PolyPsyArt@iinet.com 2002

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H e a l i n g    O u r    C o n d i t i o n         I´m going to begin by saying that we, as a society, have a “Condition.” That is, Our society´s body has a health problem. And this heath problem is a multi-level health problem, that involves our mental body, our emotional body, and our physical body. When the problem is that extensive, some might say that our condition involves our spiritual body as well. But I will focus here on the pragmatic symptoms and (from the perspective of at least one politically informed therapist) the causes of the problem condition. We could get really positive and call it all a “societal health challenge,” but in any case, for now... I´d like you to think in terms of health and healing for a moment as I pose the following questions:         Keep in mind that some of these questions may be different ways to pose the other questions, as I attempt to move our focus, for a few minutes at least, to entertaining some perceptions - that are shared, if not also originated, by some of the most pragmatic visionary minds in this planet´s history:         How do we approach the condition of society (as we look first at our immediate communities, then scanning further outward until we include the planetary society as a whole), and it´s many variations in individuals, in order to accomplish a self-healing & preventative health maintenance, in ways that gets us safely through the immediate crisis to our emotional health, as well as physical health, as well as sets us on a path for increasing our emotional and spiritual health?         Now I´m going to jump from the obvious basic question that most healing practitioners, as well as political activists, continually ask themselves... I´m going to jump from the question “How can we “change the world into a better place?” to these questions:         How is a mind changed - Truly and effectively for the health of all? Remember when you were a teenager finding out how to establish your very own identity particularly as apart from that of your parents or whoever was raising you then? How did you respond - internally and externally - when someone told you that a certain attitude, perception, and value was essential to your growth and then said that if you don´t adopt this you would be grounded or restricted from what you really wanted at that time? Well, have you ever, since you have become “a grown-up” (heheheh) ever felt like someone was doing the same number on you? Ok, so can you guess what´s this got to do with your trying to convince someone else how to live in such a way that you believe will create a safer, happier, healthier place on the planet? Right, in other words, we all have egos, and on top of that, most of us - who like to consider ourselves intelligent thinking types - know that we prefer to find these things out for ourselves, or at least feel like we do.           The implication in that last statement was that, in truth, everyone prefers to do this, but that many folks have been “trained” -in their childhood development- to put aside, temporarily or longer, their own thoughts and desires, their own power, their own path, when someone else (whom they are led to believe is their leader) is telling them what they should think and do. Most all of us tend to do this to some degree with people we love and trust, and so maybe “naïveté” is an appropriate consideration here, but in other respects, does the term “sheople” come to mind?         Would you believe that there exist effective means to convince those that are ready and willing (whether they realize it or not) to be convinced that they can take their power back -- with integrity intact for all concerned ? ...that there are optimal ways of accomplishing this -- as opposed to ways that tend, sooner or later, to drive people further into their hiding places -however attractively padded the insulation appears around them?         How do we define “the condition” -that we as a planet find ourselves in- usefully so that we approach it effectively? i.e.: some socio-pathology that combines the conditions that include “blind naïveté, selfishness, apathy, and, at least to some small degree, out and out baseless cruelty?         Which one of these or other mental-emotional, now become intensely in-your-face here and now real world conditions, and problem areas can we effectively treat so that the quickest overall change in society is brought about in the time frames that also provide for treating the current acute crisis condition? (Continued below) Quotes on Purposeful Expression and Conscious Action “Conscience is the root of all true courage; if a man would be brave let him obey his conscience.”          - James Freeman Clarke “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."          - Gandhiji “If you want a symbolic gesture, don't burn the flag; wash it.”          -Norman Thomas, Presidential candidate in 1932 “A true patriot would keep the attention of his fellow citizens awake to their grievances, and not allow them to rest 'til the causes of their just complaints are removed.”          - Samuel Adams, 1771 “The last 3 years have shown, you can ignore politics, but politics won't ignore you.”          - Jay O'Connell, MikeHersh.com, 10/2/03 “You do not become a "dissident" just because you decide one day to take up this most unusual career. You are thrown into it by your personal sense of responsibility, combined with a complex set of external circumstances. You are cast out of the existing structures and placed in a position of conflict with them. It begins as an attempt to do your work well, and ends with being branded an enemy of society.”          - Vaclav Havel, first President of the Czech Republic THE FIVE FREEDOMS BY VIRGINIA SATIR To See and Hear what is here, instead of what should be, was, or will be To Say what one feels,     instead of what one should To Feel what one feels,     instead of what one ought To Ask for what one wants, instead of always waiting for permission To Take Risks in one’s own behalf, instead of choosing to be only “secure” and not rocking the boat     An Affirmation for Recognition & Changing Beliefs about Superiority (This affirmation is unusual, in that it does acknowledge the existence of a "negative situation" - in this case about a destructive belief. The belief, in the opinion of this author, has contributed to some of the most unfortunate, even shameful, current world situations.) PolyPsyArt@iinet.com 2002           (please type "permit2chris" in body of email) To TOP  of PAGE ("Healing Our Condition" Continued) Let´s get even more pragmatic:           What is the relationship of Realistic Goal Setting to changing and healing our planet´s condition? Put in another way:           What is the relationship of Realistic Goal Setting to dis-empowerment; of this to Pain, Emotional Avoidance / suppression; of this to isolation and insulation, and lack of objective thinking; of this to development of superiority complex; of all the above so prevalently in society as to lead to and/or allow the inaccurate, let alone inappropriate, projection of faults onto others, and then justifying violent action in order to “correct” or “punish,” but in actuality, to take what we feel (or at least what our “leaders” claim) that we deserve more than those [“wrong people”] do, and to do this based on supposedly moral judgments, but in actuality, to do that based on the beliefs that begot those projections in the first place? Maybe we should call the condition ”Psycho-Political Pathology.