" M E S S A G E S "
-
Here, “message“ means that which is actually communicated -- on whatever level(s), directly and indirectly -- regardless of the words or language used.
This is one psychologist's explanation for how so many citizens allowed our current (GW Bush era) political directions. As well as some healthy responses to counter that. |
|
 |
Sections on This Page Include
 Messages
Many of us have said we don't want another "Slick Willie"
And that we might as well have bad boy leaders whose messages are obvious clues to their less than role model roles.
Well, now (during the GW Bush era) we've got some 'in your face' authoritarians who are often "very Rambo" about letting you know their ways and means -
and even their meanness. But these guys are far meaner than they're letting on, even though their facade is transparent
to anyone who does their homework. The trouble is...
Very few citizens have been doing their homework,
very many people are dying needlessly, and now it seems in more cruel ways than ever.
The overall message is that we definitely have our work cut out for us. ['03]
Lets take a look at the basic messages
going back and forth between the (Bush/Cheney) Administration and the citizens.
The below interpretations are based on the response to the messages as much as on the messages´ transmission:
Take the message, bottom line, that seems to come through from the (Bush/Cheney) administration: Based on what all they say versus what all they do, is "People, just go along with the program, because you know how much we all need to feel like we are 'the good guys' on the planet. And there's how pained and helpless you feel when you learn what all we're really doing. Besides, we've given you much more basic things to worry about, like job security and feeding your kids."
And there's the message that is communicated back to the (Bush/Cheney) administration from the people, drawn from what all the people don't say and what all they don't do: "Elected representatives, just keep up the fear tactics, so we'll have a good excuse not look where we'll find out how shamefully we've been behaving to others on the planet, as well as to those we have made almost invisible to us right here. That way we won't feel so responsible, yet so helpless, with the pain of all that, and we won't feel, worst of all, that there's nowhere to go with all that misery." Notice that I said “we,' even though the administration tends to set their directions AND act without the slightest regard for public opinion. Hence, it would seem that the reason for people's denial, for the "good guy" attachment, and for their idea that "we just couldn't do that," is primarily related to peoples' over-identification with whoever's in charge. AND it's related to who says they're good, and to who waves the flag enough, while these people fear unconsciously that if they ween themselves from all that, it would break their hearts - truly.
However, Here's the message that most of us progressive activists are trying to give:, "Look people, we know there's a way to make a difference here, even if we have to 1) wake up to the often obvious facts, and the resulting pain and implied accountability and responsibility, 2) resolve to change our ways with different behaviour that makes that difference in society, 3) thereby forgive our irresponsible past, and thereby 4) begin to heal the anger, grief, and guilt that make us feel helpless, hopeless, and powerless, but most of all, 5) be strong in the faith that *we WILL do all of this* - WHEN enough of us realize that these steps are what it takes to accomplish this change. And compared to wasting hundreds of thousands of lives as well as our planets resources and infrastructure, this is a small price to pay."
Of course that price is still no small challenge, but can enough of us recognize and feel, that where we move with good purpose and unity, that there is inspiration and strength pouring through us -?- and that IF there is a Higher Power (and I do believe ...), that this is where He, She, or It can get behind us and flow through US and fuel our actions? I take that as a most primary message of most every religious or spiritual philosophy. Well, I invite all of us to open to that more and more each day. There are Bush´s “messages from God“. And then there is “The Truth“ That IS -- for each of us to realize -- in, by, and for each of us, that is.
I can not over emphesise the importance of our Sending a message of empowerment back to the Whitehouse in electing representatives and in our response to various issues or administration judicial appointments, etc - that we don't need cowboy ethics guiding our foreign relations (nor corporate ethics forming our domestic health budgets), that our security lies in our utilizing opportunities to reinforce our belief in true security - that of aware and questioning minds and of healthy hearts finding ways to work together with other nation states, according to them respect and economic fairness, as if we truly intended for them to be friends. It does not help to deny the sickness regarding our empathy & apathy, shame, denial, and heart-break as related to our foreign policy.
Related Note on Political Page:
Trends, Memory, Tracking, Credibility, and Forgiveness
(After reading this section you can hit your browser's back button to return here)
To TOP  of PAGE
"The Heart Trumps The Mind" - from an NPR transcript (Mid-Late '06)
"The heart trumps the mind... a kind of cognitive dissonance" has apparently resulted from what the people need to believe as they look back at their having allowed a war (and all its costs) to happen since then- says Humphrey Taylor, chairman of Harris pole, re his explanation for why there is a rising #people (fr/33% to currently 50%!) who believe Saddam had WMD's inspite of the facts to the contrary. Also says 33% believe Bush Cabal allowed or caused 911 attack - that the 911 Truth web site probably helped this happen; "BOB GARFIELD: There has been, as far as I know, zero [LAUGHS] evidence and even zero discussion of the notion that Iraqis were aboard those planes, and yet 44 percent of Americans, according to your survey, believe that they were right in the thick of things. How do you account for that level of misinformation? HUMPHREY TAYLOR: If you were strongly supportive of the war or are strongly supportive of the war, you want to believe theories which justify the invasion of Iraq, and therefore when presented with a statement like that, they tend to believe it. That is something that the psychologists call cognitive dissonance. Essentially, the heart trumps the mind. There's a kind of filtering process, and an assumption, by the way, that if the facts that you receive don't jive with your beliefs, then the facts must be wrong…"
Ref: "Poll Tacks," National Public Radio, 8/11/06 - Transcript and recording available
(After reading this section you can hit your browser's back button to return here)
"Refutations can be counterproductive because of 'source amnesia'"
a commentary by Mark Jensen,
on one of his many (highly appreciated) news postings on the SNOW-news list
Unscrupulous political strategists can exploit "source amnesia," two neuroscientists wrote in an Op-Ed in Friday's *New York Times*. Because memories are stored in a part of the brain (the cerebral cortex) that is far from the place they are originally stores (the hippocampus), "[a] false statement from a noncredible source that is at first not believed can gain credibility during the months it takes to reprocess memories from short-term hippocampal storage to longer-term cortical storage," Sam Wang and Sandra Aamodt said.
