed to remind myself of my abilities to do my prized work, but the requirement to be more aware and mindful of all the needs of the current project on which I was working. The situation also allowed me to get a perspective on the entire situation and see if some unconscious issues are present, such as not wanting to work with the person or maybe not attending to other critical needs of mine, which might be a higher priority. Nothing happens in a vacuum, so anything like the above calls for reflection rather than reactivity as anger towards oneself, which is usually the best course for the health and well-being of all concerned. So, more is called for than the simple notion of forgiveness, which in its nobility of concept, may, in some circumstances, only be the first step in getting released from entrapment in useless and perhaps harmful mind stuff.  The left brain is associated with analytical thinking, logic, language, and reasoning. It can process information linearly and sequentially, making it well-suited for tasks such as mathematics and science. The left brain's operational need is to complete things efficiently, which requires inhibiting incoming perspective and context information from the right brain's receiving areas. Incomplete or unsatisfactory putting abstracted materials together result in fragments that get placed into memory areas for further processing toward completion. The unfinished materials will come up in dreams as incomplete residues with linked emotional charges such as fear, anxiety, the feeling of vulnerability, or guilt. When trauma has occurred, as with post-traumatic stress syndrome, nightmares that portray imminent risks to life, one's integrity, career, or well-being may appear. The person in the dream may feel frozen and unable to run or escape the threat.The rubber hits the road. I was busy editing the current article about our mental awareness and forgiveness in my cozy downstairs, writer's sanctuary, and home office, sometimes called my man cave, with a comfortable couch, writer's desk, and computer. My flow, creativity, and productivity were moving along pleasingly. Suddenly, from out of the blue, was a blood-curtailing scream, penetrating my sanctuary of working bliss. As the only one upstairs was my loving wife and partner of many years and adventures, I knew deep in my bones that I must have screwed up in some way or at least was the blame for some unfortunate occurrence. I immediately dropped what I was doing, took to the stairs, got up to our main floor with a few bounding steps, and prepared for the worst. My wife was shouting at me now that I was within sight in what felt like an accusatory tone. "My white load of laundry is ruined with what's looks like black ink stains from something in the wash." Assuming I was the culprit, which is usually true in such matters, I calmly, taking a neutral stance, agreed that it was a calamity and probably my fault for something I had left in one of my pockets.I proceeded with her to scrutinize the evidence and found that the most ruined item was one of my favorite shirts. The evidence clearly pointed to me. Acknowledging everything about the incident and my being at fault calmed the incident down some. Still, as I examined the dryer, I found black ink residue in the dryer and one of my damaged gel ink pens, which I now remember I had in one of my pants pockets. I dutifully showed concern and repentance by getting rags and carefully cleaning the dryer's interior.Most importantly, I was mindful of my guilt and remorse and directly focused on myself for messing up, not paying attention, and being responsible for the near disaster. I immediately used the forgiveness strategy towards myself and my wife's outrage, to which she was entirely entitled. All done at the moment allowed me perspective and insight on the whole matter and softened me, so I didn't get into a defensive, reactive pattern trying to outrage my wife's rage or end up in a shouting match with no winners. We both calmed down and got in touch with all that matters most in our lives and relationships. But of course, it was my favorite shirt, and I'm still a little angry at myself, so more work is needed in the mindfulness and forgiveness area.Tips and Points to Ponder:1.  Act when you or others call to your attention any deep, emotional attachment to some unresolved grievance or the incomplete resolution of something emotionally burdening your mind.2.  Work on what is painfully stuck and reverberating in your nervous system and mind. Get support and help in resolving it. Doing so may save you and others the consequences of problems with health and well-being.3.  Utilize your network of helpers, family, or friends, to get help or mental health services when indicated, especially if there is any risk to you or others regarding their health and welfare.4.  In reflection of the ink stain incidence, which was a small scale happening and a learning moment, a more significant and painful incidence of loss and trauma can magnify and preoccupy minds contributing to unnecessary pain and suffering. On a larger scale, when similar dynamics occur in a community, national, or world leaders, the consequence can be conflict, warfare, death, and destruction. Or, as is currently happening in our country, there is a proliferation of violence and mass shootings with high-powered guns and weapons, often resulting from unresolved conflict, inner turmoil, and emotional distress. Advocate for bringing more mental health services to underserved communities and realistic gun laws to protect everyone's rights and safety.Please leave any comments or insights, as they will be appreciated and give helpful direction for future articles, Thanks, Ron Parks A special thanks to Shan Parks for his excellent final read-through and editor’s eye. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

full article and references can be found at: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/relationships-for-sustenance-and1. Relationships can be very beneficial or very destructive. Positive ones can contribute to health and wellness, meaning, and fulfillment. Negative influences or associations can have destructive consequences for both self and others, such as when exposed to hatred, discrimination, dishonesty, or exploitation by others.2. A feedback or information-contributing relationship can be from a friend, family member, work, peer support group, or play partner. Other resources can be from a caregiver essential for maintaining the daily aid for someone in need³; something read or heard from public venues, social media, or from attention to your inner world of thoughts and bodily experience may key you into something you need to know. The variety of life’s offerings to keep you attuned are many, such as a pet, a garden, a walk-in nature, working on a job, an artistic project or hobby, a fitness activity such as swimming, running, going to the gym, or taking part in social activities. Personal awareness and mindfulness of your mind, body, spirit, and emotional functioning are vital for acquiring meaning and perspective.3. Positive feedback-giving relationships, especially when you are receptive and accepting of the helpful information, are vital for gaining perspective and optimal executive functioning — the aspect of our mental functioning that helps us prioritize, plan, and organize.4. Awareness, discrimination, acceptance, or rejection are all part of evaluating available and received information or feedback. There can be dangerous and harmful consequences when communications are false, misleading, or prone to misinterpretations. Portrayers of discrimination, hatred, or agendas for power and personal gain can harm anyone on the receiving end. The same is true of the influence of malicious individuals or organizations wanting to gain control of your mind and pocketbook.5. Avoid getting lost or entrapped in your biased reasoning and configuring. When there is a lack of clarifying information and feedback from sources outside your thinking, loss of perspective and flawed concepts may result. Always be openly aware of the trove of beneficial context providing and enriching information available from your body-mind awareness or external resources. Be mindful of getting caught in arrogance or blind acceptance of single, false, or prejudicial sources of information.6. Be aware and accepting of the unique differences and neurodiversity in all of us and embrace the contributions and values of everyone. See the quote below from an article and glossary of terms related to neurodiversity.⁴“Neurodiversity recognizes and supports inclusiveness and tolerance of the inherent differences that exist throughout our population. I say this because many of the traits of the various conditions associated with neurodivergence are in fact traits that are also shared by portions of the larger population, often by people who might meet some but not all of the diagnostic criteria set by the DSM-5.One of the opportunities brought by embracing neurodiversity is the resulting infusion of new ideas. Neurodivergent people experience the world differently than neurotypical people and we think differently. As such, many of us have remarkable skills when it comes to problem solving and artistic creativity. In fact, many argue that the continued presence of autism and other forms of genetically-derived neurodivergence might in fact be an evolutionary adaptation that has served humanity well. This creativity could be a catalyst for significant positive changes….” ( Neurodiversity and Autism Spectrum put in perspective; https://shj.org/embracing-neurodiversity-have-we-been-inclusive-enough/ Neurodiversity and Autism Spectrum put is perspective; https://shj.org/embracing-neurodiversity-have-we-been-inclusive-enough/)The article was originally published on Mind Wise with tips, references, and resources.Share with others, and please leave a comment.A special thanks to Shan Parks for his excellent final read-through and editor’s eye.— — —¹ Positive relationship experience linked to better physiological functioning; https://www.integrativepractitioner.com/mental-emotional-spiritual/positive-relationship-experiences-linked-to-better-physiological-functioning?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&mkt_tok=NzU2LUZXSi0wNjEAAAGLBYGJ76lRJPUVNgJnTCc1-dQRvo5Z0L5-7UfDZPCZnxN6VEkF2ANX6B9lpRg26OxbKWNo9Wy1u6ngyfXIjDgLd88WenuAwxDDC86p4z0muS_r-NqN² James L. Lynch wrote in 1977, Broken Heart: The Medical Consequences of Loneliness; https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Heart-Medical-Consequences-Loneliness/dp/0465007724³ Autism and IDD: Caregiving, Advocacy, Community, and Love, Ray Hemachandra April 17, 2023; https://rayhemachandra.com/2023/04/17/caregiving/⁴ Neurodiversity and Autism Spectrum put is perspective; https://shj.org/embracing-neurodiversity-have-we-been-inclusive-enough/  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

