Awakening From Your Anger

Tag: anxiety

  • The Search 05 (Gestalt Principles)

    In my last post, I talked about awareness as the essential principle of Gestalt Therapy. Here I want to pick up on two other equally important principles of Gestalt: Contact and Personal Responsibility. I do this because my principal orientation is that of Gestalt — I have many other trainings, but Gestalt remains my basic orientation and emphasizes being fully alive.

    This is not to say that other therapeutic orientations are not equally valid (Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioural, Transactional Analysis, and others); it is simply that Gestalt has been most conducive to who I am. Years ago, a mentor of mine said that there are three basic aspects that a therapist needs: a theoretical orientation, extensive work with clients, and the resolving on one’s own personal struggles. The theoretical orientation is useful when talking with colleagues after the therapy session yet is the least important of the three skill of therapy. During the actual session, one is often flying by the seat of one’s pants — there is limited time to think about theory. The second basic aspect is practical work with clients, especially supervised by a more senior therapist (the colleague after the session); it is essential to learning to be present in session. Third and most important is the personal growth of the therapist — if one’s own issues are not resolved, they almost certainly will become points at which the therapy becomes stuck. This is because the primary tool/skill that the therapist brings is his or her own humanity.

    Translating this into the process of being fully alive means first to understand what you are doing for yourself in the process. Second engage in the skills of living so as to develop an effective toolbox. Finally challenge yourself so as to resolve the issues that hold you back.

    My orientation as therapist is Gestalt; my skill is my own humanity.

    I noted last post that awareness is “attention to one’s spontaneously emerging perceptions.” Contact is my ability to be present to the immediacy of now. At that time, I introduced the Action Model (reproduced here) with its First Order perception (F1), Evaluation, Meaning, Intention, Energy, and Response. Contact is my ability to hold these various aspects in my awareness without grasping one or more in immediate reactivity. For example, while in heated conversation with another, can I hold the immediacy of tension in my face while I recall a previous conflict with a sibling, while noting my anger and desire be in conflict, perhaps with awareness of my immediate surroundings and the words being spoken by the other. No one of course does all of this perfectly yet the more I can attend to this complexity, the more I am in contact with my environment, the more I am able to choose my responses.

    The skill associated with Contact is that of patience and awareness. For you the reader, as you are able, pause and look at a chair, a bus, a street sign, a person and note that these are all complex images. What are you attending to with your awareness? What body response are you having? What meaning are you giving to your awareness? What (subtle or not) energetic response is there? What immediate action is associated with your experience (even if not overt movement). In training yourself this way over time, you gradually develop the skill of being in contact with now, and you develop associations between these many areas of awareness. All this becomes the basis of how you respond to the immediacy of the present moment.

    Personal Responsibility is also a manifestation of this complex interaction. The best way I can explain this is with another metaphor: a pot of  stew (with a spoon in it) sitting on a stove being heated. It is one of the best metaphors I have of the human mind.

    It is a pot of Energy; the contents of the pot are aspects of who I am — my values, beliefs, memories, and expectations (my VBMEs, the same as noted as Evaluation in the Action Model). All this arises from my past, most of it learned as part of growing up in my Family of Origin (FOO). The heat is my recent past, adding further energy to  the pot: the current stressors influencing my present (finances, relationships, home and work situations, and miscellaneous aspects such as what I saw in my email last night or heard on the internet this morning). There is also a spoon in the pot, my current environment, which adds to, stirs, and adjusts the contents, adding more energy.

    All this leads to movement of the contents within the pot. When stuff comes to the surface, we call it a Thought or Feeling. When it bubbles out of the pot, we can it an Action.

    As noted, I consider it as one of my best metaphor of the nature of the Mind. What does it demonstrate?

    First, actions empty the pot! Actions are the only way in which the pot is emptied. If you want to reduce emotional energy, it has to be turned into action! More about this later.

    Second, imagine if you put a spoon into the pot and brought out a carrot. Would you ever say ‘the spoon made the carrot’?

    No! It makes no sense. The carrot was already in the pot — the spoon merely brought it to the surface.

    Why, then, do you say, “You made me angry” or “You made me do it”? This is saying that ‘the spoon made the carrot’!

