Attached are the two presentations from our IAPOP 2012 Conference Workshop that we gave with Anna Gamma in Zurich on Saturday April 28.
IAPOP 2012 Conference Workshop
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The End of Health and Normality
A man is told by his doctor: “I’m the doctor and you’re the patient. I’m the healthy one and you’re the sick one.” This man was shocked by his doctor’s response but another person could feel relieved. Some of us need the reassurance from our health care providers taking control and professing their expertise for the sake of our healing. Others feel disempowered by such a statement and suffer from the underlying presumption that being healthy is good and normal and being sick is pathological and bad.
My main thesis is that health and normality are major causes of illness and suffering. Paradoxically health and normality promoters contribute to the very thing they want to prevent. There is no objective state of good health and normalcy. All is individual and subjective. Health and normality are continuously shaped by cultural processes, worldviews and values that are normative in the sense that they define momentary norms and behaviors. Health and sickness are individual processes and experiences that are embedded in a cultural context that defines what is “good” and “bad”.
A new medical paradigm will go beyond linear material causes, and mind, body, and society polarizations. This new medicine will see body and behavioral experiences not only as local, physical or psychological difficulties, but also as non-linear, complex adaptive processes that express the depth of our being and our communities. This new paradigm will increase our understanding of the complexity and diversity of health and normality.
Ideal state of health care
As part of regional health care reforms and transformation efforts I was invited to participate in a focus group of stakeholders in health. We were tasked to come up with a vision of an ideal state of health care. Here are ideas that I threw into the mix:
- Philosophy: Mind and body are integral aspects of health and not separate entities.
- Access: Everyone has access to health care services.
- Cultural proficiency: Every health care provider pays attention to what their patients/consumers pay attention to.
- Dialogue and communication: Providers and consumers have a better understanding of each other.
- Everyone feels empowered and motivated to engage in healthy behaviors and preventative services.
- To achieve best possible health communities feel empowered to take charge and be responsible for their members’ health and the health care systems they engage in.
- Social disparities are addressed as part of health.
- Collaboration: An interdisciplinary system in which all providers work together and trust each other.
IAPOP Conference 2012
GLOBAL BURN-OUT?
Tension, Crisis and Change Processes
Forum for Sustainable Group Process Methods in Working with Social Challenges
April 28-30, 2012 Volkshaus Zurich, Switzerland
At the conference on April 28th we will be doing a workshop and open forum:
WW meets spirituality: Zen and Health Equity: Individual and community approaches to health: Open Forum
with Pierre Morin, Kara Wilde and Anna Gamma
Health Equity: a community open forum framework to address social justice issues that affect health and develop community based health leadership.
Zen: an individual and community framework to strengthen resilience and self-healing.
This workshop will include brief theory that introduces theoretical concepts, the practice of self-healing and a health equity open forum that will combine both individual and community approaches to health.
For more go to the 2012 IAPOP conference website and sign up for the conference
The Path
On this path, the important thing is neither the cure of symptoms nor the achievement of worldly goals, but awareness of the journey, step by step. ~ Arnold Mindell, The Quantum Mind and Healing, pg 199
Playing in the Relationship Field
Finding Happiness In and Out of Relationships
Partners, family, friends, co-workers!
What to do!
Saturday, May 19th, 2012
9:00am – 4:00pm
- Identify relationship patterns and explore polarized roles
- Create change in stuck conflicts
- Find new perspectives on rank and power in relationships
Join this one day creative relationship class based on Process-Oriented Psychology. An inspiring way to develop your awareness and discover your own resources for transforming relationship challenges. We use simple methods to create more fun, meaning and less suffering. For individuals and professionals.
with Kara Wilde M.A. and Suzette Payne M.A.
Cost:$108 ($96 member) before May 4th, $120 ($96 member) thereafter
Location: Process Work Institute, 2049 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97210
Classroom: PWI Library
To register – Call 223-8188 or email pwi@processwork.org
Climate Change: Social Change Open Forum
Is Climate Change As Urgent as Some Suggest?
and what, if anything, must be done?
June 2, 2012, 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE ML King Blvd., Portland, OR 97232
INITIATORS:
Professor Dr. Catherine Gautier University of California, Santa Barbara
Professor Dr. Jeff Kiehl National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
INITIATORS and FACILITATORS:
Drs. Arnold and Amy Mindell
Founders of Worldwork and Process Work
More information on the Open Forum Portland Site
Color Roll
©2012, Kara Wilde, Color Roll, Watercolor Crayon on Paper, 11 x14
Everyday Art Making
How is it going in there all mixed together.