My valued mentor and the confusing adviceA favorite mentor and advisor told me on my way out from our final meeting, with a big smile on his face, shaking hands as I left for the final time from his cozy living room office, with the big glass window looking out on his yard,“Here is my last clinical pearl; never give anyone advice.”I saw some wisdom in his last words that it was better to listen carefully and receptively rather than cutting off dialogue with advice or solution-giving. It reminded me of when a lab instructor in the medical school microbiology room full of microscopes adamantly told me.“Do not jump to a premature conclusion when you first look at the slide in the microscope. Patiently and carefully look at and study all the details you can see through the magnifying lens before closing your mind to further observation. The added attention will prevent you from missing your best interpretation of what you observe.”Through the years, I have reflected on the advice from my mentor "not to give advice." He was jesting with me or presenting a paradox to make me reflect, observe, and listen more. The best communication comes from being in a relationship where you are patient and receptive to another's perceptions and points of view, to learn and to gain a greater perspective about what you're seeking to know. It also could be described as building necessary contextual information to gain a better understanding and depth view of something versus entrapment in narrowly defined, premature interpretations or definitions. It is what we might call the avoidance of jumping to conclusions.The plan with a lack of perspectiveRecently my wife, hold no bars, feedback giver, was showing distress. I knew from being married for over fifty-seven years that something I was planning was misguided or flawed; my well-thought-out and left-brain tightly held logic had fallen short on some vital information and perspective. I asked softly. “You seem upset.” Jan responded with an angry frown, “I'm mad about the trip; it's an exhausting drive, and trying to run around and visit everyone once we're there.”With my wife's sharing and feedback, I realized that my planning to do multiple things during our travel was unrealistic. Braving the possible emotional volcano or descent into an argument, I was able to elicit what about the trip, and my planning was upsetting to my love mate and honest, usually right, feedback giver. Respecting our safety needs and my age-related fatigue when overdoing it, we made a more straightforward and safer travel plan.I hopefully have gained the wisdom to be more aware and to listen to one who is an essential partner and relationship for an over-left-brain planner and thinker like me. Of course, I respect myself as a problem solver and planner, but with the added wisdom to realize the essential need for trusted relationships with others to help with feedback and gaining perspectives.Finding perspectiveMany of us need feedback and ways to gain perspective from significant and trusted others, self-reflective awareness, or engagement in activities. I remember a talented sculpturer with one eye I met who told me he could only appreciate depth and perspective in creating his beautiful sculpture pieces by continuing to circle his work. As he chiseled away, he would gain multiple visual perspectives with his one good eye that allowed him to create his beautiful work.A close family member and a go-to person for advice and perspective is a talented writer but, like his other family members, has his unique way of learning. Most of his talent comes from his exquisite left brain's predominant way of creating an extensive database of information with the ability to craft novel projects and innovative solutions. This type of talent or unique way of doing things occurs in many artists, academics, and professionals that are perhaps more intellectual in their approaches. He has always been one of my most trusted advisors and consultants, especially when I miss the best perspective on something I'm working on.The unique learning and problem-solving styleBeing more of a left-brain thinker, like many of his family, for planning and putting together life choices, intentions, and actions, requires more of his time to gain vital information, perspective, and background for any of his work in progress. This unique learning and problem-solving style require more time and accommodation in traditional academic settings and the typical job setting when there is an over-factory mentality towards efficiency, production, and profits. When in a prior training program, problems arose when accommodations were lacking. Even though he was a talented and unique learner, one of his primary instructors did not accommodate him. The teacher would not help students to adapt to his complex way of testing that valued speed and production. His lack of understanding and assistance undermined an up-and-coming student's ability to complete the program.Years later, a similar situation arose in a new program, but with the sensibility from his prior experience, he got the accommodations he needed. The more enlightened and updated curriculum resonated well with his talented way of learning and accomplishing the required work. The program offers a favorable situation where the accommodations needed are available with a relationship that will provide vital feedback and information for maintaining perspective: a fortunate circumstance for growth and success.Getting feedback and perspective is essential for overly intellectual thinkers, especially when a neurodiverse and autism spectrum individual needs clarification for executive functioning, planning, and organization.Finding feedback and perspective from your own bodySometimes the relationship that brings perspective can come from an aspect of yourself rather than another person. Recently, I was moving ahead with what I consider a vital project for my health and longevity. I was eagerly training for a senior swimming competition which I have done for the past ten years. I figured that most people my age wouldn't be able to do it and that it would set a model for others about nutrition and daily exercise as the best antiaging tool. I decided this year to master five of the more demanding events.I was rigorously training and swimming, putting more time into pool sessions. I reached a point where I could do all the vigorous and demanding events for the upcoming swimming competition. However, my aging body wasn't getting the recovery time and rest. I was almost feeling ill and exhausted during the day and could barely motivate myself for the next training session. So, my noble companion, my body, and the motivating part of my brain gave the valued feedback that I was getting out of touch and losing my perspective on what I was so much left-brain planning and orchestrating.So, a reevaluation of my plan and strategy occurred. As my driving trip plans for a family visit, I gained perspective from that part of me and the vital relationship with my body, mind, and spirit—to slow down, keep things simple, and respect my capacity and aging. My meet and competition were an enormous success, with me completing all five events. So, there was reward and gratification for me accomplishing my mission. I only succeeded by gaining perspective from the essential inner relationship, vital feedback from that part of me, and my awareness and acceptance of the readily available self-generated feedback. Ignoring what maybe have been evident to others would have been destructive to my health and good intentions in over-training without allowing vital recovery time. The wisdom gained, I hope, will be a more significant contributor to my longevity than blindly being out of touch with over-training.The dynamics in relationships affect your health and well-being.Social psychology studies have shown that relationships and dynamics can significantly influence health status and outcome. Mental health and medical illness appear to be affected considerably, such as cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, stress, and coping. A person's longevity and survival may be at risk according to the positivity or negativity of a relationship. Individuals with more positivity in relationships in one study showed better health benefits.A favorite former mentor of mine, James L. Lynch, wrote the 1977 Broken Heart: The Medical Consequences of Loneliness. Jim gathered statistics at the university hospital and coronary care unit and found that survival was more prolonged for those with pets. Should you run out and get a pet? Not necessarily so, but I believe appreciating positive feedback from valued relationships can be vital to life and sustenance.I famously remember Jim advising me when I saw one of his patients in his university psychophysiology lab who worked in law enforcement and always carried a big gun on his hip. Jim commented to me when I stepped outside the session room with beaming enthusiasm and a cheerful smirk on his face, “Ron, I know you are up to date on therapy skills but don’t say anything to insult his manliness or, for that matter, anyone carrying a big gun like him.” Smiling back, I replied, “I’m always indebted to you for your sage advice. I will reframe giving any psychological interpretations of his gun-carrying and masculinity. "If I had thought of it, as Jim was a loved and favorite friend and a mentor, I would have told him that he could retreat and barricade himself in his office after his appreciated advice-giving. Today, with the crises and gun-related shootings, policies would not permit firearms in most clinics or hospitals. The gun-carrying lawman with whom we were working at the time had an amazingly positive response to the therapeutic, innovative, psychodynamic psychophysiological blood pressure biofeedback that Jim had pioneered. His ideas about the impact of interpersonal communication and stress on blood pressure and a person’s physiology and health helped advance the scientific knowledge of the time. Tips and Points to Ponder:1. Relationships can be very beneficial or very destructive. Positive ones can contribute to health and wellness, meaning, and fulfillment. Negative influences or associations can have destructive consequences for both self and others, such as when exposed to hatred, discrimination, dishonesty, or exploitation by others, 2. A feedback or information-contributing relationship can be from a friend, family member, work, peer support group, or play partner. Other resources can be from a caregiver essential for maintaining the daily aid for someone in need; something read or heard from public venues, social media, or from attention to your inner world of thoughts and bodily experience may key you into something you need to know. The variety of life's offerings to keep you attuned are many, such as a pet, a garden, a walk-in nature, working on a job, an artistic project or hobby, a fitness activity such as swimming, running, going to the gym, or taking part in social activities. Personal awareness and mindfulness of your mind, body, spirit, and emotional functioning are vital for acquiring meaning and perspective.3. Positive feedback-giving relationships, especially when you are receptive and accepting of the helpful information, are vital for gaining perspective and optimal executive functioning—the aspect of our mental functioning that helps us prioritize, plan, and organize.4. Awareness, discrimination, acceptance, or rejection are all part of evaluating available and received information or feedback. There can be dangerous and harmful consequences when communications are false, misleading, or prone to misinterpretations. Portrayers of discrimination, hatred, or agendas for power and personal gain can harm anyone on the receiving end. The same is true of the influence of malicious individuals or organizations wanting to gain control of your mind and pocketbook.5. Avoid getting lost or entrapped in your biased reasoning and configuring. When there is a lack of clarifying information and feedback from sources outside your thinking, loss of perspective and flawed concepts may result. Always be openly aware of the trove of beneficial context providing and enriching information available from your body-mind awareness or external resources. Be mindful of getting caught in arrogance or blind acceptance of single, false, or prejudicial sources of information.6. Be aware and accepting of the unique differences and neurodiversity in all of us and embrace the contributions and values of everyone. See the quote below from an article and glossary of terms related to neurodiversity."Neurodiversity recognizes and supports inclusiveness and tolerance of the inherent differences that exist throughout our population. I say this because many of the traits of the various conditions associated with neurodivergence are in fact traits that are also shared by portions of the larger population, often by people who might meet some but not all of the diagnostic criteria set by the DSM-5. One of the opportunities brought by embracing neurodiversity is the resulting infusion of new ideas. Neurodivergent people experience the world differently than neurotypical people and we think differently. As such, many of us have remarkable skills when it comes to problem solving and artistic creativity. In fact, many argue that the continued presence of autism and other forms of genetically-derived neurodivergence might in fact be an evolutionary adaptation that has served humanity well. This creativity could be a catalyst for significant positive changes….” A special thanks to Shan Parks for his excellent final read-through and editor’s eye. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

As a significant influence in our daily life and activities, understanding of self has taken a considerable place in philosophical and psychological discourse and studies as far back as recorded history. The words at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi entrance were an admonition to know yourself, or so to speak, where you are coming from and your biases, before entering any meaningful discussion or relationship. Being open daily to discovering and allowing your held beliefs, knowledge, and opinions to grow and change is essential for healthy development and relationships. What is static and inflexible is more likely to lead to conflict with others and problems. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

When I was sixteen or seventeen, my mother had to be hospitalized for several days while her doctor ran some tests. When her internists came in to see her, I was there. He saw me and began chatting; I playfully tried to grab his medical bag. He turned to my mother with a smile, and I stopped my horseplay. I heard her say, and I'd never heard her use the expression before, "this is my brainchild." I wasn't sure what that term meant, but it sounded endearing and special. I had not heard her use that before, and I didn't remember her using that to describe my brothers, which I thought was great as I was the youngest of four brothers. It made me feel special, especially as my mother had said it with such love, warmth, and maybe even a little pride. She was a lovely and generous person with the warmth and sincerity that everyone felt. When I got behind, struggled, or worked extra hard to do well in school, she would offer encouragement or a helping hand, as I remember with one of my science fair projects. I was thinking about my future and perhaps maybe considering medicine, but I thought it out of my grasp.The expression brainchild occurred to me again as my son had some challenges with the normative ways of traditional school education with exceptional abilities to reason on complex matters and develop novel solutions to problems. I never thought about Mother's brainchild endearment for me too much after that, and I don't recall it coming up again. I realize my son carried some unique traits and learning styles, similar to myself and many of my family members. The inherited characteristics seem to have benefits but also make certain things more challenging. I think my mother as myself, my son, and other family members have these information and language processing attributes.Neuroscientists and specialists in these areas have tried to separate these traits and characteristics with notable names and labels. Their use, perhaps, is helpful when significant impairment is present but also imparts a signifier with negative connotations for the individual. Unfortunately, the designating label can also become a weapon for discrimination and condescension. Of course, there is some value in recognizing traits that might be problematic later in life, so training and some remediation can occur early in life where there is a chance for lasting improvement. Diversions, distractions, and taking longer can be essential for the talented, problem-solving mind. Sometimes these attributes are ascribed to a person being more left-brained dominant or highly intelligent on the autism spectrum.As there can be so much variability in genetic traits and expression, naming and labeling might be more helpful when advanced genetic testing is available to designate unique differences and variability of behavior, learning, and information processing. The term spectrum or neurodiversity is an expression to denote the significant variability one might see in everyone rather than trying to reduce a person to a specific label. However, there is value in targeting and defining difficulties that may benefit from special training, treatment, or in some situations, medication, or cognitive-behavioral therapy, as with attentional problems. When there are difficulties with adaptive or social skills in early childhood, interventions can bring lasting benefits.Brainchild is a metaphorical expression for a novel, original, or innovative outcome or production from a creative idea or concept. My mother, at least once when I was young, bestowed on me the blessing or admiration as her brainchild. I realized this was fitting, perhaps for myself and other family members. I told my son the story about my mother, and with loving admiration, I told him he was my brainchild. When I heard this from my mother, I took it in as an endearing expression she bestowed on me. Unique language and information processing can appear in different degrees from individual to individual, for better or worse, as in my family. I had an older brother who was more severely affected by language and information-processing difficulties but could support himself with a good job for many years with a wife and children. He had a challenging time in school and often had to have a lot of tutoring and help to graduate. He also had to endure a lot of discrimination and bullying because of his unique way of figuring out and doing things. Artificial IntelligenceToday's big thing of interest is the advances in artificial intelligence and Chat GPT. Chat GPT is the brainchild of innovators and Tech Wizards. Still, its very construction brings a technology that gathers and assembles much information from the internet, often lacking context, perspective, and accuracy. In its early inceptions, the internet developed by innovative thinking and problem-solving of a group of tech whizzes who I would suspect were on the brainy high, functioning side, the brainchildren of their parents. They had the brilliance and ability to develop many remarkable developments in computer technology and artificial intelligence. People with those fantastic talents had an exceptional ability to absorb a significant quantity of information and then weave all the data into a pattern that became the novel solutions that became the framework of computers and the internet, and now Chat GPT.The right and left-brain collaboration or notThe comparison of right and left-brain function or the highly specialized parts of the brain, connected by rapidly communicating nerve channels, is often debated in neuroscience. The brain's left hemisphere is associated with logical, analytical thinking, reasoning, and language processing. It is also involved in tasks that require attention to detail and the ability to sequence and organize information. In contrast, the brain's right hemisphere is often associated with spatial reasoning, creativity, and visual processing. It is also involved in tasks that require recognizing patterns and relationships and integrating information from multiple sources. There is a collaboration between different specialized brain areas to manage vital operations such as language processing and vision. Because of the specialization of brain regions, there may be more activity and contribution from one place during a particular task than another in carrying out any needed neural function.In popular psychology, left-brain people are characterized as being more logical, linear thinking, analytical, quantitative, systematic, detail-oriented, verbal, orderly, digital, and better at things like reading, writing, computation, sequencing, mathematics, recall of facts, and thinking in words. Right-brain dominant people have been characterized as being more creative, imaginative, holistic, intuitive, rhythmic, musical, and aware of nonverbal cues such as facial expressions. The influence for this representation came from some of the earlier theories that the brain's two hemispheres have different unique functions, as found in the research of psychobiologist Roger W. Sperry in the 1960s. The suggested dichotomy between the two sides of the brain is an oversimplification. The differences are not absolute, as both hemispheres of the brain work together in a complex integrative manner to carry out cognitive processes. The expression that an individual is left-brained or right-brained is used to simplify and metaphorically represent what is considered the more dominating function of each side of the brain to describe the characteristic often thought to be based in one half of the brain or the other. Instead, both the brain's hemispheres or specialized areas in both are interconnected and work together