Fall Season

If you can get your own thoughts and feelings orderly, then the people, situations and even the Universe about you will respond in a more orderly way---Catherine Ponder.

Autumn has come in the Northern hemisphere, and the falling leaves offer a lesson in adjusting to change.  Our internal seasons follow no calendar.  The autumns of our lives suggest a preparation for deepening and renewal.  Today, as we celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year as the old is released to make room for the new. 

Every emotion we feel has a profound value to the richness of our experience.  Everywhere we look we are reminded how perfect and beautiful life is.  Fall is a great time of the year watching the trees as they change color and prepare for their winter hibernation  It is as if they are all celebrating the new season in a final blaze of radiant glory, red, yellow and gold leaves on every limb.  As we enter into the fall season with joy in our heart and we accept the colorful scenery, knowing it is a blessing in our life with its abundance and glory.

NARCISSISM - PSYCHOPATHY - EVIL

Introduction:
During some of my professional careers, two areas of particular interest to me have been psychopathy and narcissism.
 Psychopathy is generally viewed as a particularly virulent form of narcissism, in which the person is not only very much focused on herself, or himself, but also highly manipulative, sometimes sadistic, and very much into control and power. One prominent characteristic of psychopathy is the presence of what is usually called a “glib, superficial charm.” These people are usually able, at least in the short term, to win over others very easily. They would generally be described as “very attractive” people (on the surface). Sometimes a person who merits the designation “psychopath” goes into a path of criminal activity (many, but not all, serial killers are psychopaths, and criminals known as “con artists” are often psychopaths); other times, the psychopath will be engaged in a legitimate career (politics, academia, corporate leadership). The key is not the type of activity the person engages in, but the degree of control s/he exercises over others.

Underneath the superficial charm, the narcissist/psychopath always has a “me-first” mentality. If you work with such a person, you may begin to see signs that s/he thinks that everything is about her; and, crucially, it will become clear that control/power is a major part of her game plan. However, this can be well concealed beneath a veneer of friendliness and concern for others; it may not become clearly evident until s/he receives what is known as a “narcissistic injury.” A person who is truly narcissistic will respond with extreme anger if s/he receives a challenge to her ego (an ego that is both fragile, and strongly defended). This response may look like an overblown rage fit, following a minor slight; or it may take the form of a cold vindictiveness, administered by acts of retaliation. These responses can be very shocking, even frightening, to the person who unwittingly triggered or evoked the narcissistic injury (by getting in the way of the narcissist’s plans, for example, or by displaying a lack of full approval and appreciation for the narcissist’s brilliant ideas).

A good non-technical book about this phenomenon is: The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout [the term “sociopath” is closely related to the term “psychopath”].

Some good web resources about the phenomenon known as “narcissistic rage” are in my “del.icio.us” links (click on one of them from the “Dr. Sanity” website.

The psychopath, sociopath, and narcissist tend to make very good first impressions on others. They are excellent actors and can fool almost anybody, even trained individuals. However, they have counterfeit hearts. Underneath their brilliant exterior lies a person that is self-centered, dishonest, unresponsible, and lacking emotions, remorse, and a conscience.These people live with a false sense of grandiosity and specialness and are easily found to be arrogant and deceitful. Underneath the fake exterior is an empty fraud who is lacking a human soul.

Four Cardinal Virtues

Be not simply good; be good for something---Henry David Thoreau

          AMONG bits of lore that remain with us today, we find the “four cardinal virtues.”  They are temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice, and each is said to exist ideally on a scale-point balanced between deficiency and excess.

          TEMPERANCE teaches us moderation.   Outwardly, this refers to the pleasures of senses, a nutritious diet, and avoiding intoxicants.  In inner practice it means to nurture a calm and balanced emotional life.

          FORTITUDE is about courage and strength, and getting plenty of exercise.  On the inside, it suggests focus and concentration, and not permitting distraction from one’s goal. 

          PRUDENCE means to conserve one’s resources and spend time and money wisely; the esoteric meaning is that, plus conserving one’s psychological and spiritual energy by using the power of one’s word prudently.

          JUSTICE requires that we treat others fairly; inwardly it requires more than just actions, but that we think of them fairly, too, by releasing our sentiments and forgiving anyone we have judged.

          “CARDINAL” comes from a root that means “hinge.”   Much hinges on our response to life, such as the next set of experiences we will be ushered into, by virtue of our choices in the present moment. 

Align yourself with the best ways and means of accomplishing your dreams and living in strength and wellness.  By natural intuitive knowing, you are led to make the kindest and most effective choices in every circumstance you meet.

An Hour of Silence Every Day

Schedule your hour of silence at a particular time every day.

          During that hour, turn off the phone, TV, radio, computer, and all other appliances and communication devices.  Put down all books and other reading material.

          Light a candle to be witness to your hour of silence.

          Sit quietly and rest---or look carefully at a natural object---or engage in work that does not require you to hear, see, or express words.

Maybe a long walk in nature or gardening are excellent activities of silence.

          Listen to the silence, all the time enjoying this hour-long respite from thinking, reviewing planning and imagining.  Stay in the present moment.

          Breathe deeply and mindfully, bringing in the silence, expelling mental “noise.”

          At the end of your hour of silence, let your first word be an expression of gratitude or love, then put out the candle and go about your business.

Irish Herb Lore

by Jaime McLeod

Nearly every country and culture has its own herb lore – native plants that that were long believed to promote good health, and even good luck, to those who ate, drank, or carried them. Ireland, especially, had a wealth of herbal lore passed on by local healers well beyond the start of the Industrial age, much longer than many other European nations. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a look at some herbal remedies passed down by the “fairy doctors” of old Éire.
Comfrey Root: Used for healing minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, battling inflammation from diaper rash, varicose veins, and arthritis, and reducing swelling from bruises, sprains, or pulled muscles.
Dandelion Leaves: Used externally on wounds as an antibacterial, and to remove corns and warts. Used internally to promote healthy kidneys, prevent gallstones, fight jaundice, ease constipation, and soothe edema, joint pain, gout, eczema, and acne.
Eyebright: A solution of eyebright was used as an eyewash or compress to reduce inflammation from conjunctivitis, eyestrain, styes, and general eye irritation. It was also taken internally for allergies, bronchitis, colds, and sinus infections.
Feverfew: Used as a remedy for headaches, arthritis, fevers, skin conditions, stomach aches, and asthma. Also used to promote more regular menstrual cycles and ease childbirth.
Garlic (wild): Used to soothe coughs, asthma, and shortness of breath.
Hoarhound: Used as a cough expectorant and mild laxative, and to bring on menstruation.
Marshmallow Leaves: Used in dressings to soothe sprains and swelling.
Meadowsweet: Used to treat arthritis pain. (Contains salicylic acid, which is chemically similar to an active ingredient in aspirin).
Muellin: Used as a decongestant and expectorant for respiratory illnesses. Also used to soothe sore throats, treat diarrhea, and cure earaches.
Nettles: Used to treat rashes, eczema, arthritis, gout, and diarrhea.
Sphagnum Moss: Used to dress wounds.
Vervain: Used to promote a healthy liver, fight fatigue, reduce fever, prevent insomnia, soothe asthma, and promote more regular menstrual cycles.
Willow Bark: Used to treat arthritis pain. (Contains salicylic acid, which is chemically similar to an active ingredient in aspirin).
Yarrow: Used to reduce bleeding in wounds, ulcers, hemorrhoids, etc. Also used to reduce inflammation and treat aches and pains. (Contains salicylic acid, which is chemically similar to an active ingredient in aspirin).