-- As a result, if a "message is initially memorable, its impression will persist long after it is debunked."
-- Ignoring a false statement or promoting an alternative narrative is thus often more effective than a refutation: "Journalists and campaign workers may think they are acting to counter misinformation by pointing out that it is not true. But by repeating a false rumor, they may inadvertently make it stronger. In its concerted effort to 'stop the smears,' the Obama campaign may want to keep this in mind. Rather than emphasize that Mr. Obama is not a Muslim, for instance, it may be more effective to stress that he embraced Christianity as a young man."
-- COMMENT: Wang and Aamodt omitted an obvious current application of their findings -- the allegation that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons. -- The much bruited announcement by the United States that its intelligence agencies no longer believed Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons had little effect on public opinion, a Rasmussen Reports poll showed several days later. -- Nor do Wang and Aamodt comment on another application of their views, the psychology of the Big Lie. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_lie)
-- Hitler wrote in ch. 10 of *Mein Kampf*: "[T]he magnitude of a lie always contains a certain factor of credibility, since the great masses of the people in the very bottom of their hearts tend to be corrupted rather than consciously and purposely evil, and, therefore, in view of the primitive simplicity of their minds, they more easily fall a victim to a big lie than to a little one, since they themselves lie in little things, but would be ashamed of lies that were too big. . . . [T]hey will not be able to believe in the possibility of such monstrous effrontery and infamous misrepresentation in others; yes, even when enlightened on the subject, they will long doubt and waver, and continue to accept at least one of these causes as true. Therefore, something of even the most insolent lie will always remain and stick -- a fact which all the great lie-virtuosi and lying-clubs in this world know only too well and also make the most treacherous use of."
-- Joseph Goebbels later articulated the principle in these terms: "When one lies, one should lie big, and stick to it."
[ "...But if they create a big enough lie or a perform a big enough atrocity, then so many citizens will indignantly respond, "Oh c'mon, *we* [good guys] just wouldn't, couldn't do something like that - that's conspiracy stuff! ..."
--- my own way of highlighting this dynamic with regard to the Bush Administration's lies about the Iraq war (in the Mid-East Wars op-ed section of the Poly-Psy Arts Page - by the large "Lie of Superiority" poster). -- Chris ] |
Full Article set at www.ufppc.org
IF I WERE TO DO A TALK(4/7/05 -- 4/22/08)
I was thinking that if I were to do a talk, I might call it "Hypotheticals for True Evangelicals." I should probably start out with a Prayer. I'd let that lead into a few evocative questions selected from of my web pages, perhaps with a preamble set to empower an inner response - and maybe a Divine intervention. I'd use a special voice - one that can transcend in a minute from what stops speeding drivers at a crosswalk, to what coaxes a cat down from a tree, while interspersing that logical rhythm that can convince a scientist of "the truth" with the barest parable. A preacher worth his flock can get away with such variations in temperment, of course.
IF at some point I discover I have just performed an evangelical energy conduction (and so facilitated a trance state, at least to varying degrees -- yes, there's the pitch, and then there's the fever pitch) I would then lead the people into an overview of what just happened. Say, what? Exactly, I'd lead them to observe their previous subjective in-trance experience -- with an objective perspective of that same previous experience, that is. And it would all be done very gently so as to not actually break the trance. Hypnotherapists do this. It's true. (Stage hypnotists, con-artists, and evangelical preachers do NOT do this- without considerable risk to their income. Neo-Con-artists ESPECIALLY do not do this- without loosing their status, even their freedom from jail at this point. But I digress).
(And the tone changes...)
And then I would ask them if they are getting an idea of how *sheople* have been produced and maintained by the inappropriate creation and use of that fever pitch. And I'd ask them if that doesn't tend to bring up feelings of anger & disgust at the inhumanity of such manipulations. And then I'd let them understand that those feelings about that are sane under the circumstances. And that there are constructive means of using that feeling, that drive, that fuel, to make a difference in their lives, maybe even in the lives of others. And that we are given opportunities to learn just that - perhaps even now.
(And the tone changes again...)
And I'd explain how these experiences are also the times when we find out many things. Like, if our values have more charge to them than hot-fired emotions. Maybe those hot-fired by evangelical preachers. Or maybe by authorities we put on a pedistal just lower than God. What most people don't realize is that beliefs and values have an essential emotional component. And that is what makes them stick - emotion is the glue of our principles.
And I'd explain how emotions are more long term in nature. That feelings are more short term - like the difference between hard drive memory and RAM. And that the feelings can get glombed onto stored emotions. That it's best to deal with the feelings before they add into or stir up the emotional storage.