in a highly sophisticated manner to support a wide range of cognitive (intellectual and thinking) functions. So, the expression of being more left brain might be applied, for example, to one who is felt by others to be more "brainy" or intellectual but inept in social matters, as the expression "nerdy," or to someone on the high intellectual functioning side of the autism spectrum. I apologize if the expressions I use related to neuroscience bring confusion. It may be that the subject is difficult for most of us, excuse the pun, "to wrap our brains around." Iain Gilchrist's book, The Master and his Emissary, explores this more deeply, especially in the context of philosophy, neuroscience, and the arts. So, I'm not exactly sure what my mother meant by proudly calling me her brainchild, but I hope it was a loving reflection of me being special to her.Unique brain functioning and solving complex problems Individuals with exceptional talent, ability, and capacity to gather, pattern, and keep large amounts of information accomplish this in the specialized part of the brain that developed to do so. However, sometimes, and maybe often, the accomplishment is done at the expense of consistent, integrated communications between other brain parts. For a brain system to successfully process and accumulate more significant amounts of information for more complex and novel patterns of problems solving or actions, it needs to be more independent of other information-contributing parts of the brain. These different areas must be inhibited, if not already done by genetics or injury, to block the continuous inflow of moment-to-moment distracting information from other specialized parts of the brain. The dynamic of not having as much new relevant information available interferes with the entry of the information that would add contextual and relational context to the current held data.Operating without interference with the usually contributory brain areas allows more focus and concentration on assembling a task. Sometimes a person with the talent and capacity to abstract, remember large amounts of information, and construct all of it into a practical application, can get stuck in building an innovative, actionable concept. These specialized brain areas capable of excellent problem solving can require other ways of gaining perspective and new ideas to complete their formulations when their usual partners in its brain work are inhibited or unavailable.Other strategies and operations are needed to achieve contextual and supportive information to complete the task and gain the elements that usually come from the different contributing brain areas. When caught in incompleteness, the specialized data configuring brain area felt to be more in the left-brain region must use other workarounds to get its job done. The over-focused left brain must go astray to get out of a quagmire when more perspective and contextual information is needed that may be gained from a diversion. Diversion may be a way to pick up and gain perspective so work can continue toward pattern construction and a solution. The diversion could be anything from watching a movie, reading more research information, walking in nature, or interacting with others. Unfortunately, this type of brain operation and the workaround are time-consuming and isolating for the person from social interactions.Someone can be superb and exceptional in their intellectual functioning but lack other qualities from the loss of coordination with other brain areas that may cause social ineptness. So, even with great intellectual prowess, the person might lack social skills and appear awkward in accessing social cues or reading someone else's expression or needs. The person might have difficulty with adaptive functioning or the ability to relate or succeed well in a workplace or a community with a failure to meet the expectations of others. Further impairment can develop from anxiety around rejection and failure. The struggle to fit in or for acceptance can lead to excessive strain and challenges.The Autism SpectrumStudies of the autism spectrum (AS) suggest that atypical hemispheric brain differences may exist in individuals with difficulties in specific abilities and strengths. Some individuals on the AS may have increased brain connectivity within the left hemisphere, particularly in language processing and analytical thinking. Increased dominance and variation in connectivity to other brain regions may contribute to the enhanced intellectual abilities and capabilities observed in some individuals on the spectrum. However, difficulties might appear because of the lack of, or problematic connections, with the specialized areas usually associated with the right brain. These neural areas bring essential data for creating context and relational building information. There is still much to be learned about the brain and the neurological basis of the autism spectrum, especially as there is significant variability in the presentation of people with these unique traits and attributes.Historically, the person with these specialized abilities and skills was often prized in the tribe or group as the scientist, creator, artist, teacher, and sometimes as a leader. The overly academic way of functioning that can come up with prodigious and novel solutions that solve perplexing problems is at the expense of requiring more time to complete. The more time-intensive work is often not accepted in a rush to get things done in modern, industrialized society. So, individuals with these talents are often penalized or fired from jobs or fall behind in the traditional educational environment. They are targeted, discriminated against, and bullied because of their different ways of doing things.A person judging others is more often a product of multiple elements, such as culture and upbringing, the demands of a particular circumstance, and contextual factors. Context gives meaning and strongly influences our behavior, judgments, expressions, or interpretations of others. A person judged negatively or discriminated against may result from many influences or biases. The genuine person is not seen but only a projection of preconceived attitudes ingrained by upbringing, cultural influences, and education. Many insulting expressions get directed at a person deemed different in looks, performance, behaviors, and sociality. So, education, understanding, and compassion need to grow and enlighten our society to make it more cohesive, safe, and sustainable for all.The surgeon that tossed instrumentsIn my third year as a medical student, I took a surgical rotation as part of my training. I had to scrub one day to observe one of the most sought-after neurosurgeons in the city for his skillful work. He was on the medical school faculty and always seemed to be rather terse and not too approachable or friendly. I respected this as he was well-known and proficient in his skills. The operation I was observing was in a very peaceful operating room. He was very focused on his intricate work. He was trying to repair a tiny aneurysm on a vessel in the brain. To my dismay, he couldn't quite clip the vessel in a critical part of the brain operation. He shocked everyone when he had a meltdown, cursing, screaming, and throwing instruments across the room. All I could think was, "Oh my gosh, what's going on?" The nurses restored him to calm, and he picked up where he left off with complete composure and proceeded with great skill. Later, the nurse told me that this occasionally occurred with him. But he always seemed to regain his composure and pick up where he left off. Now, after many years and interest in people on the high end of functioning on the autism spectrum, I understand how he was brilliant in his work and had complete knowledge of all aspects. His strengths came from his ability to be very focused and to "left brain it"so to speak, where he could remember the intricate details, sequencing, and bringing them into action beyond what most average people would not be capable of.Though genetically gifted to become brilliant at collecting and patterning data for practical applications, the person can get out of touch with the social and contextual environment. As performing outstanding artists or surgeons, they have the mental faculty and exceptional mental gifts to draw together all the complex intricacies and put them to work. I now view this as very much like the brilliance of artificial intelligence but with the flaw of often lacking context and social relativeness in accumulating information and sometimes accuracy. Often, people with specialized ways of information gathering will be very protective or reactive when their world of facts and patterned information is challenged. There can be a meltdown or anger outburst, or at least an expression of heightened frustration or indignation, when the talented person runs into an obstacle to their way of organized thinking and carrying out an intended task. Such is the case, I assume, of the very talented neurosurgeon who threw his instruments across the room. I'm not rationalizing that this is a good surgery technique to toss instruments, but as a warning to others in the room who might depend on or need exceptional surgery skills to be aware, set limits and boundaries on bad behavior, and if not successful, learn to duck.In terms of myself, I still would like to think of myself as special and worthy, at least in my mother's eye, in her warm embrace of me as her brainchild. To note, I decided not to go into surgery, as holistic medicine and psychiatry were a better fit for me.Tips and Points to Ponder:1. Accept the unique qualities, neurodiversity, and differences in all of us.2. Appreciate the importance of everyone getting along and working together to achieve a common goal as an essential pathway for peacefulness, well-being, and the survival of our planet.3. Care and be respectful to all that are less fortunate or advantaged. The work to be inclusive and accepting brings back benefits to all.4. Be aware of special abilities or disabilities in the young who may benefit from early life interventions to support unique differences in learning, information, and language processing styles. Always look beyond labels for the deeper essence and worth of a person.5. Be aware of partisan politics and prejudice that may foster hatred, discrimination, and unhealthy division. When difficulty arises for yourself or a loved one, reach out for support from a trusted healthcare provider, community, spiritual or religious support person, organization, peer, or family.6. Healing can be found in nurturing, caring, and supportive relationships. Value peer support. When seemingly unavailable, work toward developing healthy relationships, even if the other is imperfect. A special thanks to Shan Parks for his excellent final read-through and editor’s eye.Brainchild defined: https://www.wordnik.com/words/brainchild#defineMy brother Benton: https://parksmd.com/unique-talent-attributes-versus-autistic-traits/See