    If you take this metaphor seriously (and I do, very seriously), I am fully responsible for all that I think, feel, and do! Certainly there are spoons, yet I create my world! I have no one to blame and I am fully responsible for all my thoughts, feelings, and actions, for all that happens to me. In fact, the word blame does not exist in my vocabulary.

    Note also that this metaphor is a relational model. The output of one pot becomes the spoon of the next pot as we together create what we call reality. Together, these three skills (of awareness, contact and personal responsibility) allow me to dance with my world, both as an individual and as part of a relational system.

  • The Search 2 – Introduction 2

    For simplicity, I have decided to entitle any future posts related to this book The Search To Be Fully Alive as The Search # – Chapter n #. These may change over time but for now provide consistency. Ideally, there will be about two posts per week.

    I ended the previous post by indicating I will discuss what I mean by ‘being fully alive.’ I regard the term as nuanced and in attempting to grasp this term myself, I draw largely on my client experience, especially of that third group of clients who cleared up the pony tracks of their lives[1] (some of this experience is described in more detail in ‘Appendix D – Recidivism’ of my book Blowing Out the Darkness):

    SC, a long history of drug abuse and violent crimes: ‘For almost two years now, I have been working with Dave … I no longer think about not living, or harming others … I am peaceful with myself most of the time.

    DD, 51yo, well-educated, chronically raging: I had been in counselling on and off since my last year of high school. … I really did not know how or when the change occurred that weekend; I just know that it did. … I have been working with Dave for six months now … The results I want are coming. I am getting the results because of the work I do, not because of anything Dave does. He merely offers me the tools, steering me towards the right tool of the job.

    MK, a 53yo lawyer in burnout: I gained clarity about my long-standing and personally debilitating misunderstanding. … I was just holding it together as best I could, and now I don’t have to. I can actually be more effective.

    JS, a Probation Officer of 25 years experience, commenting on the impart on clients of a single 17-hr weekend (most were only able to come to the single weekend because of transport issues): What strikes me most, however, is the way post-MacQuarrie probation clients communicate that ‘something is different’: they often say they “feel more relaxed”, can “let things go”, feel more capable of making choices about whether or not their emotions escalate, especially over trivial matters. And I find that this is often borne out in their behavior.

    Fundamentally, the people who are more fully alive are peaceful and productive; they have resolved any residual trauma from their past and they cope well with the ongoing stresses of life. When they are angry (or otherwise emotional), they are aware of what they want in their emotionality, yet they do not impose on others; they are able to negotiate what they need. They are rational; they understand and accept that life is a series of difficulties; that wisdom comes from working through such difficulties. They are relational, satisfied with their family systems and their communities. Whatever their belief systems, they usually have a deepening spirituality and trust of life. In spite of the turmoil of our civilization, they strive to contribute.

    So what am I doing as therapist and what am I potentially suggesting to clients in their search to be fully alive? One aspect is that I function from what I call High Intention – Low attachment. My intention is to be the absolutely best therapist and human being that I can be – I do not pretend to be other than who I am. My job is to elicit a relationship of compassion and trust, supportive of effective behaviours, and to challenge ineffective patterns. I do my best and I have no attachment to the outcome (it is not in my control). As part of that, I do not ‘should’ my clients, yet I often challenge the ineffective.

    The vast majority of clients first come because of pain in their lives. Imagine you have fallen into a large hole, and you find yourself with a shovel in your hand. What is the first thing you should do? … My suggestion is put the shovel down! At this point, you do not know if you are digging yourself deeper or digging yourself out (likely deeper). Practically speaking, this means calming your energy so that you can think more clearly, not about how you got in but how you can get out! (Thinking about how you got in is usually not useful at this stage; it is much more useful after you get out. The tools for getting out usually are quite different for the tools needed to stop yourself from getting in again.) Getting out may  be complicated, falling back repeatedly. There are many tools for getting out, and even if unsuccessful for this event, they are potential resources for future events. Then, having gotten out, likely you feel much better, more resourceful — and more able to grasp how you got into the hole in the first place.