And then I'd say, "But if you ever get the chance to actually watch your feelings stir things up inside of you... what you recognize to be old emotions... well, now you have an opportunity that is most valuable." That is, it's valuable to deal with stuff that has probably been taking yourself on road trips to trouble for quite a while.
And slowly, as I patiently checked for understanding, I'd say that we need to understand that, "if you're being driven and fueled by something you don't know about, then you're very likely heading for trouble." And that one would then do well to keep abreast of one's emotions and feelings. Because sometimes, and always more than we want, such awakenings have had a tendency to make us feel helpless and hopeless. And we've too often treated that with some form of drug to induce denial of a painful reality - whether that drug was TV, alchol, prescribed medicines, unprescribed medications, or ...
I would then remind them, that it has been written by those who we know did know, that sometimes, the purpose of political strategy has been to lead citizens to disenfranchise themselves -- using one or more of those same ways. But instead of that, we can understand the basics of how feeling and emotions work, and then realize the benefit of that. That through forgiveness of our past incapacity, we can turn *out* that turned-in energy -- into anger at man's injustice to man, and at the related apathy. And learn to see and transform that energy wherever it exists, but beginning with that within ourselves. And thus with regained power and courage, allow ourselves to see and feel what we couldn't before. To awaken to empower - both personally and communally, utilizing our past and current challenges for creating realistic, wholesome, all-inclusively considered, and systemically applied (eg: "wholistic") solutions.
In closing, I would then remind them about what I said about emotion and fuel and drive for accomplishment. About emotion and manipulation. About emotion and beliefs and values, emotion and denial, emotion and forgiveness, capacity, inner resources, and courage. About emotion and healing and the power to generate solutions -- no matter what. I might read a few lines from my "Questions for Disillusionment" page, including "Questions for Personal Empowerment." I might even read the Citizen Healing Prayer. It seemed to work for the judge (at the sentencing of the "Seattle 12"). It worked even though it's loaded with evocative questions and a preamble set to empower the inner -and hopefully Divine- response to such questions.
And lastly, I'd remind them that if you're going to do a trance, why not let it be an effective one? Of course, all that is probably old hat out the window for the evangelical preacher. But who knows, maybe a new pitch could raise a few ears a little higher, even give the pulpit a little rise in stature. And there is conscious self-hypnosis -- but then, just how safe IS it... to truly be in charge of yourself? Yes, there is thatquestion of 'Who to Trust'. Ah... questions, questions, questions...
--cp,
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, as only one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
...Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense,
a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890-1969) |
Bumpersticker from VFP's national campaign, "How's the War Economy Working for You" |
 |
|
L E T T E R S & P E T I T I O N S
Forgiveness and Accountability
are NOT mutually exclusive. Healing practitioners will tell you
that each works best when both are obtained hand-in-hand.
Demand Accountability for Bush, Cheney, & Rove
We Can Have Them In Jail Where They Belong
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER !!! (June '09)
Find Link-loaded Messages for quickly getting your sigs on petitions and sending letters to Elected Officials
via PolyPsyList Archives: Use "Impeach" in its efficient Search Engine, sort by latest, etc.
For Rove, include "Mike Connell" (yep, another plane crash)
Related: Impeachment Resource Links; For a quick read to dispel doubt of need, see Myths About Impeachment
|
 |
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, as only one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
...Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense,
a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890-1969) |
Bumpersticker from VFP's national campaign, "How's the War Economy Working for You" |
|
|
| |
One Definition of Insanity | |
| |
How much is spent on military budgets a year worldwide? | |
How much of this is spent by the U.S.? | |
What percent of US military spending would ensure
the essentials of life to EVERYONE in the world ?
(according the UN, & includes education, of course) | |
| |
$900+ billion | |
50% | |
10% (That is about $40 billion, the amount of funding initially requested to fund our retaliatory attack on Afghanistan in 2002).
Stats at Cost Of War .Com | |
| |
Q1: "The main rationale for war generally boils down to lack of sustenance" ?
A1: The above stats clearly do not support that notion shaking out with Reality.
Q2: "It's about Terrorism" ? Or, how many people would support extremists, if everyone already had all they needed (basic needs and much more, which obviously could be afforded, were it not for the addiction to arms) ?
A2: No and very few (not near enough to give cause for the risk). This assumes there would be some amount of cooperative international policing capability, of course, with substantially reduced redundancy (not to mention "over-kill" capacity).
Q3: About someone's lifestyle, RELIGION, or values being threatening to "our own"?
A3: Any psychologist, let alone anthropologist, will tell you that we cannot survive on this planet without respect for diversity. Scientists will tell you that goes for plant and animal species as well. (Q: Have we not yet learned from politicians who play with religious fervor and the freedom jealousy thing - on the emotions of the emotionally led? A: One only hopes so!)
A1-3: The main point being, "Need" is NOT what motivates war - By about 90% or $800 Billion !!! (per the chart) I mean, is that not one definition of insanity?
Please Use These Resources As Needed (on another page; and your back button is handy) | |
|
To TOP of PAGE
FOR THOSE WHO'VE LOST FAITH IN THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
Perhaps the perfect dream would be your two favorite political parties ('Green Party' and 'Natural Law Party'?) joining up and replacing the Democratic Party.
And since that probably won't happen, if even one 3rd Party won't being taken seriously by the voting public...
So, HOW can we get the platforms of these parties taken seriously? By putting in the "conscientious" 'spoiler vote'? (Under circumstances where the result is fascism in the White House? And then we'd be REALLY motivated for bottom-up action, Huh? Yes, there is thatquestion of 'Who to Trust'.
Consider Instant Runoff Voting (Voting System)
where every candidate of ANY party (eg: multiple parties can be running candidates)
can each have a shot at the presidency, and any other office where this system is in effect:
 "Success for Instant Runoff Voting in San Francisco"
by Steven Hill and Rob Richie, Published 1/12/05 by CommonDreams.org
Demo Flash makes it easy to understand via http://www.chrisgates.net/irv/
Related Promotional Video by BBC: at Better Ballot Campaign .Org
(You can hit your browser's back button to return here)
AND...
Wanna Get Back?
( By Bringing us back to Reality, that is ? )
Still Want Your Vote to Count ?
V O T E W I T H Y O U R D O L L A R !
Use These Resources As Needed
|
The False Message of Security (Bush/Cheney Era)
In the days when the most powerful organizations are not nation states, but "independent" banking, fuel, and arms corporations who have conglomerated politically, then the only real job security will be had carrying a gun. Survival scenarios are already being projected upon us. The conglomerated media focuses our attention on the *new definitions* of patriotism (that go along with revised history lessons) - "stand behind your man' (without questions), “might is right when waving the flag and a bible,' and “lie and deny with pride if it accomplishes the ends that we, the ‘righteous´ few, say are just (and just because we said God said so)."
But such false security built on lies only sustains you so long as you can 'con' and/or force enough people into feeding you and paying your way. Sadly, some people interpret the use of force as credibility -- apparently forgetting about the nature of love-wisdom-balanced discipline as the strength of ethical action. But sooner or later the piper is paid. Having created so many terrorists from the family members of so many innocent dead, we have virtually taunted the piper to come right to us - again. If the 911 investigations brought out nothing else, it was strong testimony that our best defence against terrorism is to listen to and respect the opinions of our world neighbors.
And if the (Bush/Cheney) administration recognises this (and how could they not?), what can we conclude about their means towards their global ends? Hysteria? [Yes & No ... No: They use the "Machiavengelical Move" for dumbing down and co-opting the Christians, creating the image of credibility there, and thereby demoralizing the resistance to their fascism - see ref/links below. Yes: Hysteria would justify using FEMA to declare emergency and Martial Law if/when necessary.] So Let's NOT.
Consider what all and how the (Bush/Cheney) administration denies on a regular basis! The PNAC blueprint, for the creation of a 'global Pax Americana' Uncovered by the Sunday Herald in 2000, was drawn up for Dick Cheney (now vice-president), Donald Rumsfeld (defense secretary), Paul Wolfowitz (Rumsfeld's deputy), George W Bush's younger brother Jeb and Lewis Libby (Cheney's chief of staff). The document, entitled Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategies, Forces And Resources For A New Century, was written in 1993 by the neo-conservative think-tank Project for the New American Century (PNAC). The orchestrated call for empire was "out of the closet," according to conservative columnist Charles Krauthamer: "It's Empire Versus Democracy." (This 90 page document was apparently available at New American Century .Org but is reported no longer available there.) Of interest might be (NAC.Org's) Iraq-Middle-East page.
In any case, the best updated set of PNAC references is at: Political Ref. Page, Admin/Incest section, "Project for A New American Century"
(You can hit your browser's back button to return here)
To TOP of PAGE
To Summarize
In consideration of ourselves as a nation of citizens, as a world community of citizens ... We're all hurting from lack of trustworthy leaders and too often from purposely misleading messages - and the needless deaths this too often leads to. We can focus on what we have done, we can focus on what we could have done, or we can focus on where can we go from here. Healing requires a balance of all of that, but essentially for the purpose of moving on. Empowerment, as a citizen of a democracy, is all about becoming one´s own leader, interdependent with, while responsive and responsible to, those whom we chosen to represent us. It is about developing one´s own message, yet in tune with what works for the greater good, step by sometimes painful step, with other empowered individuals. There's no better time to find out how we are to do this.
Elaboration (and A Pep Talk ?)
We have the opportunity to take us from where we are now, one step at a time, to where we want to be. If it were given to us magically, we wouldn't learn anything. It won't happen without you and me, having faith and taking action. A little bit from each of many is all that's needed. But it will take that “many’ to do it. We who fight for justice don't want "just a few good men" or to be the few of anything, but we do dream of broad participation. A lot of support from only a few of us is what got us where we are now. That has only increased elitism, the *winner/loser* and *more/less worthy than* paradigms, and other forms of personal and citizen disenfranchisement.
The crisis of the times demand this (especially including the ramifications regarding Global Warming and related future scenarios, which imply immediate policy change), and the investment of our efforts will reap the rewards of hopefully, a sustainable planet to live on healthfully with others. Whereas to to do otherwise would seem to reap what we don't even want to imagine. I can't see much of a choice, actually, unless we truly believe some otherworldly Being or beings will save us from ourselves - would save *us* - we, who in that case would not even learn to love enough, to get along enough, to just get along.
Speaking of focusing on where can we go from here, I would love to have your commentary and input to my web site, where I do focus primarily on exploration of the steps we can take, based on where we are politically, socially, and psychologically. In fact, for all of those foci, I have pages and/or sections at this site with well-backed facts and information resource links, including to others commentary & suggestions for healing on various levels, and means of action and activism of all degrees of involvement, as well as my own editorial commentary and suggestions for healing on various levels. My site is not always up to date, but I trust that through the resources provided, you can find updated information and resources for action.