the article by Stephen M. Kosslyn, Ph.D. and G. Wayne Miller in Psychology Today:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-theory-cognitive-modes/201401/left-brain-right-brain-wrongThe Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western, by Dr. Iain Gilchrist, is available at Amazon and most bookstores; at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NS35S76/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1Insulting and degrading expressions that are meaningless: https://humanparts.medium.com/laziness-does-not-exist-3af27e312d01Other related articles by Dr. Parks:Dyslexia - https://parksmd.com/the-challenges-and-advantages-of-dyslexic-traits/Dyslexia and neurodiversity - https://parksmd.com/neurodiversity-and-dyslexia-appreciates-differences-skills-and-talents/Unmasking neurodiversity - https://parksmd.com/unmasking-neurodiversity-to-discover-hidden-talent-and-the-authentic-self/Neurodiversity and Masking - https://parksmd.com/unlocking-artistry-and-creativity/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Caregiver's ChallengeWelcome to the Mind Wise podcast about mental health, wellness, holistic health care, and topics of interest. I am Ron parks, MPH, MD, writer, and teacher consultant. And your host today.Ron: Parents or caregivers can find themselves in uncharted waterers very easily. Many get caught unprepared when a mental illness affects the loved one, a spouse, a child, or significant other. The person now disabled rapidly or slowly becomes dependent on a caregiver's help and support in management. The dissent into illness and dysfunction caused by mental disorders calls on the extreme resourcefulness of the one beset with the unimaginable level of additional responsibility.When, whether a mental illness or when a relative, child, or parent [ develops any illness or disability that requires a responsible person. To be in charge or accept some level of care or administrative duties for the significant other. The challenge can being can seem daunting or impossible at times.The situation may be any unanticipated disruption to the family and relationship as a development of a mental illness, dementia of a loved one, a devastating medical disease, or an injury from an accident. The responsible person must assume a heightened supervisor and care-related responsibility for the significant other when wall one is developing an illness and becoming disabled; the person aligned to be a caregiver can want the troubled person to fend for themselves or survive with whatever resources they have or that are available.To be the responsible one where the caregiver can be a difficult-to-bear burden for another, a waiver of love that gives some level of personal gratification. Some go into denial, avoiding the feelings of responsibility, and look for others to be the caregiver or assume responsibility. Frustration is high when the person wanting to be responsible for another cannot control the circumstances, as trying to help a relative with an ongoing substance abuse problem with the needed resources not available to address the issue or needs.A family member or significant other may develop one of the many types of mental illnesses, which is incapacitating and debilitating and requires help managing day-to-day activities or supervision. When a family member with severe schizophrenia becomes unmanageable or a danger to others and needs more secure, higher-level care than can be offered in a home or a community service hospital, residential treatment may be required.There can be trouble with resource issuesA dilemma with support, therapy, or educational resources sometimes exists, even when available. When the ill person rejects or won't avail themselves to use a service that could have been helpful. Still, those in need may have refused or not fully complied with services where the appropriate needed services were unavailable.Often there's a lot of guilt and remorse about not having done enough for the one you felt responsible for. The feelings are hard to avoid, even though the best possible was tried or offered. A friend, a neighbor, recently wrote an outstanding autobiography and educational resource for people unfamiliar with the travails of having a family member affected by a mental illness and struggling to cope and find recourses is a heartfelt and captivating story of the struggle and anguish of a family caught in the grips of unforeseen challenges of a family member developing schizophrenia with courage in facing the realities and growing demands. They meet the challenge as told in this beautiful written personal story of love and compassion. The book Two hearts on a Rocky Road by Roselyn Katz. That's r o s e l y n n, last name Katz, k a t z. And you can look [00:05:00] for this on Amazon, where it is published.A young find psychiatrist finds understanding and perspectiveWhile in my psychiatry training, I cared for people with schizophrenic-like illnesses in some hospitals or residential care settings. Their illnesses had a mixture of symptoms, including an auditory hallucination of sounds as hearing voices or visual hallucinations, which we later learned were more apt to be from other types of brain illness or related conditioners. Often the person would be caught up in unrealistic or delusional ideas, which seems like they fully accepted their fantasy beliefs or inner narrative, the story in their head, which they sometimes were fearful for.The higher functioning with their thoughts and behavior might have fixed paranoid delusions when they would accept the reality of their delusional war. Again, inner narrative or story such as that the government or police were after them, or that there was some sinister pot against them or some other imagined belief, which was very real to them.Before medication, people with these more severe conditions would be locked away in the history of psychiatry. In institutions with the advent of medicine and better management of symptoms, people could go home, supervise, and have lesser restrictor living situations. There was increased availability of residential or halfway houses.Where the needed management occurred at the state’s expense, the families, sometimes insurance companies, or some combination. The medicines were never a complete cure for the condition, but medications made the symptoms more manageable for the person themselves or the caretakers. Drugs help decrease their active psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations, reduce their anxiety, and often their dangerous acting out behavior.The teaching for us in training was that schizophrenia was a rather chronic illness for most it could get worse with time or remain a highly debilitating illness, manageable with medications when there was a need for a higher level of care. Residential housing provided supervision with medication.A return home was made possible with the medications and management as required by a significant other or the parents. There were many challenges in my early practice year, working early in community mental health or in programs connected to the hospital or private practice. One of the most challenging things for me was seeing a young adult and seeing the early signs of a schizophrenic-like condition. Though it could occur at different ages, it seemed typical when growing into young adulthood and being up against more stressful life demands. I remember several young men and women entering college or a new job with all its challenges, and then they began developing symptoms.When dysfunctional mentation or behaviors appeared and the person came into my office for evaluation, or I saw them in a hospital setting, It was quite challenging for me. [00:09:00] When I saw the person for the first time and recognized the telltale signs of schizophrenia, it was tough to tell the parents as I knew how frightening and devastating it would be. They would need to come to terms with the possibility that their child or loved one, with the stoppage of their development and onset of the odd behavior and cognitive difficulties, potentially had a schizophrenic illness. When I saw the parents, they understood something was majorly amiss. Still, they hoped it would be a treatable condition that would return the person to everyday life and responsibilities.When I had to share my observation opinion, it was overwhelming for the parents and myself in my early years of training. I remember being so distraught that I felt like crying, and I think I ended up embracing the parents and crying with them occasionally. I now have a much larger perspective and acceptance that many things could occur in one's lifetime to which one has to adapt. I now know and have a much larger perspective and acceptance that many things could occur in one's lifetime to which one has to adapt.Different mental illnesses can happen to anyone related to various reasons and situations. When a disease or problem develops, the person must rely on their deepest resourcefulness, coping skills, and external support, such as friends and families in the support system. Unfortunately, there are currently great difficulties and limitations to the mental health system, which is added to what parents must negotiate and go through to get the help and support they need. The lack of services makes it more difficult and a burden for the individual responsible for a mental illness; the challenge and toll on caregivers can be significant. The emotional crisis for the parents of all involved with a mental illness more suddenly becomes apparent in an emotional and intense situation for most. When the onset of the mental illness or health condition is gradual, the person and family have more time to repair and adapt to the needs, acceptance of reality, and coming challenges. According to the Mayo Clinic, about a third of adults in the United States provide care to other adults because of the aging population. The number of caregivers would be much higher if statistics included all the ill or disabled spouses, partners, or disabled children. Most caregivers are not healthcare professionals and are trained to be so.Some signs of caretaker exhaustion, stress, and risk of ill health are feeling inundated or constantly anxious and tired. Sleeping either too much or too little. Changing weight, gaining too much weight, or losing too much weight, becoming quickly annoyed and angry, losing enthusiasm for things you used to appreciate and feeling depressed, having recurrent headaches, body aches, or other physical issues. Misusing alcohol or medications can be a problem, including prescriptions, experiencing constant worry, depressed feelings or nervousness, and finally, being unable to get enough rest, exercise, or new nutritional food. In other words, feeling all these things and not being able to take care of yourself or not taking care of yourselfAs a young medical student, student, I remember being mentored by a seasoned neurosurgery resident who had been a fighter pilot during the war and had often been in life-and-death situations late one night. I followed him into the emergency room as I was under his supervision as a medical student. We saw an ambulance bring a child in from an accident while riding his bike when he was hit by a car.He was followed into the emergency room by his parents. The neurosurgeon resident I shadowed was well accustomed to the trauma of life and death from his being a fighter pilot in a war zone. He consoled the parents in a calm, collected, and empathetic way and delivered the tragic news that the son had died in the accident. However, they were anticipating the worst; death was beyond anything they had expected.I was like an observer, a bystander, but struck by the gravity and amenity of the situation. It became one of the many experiences that brought me through the reality of the unexpected trauma and loss experience to can happen to anyone. It was part of my learning and acceptance of our limitations in doing or controlling things that we can only strive to do our best to be aware, learn, and be helpful.In our Life journal journey, and at least we can only do the best we can with our limitations to control and manage. Meeting my mother's cousin, a Holocaust survivor, likewise brought me to the greater reality of how traumatic changes and loss occur and can call on our deepest survival instincts and resourcefulness to meet the challenge.When the unforeseen happens, there is a companion article to this called Schizophrenia, The Stigma Reality, and Hope. It likewise is on my blog website, www.inmindwise.com.Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness and a potentially debilitating disease that affects how a person thinks, feels, functions, and behaves. It can cause psychosis and lead to disability that may affect functioning in multiple areas, including personal, family, social, educational, and occupational activities.About one in three people that develop schizophrenia will recover fully when effective care options are available. Support for funding research services will require as many advocates and public-minded servants as possible. I should comment that the statistics cited that a third will fully recover is probably skewed because many people who are first seen with psychotic symptoms are misdiagnosed. With further evaluation, their symptoms are from other causesWhile currently, there are no definitive cures for schizophrenia, a minority with treatments will go into complete remission. Effective treatments are available to help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for most others with the illness.With proper support and repeat treatment, people with schizophrenia can improve and live more independently and productively. More awareness about schizophrenia, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options will increase the understanding and support for this underserved community and their difficulties with the debilitating illness or other mental illnesses. Hopefully, it will lead to less stigma, discrimination, and violation of the human rights of those affected by these illnesses. When being a caregiver for someone with a mental illness or schizophrenia, recognize the challenge and accept help from others, friends, or family members. Please acknowledge that we all have limitations, and it's impossible to do everything.Bypass the feelings of guilt and overwhelm and do your best with the limitation or resources or your capabilities and accept or get help. Find and use community resources when available.Choose available goals that are doable. You can do things like divide large tasks and smaller ones you can do one at a time.If you're good at ranking things, making lists create a daily plan, you need to begin saying no to things. Begin declining requests that are draining and not socially supportive of you. Find out about caregiving resources in your area. Many communities have supportive services for transportation, meal delivery, or cleaning services.Take part in a support group that can provide support and motivation that helps with problem-solving for complicated predicaments. Take the time to connect with non-judgmental family and friends who can be emotionally supportive. Schedule some time each week to interact with problem-solving with friends or a companion.Take care of your critical health needs by getting a good sleep routine. The proper amount of restorative sleep. Make time for active movement and exercise daily to support your well-being daily and health. Follow the best nutritional guidelines. Eat regularly and make the best food choices. If you have difficulties sleeping, check with your healthcare providers. Have a list of support, resources, services, and your doctor or community health professionals.You can call when you feel things are getting overwhelming or outta control. Check out the resources available with the full article, which you can again find at www.inmindwise.com.Thank you, and hopefully, you'll find this article helpful. And again, if you are a caregiver, do the best you can, but accept any help or resources that might be available. I appreciate your interest. Please share with others. Subscribe to my Substack newsletter and podcast at www.inmindwise.com. All content in this podcast is created and published for educational purposes only, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and should not be relied on for medical decisions. Always seek your healthcare provider's guidance regarding medical or mental health conditions. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com

Transcript of the podcastWelcome to the Mind Wise podcasts about mental health and well-being of the body, mind, and spirit, from an integrative and holistic perspective. I am Ron Parks, MPH, MD, writer, teacher, consultant, and your host, today I am talking about The Gun Narrative and Gaslighting.Let’s get clarity on the discordant debate on mass shootings, the issues, and sensible choices.In the recent gun violence and murder of vulnerable and innocent children, anger and questioning come after the shock and grief. Were we misled, gaslighted? Who is the blame? Why again, who is responsible or who was irresponsible. Why is our country the world's leader in possession of deadly firearms with little regulation or safety requirements? Another mass shooting has occurred, this time of nineteen innocent and vulnerable elementary school children and two adults killed by an 18-year-old with a military-like assault gun. How do the murderers and perpetrators of gun violence slip through all detection and become so twisted and radicalized to carry out their horrendous actions as in recent mass shootings? So many unanswered questions.The dark shadow of gun violence darkens the spirit. It hangs heavily over our society more than ever, growing each year, especially since the pandemic. The heart-wrenching toll of gun violence appears daily in the news, on social media, and in the personal accounts of families about the losses of their loved ones. Unfortunately, I return to the subject in this article that I have written about before, compelled by the continuing tragedy of the climbing death rate from gun violence, mass shootings, and the related mental health burden on our society and victimsGaslighting is an expression for using deceitful or false narratives to deceive, gain psychological control, or manipulate another person or group for the perpetrator's benefit. Individuals or groups can deliberately and systematically influence and mislead others with false or deceptive information to control and influence. This deliberate and adverse behavior toward susceptible others occurs in personal and professional relationships, marketing schemes, and political movements. The goal is usually to gain power and advantage for selfish motives.The term gained popularity after a popular 1944 movie, Gaslight. The word denotes the attempt to gain control or power over others with vulnerability to manipulation. The malintent individual that succeeds with their efforts often has greater power or advantage. A mild form would be a sales pitch to persuade buyers to purchase perhaps an unneeded product for the seller's profit. At its more extreme, there is a fear of significant danger or losses if the false presentation of the other is ignored or challenged.Abusive, sinister, or catastrophic events occur when a personality-disordered individual with extreme narcissism or psychopathy adapts gaslighting as a tool for self-gain, power, and dominance. A more dangerous form of gaslighting is seen in propagandizing groups of people for political gain and power at the expense of the victims or those duped. When this is allowed or occurs, there are always potentially severe consequences such as losses of security, property, personal freedom, or life itself.Gaslighting has become more insidious and dangerous with the advances in modern communications, social media, advertising, and propaganda tactics. With wealth more concentrated in the hands of fewer individuals, big businesses, and corporations, the voters will get manipulated to support the gaslighter or influencer's profit and growth motives. There is the risk of the extreme wealth abusing power by sponsoring politicians that dominate and subvert our democracy and political process. 1In our psychological process and defenses, we sometimes deny or compartmentalize specific painful ideas or emotions, with an altered narrative removed from the actual reality. Such a psychological mechanism might be to function or survive certain threatening situations or inconvenient realities. In the extremes, the mind can reach a state of unreality, delusions, or psychosis. So, in a sense, we are quite capable of "gaslighting" or deceiving ourselves. Perhaps this can be more dangerous than external deception or gaslighting, as we can get further from the truth and reality and become highly vulnerable or dangerous to others. Psychologist Alf Lokkertsen writes further about the meaning behind "what is gaslighting, why we victim blame and how to spot a liar." 2As demonstrated both by history and current events, money and religion in politics can undermine our democracy and personal freedoms. Corporations' political involvement can act against public interests, such as undermining efforts to combat climate change by seeking less regulation for more growth and profits for their industries. Undermining efforts to get needed laws and regulations on guns, especially assault-like firearms, or limiting access to those posing more risk creates the present and persisting danger to the public and horrific and frequent mass shootings.The number of gun-related deaths this year in the U.S. has soared, post-Covid and record sales of guns and assault-like guns, with the firearms industry having increasing profits. Politicians who receive support from the gun industry have often blocked sensible gun regulations.The opioid pharmaceutical companies were unregulated in their deceptive marketing and distribution of high-risk, highly addictive, and deadly products. Their deceptive marketing, success in sales, and the population's use of narcotics resulted in an epidemic of addiction-related deaths. It dramatically worsened when a synthetic product, fentanyl, took over the supply of opioids in illicit channels. Even with the increased regulation and accountability of the leading manufacturers and distributors, legally and financially, a high opioid death rate persists as so many illegal drugs are still available on the street. Another evolving issue that gets gaslighted and downplayed is the profound and devastating impact of climate change and global warming, which appears to rapidly progress with the loss of lives and property with the potential for worsening destruction. Recent news is reporting the expectation this year of a horrendous hurricane season and ongoing problems with draughts, fires, and violent storms with tornadoes.There has been reporting as information becomes available on the most recent mass shooting in the New York Times by writer German Lopez in the last few days. In his May 26 New York Times article, he writes that more guns in the U.S. mean more deaths unique to this country as he explores recent occurrences and statistics. He acknowledges that though people hold extreme racist views or suffer from mental health problems in other countries, it is easier here in the U.S. for those people to pick up guns and kill. Studies support the fact that there are more homicides, suicides, and mass shootings when and where there are more guns. It has also been shown that stricter gun laws help reduce gun deaths when enforced in other countries.Some proposed and sensible solutions to reduce mass shootings of the innocent and vulnerable are: to have more thorough background checks and licenses of firearms; red flag law to allow law enforcement to confiscate guns from high-risk individuals who display signs of potential violence; assault weapons ban to restrict or prohibit access to military-type assault rifles or high magazine cartridge packs. However, most gun deaths are from suicide and a smaller number from homicides related to violence on the street or home from handguns. But it is still felt that the number of deaths from guns would decrease with a reasonable level of regulation and gun laws.An article, How to Reduce Shootings, by Nicolas Kristof, updated May 24, 2022, in the New York Times, points out that the U.S has more guns than any other country, with more than 300 million guns, about one for every citizen and gun murder rate higher than most other countries. He argues that guns should be at least as regulated as automobiles. Kristof, as others have felt that to gain some bipartisan support for change, might fare better with a public health approach as having:1.   Background checks;2.   Protection orders for men subject to domestic violence to not have guns;3.   Ban people under 21 from purchasing firearms;4.   Safe storage when children are in the house, as well as trigger locks on guns and ammunition, stored separately;5.   Enforcement of laws on straw purchases of weapons and some limits on how many guns can be purchased in a month;6.   Consideration of a one-time background check for anybody buying ammunition;7.   End immunity for firearm companies;8.   A ban on bump stocks that mimic automatic weapon fire.A current example of gaslighting around congressional action on new laws for gun sales, regulations, and red flag laws has come from politicians receiving campaign financing from the gun industry that profits from less regulation. There is an attempt to refocus the narrative away from law and the need for more regulation by focusing on or blaming other factors, rather than guns, such as the slow response by police agencies or the back door of school being unlocked, etc. The other issues that have come up, such as the most recent mass shooting, certainly need attention and solutions. Still, the issue of guns themselves needs to be the prominent focus, as suggested by statistics and research.Issues and Factors Behind Increasing Gun DeathsWith the growing incidences of gun violence and related deaths, debates persist about why this is happening and how to prevent it. Discussion often revolves around:• Problems with more people having guns• Greater social-economic disparities and polarized politics• Mental health issues and lack of public funding for services and resources• Lack of regulatory laws related to guns and gun possessionIn a world that has become more technologically advanced, you would have expected a drop off in firearm-related deaths. Gun possession, either legally or illegally, has increased more than any other time in history, especially in the United States.According to The Gun Violence Archive, gun deaths have increased each year in recent years.[ii] Suicides get less attention than gun-related murders but have long accounted for the majority of United States gun deaths. 3 According to the Pew Research Center, in 2020, 45,222 people died from gun-related injuries in the U.S., according to the CDC. Over half of the gun deaths were related to suicide. Three-quarters of all U.S. murders involved a firearm. 4 All of the statistics on gun deaths have increased since the COVID pandemic, including suicides, homicides, accidental shooting of bystanders, or victims of stray bullets and crimes. Guns have now surpassed motor vehicle deaths, in 2020, as the leading cause of death in children. 5  The fascination with guns and firearm ownership persists and increases year to year. There is a belief that a powerful weapon provides greater protection, increases a sense of safety, enhances a feeling of personal freedom and prowess, and enjoyment in certain recreational activities. Indeed, if you are a person who wants to protect their possessions, family, or property, or are a hunter, a collector, a gang member, or a thief, then a gun maybe even more valued.I watched T.V. westerns and played cowboys or cops and robbers when I was young. Violence and weapons were often a part of video games. However, rarely today do video, or virtual programs teach about the safe use of weapons or the possible consequences of bringing gaming violence into the real world.During my career in the medical field, I have seen death from many different illnesses, accidents, and natural disasters—including the COVID pandemic. However, firearm possession and ownership, both guns and now assault-like weapons, are at an all-time high and appear to significantly contribute to the growing number of gun-related deaths and mass shootings. More guns now get into the possession of violence-prone people who represent a substantial risk of endangering themselves and others.The selling and marketing of potentially dangerous products, including guns, opioid pain medication, and divisive political ideology, has become more sophisticated and, in many respects, adverse for our society. Opioid marketing and prescribing for pain issues have led to an epidemic of addiction and opioid-related deaths. The successful marketing of non-factual, gaslighting, and self-serving political ideology has bought real threats to the survival of our democracy and the ability to pass gun laws to decrease the continuing epidemic of deaths related to firearms.According to most statistics and reports, the increase in gun purchases correlates with the rise in gun-related deaths. In 1996, Australia passed the National Firearms after a mass shooting. A 28-year-old man, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, shot and killed 35 people and injured 18 others, called the Port Arthur Massacre. Under the new law, semi-automatic, self-loading rifles and shotguns were banned with stricter licensing and registration requirements, and a mandatory buyback program for the banned weapons was imposed. 6 Though people will argue about the statistic or deny, gaslight, or spin the argument that guns and change in gun laws are not the explanation, however, none can deny that the reduction in firearm massacres up to the present in Australia and the immediate and continuing decrease in firearm suicide and firearm homicide are significant findings. 7 There are no easy solutions in sight—a stalemate persists in the U.S. with the polarized political ideology about guns, ownership rights, resistance to governmental regulation, and licensing.Predisposing Factors to Gun Violence, Injury, or DeathHigh risk for self-harm or harm to others related to guns would include individuals that have:1.   Easy and ready access to firearms, especially when an individual is prone to acting out violently toward others or one's self, as people with troubled personalities that are prone to unstable moods, anger, and rage2.   Severe paranoid, anti-social, borderline, narcissistic personalities or those that suffer from delusional or psychotic states who would be considered more at risk for gun acting out3.    Vulnerabilities due to drug or alcohol abuse and addiction and other mental health issues such as severe depression who would be at higher risk for suicide or homicide4.    Increased feelings of rage, rejection, low self-esteem, and social isolation as well as those with developmental handicaps and lack of socialization skills5.    Feelings of being marginalized, oppressed, bullied, victimized—with chronic resentment, fear, and anger, and the perception of not fitting in6.    Had exposure to violence: growing up witnessing domestic violence or being the victim of sexual, physical abuse, or bullying7.    Accumulated obsessional grievances of the wrongs done to them by others8.    Psychological, behavioral, or developmental difficulties, limiting the ability to integrate social information and proneness to misinterpret information from others9.    Inadequately functioning personalities that lack the social skill and mental/emotional stability—possibly due to growing up in an unsupportive, dysfunctional, or abusive family10.                      Been overly influenced by the media, violent video games, adverse peer support groups (gangs), family, neighborhood, or their social media consumption—especially when there is a glorification of violence, guns, or exposure to extreme ideas11.                      Ability to purchase or possess firearms developed for wartime useOnce primarily used for recreation, hunting, protection, and self-defense, guns are increasingly being used for violent behavior and aggressive actions toward self or others. Gun deaths associated with gang and criminal activities remain a significant problem when firearms are readily available. Severe injury or death can occur when a disgruntled person with a grudge to settle is prone to explosive anger or rage and obtains or has a lethal weapon.The Contribution of Mental Health IssuesMental illness or impairment can underlie violent actions by a person. In legal terms, the determination is whether a perpetrator of violence, as a shooter, was criminally insane, not competent or unable to use self-control, or lacked appropriate judgment—lack of capacity to refrain from violent acts. Laws differ in the various states about what makes a person dangerous enough to himself or others. A determination occurs regarding the need for involuntary commitment for psychiatric care or legal incarceration for their protection or the protection of others.People can be vulnerable to the influence of harmful leaders or media that put out propaganda and seductive political messages to gain power and followers. The message or rhetoric might drive fear or advocate for the righteous taking of action, retribution, or violence against the perceived enemies, oppressors, or wrongdoers. To support the gun industry, the message might be that the regulation of gun sales or the industry is an attempt to remove your personal freedom. Conversely, the message can support the indifference and rejection of authority or promise to gain notoriety, fame, or importance from serving a perceived higher cause and taking the inspired violent action—a scenario seen in domestic and radicalized foreign terrorists or lone actors of inspired violence.A vulnerable mind can become fixated on unusual or unrealistic ideas, leading to an inflexible, anti-social, and misguided mindset. Fixations are more dramatic when there is a propensity for rigid, delusional, or paranoid thinking. Obsessional thinking can be severe in personality disturbances, bipolar, or schizophrenic-like illnesses.The more fixed or obsessional thinking or reasoning becomes, the less one can learn from social contact. There is also the inability to learn from reliable information or feedback from others. The person loses the intrinsic checks and balances of mental flexibility and reasoning in the extreme. As a result, learning and modifying behavior adequately and participating in regular social activities are lost.Mass shootings have occurred when a disgruntled employee was able to obtain and build up an arsenal of handguns and assault weapons. After developing resentment toward other workers and the employer, several fellow employees were killed. In most of these situations, a long history of personality and mental health problems is often uncovered. A term used in the past was "going postal"—a reference to the past mass shootings in postal facilities by a disgruntled or mentally disturbed employee. 8 People wait for more information after a violent crime or shooting, often expecting that there will be something in the mental health history to explain the murderer's behavior. Others against gun laws or regulations will look for non-gun factors to highlight in their persuasive rhetoric. Generally, it is true that significant adverse factors in a person's mental health and personality development can lead to dysfunctional thinking, behaviors, and tragic outcomes—if not recognized early and addressed. Often the issue of mental health is used in gaslighting by those that stand to benefit from fewer gun laws and regulations.Frustration Over Lack of Progress in Curbing Gun ViolenceThere is much concern and frustration that beneficial action to limited or better-regulated ownership and possessions of guns has not occurred. The polarization over gun control issues by our population, elected leaders, and members of Congress has led to a paralysis of any positive action for change. As a result, our country, one of the most modern, economically advantaged, and democratic, has become a disproportionate leader in gun violence and mass shootings than other economically developed countries.The United States has about 5% of the world's population, but more than an estimated 30% of all mass public shootings occur in this country. 9, 10 The debate goes on about individual rights, second amendment rights, gun rights, too many guns on the street, including military-grade assault weapons, and the lack of mental health services. Common cited problems with the mental health system are the lack of services, inadequate screening, and poor identification of an individual at risk of acting out in an irrational, violent, or deadly way. 11,12,13The availability and possession of so many guns in our society is a factor that is hard to ignore. When a shooter has more powerful, rapid-fire assault weapons with him, there is always the potential for a more significant number being wounded and killed. Therefore, gun laws, access to guns, improving gun control laws, and enforcement would undoubtedly be a helpful direction for lawmakers to take with the support of citizens, gun owners, the gun industry, and political leaders.Wise Directions and TipsTake the essential holistic steps for emotional health when drawn into frustration, in-action, immobilization, or over-focus on the "stalemated" issues around gun violence and lack of control to foster change or improvement—begin taking active care of yourself first with practices such as:·       Lifestyle changes like improving diet, nutrition, and exercise·       Increasing your spiritual openness and attunement, in finding ways to increase your times of feeling more connected to life beyond your usual restrictive focus on worries, anger, resentments, or hopelessness—move toward spiritual expansion, balance, or emergence from the darkness that may seem to dominate you at times·       Discovering empowerment by reentering community activities, giving help, nurturance, and support to others·       Finding supportive people with shared interests—learn, study, and practice valued things with a teacher or group·       Practicing mindfulness, meditation, yoga, exercises, spiritual practices, or studies that suit you·       Doing artistic and creative endeavors that get you moving and opening-up·       Considering reconnecting to your own religious or spiritual traditions or find a holistic therapist or wise counselor, if you feel stuck·       Doing personal work that will benefit you and others as well—you will be like a small ripple in a pond that can influence your surroundings and grow into a tidal wave of positive change—light will begin to shine into the dark places.Positive Advocacy and Action for ChangeAdvocate for increased funding from individuals, philanthropic institutions, businesses, corporations, and governmental sources for:1.   Mental health training and support for law enforcement agencies and personnel in the deescalating of crises without the excessive use of force or for taking immediate action when needed2.   Mental health, social services, and support agencies—make available more places to call for help and referral options3.   Specialty trained mental health personnel to assist law enforcement in response to drugs or alcohol intoxication, mental health, or disabilities crises4.   Drug addiction programs to decrease the contributors to drug and alcohol addiction and related mental health issues, gang violence, drug trafficking, and dealing—direct more funding toward drug education, treatment, and rehabilitation programs that reduces drug abuse rather than to systems that just incarcerate people for drug-related offenses5.   Increase public education about the warning signs of emotional and mental health disturbances and their related potential for violence6.   Encourage those with concerns about someone's health and safety to get involved and reach out to a qualified mental health provider for consultation and guidance7.   Support taking money out of politics and letting public funds support all public office seekers—removing hidden money donations from Political Action Committees (PACs), wealthy individuals, businesses, or corporations—set limits on all contributions and require transparency8.   Support the election of sensible candidates that are public servants who have the interests of the people they serve as the priority9.   Support funding and legislation that promotes gun registration, licensing, and education about safe firearm use10.                     Restrict or reduce the marketing and selling of military-level assault rifles and weapons designed for use in military conflicts11.                     Become more aware of and avoid being influenced by false information, gaslighting coming from media or news outlets, political propaganda, and rhetoric that may foster the growth of hate, racism, and discrimination that motivate division, hatred, and violence12.                     Take more notice and any action possible to stem the inappropriate abuse of communications technology and social media—that may give an unfair advantage to business or corporate entities for gaining profits, power, or domination over rivals13.                     Increase the monitoring and study of violence in the entertainment and video gaming industry that may affect vulnerable individuals prone to be influenced by repeated exposure to violent media14.                     Reach out for support, mental health service, or a support group if you have lost a significant other, family member, or someone in your community—especially if you feel isolated, suffering from loss, experiencing sleep or mood problems15.                     If you have been a victim of gun violence, consider becoming an advocate for gun regulation and safety in your community or an increase in mental health services—these actions can bring positive changes in community services, government, and administrative actionsI appreciate your interest and listening to this important topic that is devastatingly affecting more people. My hope is that wisdom will prevail to bring resolution to the enduring heartache in our nation. Please share with others.Subscribe to Mind Wise Newsletter and Podcasts and have access to the full archive of Dr. Parks’ articles at www.inmindwise.com   Thank you, Ron Parks, MDENDNOTES1 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/gaslighting;  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslighting2 3 The Gun Violence Archive, https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/4 Pew Research Center, August 16, 2019,  Gun deaths in the U.S.: 10 key questions answered | Pew Research Center5  https://www.foxnews.com/us/guns-leading-cause-death-children-cdc6  https://www.factcheck.org/2017/10/gun-control-australia-updated/7 https://www.factcheck.org/person/mary-vriniotis/8 This Is How Many People Have Died of Gun Violence This Year, Douglas A. McIntyre, April 16, 2021, This Is How Many People Have Died of Gun Violence This Year – 24/7 Wall St. (247wallst.com)9 Mass Shooting, Wikipedia Encyclopedia Online, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_shooting, April 2021Public Mass Shootings in the United States: Selected Implications for Federal Public Health and Safety10 Policy, Jerome P. Bjelopera, Coordinator., et al.,  CRS Report for Congress, March 18, 2013, https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43004.pdf11 Mass School Shooting – Insanity or Guns? – Integrative Psychiatry Online, Ron Parks, MD (parksmd.com)12 https://parksmd.com/hate-crimes-rising/13 https://parksmd.com/gun-deaths-mental-health-laws/---- This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.inmindwise.com