To "The Masters"

Iain,

the topic was opened so: i struggle with emotional illness. after years of healing it's apparent i am not 'mentally' ill. whatever that means.

'aikido can heal broken spirit', to quote a sandan i know.
two books have helped me tremendously:
Waking the Tiger, by Peter Levine
and, A General Theory of Love by Fari Amini et al.

these are not self help books. the first is on a meditative cure for post traumatic stress disorder which you may have (gamble the $12.00 for the book), and the second explains that our limbic, or nonverbal brain runs most of our behavior - hence cure is not through reading self help books or 'thinking'.

god bless - you are not the only one

billybob

My last name is Masters.
Does that count?


No, prolly not.

Besides that I've never been attacked in the street, sidewalk, hallway, or even on a roof. *knocks on wood*

Beginner's mind: In the mind of the beginner there are many possibilities, in the mind of an expert (master?) there are few.
-Shunryu Suzuki.
I think that was who wrote that.

David,

Sounds a lot like "Cognitive Behavioural Therapy" (which I've had, and studied). The idea being that by changing your present "negative thoughts" and replacing them with more "realistic" ones, this in turn will lift mood and change behaviour (in theory). In practice, it actually made me much worse. You see, once I realized that thoughts directly influence mood and behaviour, I'm afraid that made me too analytical and ended up making my "negative thoughts" stronger!

Negative thinking is now my "default" thought process. I'm also a fervent Atheist, before anyone else mentions "God can help" to me (no offence). This isn't directed at you, by the way.

Thanks for the reply.

Iain.

Ian Hurst wrote: Peter, you're gonna hate me for this, but I can't stop myself... I understand why you're saying this, but I've always hated this type of phrase. Could I suggest "the more I learn the more I find there is to learn" or something similar. The reason I'm being picky as the first is a bit too negative and/or smugly arrogant (no, I'm NOT saying you are) whereas the second just implies finding a bigger sea to swim in...

I agree.
I like this one - "Don't try to be humble, you're not that great."

Iain Smith wrote: Negative thinking is now my "default" thought process. I'm also a fervent Atheist, before anyone else mentions "God can help" to me (no offence).

I'm afraid a bearded old man won't be making a descent on a cloud to take you out of depression, whether you believe in such a literal interpretation of God or not.

You can interpret "God" as life, circumstances and other people.
The way to change your outlook is to allow yourself to open to more of that.

To Ian H.
I Don't mind Ian! Its just an easy phrase to use to explain where I am in the world. As you say the second part is the 'one', every time I climb out of one sea, I discover a bigger one to dive into. I only hope I'm becoming a better swimmer?
Pete
PS: Did you use the word 'hate', twice? - Im not being picky but - 'heavy word'. Sorry couldn't resist. Just joshin.

Hi Pete,

You were right, what can I say, I must have been feeling extra melodramatic that day... anyway, watch out for sharks (no I don't know what I mean either, but sounded pithy eh?)

To Alexsay,

I like that quote - "Don't try to be humble - you're not that great"

It sums me up really.

I'd like to be adequate, nevermind great!

Iain.