More editorial from yours truly - on the strategies of the Bush Administration (Fall 2003+) - is at the 9/11 MID-EAST-WARS section of Christopher's Political Page. Also here are are well-backed facts and information resource links, and means of action/activism of all degrees of involvement. Below are links to Other Related Writings and Pages. I added these pages to the web in faith that more people might better see, understand, and utilize opportunities to jump in and make things better when we can.
Thank you for our being all that we are every chance we get - in faith and action.
"IF EVER there should NOT be the WHOLE citizenry encouraged to participate in political decisions: THEN should it be, that only those who are aware of their susceptability to hypnotization, that might be allowed to vote? Should Only those with such awareness and mental discipline be given to decide who is to carry forth their bidding in responsibility? Or so, might one consider, should ever a gang of rascals stealth power, that those without such capacity (to recognize when they've blindly followed a path) as a danger to democracy, be tended as sheep need be. Jesus spoke of these gently, did he not? (This is not to say the lucid should forgoe a divine mentor, nor that other faiths should fail in similar special care.) And yet, to argue for the right of the un-self-reflecting to vote, would not an occassional puppet-strung president be appropriate representation on that balance of our populace? And so to be fair, may not one lecture that if such folk are to evolve, then opportunity be necessary for them to wake up from the trance others would have them dance to? To evolve or to rescue? How about to rescue with Education? Too boring, you protest, let us fantasize divine intervention, as if God would not help those who help themselves? But alas, need we not pray well during all such our educations, and thence all the more with our feet in the streets, that at least our ethics survive in the meantime awaiting the resolution that befits our efforts?!"
-- Lord not Byron |
What I'm Thankful to be Wrong About (for as long as I am, to the degree that I am):
[eg: I posted this here the Spring and Summer before the der-elections, and now choose to leave it just for reference]
As if to confirm that message, A key message that Osama (bin Laden) gives us (just before the election) is that 1) his actions have been and will continue to be directly related to ours, and 2) our security is therefore directly related to the security of the Islamic world, that we have been threatening it severely and lying about our real intentions.
If our un-elected (Bush/Cheney) "bad boys" are elected this November (2004) (or otherwise keep their seats), we definitely need be ready for more terrorism - probably within some symbolic number of days of the election, because Al Qaeda strategizes their attacks so as to make us connect the dots - cause & effect - right back to our now obvious path toward long-term occupation of the Middle East (and Caspian Sea Basin). Obvious? Yes, the Project for a New American Century (reference links above) spells out the path, and Osama's messages have consistently harped with that "teacher's punishment" kind of logic. This punishment has been so far held back only by pity for most Americans - popularly viewed from abroad as naive and having been duped by the most lowly of corporate elite who literally stole into power. Following the unbridled terrorism, martial law would be declared - which is just what many are waiting for. If not limited to labor strikes, then an enlarged war in the streets would effect not just the warriors, police, militia, etc. but also women and children. And remember, this would follow in addition to the suffering let loose by terrorists.
Christopher Pringer, 6'04, 10'04
To TOP of PAGE
RELATED LINKS
On Progressive Strategy breaking through the Conservative Smoke & Mirror show...
Some good places to go from here might be:
"The Origins of the Neo-Conservative Mind -
Political Comparative Analysis" by Alan Wolfe
and "How The Democrats Were Betamaxed" was written by Laurie Spivak
Professor Alan Wolfe uses fascist philosopher Carl Schmitt to help us understand contemporary politics & the eerie relevance to the current moment in American history. Spivak focuses on countering the conservative smoke & mirror show.
Wolfe and Spivak provide much for answering questions & considerations put forth in "Questions for [healing] Disillusionment," "Recovering the Citizenry," and related theme web pages. (These Q&C-loaded pages emerged in response to the current political mind-bog: the apparently unconscious psycho-political dumbfounding of many American citizens who have, according to most everyone else on the planet, blindly allowed current trends due to taking our democracy for granted. Q&C pages by yours truly; links provided below)
 |
The virtual U.S. Peace Academy @Seattle
Is here and now to inspire the creation of the *real* UNITED STATES PEACE ACADEMY. 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.
|  |
"Questions for Healing Disillusionment"
Selected Questions for Consideration and Contemplation regarding how effectively we are using our democratic process - vs blindly letting totalinarian forces rise to destroy it.
The Sections on This Page Include:
"Questions for Disillusionment"
Excerpted from "Overcoming Political Disillusionment"
"The Four Governments"
Excerpted from "Christopher's Political Page"
| |
"The Development of One Questioning Mind"
my pre-sentencing statement at the trial of the "Seattle 12"
"Questions for Personal Empowerment"
Question-based Affirmations over colorful tapestry background
"Preventing/Overcoming 'Burnout' for Activists"
A suggested Class Outline
|
|
"Poly-Psy Citizen Healing Page
Discussions & Charts on Political Activism, Empathy, Apathy, Healing & Recovering Democracy"
Includes the essays: "Healing the Citizenry" - guides pragmatic discussion for recognition of our current situation, examination of related cause-effect patterns, transitioning out of political apathy, and making conscious choices for change toward sustainable living on the planet - a long term project (Fall 2002); "An Introduction to Subjects in 'Poly-Psy'" - about Poly *Psy*, not "Poly-Sci"; "A Re-balancing Transition Process for Healing Governments" - Daunting Questions about designing effective structure & process - 'ism's & not ('08-'10); "The Economy as Artform and not Science" - a compassionate view ±?" (3'09); and "'Empathy' or 'Armor' by Definition..." - Clarifying where the definition has come to be re-defined to apply in limited ways and directions (4'10)
Why these "Poly-Psy" charts and essays?
Because our government has been greatly influenced by the 60-80% of the citizens NOT participating.
We (speaking of Americans over the last five centuries or so) have allowed/created our current condition -- in terms of various attitudes, beliefs, and values - and some interesting times wherein we re-defined certain values. And this implies, therapeutically speaking, we can therefore can *heal* our socio-political condition by changing those attitudes and re-clarifying some values over more time. That implies potential for a form of continuing *preventative health maintenance* curriculum at schools and colleges. Paradigm shift tension, anyone? How much are we ready for? But doesn't every writer asks that question - or just those who want us to "bridge" - to encourage exploration of our potentials and what we perceive as our limitations?
Many writers note the incredible degree of short memory and denial that is going on in America. Perhaps that is because we want so strongly, even tenaciously, to believe in our "good guy" image of ourselves - certainly more than we want to acknowledge our attachment to our standard of living. "Our national denial" happens apparently because of that. Well, I believe it essential to the planet, considering the power of the United States, that the citizenry wake up, suffer the inevitable heartbreak, get a hold of ourselves and heal that, get real AND learn to use our anger constructively, and get in charge of what we can be proud of, and create much more of same. An elaboration on "Trends, Memory, Tracking, Trust, and Forgiveness" can be found here.
All in all, the Poly-Psy charts page provides a good introductory, if not prerequisite, to the "OverComing Political Disillusionment" outline/study page (Link/Description below).
Summary From essay,
"A Re-balancing Transition Process for Healing
Government, the Economy, and the Global Warming Crisis":
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 diversity 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 maintenance 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 
|
 |
Also at the "Poly-Psy Citizen Healing" page: Favorite Alternative Solution Sites
and the sidebar essay, "Solutions: Common Means to Efficient Paths, 'Bridging' in the Cross-Discipline Approach"
[10/12/07, ed. 3/14/09, 3/28/10, ...]
|
"OverComing Political Disillusionment"
What would be accomplished if more than 40% of Americans felt empowered enough to Vote - repeatedly? Over time, would we create a government that actually represented our highest values? 'OverComing' is an outline of study of current political challenges and psychological considerations effecting American citizen potentials for stirring democratic participation, and the power to make a difference for the world, as well as suggestions for the healing & preventative maintenance necessary in so many arenas to get us there.
|
The Political Reference Page
Provides A Would-be Endless Collection of supporting documents --
annotated links, but organized and updated as often as can (considering they keep pouring in...)
| 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:
19 prayers as of Jan 2011, generally invoking Divine assistance, calling for citizen awareness & courage, truth, justice, accountability, related healing, learning, & balance, etc. They include a resource-connecting prayer chart for the Economy (Jan'11) , two that are specific to global climate healing, one to Iraq & Middle East, two for comprehensive planetary healing in general, two specific to media communications (latest Dec'10), and more. 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 over Sacred Geometry Graphic Backgrounds
The "coverage" (via prayer text) provides a virtual summary of our current world challenges - hints to opportunities to gain the momentum we need to heal/transform the planet and mankind. |
| |
Broad Spectrum World Healing Prayer |
|
To TOP of PAGE
 
 
Author / Artist / Editor Information
with Professional Bio, Quotes, Sample Artwork, Site Links & Stats
Body-Mind Integration
and Fascia Memory Research
 |
Christopher Pringer
Reiki Master, Integrative Body-Energy-Worker
Personal Coach in Body-Mind Awareness
for Preventative Health Maintenance
Ordained Minister with
Chalice Bridging Ministries
Body-Mind-Soul Integration for a Healthy Planet
Bridging Theology, Consciousness,
and Practical Emotional Intelligence
Site Map & Organization Chart
Body Mind Integrative Awareness (Brochure)
Chalice-Qi Energy-BodyWork & Counseling
Individualized Approach and Training
for High Performance, Awareness, and Integral Being
HOME PAGES for
Fascia Memory Research Project
Research into Mind-Body Diagnostics and
Preventative Medicine based on Bodily-Stored Memory
4C-Publishing
Chalice Creations and Concept Charting (Desktop Publishing)
for Vibrant Greeting Cards, Logos, Mandala & Prayer Cards,
Display Ads, Promotional Presentations, Charts & Web Books
"Synthesis" Mandala Shirts
By Appointment Only
206-286-0899 / chrispringer@chalicebridge.com
Guest Book & Web Site Support System Page
|
for Chalice/Grail Artwork
and 4C-Publishing
 |
COPYRIGHT REGULATIONS/POLICY & DISCLAIMER
Thumbs, Links, and
Sample Artwork by Chris Pringer
( and much more ) at the
Chalice Integration Index Page,
the 4C Publishing Page, and
My Facebook Album.