    Likely, at this point, you can recognize that you actually had not fallen into the hole; you had been digging yourself into the hole without being conscious of it. Now, instead of beating yourself up for your … (stupidity, arrogance, whatever your favourite criticism is) …, you can potentially recognize that there might be tools for you to manage your personal characteristics. So you start learning these tools also. Eventually you end up with a very well-crafted toolbox of life, and you start to gain the benefits of being more fully alive.

    Sooner or later, you also recognize that all human beings struggle with falling into holes; that no one is perfect and that we are all simply on journeys of life. At this point, you start to build better relationships, recognizing that we are relational beings. Perhaps you also start to develop a spirituality of what it is all about — you don’t have to, yet it generally makes more sense when you do. You don’t have to call it God, just that something bigger is going on.

    Personally, since it may come up later in these posts, I do call it God, sometimes Star Maker. I don’t do it to impose on others; rather, it makes the conversations easier and offers more tools to explore.

    [1] I am very clear that this growth on the part of the clients occurred because they did the necessary work. I was fortunate to be the therapist who was able to facilitate that work with them. I regard myself as a very competent therapist and it is entirely possible that the clients could have done their growth work with some other therapist(s). In writing this book, I talk about myself and my own skills, not to laud myself, rather because I know myself. There are other very good therapists, and unfortunately it is often a fishing trip to find them.

  • The Search To Be Fully Alive

    On my last post, I noted my intention to write a third book (beside my first two, see previous) entitled The Search To Be Fully Alive: The What and The How. This choice came about for two main reasons: I was seeking to engage further both with my blog and with my life. In particular, I was dissatisfied with how inactive I have been with this blog (I have been sporatic since 2020). I decided to combine the two issues by using the blog as a stepping stone to the book, hopefully cutting and pasting future posts to form the body of the book. I hope the book will end up at about 80-100 pages: long enough to be comprehensive and short enough to be readable. As part of this, I have asked for feedback from subscribers as to the clarity and interest of such future posts. Appreciations for same.

    Here I want to address three questions (two here; the third, the next post): 1) why a third book; 2) what does the ‘search’ mean, and 3) what do I mean by ‘fully alive’?

    Much of the answer to all three is summed up in the header to this blog: ‘Between Climate Change, the risk of Nuclear War, and the political instability of our times, we are an angry culture. Unresolved anger is dangerous while resolved anger is powerful. This site is about making the shift to resolved anger. It is also about making the shift to being a mature adult, being at peace and being of service to a world badly in need of leadership.’

    More specifically as to why a third book, it is one of my major ways for me to contribute. I am a retired physician (specialist anaesthetist) and psychotherapist. My first book Blowing Out the Darkness: The Management of Emotional Life Issues, Especially Anger and Rage came from my awareness of how angry we are as a culture. My second book Acedia, The Darkness Within, and the darkness of Climate Change came from the recognition of how powerless and overwhelmed we feel as individuals and as a culture, with consequent anger. This book addresses how we contribute.

    I have deliberately called this book The Search … because, for me and a significant number of my therapy clients, it has been a search. Up until 1983 at age 40 (I am currently 82), I was a very competent physician-anaesthetist when my life fell apart; I knew I was heading in the same direction as my father in that he committed suicide when he was 49. Reputedly at one point, he had said ‘Never go to a psychiatrist who is less intelligent than you are’ — in similar fashion, my limited experience of therapy up to that point was not helpful. Fortunately, I found good experiential therapy and my life changed; it cost me a lot of time and money, which I fortunately had as a consequence of my profession. It entailed major searching, not available to most with more limited life circumstances.

    The outcome was I became a very competent therapist, mainly focused on my own anger management program. As I studied my clients, I came to characterize them as falling into what I came to call ‘pony tracks.’ I imagine you the reader has been to the circus and seen the ponys, the ones the kids ride. The kids are having fun but what about the ponys walking around their well-worn tracks, dressed in their pretty bangles — they look bored or in some other kind of emotional pain. Most clients are like this: in pain undoubtedly, frequently hiding their angst, and lost in the same dysfunction day after day.

    I could work with about 90% of people — about 10% wanted to work with a woman therapist or found me too intellectual or something. They might come for a session or two, and then not return. The rest fell into three roughly equal groups of individuals.