“ Maybe we could just call it disillusionment.         I believe that a societal effort to overcome it's malaise (via it's individuals), is paramount to our changing our tendencies to war. I also believe is it realizable, certainly in the long run, if we start now. In order to accomplish that, certain principles of approach to societal change must also be considered. To follow are the main points I've come up with so far, to support these beliefs (the first few of which might sound a little intimidating if not egg headed at first, but yes, they ARE going somewhere, which the last two points summarize):           If one is forced down a path, resistance is built up, and the path will not be respected let alone appreciated, and it will be abandoned at the first opportunity.           That means that one needs to believe there is greater meaning or purpose to the new path before taking the chance of breaking well established habits, enjoyed or not, and going a new route.           Paths related to idealistic beliefs are the most difficult to change.           The bottom line is that one cannot convince another of a certain path unless one can also convey the knowledge of why that path is truly better.           To Change a mind for a better path is therefore to effectively teach someone to better know his own true needs.           To do that, one must assume that the recipient of the teaching has lost clarity, or never had the chance to discern it due to conflicting messages... in either case, one must assume that the loss of such clarity must be known on the subconscious level, creating therefore at least two perspectives, one more conscious, one more suppressed.           Also basic to psychologists is that such suppression, whenever brought to light, has always brought up emotional pain along with the realization of the loss of clarity.           Further, the suppression would not have happened in the first place unless there was some kind of payoff, such as some kind of safety or protection of self or another.           Most everyone has experienced emotional suppression to some degree, whether s/he realizes it or not, and still suppresses certain things, varying greatly in degree of importance and effect. And it is usually not Earth-shattering, except when multiplied by the number and effect of so many people in denial. This is part of why we mature/heal so quickly in times of calamity - we are then open to our deepest fears and/or we grieve together, releasing some of that which we have suppressed.           One major point I want to make here is that we don't necessarily have to wait for disaster and mayhem to begin this process. To realize the above is to realize that everyone can benefit from therapy - personally applied or otherwise.           Obviously we were all given challenges at birth, and everyone is ignorant and/or incapable compared to someone else in some field of endeavor. The idea that we make someone more or less worthy of basic love and acceptance, and that we do that based on knowledge or capability (let alone skin color), is in itself a disability. And I believe this (bigotry) is one of our greatest social disabilities, and therefore a great social challenge -- one that we can overcome, eventually, if we put effort into it.           The following questions may then arise:                      So what's wrong with most anyone having needs for therapy or personal growth work? How is it that our society has developed a stigma on someone's desire - or need - to improve oneself?                      What's wrong with most anyone doing therapy, and calling it personal growth work -- especially since that IS often what much or all of it usually is nowadays? A much better question for here might be, "What's RIGHT with realizing needs for therapy?"                      And if we answer that with "Everything," then the next question becomes "how soon can we get over that stigma about going to therapy?" Could it be related to that old thing about *comparing who's more worthy* ?                      More importantly here: Do you think there could be a relationship between this (worthiness/comparison/jealousy issue), the "winner"/"loser" labeling (which has been used more and more via the media and in ways so as to mean more about worldly worth than self-worth), and nationalism ?                      Do you ever think about such as the above, relating it to the fact that we are still defining, or re-defining, the Bill of Rights?                      Do you think that any/all of these things could have affected our beliefs about *patriotism*?           What all the above implies is that, with a concerted effort, people can be gradually re-educated about their own capacities to become aware of, feel, and constructively vent, emotional material that stands in the way of their realizing clarity, especially as regards protection, security, caring, pain, and compassion. And from there people can discover, each for him/herself, their own relationships and potential roles, active and passive, to various issues. That includes political issues and those related. People can discover these things as opposed to just being spoon-fed by the media which for too many is simply numbing into various modes of the "ok, so long as you make me feel patriotic" or "ok, so long as my life doesn't change too much" style of dis-empowerment.           Another 'Bottom Line': Before we can achieve Planetary Sustainability, we have to attain 'Citizenry Sustainability.' A military revolution - large enough to make any difference - will also reap more pain, confusion, and denial. More than we can heal to regain sufficient capacity for planetary healing - before Global Warming takes the rest of us. We're going to have to outsmart that unevolved part of us - and those who represent it politically. That means we vote with our dollar and our pen or keyboard, and maybe with our feet - as well as with the ballot.           Let me summarize that further: belief systems related to protection, security, caring, pain, compassion, and how all such may be defined, may have a definite effect on beliefs related to various political issues, and those can be changed in a very healthy way, basically by doing our emotional homework (each of us individually, and sometimes perhaps in groups) -- and that could change the planet.       Well, I didn't say it would be easy. Force is easy (in the beginning perhaps), but force is what you get with that is tyrants and slaves. Some "leaders" would seem to be happy with that plan. And if you are too, then just sit back, 'cause they will definitely take you for a ride if enough of us let them - back to Nazi Germany perhaps... ok, so enough of that idea... ( -cp, 12/02) To TOP  of PAGE   A    R e - b a l a n c i n g    T r a n s i t i o n    P r o c e s s for Healing Government, the Economy, and the Global Warming Crisis         A Re-balancing Transition Process for Healing Government and the Global Warming Crisis is much like healing individuals. It requires a "transition diet," but is important to apply "the right diet that will treat the specific imbalance(s) at hand." The principles of "Treat the Individual instead of the disease" also apply. Also, too much of even "the right diet" will create imbalance in another direction. For instance, the macrobiotic diet has been very effective for healing various cancers. But this diet's lack of fresh fruits and vegetables would eventually fail to meet certain nutritional needs of many people. For every condition, there are particular processes that are required to rebalance it (an optimal diet, particular nutrients that have been missing or slow to be assimilated), and good habits that maintain that balance afterwards through various life changes. Each kind of diet is best suited for a particular constitution. It's mostly a matter of compatibility.         