Resource Access for Economy Prayer (& Chart for Visualizing Connections)
"Chakra & Path To Guidance Chart" © Chris Pringer 2002
Iraq-Middle-East Healing Prayer
"Chalice-Star with 3 Magi 6a2" Holiday Card © Chris Pringer 2002
"Atomic Chalice III - Gold on Black" (Thumbnail), © Chris Pringer 2001
|
ABOUT THE SYMBOLIC ART: The symbols for the "Chalice" - or Holy Grail - that I often use are drawn essentially from ancient archetypes - including the symbol(s) composing what is known as "The Star of David," which symbols actually pre-date(s) any such reference by many centuries or more. They all have their own rich meanings as related to the spiritual dilemma or paradox, balancing or synthesis of qualities (such as Yin & Yang), and healing transformation. Here, the Chalice is essentially a "cauldron" for the balancing and integrating of Humanity with the Divine - individually and communally. The "Chalice-Star" over the three traveling magi is used in my Solstice or Christmas Card design to represent our quest - in this earthly dimension of body, mind, and spirit - for the inner-most Source of one's spirit and faith -- whether that would be the Inner Christ, Inner Buddha, Inner Mohammed, or the Divine Mother's Spirit connecting All Life, etc. You may find out the actual origins of my relationship with these archetypes at Home Page for Body-Mind-Chalice Integration (and related artwork).
SUPPORT: If you feel well served by what you found here, I would certainly appreciate your support. Although there is virtually 3 large books (and thousands of hours) worth of written material (not including the artwork) here, nothing has ever been sold at this site (although I do promote my therapy practice and desktop publishing skills). In any case, if you feel you have benefited by your visit to this site and would like to support the work here, please check out the Chalice Bridging Ministries / PolyPsyArts Support System.
REPRODUCTION & Copyright: I welcome my writing/artwork being reproduced, and with respect, I very much appreciate your honoring my REQUIREMENT that such reproduction be according to the following conditions:
1) that it is in it's original and complete form (or an editing or excerpt by agreement with the author); 2) contact info are intact (included visible and readable with the writing or artwork): "Chris Pringer, chrispringer@chalicebridge.com, www.chalicebridge.com"; 3) the following conditions are ALSO complied with: Hardcopy reproduction is ok so long as a) it is only for (non-profitable) personal use (1 copy), or non-profit organizational use (1 copy per employee); b) posting on web pages, blogs, or forums is ok only with my expressed permission in each case (partly because I want to know where it's been put, and I'd be most honored to be asked); c) distribution of my writings or artwork is not ok unless with my prior written permission and/or agreement with regard to appropriate (if any) compensation. 4) Any mirroring of my website in part or in total complies with the above. 5) The only exception to the above being for the World Healing Prayers, which I encourage people to make all the copies desired - as can be used effectively - without obligation to get my permission or even contact me, although I would love and most appreciate hearing from you about that. [ This section edited for clarification Sept. 2010; Original statement Aug 2000 when site at AOL. Also Please Note as needed: I have yet to ever sell -or give permission for anyone else to sell- any of my artwork on E-Bay or anywhere else - Dec'07 ...Feb'11 ]
AUTHORSHIP & ORIGINS: Unless otherwise noted under the titles or artwork, all essays, artwork, prayers, pages at my web site, as at my previous site at AOL (Fall'97 to Spring'06) -- and with exception of a very few and diminishing numbers of the solid color and cloudy-sky color backgrounds, bullets & bars, and the logo/headers from or revised for others' sites (as noted) -- has been composed, created & rendered, and web-authored © by myself, Christopher Pringer, practitioner in Body-Mind-Energy Integration Therapies since 1984, ordained minister since 1987. Actually on August 17, 1987, "Harmonic Convergence Day", with New Age Fellowship, Seattle, WA, more recently with S.H.E.S. (International Assembly of Spiritual Healers & Earth Stewards Congregations, SHES.Org) in 2001 for/as "Chalice-Bridging Body Mind & Soul Ministries" Most of the personal health-oriented essays at this site were written in the early 90's, as compared to the social/political/peace oriented pages since 1997, with the proposed Fascia Memory Research Project first published in 1996, and the "Evo-Trends" perspective in 1995. I have been gradually improving their style over the years, including the dates of revisions therein.
DISCLAIMER: None of my writing or artwork is intended to be, to replace, or discourage the appropriate use of, medical attention and/or treatment, but as educationally informative for the purpose of overall health enhancement and preventative maintenance. So far as I know, I have not quoted any other person without saying so. I have emulated a number of writers and teachers, so I wouldn't be surprised if many of my statements have similar words and meanings as they. In any case, I have always tried to say what I believed, and when knowingly restating someone else's words, I say so (except perhaps in annotated links to their web sites).
|
"Transition Mandala w/ Transforming Heart Overlay" © Chris Pringer 2008
"Chalice Forming 3D w/Subtle 3DPi-Chalice" © Chris Pringer 2009 [Description]
"Chalice Vortex Bridge over Earth-rS" © Chris Pringer 2007-09
PolyPsyArts for "Pragmatic Idealism"
for getting "from here to there".
Logo © Chris Pringer, PolyPsyArts, web editor for vUSPA (virtual US Peace Academy), member of Veteran's for Peace and of the "Seattle 12" of SNOW (Seattle Non-Violent Opponents of War).
|
Commentary/Feedback
is MOST APPRECIATED
(as are Donations)
via chrispringer@chalicebridge.com. I Hope you have found this page useful. Please let me know if it (or any parts of it, or other pages here) do not make sense to you, or don't seem consistent, etc. Thank you! |
 |
Click here to see the
Organization Chart / Site Map
as well as "How and Why this Site Is Different - A study in Cross-Discipline Knowledge Sharing and Utilization." About the critical challenge of, and our potential for, optimal integration of diverse perspectives, talents, and capabilities - eg: *Chalice-Bridging* on the world level. Also: how that relates to personal, community, and planetary healing. (includes full-size graphic) |
|
Professional Bio & Training
Chris Pringer, 2011
Chris by Artwork
(a 2005 photo over 2009 artwork)
Chris at Massage Chair, 2005
|
I began my studies in multi-level self-healing when in the service, in Thailand in the Winter of '73. The focus then was on self-help psychology, consciousness, and eastern and western mystical perspectives. This continued through my university studies in Norman, OK '74-'79. 1980 took me into naturopathic studies, primarily nutrition and herbology when I lived in Oklahoma City. Not seeing the naturopathic doctor route as affordable at the time, I found direction via a five-evening massage course, Fall '83. That led to a six month professional practice, followed up with the training in Sante Fe, NM, '84-'85 (detailed in my on-line brochure).
