This past week, conservative Republican, Mark Souder resigned when the affair with his staff member became public. He becomes the most recent tragedy in the story of the Religious Right and the crusade for family values. The situation is ironic, because Souder was someone who fought against sex education in favor of abstinence only education, [...]
Archive for the ‘Psychology’ Category
Practices of Prayer Through Yoga
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual, tagged christian meditation, Contemplative Prayer, Prayer, yoga and christianity on May 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
When someone begins to speak of the spiritual elements of Yoga or meditation, some automatically label them a hippy or perhaps “out there”. However, it is so important to realize the practical implications of how yoga and meditation can be used for spiritual strength and growth. I am recent to the practice of yoga and meditation in my own life. I grew up in a tradition where it wasn’t really talked about much. Much more was made of the mind and belief, than the spirit and essence. Neither emphasis is wrong; however, both are needed to have a vibrant spiritual life.
When Our Greatest Strength Becomes Our Greatest Weakness
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual, tagged Christianity, humility, Nature of Man, Personal Strengths, Personal Weaknesses, pride, progressive, self-confidence on May 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
In our Ancient Civilizations Class, we just finished studying about Julius Caesar. It was stated that his greatest strength, his courage and independence, was also his greatest weakness-which ultimately led to his demise. Somehow, this seems to be the case with most of us in our lives. We have certain individual strengths which allow us [...]
What Christians Can Learn From Freud
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual, tagged Christianity, Emergent, Freud, Id, Psychology, Religion, Spirit, Spirituality, Superego on February 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
This past week, I was teaching my students in my Psychology class the basics of Freudian thought-related to the Id, Ego, and Superego. For those not familiar with Freud, his belief that most of neurosis, mental anguish, and anxiety come down to a basic struggle between the three areas of our mind, the id which [...]
Does Looking Toward the Future Make Us Depressed- September 10, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The key is to live in the moment and enjoy the present and live in that. Find the peace and beauty right now. It is not wrong or evil to look forward to events, but it is dangerous to think that you will only find happiness in the future.
Learning to Turn Off Our Minds (And Find Peace)- September 6, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
I always heard the expression, “you need to learn to think”, but not until recently in my life did I really understand the wisdom of “you need to let go of your thoughts”. In our modern western society, we have become obsessed with the intellect. Obviously, as a teacher I realize that the intellect is [...]
ADHD and Prayer- July 30, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Often we have to rid ourselves of all the “busyness” in our head to really be able to speak to and hear from God. I guarantee if you allow yourself to do this, it will not only give you more peace in life, but it can also improve your prayer life and draw you closer to God.
Humility and Self-Confidence- July 7, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The struggle I have found to be difficult, because humility and lack of self-confidence often appear similar, while pride and self-confidence often blur into one another. However, we have to learn we can’t choose one or the other, both are vitally important to succeeding in life.
Sin Dolor No Te Haces Feliz (Without Pain, You Cannot Be Happy)- May 30, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
For some reason, we go through these illusions that one day we will finally figure out our lives and everything will be ok. We will have a life without disappointment, pain, and struggle. However, would we really want that kind of life? Despite all of our thinking to live a life free of anxiety, pain, [...]
When We Fall- May 11, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
There are two typical responses we have when we fall: either beat ourselves up or make excuses for our actions. They both seem to be equally dangerous. When we beat ourselves up we deny the goodness that we still possess as beings made in the image of God. We also deny the situations which often pushed us in the direction to make the decision we did.
The Importance of Gratitude- May 4, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
In many ways, we have become a society of complainers. We complain about our families, our friends, our jobs, and our overall situations. Nothing is enough for us. However, this focus on complaining in reality leaves us empty. The winners in life are the people that show gratitude. Gratitude brings about more gratitude, which brings about happiness, which brings about a better life.
When Religion Causes Depression and Anxiety- April 20, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
We have heard that faith is a cure for depression and anxiety; however, what happens when religion is actually the cause? I remember going through a number of times of depression and anxiety in my life caused greatly by religious induced depression, one was when I was in 8th grade and one was when I was a senior in college, this was the most serious and made me wrestle with the really large questions in life. Does God really love humanity? Are we just pawns in a game of good and evil? Is everything just done so God can get glory? Will God really allow people to burn in a hell forever?
An Analytical Mind: My Own Journey- April 16, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
An analytical mind can be a great blessing; however, if you are not careful, it can be a horrendous curse. I am sure many people know exactly what I am talking about. Let me give you some examples. In the university, I never really had to try very hard. The assignments and ideas came very [...]
Nine Inch Nails, Lamentations, and Sincerity With Ourselves- April 5, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
One song came on the Christian station which said something to the effect of “no matter what happens in life, I am going to be happy, because God loves me”. It seemed like a nice thought, but not necessarily one that correlates much to real life; I decided to turn the channel. I ended up on the rock station and heard the song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails.
Addicted to Worry- April 3, 2009
Posted in Literature, Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Yesterday while I was flying back to the States, I read a book called Beautiful Boy. It is a father’s memoir on his son’s horrible addiction to meth. It is quite a sobering read. However, much of the perspective deals with another type of addiction, the father’s addiction to worry about his son’s addiction. I [...]
The Danger in Following Our Conscience- March 16, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Freud called them the Id and the Superego. In Christianity, they are called the Flesh and the Law. They are the red and white angels on top of the cartoon’s shoulders. We naturally assume that one is good and one is evil, however, I would suggest that both are gravely dangerous if they are not moderated.
Trapped Inside Our Own Minds- February 28, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
In western society, we have come to rely on our minds to make our decisions. However, often the best decisions are not made with our rational, but with our being or soul. I have found that our rational minds tends to just spin us around in circles, while most of our real progress as individuals come as a result of cultivating our beings or spirits.
Why Our Pursuits of Happiness Are Destroying Us- February 23, 2009
Posted in Literature, Movies, Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
When we make objectives, people, dreams, or things are happiness, we will be miserable. When we realize these things will never satisfy, we start realizing there is something much deeper than our mere day to day living, deeper than the good and bad in our daily lives. Only when we begin to realize this will we experience real joy.
Letting Nature Overtake Us- Febuary 21, 2009
Posted in Psychology, Spiritual on January 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
It has been stated that one of the reasons for the alarming increase of depression in industrialized societies is our removal from the natural and uninhibited world. We have sought so hard to exploit what we can from nature, instead of sitting back and letting ourselves be overwhelmed by it and trying to live in harmony with it.