    It would normally take me anywhere between one and six sessions to identify the pattern of pain, the ‘pony track’. We would then discuss the nature of the difficulty and decide what next. At this point, about 30% would say to me something like “You know, now that I recognize the nature of the issue, I can live with it, and besides, it would cost me too much to change it (they might have to give up their marriage or a lucrative job or some other cost).” At this point, we would do some clean-up and they would leave. Remotely they might come back in the future.

    The remaining 60% would want to work further. This would usually entail another three to six months of work whereupon they would get out of pain. Half of them would leave at this point as having accomplished what they wanted, in particular out of pain. Perhaps they would also come back at a future time.

    The final third, again out of pain, would be appreciative yet would say something like “You know, now that I am out of that pony track, I recognize another pony track (often one that they could not see because of the first one)”. Over the years, as I worked with this third group, I found that most people have anywhere between three and six pony tracks, which when resolved (perhaps over two or three years of work), resulted in deep satisfaction in the life of that client. It truly was a search for these individuals to come to this point in their lives.

    That search was made easier in that as a physician in the Canadian province of Ontario, my therapy services were paid by the provincial health plan. A blessing for clients, I eventually switched exclusively to group psychotherapy so as to minimize my client list; clients came to my weekend workshops on anger management as well as word-of-mouth (including other therapists), then they joined one of my groups (no waiting list). This became the basis of my first book.

    Thus the financial burden of the cost was significantly reduced; most people cannot afford extensive therapy. The search is further compromised by finding a therapist who is a good fit yet has the skill and maturity to challenge the client to do the work. The deeper work is not understanding; it is emotional at the other-than-conscious level. I tell clients that the work is frequently that of exploring a swamp looking for buried treasure; as therapist, I know how to explore swamps but I don’t know the client’s individual swamp.

    Next post: Being fully alive.

  • Feedback on my Books, Blowing Out the Darkness.

    Blowing Out the Darkness

    I have continued to promote my books as I still want to have an impact, and I believe what I have written is important.

    My publisher, Ewings Publishing, suggested I hire some professional reviewers who would provide independent objective assessment of my writings. Attached are these assessments.

    The disclaimer provided notes:

    Book Viewpoint Critic

    Overview

    Our book review service comprises a team of readers with a keen eye and genuine passion, for providing thorough reviews to authors, publishers, and literary agents. Recognizing the impact reviews can have on the success of a book we are committed to delivering quality, objective feedback aimed at helping books realize their full potential.

    The Critics

    Our review panel consists of book enthusiasts with an appreciation for literature and a sharp eye for detail in writing. Comprising critics, published authors, librarians, and avid readers, our diverse team ensures a rounded and comprehensive review process from day one. Each reviewer is carefully selected based on their expertise in genres or themes to ensure that every book receives a critique, from someone who truly understands its nuances and context. 

    Disclaimer

    Please be aware: even as we work hard to provide holistic, constructive reviews, all opinions of the external reviewers are strictly subjective and based on the reading experience of the reviewer. Reviews imply value and informational feedback but never guarantee or promise a particular result. Moreover, all reviews are done with integrity and honesty, and our service payment is not biased at all on the outcome of the reviews. The feedback shall only be one of the various tools that authors and publishers use to fine-tune their work.

    Promotional Evaluations: These evaluations are tailored for marketing purposes. Can be used on covers, websites, and promotional materials to enhance book sales.

    Feedback on Blowing Out the Darkness: The Management of Emotional Life Issues, Especially Anger and Rage. (Metairie, LA: The Ewings Publishing LLC, 2023), https://davidmacquarriebooks.com

    Blowing Out the Darkness

    The Management of Emotional Life Issues, Especially Anger and Rage

    by Dave MacQuarrie

    “A masterful blend of practical tools and philosophical insights, “Blowing out the Darkness” delivers a new, innovative route for navigation of all dark emotional realms. In creating this book, Dr. Dave MacQuarrie, MD PhD, has constructed through this book a cast iron guide that doesn’t let one single lapse occur in addressing the pragmatic dimensions of ’emotional regulation while pushing through to the very bedrock of emotional well-being laid by philosophy.’ His wedding of the cognitive and emotional processes is unparalleled, giving the reader a holistic framework that strengthens comprehension and application. This is a must-have volume for anyone who wants to navigate and transform their emotional landscape effectively.”