This can apply to political system in that it can be diagnosed as having too much capitalism or too much socialism (or even too much fascism, initiating a state of Martial Law when it wasn't the best course, and/or continuing it longer than needed); and thus some counterbalancing element(s) can be "prescribed" to transition it into something that works for that society. That may sound impossible, but the alternative has usually been to apply some packaged system with very nonobjective, albeit prejudiced, views about how it should be received, and with results similar to self-medicating with someone else's prescription. And that's even when the intentions were not colored with material or power addictions. And of course, addictions are never satisfied - even when everyone has been brought to a relative feel-good state. "Beliefs in Potential «§» Transition" The elements depicted represent (parts in) ALL of US. And ...the Eagle recedes, the Dove proceeds, as the Owl see's through the darkness... OUR relationship with our Earth Mother clarifies as we realize our own interconnectedness ... This is about humanity sufficiently believing in our capacities to see and make the best of opportunities now and into our future - wherein we approach the world's problems politically and spiritually, internally and externally. (Large Version & more on it's symbology at World Healing Prayers Page)         I don't pretend to downplay the challenge of implementing a transition in resource management styles. Not to mention getting across the overall vision and scope -- to those who would initiate, as well as to those who will allow the consideration of such broad sweeping change, let alone the implementation of it. To be included would be the fact that all the resources to properly take care of every individual on the planet do exist, and that the only reason everyone's needs have not been taken care of, is a matter of distribution and control of that distribution. Cooperation in resource management is critically needed to solve the current (<-2009->) economic impasse, thence the increasingly immediate crisis of Global Warming. (There is an artistic rendition of "the Economy" in the next section, by the way.) The "Chalice-Scale" represents the bridging and balancing of polarities within each conscious Being. Conceptually, the bio-electric charge of opposites in the universe forms a dynamic vortex of tension, hence the motivation for humanity to evolve.         The principles of synergy apply in respect to maintaining overall balance among the different systems - from community to national to international levels. Conditions to be considered include the nature of interfacings with other systems (individuals or communities or nations as the case applies) that may also be (and most likely would be) in one stage or another of re-balancing or balance maintenance. A cabinet of political psychology advisors might be responsible to each governing body to keep the body abreast of it's needs for balance within and among the rest of the governing bodies it interfaces with. Ideally, it would be transparent in carrying out it's duties. They would consult on a periodic or more regular basis with the advisory colleges of all other governing bodies.         Much of this is really styles of government/corporate relationship. As for real solutions, we don't need to focus on, or even have, "isms" in government. We do need to find what works best where we all work together -- instead of calling people socialists or communists whenever they try to keep a governing body from legalizing hi-way robbery or a corporation benefiting from it. Riane Eisler, a meticulous Cross-Discipline researcher, puts it right in (her book) *The Real Wealth of Nations*, where she writes about the potential for economics to reflect what we truly value, quality of life, and quality of the environment, and provides strong and uplifting evidence to backup her recommendations. She "expands the scope and practice of economics beyond capitalism and socialism to a new economics in which equity, justice, and environmental sanity prevail..." ~Morris Dees, Co-founder, Southern Poverty Law Center. [added 08/02/08]         Summary: One could say that medical over-categorization has led people to be bigoted and "extremist" towards their medical conditions. This can apply to political conditions, whether they be *called* capitalistic, socialistic, communistic, right-wing or leftist (especially while the defining or labeling of various political strategies can be so controversial in itself). As in medicine, finding and maintaining the right balance of elements in any governing system requires an unprejudiced and objective analysis. That includes the appreciation of the proper place and role of almost every type of strategy and mechanism ever used in history, all considered in the context of each their settings (era, place, and circumstance), in order to develop what will work optimally for any current circumstance. And then a "Diet" is prescribed to facilitate transition to and maintaince for the truly workable system. Easy? Of course not, certainly given these requirements for transition: Time for integration of what we've learned mentally, and for healing much of what we've learned emotionally (in the "school of hard knocks") for necessary realizations regarding relationships (with self, others, Higher Power as applies), values, purpose, direction. If these don't apply, then it could only be easier (Related section below: "Favorite Alternative Solution Sites") [10/12/07, ed. 3/14/09] To TOP  of PAGE   A l l e g o r y    S u g g e s t s The    E c o n o m y    i s    a n    A r t f o r m    a n d    N o t    a    S c i e n c e           Filling in gaps and spaces is a primary tenant of any artform. This 'Gaps & Spaces' aspect relates perfectly to the economy. By "filling in...", I'm referring to how our senses respond to elements like the timing between beats in a rythym or changes in a play script relative to that in the longer novel. And it includes an artist's co-opting or taking insightful advantage of what might be called "mistakes." That is, it's primarily one's subjective perception (and not particularly one's objective perspection) that is required to create a relationship between oneself and the artform, in order for the artform to be appreciated, used, enjoyed, etc.           