JoseRizal has been the subject of funny memes often highlighting his image of being a chickboy, and playing with the many over-the-top theories about him (i.e. that hes the father of Hitler, or hes the real Jack the Ripper, etc.). The debate about who between him and Andres Bonifacio should be considered the National Hero continues to rage on online as wella battle that also takes place in the classrooms. Put the removal of Philippine history as a subject in high school into the pot and youve got a formula for the propagation of confusion and misinformation about our local heroes and their contributions.

Such is the nature of discussions in the online world. There is high access to information, but the challenge is how to filter which information is useful, true, or fake and which narratives are reasonable or politically weaponized. The comments section is a cancerous, toxic debate place where everyone can voice their opinion, informed or not. Also, the creation and spread of fake news supported by armies of online trolls is an effective tool to drown dissent and amass political clout. In the recent two elections, Rizals image and memes turned political, for the purpose of supporting certain candidates, further confusing what Rizal truly stood for.

Though Rizal being used in advertisements is not a new phenomenon (Rizal in brand of soft drinks, matches, funeral homes, cement, bank, etc.), this reflects Renato Constantinos bookVeneration Without Understanding,which shows our tendency to take Rizal for granted. This is reinforced by the thesis of Mike de Leons film Bayaning Third Worldwhich upholds the idea ofkanya-kanyang Rizal(to each his own Rizal) as the persona of the National Hero has been used by all sides in political debates and messaging.

So what is the essence of Rizal in the time of fake news? Three timeless writings of Rizal that touchon the issue of truth and reason may enlighten us.

If Rizal along with other propagandists like Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Antonio Luna were alive today, they might find the phenomenon of fake news as nothing strange. During their time, they themselves were subjected to similar fabrications and attacks from newspaper editorials.

As members of the Propaganda Movement, they were engaged in an information campaign, and part of their advocacy was to push for reforms in the Philippines. They advocated for equal rights, better justice and education, and the transfer of parishes to Filipino secular priests. This advocacy drew the ire of certain people in power in Spanish colonial Philippines, the Spanish friars who cling to their influential stature among them.

The editorial attacks tried to discredit theIlustradosby spreading exaggerated, prejudiced or even false claims against them. Rizal and his comrades answered back with articles and essays via allied newspapers and magazines and their own newspaperLa Solidaridad.

In RizalsEl Filibusterismo, one often overlooks the character of Ben Zayb, the writer for a newspaper who exaggerates reports and changes the details to make his stories interesting. He also writes to please authorities and could be considered a sipsip (suck-up).

One such instance is when he writes a story where a friar single-handedly faced off with 50 bandits who tried to take away tens of thousands of pesos. Zayb wrote his exaggerated version of the story first without checking the facts. And when he went to confirm the details, to his dismay he found Padre Cammora nursing a concussion after being robbed of a mere 50 pesos by three bandits. Zayb berates the injured friar saying you know nothing of what actually happened to you.

Rizal said on Chapter 36 of El Fili that his articles can be likened to wine laden with poison the articles of Ben Zayb take effect may it be read or not by Filipinos.

Reading about the fictional exploits of Ben Zayb maybe comical but they could be interpreted as people who create and spread fake news for ones personal gain. Rizal said on Chapter 36 ofEl Filithat his articles can be likened to wine laden with poison the articles of Ben Zayb take effect may it be read or not by Filipinos. In the context of fake news, once it spreads, the damage has already been done. Peddlers of fake news can be likened to Ben Zayb.

RizalsLetter to the Young Women of Malolosis a must-read not just to understand the importance of empowered women in society but because of the importance of having ones own mind. The letter is most notable among Rizals other writings as it is one of the few written in Tagalog and touches on three key issues: women empowerment, true Christianity, and the importance of critical thinking.

Before ending the letter, Rizal lays down seven points of reflection. On the third point he writes that, ignorance is slavery, for the mind reflects the person: a person without ones own mind has lost his humanity; one who blindly follows another elses will is like a beast led by a leash.

Ignorance is slavery, for the mind reflects the person: a person without ones own mind has lost his humanity; one who blindly follows another elses will is like a beast led by a leash.

But the most striking would be his sixth point where he writes: everyone is born equal, naked and without chains. Not created by God to be enslaved, not endowed with intelligence to be blinded, and not adorned with reason to be deceived by others. It is not pride to refuse to worship a fellow man, to enlighten the mind, and to reason out everything. The arrogant one is he who wants to be worshipped, who misleads others, and wants his will to prevail over reason and justice."

How to Deceive the Native Landis a must-read for teachers and students of history and Rizal. Often overlooked as an editorial response to an editorial published byLa Voz de Espaa, a pro-friar publication that severely attacks the dignity of Filipinos, it is one of Rizals most relevant writing which deals with freedom of expression and the search for truth. Here, Rizal writes that, neither hiding the truth and fanaticism, nor oppression or superstitions ever have united nor will they ever unite peoples. On the other hand, liberty, rights and love bind different races around the same flag, a single aspiration, and one destiny.

In the writings of Rizal, we find the word obscurantism which means the deliberate prevention of the spread of knowledge or truth. In their advocacy, obscurantism, not ignorance, is the enemy of reason. For ignorance can be cured with knowledge and reason, while obscurantism is deliberate misinformation.

The editorial attacks were meant to discredit Rizal and the other ilustrados. Discrediting valid concerns and criticism in the pursuit of unity is hypocritical and deceptive. Ones responsibility is to uphold the truth even at the cost of ones personal comfort nor safety.

In the writings of Rizal, we find the word obscurantism which means the deliberate prevention of the spread of knowledge or truth.

Rizal and other propagandists did not fold to public harassment but rather continued for the sake of justice and reason. In a similar way, modern-day misinformation never unites a nation, it just turns people against one another, and obscurantism furthers this division. Alas, a divided people are easily conquered and oppressed.

Finding the truth might be difficult but should never be taken for granted. Those calling out the wrongs of society should never be dismissed nor discredited for society is not perfect and the first step to addressing a problem is talking about it. All attempts to deceive, misinform, and take advantage of confusion and ignorance are all attempts to suppress truth and free expression.

At this age, fake news and weaponized political narratives are deception. They will persist as long as a few people, especially those in power, benefit from them. Rizal after all warned that to deceive the native land is the greatest crime of all crimes.

*This article is based ona public lecture Controversies, Misconceptions, and Fake News: Rizal in Social Media first delivered in June 30, 2018 in Rizal Shrine Calamba.

John Ray Ramos is a part-time history instructor in the Ateneo de Manila University and in the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies. He also teaches Politics and Government. He finished his bachelors degree in history and is finishing his masters degree in Public Administration in the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is the author of Bayani Biographies: Jose Rizal and co-authoredBayani Biographies Andres Bonifaciopublished by Kahel Press.

2019 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Read more from the original source:
What Rizal taught us about the pitfalls of spreading and reading fake news - ABS-CBN News

By Express News Service

SAMBALPUR: In a novel attempt, doctors at the District Headquarters Hospital in Sambalpur have started providing music therapy to the patients.Music and sound systems have been installed in all the wards and OPD of the hospital to help patients and their attendants relax through devotional and soft music. No sound systems have, however, been put up in operation theatres, labour rooms and Mother and Child Health Care Centre of the hospital.

CDMO Sashi Bhusan Patel said music is being played for patients in the DHH from Sunday and for the purpose, 15 sound boxes have been installed.Besides devotional and soft music, the sound systems are being used to create awareness on health issues as well as cleanliness, harmful effect of gutka and appealing people not to spit in the open. More sound systems will be installed in the hospital soon, he said.

An attendant of a patient, Ramchandra Khadia of Gaudpali under Jamankira block, lauded the move and said they are getting various information and updates through the system. Apart from the information, the music is having a relaxing effect on everyone and improving the patientcare atmosphere in the hospital, he said. Patients from across the district besides neighbouring ones depend on the DHH for their healthcare needs. Although the DHH has a sanctioned 149 beds, it accommodates over 268 patients in 15 different wards.

Read more from the original source:

Music therapy for patients in Odisha Hospital - The New Indian Express

Happy New Year 2020: Make promises to yourself and stick by them.

Another promising 366 days lie ahead with New Year 2020 as we draw curtains to Year 2019. It is also time to make New Year resolutions to yourself and assess how you were able to keep up with the last year's promises. Did you kick the bad habit you had promised yourself? Did you manage to read the books that you had wanted to finish? Did you learn the language, or travelled where you wished to? And, did you hit the gym and got into your old jeans? Well, some promises are never meant to be broken, especially the ones you make to yourself. If you were not able to keep up with the New Year resolutions of last year because of some reasons, it's time you reflect why you missed those and add them to your New Year resolutions list this year. If you were able to keep up with the last year's resolves, pat yourself on the back and prepare another set of new year resolutions for 2020. It's a great feeling to make promises and live by them. Happy New Year!

While we all have our sets of resolutions depending on where we are and where we should be headed. Here are some common New Year resolutions that you can take a cue from and add to your list of resolutions for the coming year.

Practise yoga, meditation for inner balance: While we keep focusing on looking fit in the body, the crucial aspect of mental well-being often takes a back seat. This year, take the New Year resolution to focus your energies towards of mental well-being and being fit from inside. Right yoga and meditation tools would help you get necessary awareness about your body and you will feel more enthused and energized about life than ever before.

Keep plants, learn gardening: With rising global warming and contaminated foods that we get at homes, it's time to learn some basic gardening and grow your own herbs, lemons, chilies and fruits. Sure it would need some investment in terms of time and energy, but seeing the flower and fruit sprout would be a fruitful experience. It will be great for home and also for your health and well-being. Good for environment too!

Learn new musical instrument: Music connects you to your inner self and heals you from within. While listening to nice music can be alleviating, creating your own music piece would give you another high! So what are you waiting for, grab that guitar, piano, drum set, flute, sitar or harmonium, and make your own melody.

Learn new language: Language connects us but can also sometimes act as a barrier in the way we communicate our thoughts and emotions. It would be a good time to learn a local and global language as it will open up your understanding to a new world, culture and communication would no longer be a hindrance to understand another person. It will be a connecting chord worth investing in.

Travel to new places: Travelling to new places is a great learning experience. It opens up your eyes to new possibilities and also tests your survival skills in a new territory. You can go to a relaxing place, a historical sojourn or an adventurous journey, the experience would be absolutely worth it and add to your personality.

Read more books: Books are indeed one's best friends. It would be a good idea to unwind and pick up the books you had always wanted to read and add to your knowledge base. Hit the bookstore or download some e-books and get reading this new year.

Socialise and meet people, don't just text them: Caught up with texting and sending emojis, many of us have literally cut ourselves out from the "real world" and have forgotten to emote, express and reach out. In the coming year, make it a point to reach out, meet people in person and not just stick to online chats.

Learn to cook new dishes: Cooking is quite liberating and cooking the way you like your dish is very empowering feeling. Knowing what goes into your meal and then to your tummy can bring a great consciousness towards food and your personal well-being. Learn quick meals and stop dependence on your family or online orders to fill your belly, get into the kitchen and get inside that apron! You would come out very happy.

Set a goal and buy something you desire: That new dress, or a new phone, or long boots, or a vehicle, play station, home appliance, whatever it is that you have set your heart at; you must buy this year as it would give you a sense of achievement. Doing something for yourself always gives a kick and is sure a very satisfying felling. So build your goal and work towards achieving it.

All the best and a happy new year 2020!

Read the original post:

Happy New Year 2020: New Year Resolution Ideas You Can Use - NDTV News

Curious kids have a thirst for knowledge and now we're sharing their questions with you.

So this year, The Conversation US jumped on a great idea dreamed up by our colleagues in Australia and launched a series of articles meant to answer questions kids ask, but that everyone probably wonders about. The Conversations editors collect childrens questions and then look for scholars who can provide clear answers based on their own research and expertise.

Below are a few of our favorite Curious Kids articles from the past year. And whatever your age, if you have a question youd like an expert to answer in 2020, send it to [emailprotected]. Curiosity has no age limit!

Why is money green?

This one could only have come from an American kid. Marek, age 12, asked the question; history Ph.D. student Jonah Estess gave an answer.

It turns out that green ink is hard for counterfeiters to get right on their phony bills. And in the quirks-of-history department:

Also, there was lots of green ink for the government to use when it started printing the money we have now. The green color also does not fade or decompose easily.

Why do old people hate new music?

Maybe Holly, age 14, got sick of adults yelling turn that racket down and decided to ask this question. Psychology researcher Frank McAndrew had some ideas for her.

As they age, brains get worse at telling apart chords, rhythms and melodies. Another factor: Grownups might gravitate to the music they listened to back when they were young and their emotions were more intense. Or it might come down to whats called the mere exposure effect just hearing something more tends to make you like it more.

When youre in your early teens, you probably spend a fair amount of time listening to music or watching music videos For many people over 30, job and family obligations increase, so theres less time to spend discovering new music.

If you barely ever hear the latest bangers, you might not like them either.

What can you learn from an animals scat?

Verity Mathis from the University of Floridas Florida Museum of Natural History confirmed that Cora, age 9, was onto something with this question. Poop is a window into animals hidden lives.

Scat can tell us a lot about an animals diet, habits and movement, so scientists like to study it both in nature and in the lab. Outdoors, scat can identify what animals are present in an area. Then researchers take it to a lab, dry it out and dissect it for clues about the animals diet.

Researchers can even extract DNA from scat, a hands-off way to learn more about whats going on with a particular population.

Why do feet stink by the end of the day?

Our inbox suggests that kids are very interested in all things gross and smelly. Indiana University microbiologist Bill Sullivan took a stab at this question from Helen, age 6.

He points the finger (toe?) at a harmless type of bacteria that live all over peoples skin, happily eating up dead skin cells. The stinkiness problem arises inside your warm, moist shoes conditions the bacteria love and take advantage of to chow down and multiply.

Like anything else that eats, these bacteria make smelly waste. It is their waste that gives sweaty feet their funky odor: It contains stinky chemicals like those made by skunks and rotten eggs.

Where does the sand on the beach come from?

Kids write in with big questions about how the Earth works, too. Sly, age 6, posed this one that many an adult relaxing at the shore might have wondered about.

University of Washington geomorphologist David Montgomery explained that theres more to beach sand than meets the eye.

It has stories to tell about the land, and an epic journey to the sea. Thats because mountains end their lives as sand on beaches.

Its a story of erosion. And the sizes, shapes and colors of the individual grains of sand you see can tell you about the kinds of rocks they originally came from.

What are you wondering?

Over the past year, we had a blast hunting down answers to about everything from stargazing with binoculars to why kids arent very patriotic these days to what makes pizza so infernally delicious. Thank you to all the kids who were curious enough to ask questions and keep em coming in the new year!

Editors note: This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversations archives.

[ Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. ]

Maggie Villiger, Senior Science + Technology Editor, The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Image: Reuters

See the original post:

5 Questions You Didn't Know You Needed the Answers To - The National Interest Online

Meditation apps have become one of the most accessible ways to maintain a mindfulness regimen. Whether you prefer deep breathing exercises, guided meditation or calming sleep stories, meditation can be a huge added benefit to your daily wellness regimen.

Research suggeststhat the benefits of meditation can include a reduction instresslevels, anxiety, depression and insomnia. And don't forget the physical benefits: Meditation and deep breathing can also reduce blood pressure and improve your heart rate variability, a metric that can tell you how well you handle stress. In addition, many studies show sleep meditation can calm your mind and help you get a more quality night'ssleep.

For many people, finding the time or energy to commit to a regular practice is difficult, and though in-person visits to a meditation studio are a great option for some, for others they may not be a practical approach to consistent meditation. With a little help from the right app, zen could be as little as three minutes away. Here are the best meditation apps of 2020 to improve your mindfulness practice and relax your mind.

Read more about mental health:

This guide to the best meditation app picks is a list of meditation, mindfulness and breathing apps that claim some of the best ratings on iTunes and Google Play. None fall below four stars, and they all boast gushing reviews from happy customers.

In addition to ratings and favorable reviews, I looked for apps that offer more than just audio meditation. Throughout this list, you'll find options for customizable meditations, background music without words, engaging activities, inspirational push notifications and supplemental meditation or relaxation podcasts.

Lastly, nearly every app on this list was developed by a person or company with strong ties to meditation and mindfulness -- not just someone who hopped on the meditation train to make a few bucks, but rather touts formal training or a commitment to the ancient and universal practice of mindfulness and meditation.

Cost: Free or $9.99 a month.

Stop, Breathe & Think calls itself the emotional wellness platform for the "under-25" generation. This app offers mindful meditation sessions designed to help teens and young adults tackle tough emotions like depression and anxiety. In addition to meditations, you can engage in short meditation exercises that allow you to check in with yourself, ask questions and truly notice how you're feeling.

With the premium subscription, you get access to more meditations, music, ambient sounds and other mindfulness exercises.

Now playing: Watch this: 7 ways smart home devices can help you sleep better

3:16

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($60 annual subscription).

Calm app's wide range of guided meditations is mainly designed to assist people in relaxing (or calming down) in comparison to some other meditation apps that are designed to inspire deep thought or creativity.

Meditation length varies from 3- to 25-minute sessions. If you're keen on developing a daily meditation practice, try Daily Calm, the app's 10-minute program you can practice before the beginning or end of your day.

Calm also offers breathing exercises, sleep stories and soothing background tracks to help you get a good night's sleep. The premium subscription includes all that and more, including Calm Body programs, monthly Calm Masterclasses and exclusive music. This is perhaps one of the best meditation apps for a newcomer looking to relax, reduce stress levels and get better sleep.

Cost: $4.99 for iPhone, $1.99 for Android. An additional premium membership is available for $30 per year.

Buddhify categorizes all of its guided meditations by activities and emotions. Examples include walking, taking a break from work, going to sleep, stress and empowerment. Buddhify is an advanced meditation app, so it's better suited to people who have already broken into the world of meditation and mindfulness and want to develop a regular practice.

Buddhify taps into the social nature of humans: The creators of Buddhify developed some meditations that only work if you're meditating with a friend, your partner, a coworker or someone else. Additionally, the app's Give feature offers users the unique ability to send a targeted meditation to a friend. For example, you can send a calming meditation to a friend who's going through a hard time, or send a cheerful one just to brighten someone's day.

14 Photos

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($5 per course).

Insight Timer offers a paid subscription, but if you're new to meditation or only meditate occasionally, chances are you won't need to purchase anything. This app offers 15,000 free guided meditations from more than 1,000 meditation teachers, as well as access to 750-plus soothing music tracks.

This app is unique in that it allows you to design a custom meditation practice suited to your needs and interests. A $5-a-month subscription gets you premium meditation courses, offline listening and other extras related to mindfulness and meditation.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases.

Omvana offers hundreds of free guided meditations across several categories: improving sleep, focus, relaxation, body, productivity and more. Created by the mindfulness experts at MindValley, Omvana can help you find the perfect guided meditation by individual mood, stress level and other factors.

You can choose from a variety of instructors and program length, and you can tailor the background music to meet your preferences.

Cost: $1.99.

Richard and Mary Maddux, creators of the popular Meditation Oasis podcast, developed Simply Being. This app gives you gentle nudges to meditate regularly, encouraging you to practice meditation at different times during the day -- complete with soothing graphics and music.

You can customize the length of meditations, choose to listen to meditations with or without music and nature sounds, or simply stream the audio to help you focus on another task at hand.

Now playing: Watch this: Moona heats your pillow at CES 2019 for a better night's...

1:15

Cost: Free.

As you might gather from its name, The Breathing App focuses just on breathing and the physiological benefits you get from slowing your breath down: increased pulmonary function, decreased stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and improved emotional balance, just to name a few. All of which are beneficial for overall health and sleep patterns.

Developed by Eddie Stern and author Deepak Chopra, The Breathing App is simple and perfect for those who want the benefits of mindfulness without delving too deep into spirituality. You can only modify two settings for the meditation program: length of practice and breath ratio.

Cost: Free seven-day trial, $100 annual subscription.

The app 10% Happier is a mindfulness app for meditation skeptics and fidgety people. The app offers a no-nonsense, relatable way for beginners to dip their toe into the meditation experience, and it's more geared toward performance enhancement than soul-searching. It's great for people with high-pressure jobs and busy lives.

One of the best meditation apps for beginners, 10% Happier offers a free trial which includes a basic one-week introduction to meditation and mindfulness, but after that, the free offerings become sparse. You can always listen to the free 10% Happier podcast, though.

Cost: $11.99 a month or $96 a year

Burnout is real -- seriously, the World Health Organization designated burnout an official medical diagnosis in May. The meditations on Simple Habit focus on daily stress relief, and the developers know you're busy, so they make it as easy as taking five quick minutes for meditation time. In fact, the app even offers a special playlist just for burnout symptoms, with topics like "stay calm with a busy schedule" and "relieving morning anxiety." There's even a guided meditation program just for commuting.

13 Photos

Cost: Free trial, $12.99/month, $19.99/month (family plan), or $69.99 for an annual plan

A "best guided meditation apps" list wouldn't be complete without Headspace, the mindfulness app developed by sports scientist-turned-Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe. Originally an events company, Headspace now encompasses guided meditations, animations, articles and videos to assist beginners and experts alike in their meditation practice and has become one of the best known and most popular meditation apps in the category.

You can test out Headspace with the free Basics course, which offers 10 meditation sessions to teach you the foundations of meditation and get you in a mindful rhythm. You can also try a free session from many of the app's collections of meditations.

Cost: $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year

Mindwell blends isochronic tones, solfeggio frequencies, and spoken words to induce creativity and focus, which differs from the main goal of many other meditation apps that aim to promote relaxation.

Mindwell also offers meditations to help you recover from stressful or upsetting moments that occur throughout the day. For example, say you experienced a client meeting at work that didn't go well -- you could use a Mindwell meditation specifically designed to dampen negative emotions and help you move forward with your day.

Mindwell also offers a MoodShift, which maps your mood over time and allows you to track your mood and meditation progress.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases.

I included this breathing and meditation app because it's even more convenient than iPhone or Android apps for busy on-the-go folks. Breathe is the mindfulness app for Apple Watch that allows you to squeeze in short meditations without ever pulling out your phone.

Using one of three presets -- classic, focus or calm -- you breathe in rhythm with the animation on the screen. If you answer a call or text or move around too much during the exercise, your watch won't give you credit for that session.

Breathe is a native app on the Apple Watch Series 4, so it doesn't show up in the iTunes store. Breathe isn't compatible with Android devices.

Read more:Forest bathing: How nature can help you de-stress and get healthier

Originally published earlier this year.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Originally posted here:

11 meditation apps for better sleep and less stress - CNET

Ram Dass

Source: Ram Dass Foundation

When as an undergraduate student in psychology and a fresh-of-the-boat immigrant from India in early 1970s I read Be Here Now, I was gripped by the simplicity and profundity of the authors voice.[1] His thoughts, feelings, perceptions, images and memories seemed old yet new, a Harvard psychologist who had turned on, tuned in, and dropped out to follow an Indian guru in the Himalayas, namely Neem Karoli Baba (Wow!).

Dr. Richard Alpert changed his name, garb and philosophy, and started to preach a yogic way of life. Thus, Baba Ram Dass was born to an American or Western audience.