Since then I have practiced massage and/or healing facilitation for others, initially in Santa Fe, NM (during/after my training), then San Louis Obispo, CA, and Seattle, WA (with more courses along the way). This includes exploring personal challenges and self-healing methodology. A session may include various energy-body-work modalities, Body/Energy-Awareness based Preventative Health Maintenance Instruction, Cyclist Therapy, office stress treatments (in a chair), or only Reiki or relaxation work in total silence. A client chooses based on whatever stress, pain, or concerns are present at that session. A client may request a "Body Pattern Reading," as well as various massage/bodywork therapies, all of which techniques are listed & described in the Body-Mind Integration Therapies Brochure. Individual, program, and 3-6 week interval-based rates are available. Testimonials are available (on a separate page).
My professional interests have primarily centered in three areas:
1) Body-Centered Psycho-Spiritual Process (as in "Hakomi" style of) counseling and bodywork, including as assessing an individual for the most efficient means of addressing connective tissue injury, short and long term (on physical and/or emotional levels). Related are the basic hows & whys of storage & release of tension and "body memory" in the muscles and fascia. And in the fascia memory storage dynamics - referring to the technical aspects of neuro-physical interface between connective tissue, emotion, and the brain);
2) "Chalice-Bridging" style chakra balancing, including Reiki (energy work) - based in the view that we each are a bridge between Father & Mother God/dess, & thus form a chalice for the balancing & integrating of Humanity with the Divine. Or at least ideally so, as our systems are *attuned* & our batteries are *charged* & we fullfill our true role as human embodiments of Spirit.
3) Therapy for Cyclists and other athletes, related injuries, and preventative maintenance. In April 2011 I responded to a request to offer Century Ride Packages (pre & post 100+ mile rides). My experience with cyclists at that point, including for minor and major injuries, tallied to over 1200 hrs. |
![BMI[EBW] Logo Reiki WhtLtSym WhtVtx cr-sm](images-wb/BMI[EBW]Logo-ReikiWhtLtSym-WhtVtx-cr-sm.png)
Professional Brochure
(Web Page)
Compact Trifold PDF
Right Click, "Save As" will Download |
My training includes
Over 1700 hours of classes and practicum, including with the New Mexico Academy of Massage and Advanced Healing Arts in Santa Fe, NM (1984-85), and with various accredited bodywork and therapy workshops (`86-present), as well as 100 hours training with the Alchemical Hypnotherapy Institute (1989), over 100 hrs apprenticeship with healing practitioner Robert "Mitra" (`85-`86), 150 hours apprenticeship with Silena Heron in Herbal Studies (`83-`84), Training, Certification, & Empowerment as Reiki Master (3rd Degree Johrei, 1991; Kundalini Reiki to 9th Level w/Gtunmo & Devic Template, 2004). For the detailed version my training, you may go to the latter half of the Body-Mind Integration Therapies Brochure. Which also includes (and relates context for) links to essays elaborating on aspects of imbalance and injury, assessment, and healing.
|
|
Personal Notes or Quotes on Body-Mind Awareness [ cp, 12'07 ]
BODY-MIND AWARENESS, at the core of preventive health awareness, is one of the most simple, efficacious, & cost-effective forms of HEALTH INSURANCE there can be. Hence, massage is far from just "a luxury item," and bodywork therapies can be indispensable for the healing of certain conditions.
MUSCLES RELATE TO ATTACHMENTS - to what we use to take our stance, to hold our place, to perceive and respond to our environment, and to extend who we are and/or want to be. Or used to be (in too many cases, perhaps).
That speaks not only to the body's condition and function, but to how it communicates awareness of where one is along one's path (of becoming who one truly is).
THE BODY IS . . . among other amazing things, a unique communications system -- intimately linked with one's TOTALITY.
Establishing rapport with one's body can be a PATH to self realization.
ONE OF MY DREAMS is a society where/in all children are taught how to feel/see/read their own body-mind communications such that preventive health maintenance eventually becomes second nature. And actually, for the most part, they would be encouraged to re-awaken and build upon what I believe to be a NATURAL INCLINATION - conscious self-healing and continuous expansion of awareness.
And the above goes FOR ALL OTHER ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, to the degree that one utilizes them to improve such awareness and causative/pro-active connection with one's body-mind, and to employ the most effective tools for maintaining/improving one's health under any given condition or circumstance.
WHY DOES BODY AWARENESS = OPTIMUM HEALTH INSURANCE ?
And How does "Body-Parenting" relate to that in Body-Mind Integration ?
|
To TOP of PAGE
Web site/page © Chris Pringer, 1997 to Present (see individual articles and graphics for © dates by the author/artist)
| |