In truth, the economy has been a hodgepodge of 'Artforms' created over time and global space by men who were relatively rich and/or powerful (relative to others in the trade system of their community). And this collective economy has been co-evolving ever since -- to distribute resources according to what these men perceived/ deemed needed for personal/business, royal, community, and/or state/ national/ global reasons. Economists tell you they don't really know what makes the economy work predictably or dependably. Pieces of Art by Chris Pringer 1'09           And when we examine it (from/within the scientific paradigm that we'd like to believe it works according to), as we are now trying to do apparently... Then we find a major lack of scientific backing. We see the gaps and spaces instead of filling it in with our faith and trust. As a result, we've become disillusioned in those seen as "the experts" - who had us believe in (the science of) the economy. That is, in the paradigm (or belief system or world view) that was based on predictable dependable science. Pieces of Art by Chris Pringer 1'09           "Slight-of-Hand, Working and Not": All along there was conventional mild slight-of-hand that worked to keep things flowing. Ever since tokens came about to represent resources, there was as-needed an occasional bit of slight-of-hand to cover un-backed tokins. But this was usually only temporary, and not necessarily disclosed. But most who worked the system knew it was done, assuming all would be covered in due time. And it's functionality (its interconnecting and unifying flow) has always depended on the faith/trust that 'fills in those gaps' - those that have not been filled in with actual moneys or resources "present" at any given time. As such, the economy has been an artform and has not been a science - except for the study of it, perhaps.           Over time the nature of the un-backed tokins became more complicated as more token systems developed. With increasing frequency in more recent decades increasingly larger tokins have remained unbacked. And this began to confuse the system, due to more players not communicating when they were not able to cover for the tokens (especially ever since initiating the era of leveraged buyouts, etc). The artform of "temporary as-needed slight-of-hand" was now being corrupted by the unscrupulous slight-of-handers. From the paradigm of the economy as an artform, the failure of the economy might be attributed to greedy people who didn't properly maintain the gaps and spaces according to the rules governing the econonomic artform(s). Pieces of Art by Chris Pringer 1'09           Some might say we owe the exposure of "the experts" to those who want the economy revised from the bottom up instead of the top down. That is, they knowingly took advantage of the fact *that* the unscroupulous were taking advantage of the fact *of* the existance of gaps and spaces. And of *our discovery* that the economy has run as well as it did because of the slight-of-hand trickery played on occasion in order to fill in the gaps to keep it flowing. [It's ok, read that again if you need to - this might be a little different take on things. You might refer to the above note on "isms."] But it's at least as true that among the confidence men (who have been playing *more* slight-of-hand trickery than necessary to keep the economy "afloat" in our belief system about money), there were corporate players who were *leveraging our faith*, as well as the capacity (financial, medical, psychological, and otherwise) for many of us to sustain a living, let alone retire.          (And I'm noticing that Rush Limbaugh and Karl Rove have been writing in the Wall Street Journal not that long after Rupert Murdock took it over. [Rove is being called for the umteenth time before congress as I write this - maybe he'll show this time.] But what's that got to do with anything?!)           WE CAN go some useful directions from here. Including looking at it all from outside that science/structure based paradigm. Attitudes can effect the quality of the problem solving strategy that we engage, as well as it's development. IE: If we are bitter with un-healthfully expressed anger, we will likely not create a fix for old economy OR a useful, dependable new economy. Better: if we come to realize how important it is to properly value the various pragmatic creations as well as artforms in our world, and create an economy based on their fair distribution (and not on/according to any particular "ism"), then we will revolutionize our perception and value of humanity. (An admitted idealist, I define an economy as a system of distribution management for people exchanging various forms of Love - things made, created, grown, and expressed.) The "ism"s might more usefully be regarded as artforms (not sciences) for sometimes painful learning and exploration, for designing developing truly working models for individual communities and nations, and letting global community systems evolve from that.          Please Note: Overall planetary resources have always been abundant - just not always abundantly distributed. Consider how much the more affluent nations and peoples have wasted, let alone kept in storage or withheld from the market to effect prices - far more than enough to have saved any number of starving peoples over time on the planet. Who gets to say how much everything is worth? Who gets to spend a dollar as if every penny counted ? Who gets to vote » by what they buy ? » by what activities they engage in ? » by whom they invite to be a friend ? » and by what thoughts they think ? Who that IS, to the degree we realize it, is more powerful than the economic elite, the political elite, and the religious elite - in saying how much anything is worth, not to mention how much EveryONE is worth! "Connecting Resources for the Economy" (a resource access prayer chart)           Some forgiveness of our blind faith might help - we certainly have some recent opportunities for experience with that (wars without foundation are the most costly by far - on so many levels - and healing from that can be an instrumental part of how we learn and transition to a world that truly works). Forgiveness doesn't have to rule out appropriate measures for accountability for those that knowingly took advantage of others for personal profit, political gain, power over resource distribution, etc. Accountability is a necessary part of the structure that teaches our children to properly value others. And, IMO, we need to address the critical value changes that occurred during the Reagan Era. Here I am referring to the phase-in of flaunt-it-if-you-have-it attitudes, the "winner/loser" taunting (competition of worst sort where cheating is ok if don't get caught), and of course, the Milken-and-Trump-"inspired" re-engineering of business dealings with the resulting fallout on the employee, retirement, and then the economy (when the message became "money and power = legitimacy"). (Related considerations in forgiveness/trust/trends-tracking here)           In going such useful directions and healing ourselves, we can create advanced systems of resource distribution (trade), including for development of those more economically isolated communities that want to upgrade to a more common or general economy. Also, systems can be worked out for 'cultural economic appreciation' for valuing and maintaining existing traditional/ indigenous systems. These can be developed for those peoples who rely on them and their products even if many/most others on the planet may not want to trade for them. We're probably talking about a decade or more of hard work, but why not go for something that does work?           [The above perspective of allegory as related to the economy came about after practicing with my guitar. I had been employing a kind of consistant skip-a-note-but-leave-a-blank-as-keep-the-rythym style - it still "worked," even though I was not hiting some of the notes. The mind just fills in when it's a common enough rif and kept consistant in rythym and other context with the whole piece. (This is analogous to how our senses work to "get" other kinds of artforms as well. And, just to remind you of the economy and/or politics), the mind just fills in when such music is played confidently enough to sound like it was meant to be played that way. -- cp, 3/1/09, 3/4/09] Pieces of Art by Chris Pringer 1'09   Beliefs, Path, & Service Chart                     More on How to use THIS chart: This chart's information and flow might be better/quicker grasped if you start with comparing all the things on the left side, top to bottom, then check/compare what's in the middle column, and finally same for the right column. You'll likely note that the right column is much more interconnected within itself than the other two columns. The shapes serve to organize similar types of entries. Then note that the order of cause-effect in this chart, where it applies, moves from left to right, either straight across, at an angle upward, or at an angle downward. There is generally an increase in positive activism, or the potential for it, as you look more toward the top of the chart. As noted in the Primer for Using Charts at top of page), you're not supposed to "get it" all at once. -cp, 12/10/02          Your feedback (via vuspa@iinet.com) would be appreciated, of course. (incl. "permit2chris" in body of email)

PolyPsyArt@iinet.com 2002

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Related Web Pages at This Site:     "Overcoming Political Disillusionment" How do we approach the condition of dis-empowerment, political burnout, apathy, or worse? How do we spot it where it may lurk as something else? (Not just talking about you or me on a bad day, but when only 30-40% of the people vote, when and where whole segments of society seem to pretend everything’s fine when it isn't, and worse, when it continues to support the situation.) With an honest look at ourselves, and asking some hard questions, we may begin the process of true (lasting) change. A follow-up to "Political Activism, Apathy, & Healing," this outlined perspective on the political ramifications of Disillusionment is not light study, but food for deliberate thought - for creating a society that will also allow our grand children to have happy, healthy children on this planet. Written for would-be voters, burnt-out idealists, and potential activists, and takes a thorough look at the elements of basic (and applicable) psychology as related to democratic participation, & Healing.    Questions For Disillusionment Includes: Questions for Consideration specific to Political Activism, Apathy, & Healing, as well as    "The Four Governments":   A short essay on political beliefs, invested fantasies, & current realities - working & not    Guidelines and a class format for "Overcoming Burnout for Activists": for YOUR community?    "The Development of One Questioning Mind":   my pre-sentencing statement at the trial of the "Seattle 12"    "Questions for Personal Empowerment":   The Use of Personally Applied Invocative Questions (Invoc-Q's) designed specifically for affirming self-worth, self-determination, capabilities for personal values redefinition, etc with text placed over colorful tapestry background.        The v. U.S. Peace Academy @Seattle Is here and now to inspire the creation of the *real* UNITED STATES PEACE ACADEMY. Courses are now being set up to be taught in the Seattle area [Spring '07]. In the interim the vUSPA is here for students choosing alternatives in peace, to facilitates resources and connections to institutions of higher learning for lasting global peace. In utilizing this site, young people can also create a vital and permanent record of their sincere desire and choice to learn and wage the arts of peace, rather than the art of war as taught at the military academies - as well as establish Conscientious Objector Status. Includes the - "James George Peterson Library at vUSPA - Suggested Courses and Books, suggested/sample outlines; prerequisites, etc and The Economics of War & Peace - Part III - Considerations, Innovations, Accountability, Solutions, Resources        "Achievement of Goals, Attainment, And the Role of Inner Work - A Flow Chart..." A practical visual tool to complement & help complete other self-help perspectives & presentations a re-hash of ancient truths created to work for new applications (revised 8/02)        "A Gestalt Perspective" and "Seven Phases of Personal Growth" A perspective on an approach to and regard for life, to one's past and present, as well as for personal growth and/or therapy.        "Questions for Boundaries" Affirmations in "PRQ" format for developing momentums for increased overall well-being specific to Effective Communications of position, intention, & message, Maintaining Clarity for appropriate Connection, Direction, & Protection         Christopher's Political Page, including "Politics, Psychology, & Disillusionment." My attempt to provide intelligent commentary and considerations for solutions as well as political awareness, that we might better see, understand, and utilize opportunities to jump in and make things better when we can, Not too stiff for a grin now and then. Also includes      STOPPING the MID-EAST-WARS - Activism & Post 9/11 Issues. Anchored in the pragmatic, certainly for the long run. Well Organized, with      LOTS of Resources for the Socially Responsible Activist. Insightful Quotations. Perspective based in Buddhism, Humanistic Psychology, Ecumenism, including      "The Four Governments," and      "Getting Real About Conspiracies." PolyPsy List Archives Provides the most recent postings on what's going on (as regards peace & justice, & citizen effectiveness, including action resources) - Planetary in scope with more specifics for Seattle/NW): you can join the list or just peruse the Archives without joining. The list was created in the effort to help us better see and UTILIZE opportunities to jump in and make things better when we can - while maintaining our psychological and spiritual capacity to do so - and to help keep the PolyPsyArts web site current. This list is a "Newsletter" style list; NOT the kind that allows members to send email to other members. (It does NOT make member email addresses available to anyone, So members do NOT receive email from anyone but myself.) List Description is elaborated at http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/PolyPsySp. To subscribe, send email to: PolyPsySp-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. You can type the same in the subject and body areas of your message. Thank you, -Chris Pringer, ListOwner/Mgr    "Resource Access Prayer Chart for Economy Page Description: There are now 15 prayers (as of Dec'08) at this page, generally invoking Divine assistance, calling for truth, justice, accountability, related healing, learning, & balance, etc. They include a resource-connecting prayer chart for the Economy (Oct'08) , two that are specific to global climate healing, one to Iraq & Middle East, two for comprehensive planetary healing in general, one specific to media communications... Page includes background and related information, links, and printing/downloading tips. (Yes, of course it's free, as I believe prayers are meant to be.)    "Q's Prayer 4 World Peace           "Archangel Prayer for Iraq-MiddleEast"          "A Global Climate Healing Fantasy and the Spirit of It All" On Sacred Earth Background. PDF versions available for Printing (is 2 pages long)       World Healing Prayers with Sacred Geometry Graphic Backgrounds Not bad for a summary, perhaps, of our current world challenges - and opportunities to gain the momentum we need to heal/transform the planet and mankind.          Broad Spectrum World Healing Prayer