It’s a bit crowded and the only thing we can do is see and sort of roll.
Try to look at things upside down, sideways, with open eyes, with closed eyes.
Infinite possibilities.
Sunrise
Where to start? It is a new day. A new year. How to practice staying in touch with nature while dealing with everyday frustrations. A moment in the morning as the sun rises behind Mt Hood. Walking through the asleep city. Then into the work world. One thing to do after another.
Creative Wellness Checklist
Health
A sustainable relationship between you and the energies/meanings your symptoms are bringing to your awareness. Symptoms are processes you need to pick up even if they go away.
Medicine and health are multidimensional and individual processes. Please check the various wellness themes. Most are pretty straight forward and relevant for everybody and some might not fit your individual process. The wellness topics include:
Allopathic and complementary medical procedures
Am I adhering to the medical procedures of my culture?
Did I have my regular preventative health checks/screenings? (PAP smears, mammogram, annual checkup, blood cholesterol level, blood pressure, dental cleaning)
Do I take my prescribed medications and herbs as prescribed?
Diet
Did I eat a healthy breakfast? (high fiber, low sugar, fresh fruit, good protein)
Am I following an anti-inflammatory diet? (vegetables, fruits, beans, deep sea fish, shitake mushrooms, green tea)
Did I take my supplements to complement what I don’t get in my diet? (Good Multi Vitamin, Fish Oil, Vitamin C, Anti-Oxidants, Co-Q-10)
Did I eat healthy snacks? (UltraMeal, fresh fruit, raw nuts)
Did I avoid high sugar carbohydrates after 2pm? (anything with flour, refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup)
Did I read at least one food label today and learn from it?
Did I get 5-7 servings of vegetables in my diet?
Did I drink 50-70 oz of water? (keep a water bottle with you in the car or at your desk)
Did I eat a healthy dinner with my family if possible? (lean protein with veggies, interact and listen to family)
Exercise
Did I do some light stretching after my shower?
Did I exercise or plan to today? (30 minutes interval cardio training, 45 minutes yoga or strength training, be mindful of intensity level, ask your medical doctor how to adjust your exercise regimen to your specific health needs)
Relaxation/Sleep hygiene
Did I practice (4-7-8) breathing, inhale trough your nose for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7 and exhale through your mouth for a count of 8, repeat 5 times. Complete twice a day.
Did I drink something or do something to sooth my body before sleep (chamomile tea, read something light, practice meditation)
Did I go to bed at a time that will allow me to get 7-9 hours of sleep?
Do I follow the natural ups and downs of my energy level, use my fatigue, fears of death to relax, go inside and follow my dreaming?
Intellectual stimulation
Did I feed and challenge my brain? Use it or lose it!! (read, solve crossword puzzle, learn a new skill, teach a new skill, turn off the TV at night, spend time with friends, family, social groups such as reading club, bridge club, community learning center, etc.)
Addictive tendencies
Am I aware of my addictive tendencies?
Can I let loose, follow my altered states to connect with my creativity and spirituality?
Dreams, childhood dreams
Am I connected with my dreams and childhood myth?
Life goals
It is a matter of life and death when you are in an unstable health situation.
Why am I here? Is there something I would like to do and haven’t made the time to do?
Geography
- Allergies: Is my home environment free of mold, pet dandruff, and other allergens?
- Atmospheres: How do I contribute to positive atmospheres?
- Radiation: Have I checked my basement for Radon exposure?
Toxins in your home or work place
Cleaning products: Do I use non toxic and environmentally friendly products?
Do I use cotton instead of synthetic sheets?
Social Issues
What are the social issues I don’t want to talk about? Social and cultural issues affect our health and wellbeing. Bringing awareness to them in community settings such as open forums can bring relief to some of the daily hassles they generate.
Relationships/Community participation
Am I happy in my relationships?
Did I love someone or serve someone or something today?
Am I participating and giving back to my community?
Spiritual
Is there something huge that pulls me?
Am I feeling connected to something bigger than myself and have it guide me?
Did I wake up with “attitude of gratitude and ask what am I grateful for”?
Measurements
What is your Body Mass Index:
Cholesterol Level:
Blood Pressure: