The spiritual dimension to mental health: An evidence based approach?

Another good day today, inspired by Marcus's newsletter and 'coffee' with Megan, i've been thinking about religion and spirituality a lot recently. I've been wanting to write, but haven't found my voice exactly.  I've today again found something i'm good at (i think) and passionate about; psychiatry and spirituality. 


Chatting with Megan today about 'pagan' spirituality I found the idea of developing an evidence based framework for spiritual/alternative therapy in western psychiatry really appealing. I can see a time where (say a hundred years in the future) where it's common place for a psychiatrist to offer spiritual therapy along side the pharmacological, just another bit of the therapeutic toolkit. Anton Boisen (and other) Christian perspectives have examined the theme of therapeutic spiritually based psychiatry. I think the idea has much merit and the poetry of truth about it.


There is already facility for the broad minded western based psychiatrist to incorporate this is a 'bio-psyco-social' model under the 'social' umbrella. 'Religiosity' is not one of my favourite words BUT is has been examined recently as a factor in better mental health, i interviewed an Irish psychiatrist about it recently for radio (i'm still working on the piece).


I think the main focus should be developing any evidence out there for these 'alternative' approaches so that this ancient spiritual dimension to mental health care is re-developed and these old ways and understandings of things are very likely quite real and not lost (again).


As a hypothesis I would propose that some mental health issues that patients 'suffer' from today are caused by spiritual maladies and simple and basic (some largely forgotten as 'science' has deafened our spiritual sensitivity. That the 'delusions' and 'hallucinations' are manifestations of spiritual conflict as such could possibly be reversed by for example a Karmic approach as remedy (in concert with more 'traditional' therapy).


We once knew, we forgot and we are vaguely now aware again.


:]

My Epona

'My Epona'

In my dream i breathed her; while fast asleep,
And after she woke me, her dreams i did keep.

The thundering hoofbeats, the sweat on Her mane,
As We coursed over oceans to her wheat woven plain.

We clattered down mountains with sparks at our heels,
And galloped past graveyards as church bells made peels.

As we worked our way up to our Brighid's bright light,
The moon fell to earth and the day fell to night.

Then stopped on a cloud and in tears i made troth,
That my heart beat for hers; while hers beat for us both.

dj - 2012

image Epona from Allerey (Côte d'Or, Bourgogne, France) from http://www.epona.net/depictions.html

Free Tibet

Spent a good part of my weekend with my Tibetan family :)

Letter to a friend about faith

Dear John,

I read some of your letter and frankly find it unessesarrily confusing.

It's is a simple premise that Craig offers. No one is suggesting that God changes, what does change is our perspective, position and interpreation of God, down here on earth quite unable to see the truth. This is the dilema.

I feel anything predominalty exclusive such as some interprations of the Bible even is divisive and frankly not what Jesus was preaching. I think that by being Christ 'like' i.e tolerant of ALL the worlds good people is the surest way to achieve salvation. NOT by telling good people that they need to follow one 'version' of a truth that none of us can be quite sure of.

Tell Me John, as a good Christian where do all the GOOD Daoist, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslims go? What about the good folk who have never seen or heard or Jesus? What about all those that lived well BEFORE Jesus came?

What's worse is that child minded extremists from all the various churches/faiths are claiming to know the 'true God' and are instigating suffering, hate and violence in the name of. In my mind this is the exact opposite of what God is.. That's just me though.

I'm a Christian, but of a different kind, i believe in love, faith in God and hope BUT i also believe in nature, truth and wisdom in a Celtic tradition and am confident no God of my understanding is going to condem his children to Hell becasue they grew up in one or other religous cultures.

It is with a certain amount of dignity and clarity in thought that i can offer offer you soem advice; that God is interested in the tuth of our nature, are we good people or bad. The cultural 'lens' or perspective (hence the elegant handle and mug metaphor) we view God through is frankly irrelevant, all that matters in the end is the truth. The truth about love which is fairly complex.

My sincere opinion is that any person or any fair having lived well will eventually find unity with God in another place away from this testing ground. I call it heaven, there are lot's of different names for it, it's ALL the same thing to me.

Are you good or are you bad? that is all there is for me.

Respectfully yours,
Dave

The $60,000 question

The $60,000 question:

As a relatively new worker at Canberra's Griffin Centre i am distressed to have discovered what appears to be subterfuge, politicking and cover up surrounding a recent $60,000 'loan' from the ACT Legislative Assembly to the Griffin. A resulting 'takeover' as now left Canberra's most valuable institution (in my opinion) vulnerable to collapse.

The value in The Griffin Centre comes from the intangible synergy created by co-locating some of Canberra's most philanthropic organisations in one geographic location. The sum of these 'parts' and the resulting synergy should not be undervalued. The ACT goverment might know the 'price of everything but the value of nothing' springs to mind as also does the quite reasonable fear that the Griffin might be sold for a short sighted fiscal conveineince.

Investment in the social fabric of a community should be a priority not an after thought. I suggest the boad of the Griffin Centre explain themselves given the poor management leading to the unlpeasantly outcome.

Canberra can not afford to loose The Griffin Centre and we have both a right and a need to know what is happening.

Regards,
David Jenkins

Thanks Reclink Australia and Canberra Olympic Pool

Letter to thank a community sponsored 'gym and swim' program..

--------------

Dear Mark,

I'd wanted to write a brief note to let you know how much i've appreciative the Reclink 'gym and swim' (my name for it) program at the Canberra Olympiuc Pool being managed by Jim Francis.

I've been recovering from mental health issues and the excercise has really helped.

My life is going from strength to strength and part of this is becasue of the guidance i get at gym on Tuesday and Fridays.

I was both humbled and really excited at the idea of another few months; i know how expensive gym membersahips are and i feel very lucky.


Thanks Mark,
Keep up the brilliant work!

P.s. could you send this through to the staff at the gym, i'm not sure what their email address is?

One Foot in The Grave.. too funny

too funny; 'The series features the exploits of irascible pensioner Victor Meldrew, who after being forced to retire from his job as a security guard, finds himself at war with the world and everything in it. Meldrew, cursed with misfortune and always complaining, is married to long-suffering wife Margaret, who is often left exasperated by his many misfortunes.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Foot_in_the_Grave

Poetry in June

'untitled'

chasing a rice paper poem,
under Queen's bridge.
on a cold June day.

a tired heart,
threading all the lost,
to all the found.

looking for her,
looking for himself,
looking back.

Letter to the PM on animal testing in Australia

Dear Prime Minister,

I wish to express my emerging distress regarding the established grotesque and cruel practice of animal testing within Australia (as well as the sale of products manufactured overseas that are developed with animal testing).
It is poor science, cruel and utterly, utterly indefensible.

I appeal to your 'humanity' and ask you commit resources immeaditely to a review of the laws governing this matter. I'd also like to congratulate your courage in your work on preventing the live export of animals currently. Thank you..

Sincerely,
David Jenkins

Kaldi CPA building 161 London Circuit Canberra

Hi all,

I discovered Jenny's Kaldi Cafe (in the CPA buliding on London Circuit, that's next to the Bendigo bank) about 6 or so months ago (I think i was on the way to or from the Civic library). Canberra can be a pretty lonley place when you're new here and Jenny's down to earth and really sincere and generous spirit REALLY helped me find a place where i feel comfortable and well, just a little loved :]

She's always smiling (which in today's world is quite an achievement i think) and more often than not always seems to go the extra mile to make you feel special, I always get a taste test of choc slice or a free slice of raisin toast. She's just wonderful :]

Service isn't what is used to be (well, i've heard it used to be good) but at Jenny's Kaldi it is what i imagine it used to be like, such a refreshing change :]

If you're in Civic and have some time to spare with a friend (or by yourself) and want a tea/coffee then drop in. I'm pretty sure you won't be dissapointed!

Dave Jenkins

Cafe Kaldi

Keep up the wonderful work Jenny, great coffee and great service :]

Prayer to the Archangel Michael

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend me from battle;
Be my safeguard
against the malice and snares
of the negative seen or unseen energy forces.

Rebuke the negative energy forces oh God
I humbly beseech you,
and do thou oh prince of the heavenly host,
by the Divine Power of God
thrust into the darkness,
all the negative seen and unseen energy forces,
and all of the ugly spirits who wander about the world
seeking the ruination of souls.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit
One God
forever and ever.

Amen~

Asylum seekers

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/asylum-seekers-wont-be-caned-government/story-e6frf7jx-1226063570094

how can Chris Bowen say the asylum seekers won't be harmed if We're shipping these people out of Australia's jurisdiction?! people who commit human rights violations are hardly going to honour an agreement not to cane people.. good grief

The Painted Canberra Sky

The Painted Canberra Sky:

1. Autumn's mottled leaves flashed orange and red
2. Against the painted sky, turquoise and solemn
3. And there is was, above, transcendant,
4. A speck a spot, a circling black dot
5. On that rough hewn Canberra canvas

dj - 23 May 2011

Apple pie and ice cream in winter with some friends :]

nice havign ice cream and apple pie with some friends today :] also spent the morning on community radio, canberra 2xx celebrating poetry and creativty :] just brilliant!

Friendship

A friend wrote (so i wouldn't forget) me a note today (in part below);

'one spiritual xperience
is worth a thousand
material possessions.

You are a good soul & i think you
should trust yourself more.'

'there is always a minority who uphold the light for the travellers on the spiritual path, and Sufis are within this group.'

'Man is compartmentalised and lost in the never ending play of mental images, concepts and psychic and emotional tensions of the personality. This is the root of all our unhappiness. Inner happiness is only achieved by being out of the state of fragmentation and being in the state of wholeness. Man therefore needs to become whole. It is in this state of wholeness that we can experience the oneness and unity with God. This is the inner meaning of 'Tawhid' which is the unity of existence and the goal of the Sufi path.'

http://www.australiansuficentre.org/courses_previous.htm

The Jerusalem Prayer (World Vision National Council of Churches Australia):

O God,

We give thanks to you for every

community around the world that is

praying with us this day for peace



In your unfathomable mystery and love

for all,

let the power of your redemption and your peace

transcend all barriers of cultures and

religeons and fill the hearts of all who

serve you hee, of both people-

Israle and Palestinian-

and of all religeons.

i never stopped loving you

'i never stopped loving you' - anon, the most beautiful thing i've ever read; it was stenciled on a canberra garden retaining wall in civic (the CBD). I think the best grafiti is actually important social commentary..

Property Inspection Report

The carbon copy sheet gusted in the breeze,
A series of words and corresponding abreviations,
That neatly and coincidentaly summarised his life story
Good, fair, clean, damaged, missing, broken, intact,
cracked, not visable, clean/marked,
And the painful irrefutable conclusion, 'IT...
- Tenant responsible'