UVA psychiatrist Jim Tucker investigates children’s claims of past lives
by SEAN LYONS When Ryan Hammons was 4 years old, he began directing imaginary movies. Shouts of “Action!” often echoed from his room. But the play became a concern for Ryan’s parents when he began waking up in the middle of the night screaming and clutching his chest, saying he dreamed his heart exploded when he was in Hollywood. His mother, Cyndi, asked his doctor about the episodes. Night terrors, the doctor said. He’ll outgrow them. Then one night, as Cyndi tucked Ryan into bed, Ryan suddenly took hold of Cyndi’s hand. “Mama,” he said. “I think I used to be someone else.” more...
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Richard J. Davidson Tuesday, 09 January, 2018
Richard J. Davidson says research into how mental training like meditation affects our health throws light on what constitutes a healthy mind. Well-being – as understood by its qualities of awareness, connection, insight and purpose – is a skill that can be learned Here I was, in a trip to Hong Kong late last year, sitting on a panel with a close friend and renowned Buddhist monk, famed actor Jet Li, one of Hong Kong’s top mental health professionals, and a forward-thinking business CEO. From diverse walks of life, we were honed in on one question: what do ancient wisdom and modern science teach us about how to nurture healthier minds, and how can we harness this to lead our best lives at home and at work? more... Johann Hari Sun 7 Jan ‘18
In the 1970s, a truth was accidentally discovered about depression – one that was quickly swept aside, because its implications were too inconvenient, and too explosive. American psychiatrists had produced a book that would lay out, in detail, all the symptoms of different mental illnesses, so they could be identified and treated in the same way across the United States. It was called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. In the latest edition, they laid out nine symptoms that a patient has to show to be diagnosed with depression – like, for example, decreased interest in pleasure or persistent low mood. For a doctor to conclude you were depressed, you had to show five of these symptoms over several weeks. more... By Ken McLeod
Buddhist teachings do not advise asking others to absolve us from our misdeeds. Instead, they outline a path to purification that will change our relationship to reactive patterns. Let me say, right at the start, that I am not going to be diplomatic. The extent to which the notion of forgiveness has insinuated itself into contemporary Buddhist thinking disturbs me deeply. Although many may disagree with me, I feel that current interpretations of forgiveness in the Buddhist community undermine the teachings of karma, encourage the cult of victimhood, weaken human relationships, and obfuscate the practice of purification. more... |