    Dr. Emily Roberts, Clinical Psychologist

    “This is a game-changer for both therapists and clients. With a focus on authentic personal growth and societal impact, this book offers timely insight for transformative exchanges that will resonate across the world today. Dave MacQuarrie, MD, PhD, gives practitioners tools and viewpoints directed at the enrichment of individual well-being and, therefore, positive social change—making it a must-have volume for any serious person who cares about emotional health and personal development.”

    John Matthews, Therapist

    “Blowing Out the Darkness” is a resource, for anyone seeking to navigate their journey. The book takes an approach to exploring and managing emotions like anger and rage offering solutions along with a deep dive into the theoretical aspects of emotional processes. MacQuarrie guides readers in acquiring the emotional tools for transforming and achieving effective emotional regulation and personal development. This blend of applications and insightful perspectives makes the book engaging not only for therapists and their clients but also for anyone interested, in emotional wellness.”

    Sarah Wilson, Life Coach

    “Blowing Out the Darkness” is a must in the field of mental health. Dave MacQuarrie has particularly nailed the integration of emotional and rational bits in therapy, which has proven very  effective for long-term healing. This is a rather unique, all-rounded approach to combining practical tools with deep philosophical insight. Possible to equip therapists and clientsalike with the right skills toward emotional well-being and personal growth that could last. That should make this very necessary in therapeutic practices.”

    Dr. Karen Brown, Psychiatrist

    “Enlightening and practical, ‘Blowing Out the Darkness’ lays the groundwork for managing one’s emotions in a way that is conducive to the betterment of society. This wonderful book should be read by all who want to improve their emotional well-being and give back some of that to society. Dave MacQuarrie shares his insights, provides actionable strategies, and supports them with powerful examples—a marvelous combination that secures this work for a wide, eager audience.”

    Michael Thompson, Social Worker

    “Blowing Out the Darkness” by Dave MacQuarrie is such an innovative and far-reaching vision of emotional management, skillfully wedding practical strategies with profound insights it makes the most complex emotional concepts anytime relevant and digestible to apply. His analysis is very captivating to the reader because he provides a comprehensive framework for emotional well-being in regards to investigating society’s problems and personal growth. The impact of MacQuarrie’s work does not remain limited to individual emotional challenges but further spreads their occurrence across society. As such, this book becomes a very important source for meaningful personal and social change.”

    Laura Green, Emotional Wellness

    “‘Blowing Out the Darkness’ gives insight into the human emotional system in great depth. The practical use of his theories by Dave MacQuarrie is exceptionally valuable to both professionals and individuals alike. With a thorough explanation of the techniques of emotional management, this book is endowed by what users need to indeed really be abreast of their emotions. The insights are very vital to MacQuarrie, and requisite for every human being desiring to improve in aspects of emotional intelligence and real personal growth.”

    Dr. Steven Harris, Neuroscientist

    “’Blowing Out the Darkness’ by Dave MacQuarrie is an insightful book in every sense of the term, as it seeks to challenge the conventional approaches to emotional health. He gives effective tools and quite a deep, existentially profound setting of philosophical perspective that is very transformative. He provides a balanced approach to both the emotional and rational aspects of treatment, rendering an all-rounded framework for understanding and managing feelings such as anger and rage. The deep exploration in the book is not just another prescriptive guide to the human emotional system. It is rich in furnishing one with many skills to achieve ongoing emotional well-being and growth. ‘Blowing Out the Darkness’ is packed with value both for professionals in the field and anyone seeking ways to enhance emotional wellness.” 

    Rachel Adams, Counselor

    “Dave MacQuarrie has constructed in ‘Blowing Out the Darkness’ a powerful resource for the management of emotional life issues. His emphasis on authenticity and change in society differentiates the book from others in this field. MacQuarrie’s treatment of these highly individualistic emotional challenges also opens onto the effect of such in society as a whole. This exhaustive guide embodies both practical tools and deep insights, making it a very necessary read for any conscientious person concerned about personal growth and positive societal transformation.”