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F a v o r i t e   A l t e r n a t i v e   S o l u t i o n   S i t e s for complete list see Political Reference Page           The Declaration of Peace The Declaration of Peace is a grassroots nonviolent action campaign calling on the U.S. government to establish a comprehensive plan to end the U.S. war and occupation in Iraq. The nationwide campaign is working to move Congress to defund the U.S. occupation of Iraq, to initiate the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq, and to support an Iraqi-led peace process. In September 2007, the DoP Education Committee published a document “fleshing-out” the 9-point Peace Plan framework. The Comprehensive Peace Plan for Iraq and accompanying Talking Points continue to be updated and are designed for public education and for Congressional lobbying.   Please Sign the Declaration of Peace.       Apollo Alliance Project The Apollo Alliance is a growing coalition dedicated to a just and sustainable economy. We are bringing together a broad partnership to rebuild America and face the challenges of conservation, freeing ourselves from dependence on foreign oil, and creating millions of good jobs in the industries of the future. Apollo Alliance launches at Campaign for America's Future "Take Back America" conference in Washington, DC. June 5, 2003. Their set of web pages include "Our Ten Point Plan for Energy Freedom."           Bioneers - Collective Heritage Institute: An organization of some of the most intelligent and long-time dedicated people on the planet (IMHO), developing and implementing "sustainable" solutions throughout the world. Some great examples are presented at the Collective Heritage Institute of Santa Fe, NM. Sample articles, include "The Hidden Connection: A Science for Sustainable Living" by Fritjof Capra       The Small Planet Institute - Tools and Links for Living Democracy: offers downloadable learning tools, including: "Getting a Grip: Handouts for Group Discussion, "The Spiral of Powerlessness & The Spiral of Empowerment," "Thin Democracy vs. Living Democracy," "Doing Democracy: Ten Practical Arts by Frances Moore Lappé," "Citizen Power 101—Lessons of Community Organizing"       "IMAGINE: What America Could be in the 21st Century" About Realities We Can Create (These are practical, accomplishable given a little re-education about our actual capabilities and resources, and NOT "new age" dreams) Featuring (in alphabetical order): Ed Ayres * Sarah Ban Breathnach * John Bradshaw * Fred Branfman * Denise Breton, Christopher Largent and Stephen Lehman * Deepak Chopra * Kokomon Clottey and Aeeshah Ababio-Clottey * Peter Coyote * Stanley Crouch * Sam Daley-Harris * David Deida * Dee Dickinson * Riane Eisler * Debbie Ford * Peter Gabel * * John Gray * Thom Hartmann * Paul Hawken * Hazel Henderson * bell hooks * Barbara Marx Hubbard * Daphne Rose Kingma * David C. Korten * Dennis Kucinich * Michael Lerner * Paul Rogat Loeb * Gay Gaer Luce * Thomas Moore * Caroline Myss * Dean Ornish * James Redfield * John Robbins * Vicki Robin * Robert Roth * Lance Secretan * Peter Senge * Judith A. Sturnick * Eric Utne * Neale Donald Walsch * Margaret J. Wheatley All author proceeds go to the Global Renaissance Alliance, P.O. Box 3259, Ceneter Line MI 48015, office: (586)754-8105, Fax: (586)754-8106      [Most currently, for solutions to begin applying: I'd go with Dennis Kucinich (almost always good for the relatively short term pragmatic), Al Gore and Dennis Hayes (for the current and intermediate), with David Korten and Riane Eisler (into the longer term pragmatic), and hopefully via O'Bama. Not to dismiss the others in the least - many of whose views I am very familiar with. - cp]          *The Great Turning - From Empire to Earth Community* by David Korten Summarized in YES Magazine. Find more at PCDForum Bulletin #5. Two more of his books include "When corporations rule the World" and "Post Corporate World" - insightful and important when contemplating responding to current challenges and the healing of the planet. You might also enjoy the transcript of Korten's keynote address at the 2002 EARTH CHARTER COMMUNITY SUMMIT. Timely articles include "What to Do Now That the War Has Started." A related sites include www.davidkorten.org and The Fourth Freedom .Org/. Select Resources/Links for a Sustainable Planet on the "Vehicle Efficient" Page        The virtual U.S. Peace Academy @Seattle     For students choosing alternatives in peace, to facilitates resources and connections to institutions of higher learning for lasting global peace. Here you may create a vital and permanent record of their sincere desire and choice to learn and wage the arts of peace, rather than the art of war - as well as establish Conscientious Objector Status. Includes the "James George Peterson Library at vUSPA - Suggested Courses and Books, suggested/sample outlines, prerequisites, links to solution-oriented organizations and resources.           Tikkun .Org and Spiritual Progressives .Org Rabbi Michael Lerner is editor of Tikkun Magazine, chair of the interfaith Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) spiritualprogressives.org, and rabbi of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue Without Walls in San Francisco and Berkeley, Ca. www.beyttikkun.org. He is the author of 11 books including The Poltiics of Meaning, Healing Israel/Palestine, and the 2006 national best-seller The Left Hand of God. "Our Vision: 1) Changing the Bottom Line in America; 2) Challenging the misuse of religion, God and spirit by the Religious Right; 3) Challenging the many anti-religious and anti-spiritual assumptions and behaviors that have increasingly become part of the liberal cultureSite." includes "A Global Marshall Plan," "Affirming the Sacredness of All Human Beings," "A New Spirit of Openheartedness and Reconciliation," and     "A Call for Lasting Peace" w/Respect to Gaza, Palestine, and Israel     New article at Tikkun Magazine (Jan'09): "Trusting Obama". Many other "Memos to Obama" are Ref-Linked from the Tikkun Magazine home page.           Assisting in the Healing of Veterans - How to Listen (to ALLOW Emotional Release & Self-Recovery) For now, please see the list of resources at vUS Peace Academy (JPG Library page above) and also use these keywords in your search engine: Co-Counseling, Re-Evaluation Counseling, Harvey Jackins           The Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) PJSA is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2001 as a result of a merger of the Consortium on Peace research, Education and Development (COPRED) and the Peace Studies Association (PSA). Both organizations provided leadership in the broadly defined field of peace, conflict and justice studies. We are dedicated to bringing together academics, K-12 teachers and grassroots activists to explore alternatives to violence and share visions and strategies for social justice and social change. PJSA also serves as a professional association for scholars in the field of peace and conflict resolution studies. [Local ref: The Evergreen State College in Washington State has one of many ongoing Peace and Justice Studies programs, by the way, as well as ">regular current-topic conference events.]           