Little did I know that I would learn about him, again and again, along the path.

Be Here Now

Source: Ram Dass Foundation

Growing up in India, we used to hear of such stories often, and still do, with a sort-of cautionary tale. So and so dropped out of school. Or ran away from home to the Himalayas, or to become a yogi or a renunciate and started following a saffron robed guru, but to learn this in the US was indeed a rarity. May be it is not rare anymore?

Then, as a graduate student I learned Ram Dass was in the same department as Prof. David McClelland, who knew him well and was his mentor. I was intrigued even further. When I met Prof. McClelland briefly in William James Hall, I asked him about Dr. Alpert. David McClelland was rather circumspect, hehad conducted his own research in India on business entrepreneurship, which we discussed at length.

The Ram Dass foundations website connects the history going all the way back to the transcendentalist philosopher Emerson, He met Timothy Leary through David McClelland, who headed the Center for Research in Personality at the Social Relations Department at Harvard, where Alpert and Leary both did research. Together they began the Harvard Psilocybin Project, which included the Good Friday Experiment, assessingthe effect of psilocybin on spiritual experience, and later founded the International Foundation for Internal Freedom (IFIF) to study the religious use of psychedelic drugs.

As a psychologist, Richard Alpert played a pivotal role in the psychedelic movement of the sixties, lecturing on psychedelics at numerous college campuses across the country. A generation turned on, tuned in, and dropped out with psychedelics, providing the inner fuel for a turbulent era of social change, sexual liberation, and political unrest. In 1963, as psychedelics began to have a major influence on the culture, Alpert gained the distinction of being the first professor fired from Harvard in the 20th century. His predecessor in the previous century was Ralph Waldo Emerson.[2]

Thus, Ram Dass, who passed away last week, will continue to stand out as a trailblazerat the intersection of East-West philosophy, who explored the depths of the spiritual inner world, nearing the end of the twentieth century, when hyper-capitalism, militarism, and global inequality gripped our planet.

I reached out to my dear friend, colleague and tribal elder in this field, Phil Goldberg, who has written extensively about the exchange between East andWest and the perennial dialogue. Philip Goldberg has been studying Indias spiritual traditions for more than 50 years, as a practitioner, teacher, and writer. He is the author of numerous books, includingRoadsigns on the Spiritual Path, the award-winningAmerican Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation, How Indian Spirituality Changed the West, andThe Life of Yogananda: The Story of the Yogi Who Became the First Modern Guru. His latest book,Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times: Powerful Tools to Cultivate Calm, Clarity, and Couragewill be published next August.A spiritual counselor, meditation teacher, and Interfaith Minister, he is a popular public speaker, leader of American Veda Tours, and cohost of the Spirit Matters podcast.[3]

American Veda

Source: Phil Goldberg

DS:In your book American Veda[4], you juxtaposeRam Dass with Deepak Chopra. How does he belong in the same chapter with Deepak Chopra? Dr. Chopra was a great popularizer of yoga, TM, Ayurveda throughthe 1980s and 90s. Ram Dass was truly an experimenter with LSD and other mind-altering substances in the 1960s, pushing the boundaries of American or Western consciousness?

Goldberg: In American Veda I chronicled the major figures who propagated Indian spiritual teachings in the West. In that context, Ram Dass and Deepak Chopra were prominentacharyas,i.e. teachers. They both articulated core teachings of Yoga and Vedanta in ways that appealed to Americans and they reached huge numbers of people. Its true that Ram Dass became famous, or infamous, as a psychedelic researcher and proponent, but that was when he was Dr. Richard Alpert. In the 50 years after he went to India, found his guru, and returned as Ram Dass, he was a principle transmitter of Indian philosophy and yogic practices.

DS: You say in the book he was a perfect crossover between East-West, part Harvard Yard, part Himalayas? Please elaborate.

Goldberg: There are many reasons Ram Dass was able to reach enormous numbers of people. He was smart, funny, authentic, hip, and at the same time older than his main audience of countercultural baby boomers. But he also had great credibility. As a Harvard psychologist, he had scientific and intellectual credentials (and as aformerHarvard professor he had the added credentials of being anti-establishment). In addition, he had been to India and spent a long period of time with an authentic guru.

Most young seekers in that era (late 60s into the 70s) had only dreamt of that. We should note that he was not the only influencer with that kind of East-West credibility. Alan Watts, Aldous Huxley, and others were similarly influential. But Ram Dass took it to another level. He didnt just lecture and write books;he also led satsangs (spiritual gatherings) and pilgrimages, and he functioned in a guru-like capacity, only without the guru trappings and formal discipleship.

DS: What do you think was pushing him to take these risks with his mind, body and spirit? Psychologically and culturally, he came from a very well to do home and family; his father was a founder of Brandeis University, as he said, he was "spit and polish" son of a corporate executive?

Goldberg: By risks you refer to the drug-taking period, I assume. He was a natural seeker of truth in an era when social constraints were being questioned and, in certain circles, abandoned. As a research psychologist he was curious about the nature of the mind and consciousness. Its not hard to imagine him being curious enough about Timothy Learys description of his own psychedelic experiences to want to experiment on himself. To me, a turning point in the story comes when Leary continues advocating his turn on, tune in, drop out message and Alpert becomes Ram Dass and takes the tack that runs through Vedanta and Yoga more than LSD.

DS: Within the history of the East-West exchange, where would you place Ram Dass? His foundations will continue of course, but how will future aspirants memorializehim?

Goldberg: He is unquestionably a major figure in the importation of Eastern spiritual wisdom to the West and the subsequent foothold it has established in the culture, affecting everything from psychology to medicine to religion to individual spirituality. There are now thousands of Americans who teach practices like meditation and physical yoga, or incorporate Eastern ideas into their scholarly work, scientific research, or healthcare practices. Ram Dass was a forerunner of all this. In many ways he set the template for the Western interpreter, adapter, and disseminator.

As for the future, Im reluctant to make predictions, but if history is fair he will be recognized for the vital role he played in changing the world-views and lifestyles of perhaps millions of people, and for helping to usher in a genuine revolution in how we understand and engage the spiritual dimension of life. Im sure his books, videos, and audio recordings will have a long life, and those who loved him will make sure he is properly appreciated.

DS: You said in a recent interview, the lineage of his guru Neem Karoli Baba has had a significant impact on the American culture if we trace it to the tech sector, for example,Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg, and others.Please elaborate.

Goldberg: I dont know anything about Zuckerbergs spiritual inclinations or connection to Neem Karoli Baba. As a young seeker in the 1970s, Steve Jobs was influenced by Ram Dass and went to India. Neem Karoli passed before Jobs got to his ashram, however, but India had an impact on Jobs and he was deeply affected by YoganandasAutobiography of a Yogi.

Phil Goldberg

Source: Phil Goldberg

That said, Neem Karoli Baba had a direct influence on a number of people who, in turn, went on to be leading figures in the East-West integration. Most of them were first influenced by Ram Dass as youngsters and followed him to India and Neem Karoli. They include the kirtan wallahs Krishna Das and Jai Uttal; Buddhist teachers Jack Kornfield, Lama Surya Das, and Susan Salzberg; author/psychologist Daniel Goleman; physician/public health leader Larry Brilliant; Mirabai Bush of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, and others. In addition, a generation of young devotees who never met Neem Karoli hold him as a guru figure, due largely to the extended influence of Ram Dass and others.

DS: The work on psychedelics is continuing into FDA clinical trials for PTSD and other disorders. Clearly, this is partly due to Richard Alpert and Timothy Leary's work?

Goldberg: On the one hand, yes. Alpert and Leary were trailblazers in research on psychedelics, but they were hardly alone. Stanislov Grof, Oscar Janiger, and others were doing responsible research at the same time, and in some cases before Alpert and Leary. It could be argued, and many have made this case, that the public antics of the Harvard guys especially Leary with his turn on, tune in, drop out mantra was responsible for the long curtailment of research. Government authorities panicked over the counterculture explosion of LSD usage, with the bad trips, the contaminated street drugs, and the whole hippie culture.

I dont know the extent to which Ram Dass was involved in the efforts to gain approval for the wave of research that is now underway, but it took a long time for scientists to get that ball rolling again.

DS:In mainstream psychology is there a direct linkage between Ram Dass and the work on emotional intelligence by Goleman and others?

Goldberg: Yes, you might say there is a direct linkage betweenRam Dass asone of the leading figures in the development and maturation of humanistic psychology and transpersonal or positive psychology back in the 60s and 70s. May be there is also a connection with Goleman and EQ? The psychologist, Daniel Goleman, was influenced by Neem Karoli Baba.

See original here:
A Trailblazer of Global Consciousness: Ram Dass Led the Way - Psychology Today

Whether you're thinking about family life, work, school, what you're going to make for dinner, what you said at last night's party, or all of the above, it's easy to get caught in a pattern of swirling thoughts. Sometimes we ruminate on past eventseven to the extent that it leads to anxietyor we focus on the could-be situations of the future.

Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice that can be helpful in these situations. It brings you and your thoughts into the present, focusing on emotions, thoughts, and sensations that you're experiencing "in the now." While it can be initially difficult to quiet your thoughts, with time and practice you can experience the benefits of mindfulness meditation, including less stress and anxiety, and even a reduction in symptoms of conditions like IBS.

Mindfulness techniques can vary, but in general, mindfulness meditation involves a breathing practice, mental imagery, awareness of body and mind, and muscle and body relaxation.

One of the original standardized programs for mindfulness meditation is the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a student of the Buddhist monk and scholar Thich Nhat Hanh. His eight-week program guides students to pay attention to the present, decrease reactivity and arousal, and achieve a state of calm. Other more simplified, secular mindfulness meditation interventions have been increasingly incorporated into medical settings to treat stress, pain, and depression among other conditions.

Learning mindfulness meditation is straightforward enough to practice on your own, but a teacher or program can help you get started, particularly if you're practicing meditation for specific health reasons. While some people meditate for longer sessions, even a few minutes every day can make a difference. Here's a basic technique to help you get started:

There's no law that says you must be sitting on a cushion in a quiet room to practice mindfulness, says Kate Hanley, author of "A Year of Daily Calm." Mindfulness meditation is one technique, but everyday activities and tasks provide plenty of opportunities to practice.

Here are Hanley's tips on cultivating mindfulness in your daily routine.

Have you ever noticed how no one is trying to get your attention while you're doing the dishes? The combination of alone time and repetitive physical activity makes cleaning up after dinner a great time to try a little mindfulness. Savor the feeling of the warm water on your hands, the look of the bubbles, the sounds of the pans clunking on the bottom of the sink.

Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh calls this exercise "washing the dishes to wash the dishes"not to get them over with so you can go watch TV. When you give yourself over to the experience, you get the mental refreshment and a clean kitchen.

You can't go a day without brushing your teeth, making this task the perfect daily opportunity to practice mindfulness. Feel your feet on the floor, the brush in your hand, and your arm moving up and down.

It's easy to zone out while you're driving, thinking about what to have for dinner or what you forgot to do at work that day. Use your powers of mindfulness to keep your attention anchored to the inside of your car. Turn off the radioor put on something soothing, like classical musicimagine your spine growing tall, find the half-way point between relaxing your hands and gripping the wheel too tightly, and whenever you notice your mind wandering, bring your attention back to where you and your car are in space.

Watching TV while running on the treadmill may make your workout go more quickly, but it won't do much to quiet your mind. Flex both your physical and mental muscles by turning off all screens and focusing on your breathing and where your feet are in space as you move.

Instead of rushing through your evening routine and battling with your kids over bedtime, try to enjoy the experience. Get down to the same level as your kids, look in their eyes, listen more than you talk, and savor any snuggles. When you relax, they will too.

Of course, life can get in the waymaybe your little one calls for help while you're washing the dishes or a tricky traffic situation means you have to be even more focused on the road. But taking advantage of daily opportunities when they're available to you can help build a more consistent mindfulness practice. Even if you're not settling into a seated position for 30 minutes every day, just a few minutes of being present can reap significant benefits.

Continued here:

Mindfulness Meditation - What It Is And How To Do It

JAMESTOWN The American naturalist and nature essayist John Burroughs said, It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.

Audubon Community Nature Center invites you to experience a Winter Walking Meditation, Thursday, Jan. 9 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Walking meditation allows us to find calm and connection through movement, breath, mindfulness and nature. You will quiet your mind, tune into your senses and connect with the world around you, discovering the wonders of the winter landscape and your place in it.

This class is appropriate for most, but you must be able to walk two miles at an easy pace. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather.

Karen Hansen from Samsara Yoga Center will lead this winter exploration of Audubon.

Hansen is co-owner of Samsara Yoga Center. She is trained in the Sri Vidya Yoga Tradition. She completed her formal studies at the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science & Philosophy, earning her 200, 500 Hour and Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist Certification (AYS). A yoga practitioner since 2001, Karen began teaching in 2010. In addition to private clients, classes, and volunteer work, she teaches at Chautauqua Institution during the summer season.

Cost is $16, $12 for Nature Center members.

Paid reservations are required by Wednesday, Jan. 8, and can be made by calling 569-2345 during business hours or going online to AudubonCNC.org/Programs and clicking through Current Schedule.

Walk-ins are accepted if there is room: call for availability.

This program is part of the Healthy Connection series for 2020 and will be offered again on Feb. 13, 2020.

Audubon Community Nature Center is at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.

Hours for the Nature Center building and its Blue Heron Gift Shop are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays. Bald Eagle viewing and trails to walk, snowshoe or cross country ski are open dawn to dusk daily.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.

Chautauqua Sunrise, hosted by Doc Hamels, will have Jeff Julian discussing music in the classroom. The program airs ...

The Collins Public Library, located at 2341 Main St., Collins, has announced its schedule for January. For details ...

NORTH COLLINS In November, the North Collins Police officers were on duty for 149 hours. They responded to a ...

Read the rest here:

Experience Winter Walking Meditation at Audubon, Thursday, Jan. 9 | News, Sports, Jobs - Evening Observer

Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) has at least a short-term positive effect for university students not initiating MBI based on a specific mental health diagnosis, according to results of a meta-analysis of 51 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) recently published inApplied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. Because of potential for bias in RCTs, especially behavioral-therapy RCTs, further research is warranted to determine the effect of MBI on mental health variables in university-aged students.

The mental health and well-being of university students is a clinically important issue as they are considered to be a high-risk population for mental health disorders such as distress, anxiety, and depression. Attending higher education institutions usually entails a change to a new living environment and the additional stresses of a new educational setting, with greater demands as well as new social pressures, which can cause or exacerbate mental health issues.

The incidence of students requesting support each year from university counseling services has increased, according to research published by the Institute for Employment Studies and Research Equity. In response to this, more universities are offering MBI to students.

Mindfulness has garnered significant attention within psychological literature and clinical practice, Dawson and colleagues wrote. Current theoretical frameworks suggest that mindfulness training operates by producing changes in the structure and function of brain regions involved in attentional control, emotional regulation, sensory awareness, and self-awareness. In contrast, relaxation training has effect via regulation of inhibition and control, differing from the more diffuse cognitive functions engaged by MBI.

Studies investigating the effect of MBI are ongoing, and a variety of methods and durations of administration have been implemented. To provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on MBI for researchers and university policy-makers to enable more informed decisions, a series of meta-analyses were conducted.

Investigators performed a systematic search of research databases, literature databases, and the World Health Organization clinical trial registry to identify any RCTs focused on MBI. Overall, they used 9 databases to determine 51 RCTs for inclusion. The RCTs included in the study had been conducted in 15 different countries between 1988 and 2017 and involved various MBI practices. Of these, 22% were based on self-help rather than instructor led, and duration varied from single-session studies in a laboratory setting to multipart interventions in general campus settings, conducted over a 10-week period. The most common intervention length was 8 weeks. The outcome variables used for the meta-analysis were mental and physical health because of a paucity of data on health service use and academic performance. Researchers grouped results using 4 domains, described below.

Mental Ill-Health Outcomes:Meta-analyses revealed that distress was significantly reduced postintervention in study participants who received MBI, and prediction intervals based on compiled data indicated that MBI will reduce distress in at least 95% of MBI administration scenarios. A meta-regression, inclusive of 17 studies and 1842 participants, did not demonstrate a significant influence of intervention duration on postintervention distress level.

In a meta-analysis examining follow-up distress, findings were significant in favor of MBI. Of note, these data did not change after removing lower-quality trials or after removal of the 1-cluster RCTs included.

In addition to distress, anxiety was also significantly reduced among participants who underwent MBI, relative to both passive and active controls; however, prediction interval analysis indicated that MBI generally reduces state anxiety in some cases but may increase it in others. Outcomes did not specifically favor either MBIs or passive controls for the variable of worry, and the studies were not large enough to justify a subgroup analysis.

Positive Psychological Functioning Outcomes:Relative to passive controls, participants who underwent MBI experienced significantly increased trait mindfulness postintervention, although researchers noted substantial heterogeneity of effect sizes. They further explored this by separate analyses of 2 outcome instruments (Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire).The analysis still showed significance in favor of MBI, although high levels of heterogeneity remained. Postintervention measures of self-compassion significantly favored MBI compared with passive controls; however, similar to anxiety, prediction intervals indicated that MBI will increase self-compassion in some scenarios and reduce it in others.

Well-Being Outcomes.A postintervention measure of life satisfaction did not differ significantly in favor of MBI in the overall meta-analysis; however, a sensitivity analysis excluding cluster-RCTs did show significance for MBI over passive control.