    James Lee, Behavioral Therapist

    “Blowing Out the Darkness” is an enlightening read, replete with practical skills for emotional management. At the same time, what stood out for me was how Dave MacQuarrie could interweave subjective experience with objective understanding. Here is a volume that gives readers tools to effectively manage their emotional landscape. His approach is both insightful and pragmatic; therefore, this book is a must-read for all those interested in improving their emotional well-being and personal growth.”

    Jessica Turner, Educator

  • Thoughts On The Pandemic

    This post is a presentation of some of my thoughts on the pandemic and its impact on our culture. Gradually the stressors of our society are increasing, and at some point, we will collapse or move to a more mature culture. I hope the latter.

    In the meantime, anxiety and stress are high. Such periods present not only challenge but the opportunity for growth.

    Truth and Fiction: Gregg Braden (likely 202003)

    Overall an excellent presentation of what we currently know about covid-19.

    What’s Next For CoViD-19: Some Wild Guesses (How To Save The World) (20200329)

    Another post from Dave Pollard, one of my favorite bloggers — I find him to be markedly perceptive of events in our culture (even though I disagree with his basic philosophic ontology). Here, he discusses “flattening the curve” (see the next two links, copied from his blog), as well as many aspects of how the pandemic will potentially persist for an extended period of time.

    Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve” (20200314)

    An article referenced by Dave Pollard above, one that I think needs to stand on its own in its importance. Using visual simulations, it clearly demonstrates the impact of social distancing.

    Pandemics: History & Prevention (20200327)

    Pollard also presents this link to a video on the history of pandemics, produced approximately 2010 but very pertinent to our current situation. We need to stop factory farming of birds and mammals.

    Idle some more: a novel climate solution (20200318)

    Another link denoting the need for our culture to slow down.

    Jack Kornfield — Pandemic Resources

    Many resources for reducing stress in this stress-filled time.

    Margolin: After Coronavirus Response, Older Generations Must Step Up for Youth (20200329)

    This post correctly identifies two components of our current civilization. First, we are capable of responding to emergency measures — we demonstrate this with CoViD-19. Second, in our response and recovery, this is an opportunity to restructure our civilization. The difficulty with this second component is that, as a species (a la Steven Covey), we are very good at responding to the urgent and important, but typically we then next move to the urgent and unimportant! We have yet as a species to move from the urgent and important to the important and non-urgent as our second choice!

    COVID-19 lockdown is already affecting some greenhouse gas emissions (20200320)

    The first part notes that one of the significant impacts of the social distancing of Covid-19 is a major reduction in locally produced greenhouse gases! A potential reflection of how we need to act in the future.

    On Laughter (TEDx) (20150113)

    On the lighter side (and unrelated to the pandemic), one of the funniest presentations I have ever encountered. Partly in response to this, I have set up an email system “Stories I find hilarious” in which once a day I send out a humorous anecdote as a way to add a bit of lightness to the day. If you would like to be part of this, send me an email asking for same — make the subject line “Request: Stories I find hilarious” and send to [email protected]. I will put you on a Bcc list for the latest one.

  • Responding To The Social Issues

    It has been a while since my last post. Amongst other aspects, I decided to drastically limit my attention to email and other distractions. For about two months now, I am only opening emails from those whom I know personally — all the others are trashed immediately. As a result, I find myself more relaxed with more available time, which of course I have already filled with (more beneficial) activities. Being “retired,” I am actually at least as busy as when I was in practice, perhaps more so (as I am more actively responding to the social issues of the day).

    Yet it also leaves me somewhat unclear as to how to contribute. I am still active in promoting the skills of managing polarized conflict and I am still invested in a variety of other social contributions. On the one hand, I am not certain that I have missed anything important in the news by trashing most of my emails; nevertheless I still have mild guilt and overwhelm that I am missing vast quantities of good information in books and other more reliable sources. It is so difficult to manage the information age!

    As noted in the last link attached to this post, I strongly believe that every intelligent response is important (and hopefully these posts are regarded as intelligent). The changes required of our culture are massive — here, an interesting link is the first one. It notes that intractable conflict, a major issue that has become much more prominent in the past twenty years, is the central issue preventing our effective response to climate disruption. This parallels my own thoughts concerning cultural acedia as the major issue.