Citizen Works has assembled 10 actions you can take to change corporate power in your home town. To see the list, visit "Citizen Works .Org - Local Corporate Crime & Citizen Action           Jean Houston was the protégé of the late anthropologist Margaret Mead, who instructed her in the workings of organizations and power structures in many different cultures. With the late mythologist Joseph Campbell, she frequently co-led seminars and workshops aimed at understanding interrelationships between ancient myths and modern societies. Her specialty is in the development and application of multiple methods of increasing physical and mental skills, learning and creativity. She has presented the results of her work and studies in some 17 books, as well as in person through speeches and conferences at educational institutions and business organizations in over 40 countries. She is often invited to work personally with leaders of such groups, as well as heads of governmental and non-governmental agencies, to assist them in rethinking their goals and agendas.Wisdom University includes the courses of Dr. Jean Houston.       A special preview course for her 2007 Mystery School was held in San Francisco November 17-19, 2005. In 1985, Jean was awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Association of Teacher Educators. In 1993, she received the Gardner Murphy Humanitarian Award and the INTA Humanitarian of the Year award. In 1994, she received the Lifetime Outstanding Creative Achievement Award from the Creative Education Foundation. Presently, she is working closely with the United Nations Habitat Program creating programs in social artistry for training leaders around the world.        The Alliance for a Caring Economy (ACE) The newest (2007) of initiatives from Riane Eisler and The Center for Partnership Studies, ACE is a network to develop the foundations for a caring partnership economics is being formed with representatives from government, business, civil society, and academic sectors. Economic rules, measures, and policies that recognize the real value of the essential work of caring for children and the elderly, keeping our families healthy, and maintaining a clean and healthy environment, are foundational to the construction of an economics that can meet the challenges we face. ...will lead to the higher valuing of caring and caretaking in our homes, schools, and workplaces, as well as to the more caring economic and social policies needed to move toward a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world. ACE will bring together representatives from academia, government, business, and civil society to ...Collect information on what is already happening to give economic value to caregiving, such as paid parental leave and economic measurements that, unlike GDP, take into account the essential economic contribution of caregiving in both the formal and informal economies. ... Riane Eisler's speech to the World's Women Forum Plenary July 29, 2004 was *Revisioning The Economic Rules: Empowering Women And Changing The World*           Gateway to Conscious Evolution with Barbara Marx Hubbard           See True Majority Principles worth working for: see TrueMajority.Com for a full description of each principle)          Buddhist Peace Fellowship website is a very well done website that includes a range of Buddhist Peace Fellowship activities as well as an archive of reports from David Berrian in Iraq.          Yamas and Niyamas - the ten living principles, © 2002 Swami Avinashananda Saraswati, at www.saraswatiyoga.com           Orion Online offers "Thoughts in the Presence of Fear" by Wendell Berry, Already reprinted in 73 countries and 7 languages, this powerful and poignant essay has been made available in print form, along with two related essays by Mr. Berry; another essay on the crisis of globalization by Wendell Berry: "The Idea of a Local Economy"           "Inspiring a New Human Agenda." A humanistic approach to governance & public policy. The POLITICS OF TRUST NETWORK is sponsored by its members and by The John Vasconcellos Legacy Project. Called a pragmatic idealist, John Vasconcellos is considered a leading visionary in the convergence of psychology, politics, and the human potential movement. His ground-breaking efforts in promoting self esteem, authentic leadership, and social diversity have distinguished his 35 years as member of the California Legislature.        Politics of Hope By Donna Zajonc "The Politics of Hope is a powerful reminder of what could be, and a guide to making it happen." -- Marianne Williamson, author Healing the Soul of America. Articles include "The Politics of Hope: Healing Post-Partisan Depression" and "The Six-Second Secret to Leadership." Articles Index. You can subscribe to Donna's newsletter by sending an email to: subscribe@politicsofhope.com         Solutions: Common Means to Efficient Paths, and "Bridging" in the Cross-Discipline Approach     How are we to find *The* solution, and *the path* to it, when our simply defining the problem -- "pragmatically" considered the "first" objective -- can be difficult enough in collaborative efforts these days? Sure, great thinkers provide inspiration, but which to choose from now? When in their presence, it's easy to submit to such experience, but what about when their guidance escapes our grasp?     How to develop means to "Centeredness," a balance of analytic and intuitive capacities, a grounded pragmatic understanding of the challenges at hand - your own as well as those of the individuals and community involved - as well as possible longer term outcome scenarios of the various potential solutions? But wait, what if "I'm not an expert" and "what the heck am I pretending to be and do...?"     All this sound familiar? Lao Tsu said a thousand mile journey begins with the 1st step. And there's more quotes around this site that basically says that *the* solution to socio-political problems begins "with you and me," that *we* might as well get with it, and that representatives, by definition, are the ones who put forth your and my thoughts and feelings - into the process of governing you and I.     And *ideally* ...Ahhhh, such a loaded word. But right now we are looking at global warming scenarios, or figuring out how to get people to the table and refrain from polarizing the discussion. The approach initiated at beginning of the "Machiavengelicals Exposed" likely would not be very useful here, I admit. That approach was designed to get certain mind-types to begin to focus on the site's topics and viewpoints. But I digress.     The gestalt view of facing challenges is not about the rose-colored glasses approach, but about honoring of the emotional delemnas, the pain, and the elephant in the frontroom (not to mention the baby, the furniture, and the weather outside). And about human skill, capability, and potential for growth and change.     