Physical Health Outcomes.The outcome measure of sleep impairment was not significantly decreased after MBI compared with passive control, and substantial heterogeneity was noted within the study groups for this variable as well. No significant differences between MBI and control were shown for systolic or diastolic blood pressure.

Psychological distress has previously been identified within literature as a focal point of mental health discussions within university-based populations, according to Williams and colleagues of the Institute for Employment Studies in Brighton, England, United Kingdom. They further stated that there is a need to help students reap the positive mental health benefits of higher education and identifying students who may be struggling and providing appropriate support. The potential value of the mindfulness-based programs provided by higher education institutions throughout the United Kingdom, listed in their report, is supported by the findings of the meta-analysis on MBI, which corroborated overall efficacy of MBI programs for university students in some critical mental-health-related outcomes.1,2

When comparing course-based MBI with passive controls, MBI significantly reduced levels of distress, depression, anxiety, and rumination, and increased well-being within university students when measured at post-intervention, reported Dawson and colleagues. They also noted longer-term reductions in distress, as measured by follow-up assessments.

Other studies on MBI that were not focused on university populations have identified ways in which MBI can help. One review, focused more specifically on anxiety and depression, found that MBI therapies perform comparably to cognitive-behavioral therapy; the treatment modalities have compatible treatment principles.

Another review, published in 2018, noted that despite its longstanding history, MBIs have only been incorporated in Western medicine and culture since the late 20th century. Despite this, considerable support has been amassed for the practice.

Despite these widespread positives, Dawson and colleagues cautioned that the findings from their meta-analysis were, in fact, highly heterogenous and that this raises questions about the overall operationalization of mindfulness, adding that more homogenous effects of mindfulness interventions should have been seen.

Although many positives of MBIs have been noted, the researchers cautioned that they may, in some students, create a sense of discomfort or unease: a phenomenon confirmed in the literature as well.5,6 These instances may require either focused individual attention from the course leader if in a group setting or support from other specialized services if it occurs from self-led MBI practice.

Overall, this review found some evidence that MBIs are effective for promoting mental health in the average student, Dawson and colleagues wrote, [h]owever, the low methodological quality of most of the included trials precludes making firm recommendations for practice.

Some students in some contexts may not benefit from the effects of mindfulness interventions. Institutions who are seeking to establish these practices should research the benefits, harms, and variability of effects before moving forward.

Future research directions include assessment of outcomes related to academic and mental health services. Data from RCTs included in the meta-analysis were insufficient to assess these outcomes, and thus RCTs within these categories should be conducted.

In addition, the potential for differences in effect between self-help and instructor-led MBIs should be explored. Although self-help interventions may be more cost-effective and easier to implement, this setting may ultimately limit the detection of potential adverse effects. In general, the potential adverse effects, be they mild or severe, of MBIs require additional attention from both researchers and mental health care providers.

Ultimately, this work shows that MBIs could have beneficial effects when implemented within a general university population, Dawson and colleagues concluded, however, higher quality research is needed to define their active components, long-term effects, effectiveness compared to other programs, optimal format and delivery, cultural variability, and safety profile.

References

1. Dawson AF, Brown WW, Anderson J, et al.Mindfulness-based interventions for university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials[published online November 19, 2019].Appl Psychol Health Well Being.doi:10.1111/aphw.12188

2. Williams M, Coare P, Marvell R, Pollard E, Houghton A-M, Anderson J.Understanding provision for students with mental health problems and intensive support needs: Report to HEFCE by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) and Researching Equity, Access and Partnership (REAP). Brighton, England, UK: Institute for Employment Studies; 2015. Accessed December 5, 2019.

3. Hofmann SG, Gmez AF.Mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety and depression.Psychiatr Clin North Am.2017;40(4):739-749.

4. Shapero BG, Greenberg J, Pedrelli P, de Jong M, Desbordes G.Mindfulness-based interventions in psychiatry.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ).2018;16(1):32-39.

5. Burrows L.Safeguarding mindfulness meditation for vulnerable college students.Mindfulness.2016;7(7):284-285.

6. Cebolla A, Demarzo M, Martins P, Soler J, Garcia-Campayo J.Unwanted effects: Is there a negative side of meditation? A multicenter survey.PLoS One.2016;12(9):e0183137.

See the article here:

Mindfulness-Based Meditation and Higher Education - Psychiatry Advisor

This Top-Rated App Can Help You Deal With Stress in the New Year

Stress tends to accumulate around the holiday season but it's not like it simply disappears otherwise. Life is full of stressors, from tight project deadlines to frustrating coworkers to rush hour traffic. Don't just accept the stress, deal with it appropriately by investing in your own mindfulness. Aura is a meditation app that can help you manage stress and anxiety effectively without resorting to bad or destructive habits.

Aura was created by top meditation teachers and therapists and designed to help you prioritize and improve your mental health. Personalized with AI, Aura provides short, science-backed mindfulness meditation exercises every day to give you the peace of mind you need to power through stress and anxiety to be your best self. Each day, you'll get a free 3-minute guided meditation session and have the option to choose between 3-, 7-, or 10-minute meditations throughout the day depending on your availability. By rating each meditation experience, Aura learns your preferences and can provide more specific meditations to meet your needs. Through the app, you can also track your mood patterns, save unlimited meditations, and access additional wellness content like life coaching sessions, stories, and music.

Find out why Aura has a 4.7 rating on 17,000 reviews in the App Store and a 4.5 rating on more than 7,000 reviews in the Google Play Store. Right now, you can get a one-year premium subscription for 57 percentoff $94.99 at just $39.99, a three-year subscription for 78 percentoff $284.97 at just $59.99, or a lifetime subscription for 83 percentoff $499 at just $79.99.

Related: This Top-Rated App Can Help You Deal With Stress in the New Year 3 Stress-Busting Relaxation Exercises You Can Do Anywhere (60-Second Video) How to Feed Your Brain to Combat Stress

Original post:

This Top-Rated App Can Help You Deal With Stress in the New Year - mySanAntonio.com