    And so I truck on!

    Beyond Intractability

    A very interesting site with many resources. They name themselves as “Providing support to those working to address the intractable conflict problem, as well as those struggling with the many tractable, but still troublesome, disputes that characterize everyday life.” and note that “Destructive Conflict is the Most Serious Threat to Our Common Future. It ruins personal lives, prevents us from solving common problems, and underlies dystopian trends toward authoritarianism, chaos, and large-scale violence.”

    What is Extinction Rebellion and what are its demands? (20191008)

    A brief description of a movement that is making a difference in challenging for government action — British based originally, it affiliates with The Climate Mobilization group in the States.

    Yes, the Climate Crisis May Wipe out Six Billion People (20190918)

    This is an extreme yet entirely feasible scenario of our future.

    XR and the Defence of Necessity (20191019)

    An excellent analysis of the legal difficulties that will underlie civil disobedience, especially when associated with any degree of violence/violation.

    No Accounting (20191009)

    As with the previous link, this is another from Dave Pollard’s blog, this time on advertising and the media. As mentioned on other occasions, I do not subscribe to Dave’s fundamental philosophy (which I find nihilistic), I continue to value his depth of thinking about issues related to global collapse.

    Corona Becomes First Major Beer Company to Adopt Edible 6-Pack Rings that Feed, Rather than Kill, Fish (201911)

    An interesting and important response. Although small in the overall need, every intelligent response is important.

  • To What Do We Devote Ourselves

    Acedia3As readers of this blog will know, I am a member of The Climate Mobilization. I strongly believe that we face an existential crisis as a species, and that we are at risk of extinction, especially if we delay action for too long a period. Gradually major organizations, cities, and countries are coming to this realization; gradually our culture is shifting. But, as with most big issues, confusion abounds and many fuzzy feel-good statements flourish. The bottom line is to what will we devote ourselves.

    I personally work to alleviate suffering as this is where my skill set lies. And I work to open  discussion of what to do — that is the purpose of this blog.

    The following links address some of these issues.

    UK Parliament declares climate change emergency (20190501)

    Slowly the world is waking to the need to respond. Hopefully the waking is associated with definitive action.

    Don’t say ‘climate emergency’ in vain! (target setting in the climate emergency) (20190505)

    An excellent summary of the confusion that can arise when we are not clear as to what we mean by ‘climate emergency.’ And it truly is an emergency!

    The battle against climate change by Paul Kingsnorth (20190426)

    Worth watching. Simply one intelligent man attempting to cope, he having been a major activist in his youth. The whole basis of my PhD dissertation was that climate disruption is not a technological issue; it is a psycho-spiritual issue. I am heartened to see it identified as such in this video.

    Climate Crisis Forces Us to Ask: To What Do We Devote Ourselves? (20190506)

    A journalist whom I respect asks “From this moment on, knowing what is happening to the planet, to what do I devote my life? A moment by moment issue!

  • Climate Vision

    GreenNewDealI think this animated video is important because we need a viable vision of the future. Like most US productions, it is orientated to the US — the message needs to be global.

    We only have a few years in which to transform, so a video like this brings the message home — we can transform if we are willing to do so. We are story-makers — this video is a story!

    The Green New Deal, both US and Canadian, is a stepping stone to the future. It will not be easy; hopefully it is possible. It certainly promises justice!

    The Intercept: A Message From The Future With Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (20190417)

  • I’m Right!

    How we polarize!

    The past three blog posts have been fueled by James Hoggan’s book I’m Right, And You’re An Idiot[1]. In conversation with Hoggan, David Suzuki (Canada’s leading environmentalist) asked: Why aren’t people demanding action on environmental issues? To address this question, Hoggan set out to interview a large number of some of the world’s leading thinkers, specifically individuals who study human communication, to gain their perspective on this failure.

    As mentioned in Ways To Contribute, I am involved with the Suzuki Elders in exploring how to use this information in the management of difficult conversations. In Finding Common Ground and How Conflict Escalates, I proposed a simple (perhaps difficult?) methodology for this. Yet I also want to give credit to Hoggan for the immense amount of exploration he undertook.