Yeah, but "Common Means," did I say? Yes, there are certain commonalities in how humans solve problems (and create them), not to mention perceive them and define them. And yes, there ARE different means for different individuals to FIND those common means. And here we come to the crux of this writing and many of the writings and charts you find at this website. The first useful, response to any challenge, certainly one that is efficient for the long term, depends greatly on the nature of an individual or group facing the challenge. Ahhhh... the big "depends on..." stance that intelligent leftist politicians are so hated for by people demanding soundbytes and simple solutions.     One way of laying out those "common means" is put forth in "the Goals Chart - "Achievement of Goals, Attainment, And the Role of Inner Work ...". That way would seem to be more geared for the individual, but how often has an individual ever been totally responsible for his own, let alone his community's development? eg: It becomes an integrated individual and group effort. It's one thing to solve one's own problems, but when it comes to people solving problems together, Riane Eisler [see descriptive link at left] is a well known teacher/ facilitator who thoroughly covers the basic and advanced dynamics in listening, clarity, and objectivity for relationships or *Partnerships*, as well as in socio-political realms.     I believe things work best when things work together, and that people work best when people work in concert. And that would be whether they work together or separately in healthy competition (that does not degrade others or impede their efforts). MORE SPECIFICALLY: If we begin by a) looking at (a visualization of) what we really want, and b) consider some basic routes for how we might get there from here, c) work backwards from the end product to understand what key and core physicalities that would have to be created in the latter time periods prior to achieving what we really want, then d+) do the same for the physicalities preceding those... e+) do the same eventually for the attitudes that would be necessary to allow for all the above accomplishments... f+) From here a basic flow chart of required tasks and conditions are established. (This approach greatly influenced the development of many of the pages at this site. Which are, admittedly, tempting most people to consider them as "overly dense compilations of means to ideals too rich for human consumption." So... what happened to that "give me a challenge" attitude?)     Note that some of the most experienced people in examining cause and effect scenario's are in the healing trades, and most apparently not always in the government related professions. Cross-discipline Inter-Relations and Approach would be the order of the day (make that *of the century*), which implies the need for scholastic leaders in every school of thought, as well as the social sciences, to share knowledge and work together.     I'm also referring, in part, to one of our current challenges. And that is the relationship between a) monetary support for research, b) who or what determines the direction or purpose of research (ie: as related to humanity's true needs and who determines those for any amount of research), and c) how the results of research are employed and/or accessed.     And I'm referring to the relationship between any person's aptitude, attitude, talent base, and "True Calling" (and one's hearing that calling), and to the likelihood of the most efficient application of management/worker resources in industry, government, and social development.     But what about "real" solutions right NOW? Well, how fast do you truly expect to be rescued or fixed by someone else? I want to say that there truly is a place for immediate gratification. And for structured simplicity, mainly because some individuals truly require for their health - and that of others around them. And "representatives" worry about their image, so feel pressure to substitute wisdom with expediency (if "tempted" with wisdom in the first place). To those who still ask for here and now spelled-out solutions, I have two answers: read the above, and read the below ("As Above, So Below" ?).     [Most currently, for solutions to begin applying: I'd go with Dennis Kucinich (almost always good for the relatively short term pragmatic), Al Gore and Dennis Hayes (for the current and intermediate), with David Korten and Riane Eisler (into the longer term pragmatic), hopefully via O'Bama. - cp, 8/24/08]     Favorite Solution links at Political References Page "Our Children Will Save Us"     A day after writing the above, As I watched the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics and remembered the other great choreographies therein, I came to understand that it will be the young people of the planet who come together - literally and in many other ways - and from there most powerfully persist and succeed in petitioning the leaders of the nations for the sake of mankind and the planet. And due to their determination and courage, the leaders agree (and basically get out of the way) so that the terribly needed changes are rapidly facilitated - which brings the world's people together, leading to the healing of Mother Earth. 2012 may indeed be the death of the planet as we know it, but also the re-birth of the planet as we truly know Her deeper inside - where we, who are also transforming, begin to know ourselves. "Beliefs in Potential «§» Transition" (Large Version & more on it's symbology) at World Healing Prayers Page Including a "Happy New Era" Card Notes on Hope, Balance, & Opportunity - and the Obama Momentum        The "Bleep Tool Kit" ...because habits are difficult to break Intro for application of principles from 'What The Bleep Do We Know - Down the Rabbit Hole' from WhatTheBleep.Com. Remember *TM* (Transcendental Meditation)? Once the media made it all about the person (the guru), and not about the function and capability - for anyone who wanted to invest the time and energy ...well, at that point the potential was neutralized - until 'Bleep' resurrected the offer (with a much more grounded yet far-reaching platform). And I don't mean to imply that 'Bleep' is all about such serious things. It's as fun as it is intellectually stimulating, even as "wondrous," as it pulls together and makes understandable so many realms of knowledge in a practical way, including the quantum physics that backs it all up! And the DVD set is available at most video outlets.   The "De-Stress Kit" from HeartMath.Org provides much for initiating healing on the personal level, with great potential for assisting development of inner stillness and clarity. Such benefits can certainly, even naturally, expand to most every communal context. The HeartMath.Org web site is rich with fun tools for self-assessment and quickly introducing body, mind, and emotional health. It also provides FAQ's and voluminous research reports and related links & references. [Please note: as far as I know, there is no formal relationship between HeartMath.Org and WhatTheBleep.Com; I am associating them by common function - tools for conscious personal & world change. I consider their kit a valuable, perhaps essential, part of the "Bleep Tool Kit" - as I would any system(s) that does the same for an individual, actually. In you want to get really serious about such a tool kit, I would suggest integrating Chi-Gung, yoga, and a well-formed 'power-of-spoken-word' system with all the above. -cp]