    The following are some of the major points with which Hoggan grappled. Most are from his Epilogue, and all are direct quotes, with the interviewee named (JH denotes Hoggan’s commentary). [Square brackets are minor changes I have added, hopefully without changing the meaning.]

    • Few of us are truly evil — and good people sometimes [strongly disagree] for good reasons. (JH, p. 215)
    • Democracy works only if reasoned debate in the public sphere is possible. (Jason Stanley, p. 98)
      • While contention lies at the heart of democracy, it must be constructive contention. (Marshall Ganz, p. 115)
      • [People] don’t need not agree on the solution or on the problem. They don’t need to understand each other, trust each other or even like each other. But they do have to recognize that the only way to move forward is together. (Adam Kahane, p. 123)
    • It is through narratives . . . that people learn to access the moral and emotional resources we need to act with agency in the face of danger, challenge, and threat. . . . [This] is one of the most important lessons set out in I’m Right. (Marshall Ganz and JH, p. 174)
      • At its most basic level, I’m Right is about how we tell stories and how we treat each other. (JH, p. 115)
      • To create powerful persuasive narratives, our starting point must be rooted in an attitude of empathy, respect, and compassion. (The Dalai Lama, p. 211).
    • People don’t start out mired in hostility. The situation evolves. . . . Our defense mechanisms kick in . . . and this provokes . . . eventual gridlock. (JH, pp. 214-215)
      • It is hard to know who and what to trust. (JH, p. 216)
      • An important key is to hold our beliefs lightly [so that we are open to new possibility]. (JH, p. 215)
    • Facts and reason are fundamental to healthy public discourse, but in our overheated adversarial public square, facts are not enough. (JH, p. 217)
      • The initial strategy . . . must be inquiry, . . . [exploring] what truly matters to people [the emotional energy]. (JH, p. 218)
      • We must appeal to people’s values and speak from a moral position, . . . encouraging debate about matters of concern. (JH, pp. 217-218)
    • A well-crafted . . . narrative helps tear down barriers of propaganda and polarization. This theme of emotional communication is grounded in the Golden Rule of treating others the way we want to be treated. (p. 219-220)
      • If we seek change, we should learn to use speech for its highest purpose — moral discourse. (JH, p. 222)

    I propose that the methodology I suggested in earlier posts satisfies what Hoggan has identified, especially in providing narrative and compassion, and provides constructive contention.

    [1] Hoggan, J. (2016).  I’m right, and you’re an idiot: The toxic state of public discourse and how to clean it up. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers.

  • The Issues Of The Day

    Trauma2As noted previously, I am not posting a lot, but it seems time. So, some posts on what I think are the issues of the day: political insanity, the impact of consumerism and neo-liberalism, and the fears (generally hidden) concerning the coming trauma to our planet.

    One definition of trauma is “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.” I often think of trauma as physical injury, yet if I reflect on one of the most common expressions of the day — post-traumatic stress disorder — the trauma is more often not the direct result of injury; rather it is the psychic impact of impending injury. I suggest that these three issues are sign-posts of the impending injury.

    They are the unnamed indicators of distress. I have yet to see significant advances that will shift the issues of the day.

    The presidency survived the Watergate, Iran-contra and Clinton scandals. Trump will exact a higher toll. (20171221)

    The article is for me a good summary of the similarities and differences amongst various presidencies. To quote the article, “The expectation of integrity has given way to a cynical acceptance of deceit. As much as anything Mueller uncovers, this is the scandal of our time.”

    Consumer society no longer serves our needs (20180111)

    As usual, David Suzuki presents a reasoned argument, in this case, “How can we have serious discussions about the ecological costs and limits to growth or the need to degrow economies when consumption is seen as the very reason the economy and society exist?”

    How Do I Reassure My Children About the Future When the Future Is Terrifying? (20180113)

    An excellent summary of the fears of a parent, reflecting my own fears for my grand-children, and the many children of this planet. I am currently working part-time in a homeless shelter, and thereby see the cost of what we have already created on our planet — the coming costs will be immensely greater.