TWO MODELS OF THE PSYCHE

* Medical Psychiatry, based on a machine model of human nature. Uses isolation, oversight, pharmaceutical drugs, to attempt to engineer behavioral changes.

* Therapies derived from Swiss healer Jung and the women who collaborated with him, based on a communication and relationship understanding of human nature.

Acupuncture healing arts has much in common with the second of these two basic concepts of human nature and human behavior. Jung's group studied and learned from Asian medicine and alchemy, which are the same source materials for the acupuncture healing arts we have today in america.

Acupuncture is at its best treating the psyche, particularly where there is a psychosomatic condition. This is because the Life Force of the Qi, which flows along the Channels, is equivalent to mind, emotions, to the subconscious feelings in a body. Therefore, acupuncture treatment influences mind, emotions and the subconscious directly.

AN EXAMPLE FROM FAMILY SYSTEMS RESEARCH

Research in family communication has identified characteristic communication patterns in groups that are associated with development of asthma in one member of the group (for example in one child in a family). We can see how the asthma is not a disease originating from inside one isolated person - but surrounding social interactions can collaborate in the evolution of the condition, and also in triggering episodes. How a group communicates around a person can act as one of these pathogenic factors.

The psyche may not be so easily visible to the eyes. Even a parent, though well educated, well acquainted with their child as a physical body - may not be so aware of the inside of their own offspring, what we call soul or psyche. Missing this - parents or others in the child's environment can unintentionally communicate in ways which may unwittingly become oppressive to the inner person of the child. One result can be the symptom of not being able to breathe or get air, or kinds of grieving associated with a spectrum of respiratory syndromes. This not being able to breathe freely is a natural response of a soul not being perceived as she knows herself to be, by her own people.

How can a parent learn more directly about the inner life or psyche in their own child? Apart from listening to the dreams the child may report from the night, or in quietness listening, seeing the child over time - there may be other ways as well.

* astrology delineations for insight. One of these ways may be through carefully prepared astrology delineation, using a sidereal (astronomer's) zodiac, and incorporating fixed star parans. This information can contribute insights into personality trends, soul purposes and points of vulnerability in the child, as a soul-entity, or for an adult. The birthchart can serve as a mirror in which we may catch glimpses our own soul. This practitioner may prepare on request a written personality delineation which can assist self-awareness of one's psyche, complementary to the acupuncture process. May include at your choice an informal one hour conference to clarify the material.

This service is not a regular part of acupuncture licensure (although it is consistent with the practice and its cultural origins). In addition, the practitioner, athough a second generation astrologer, is not certified in astrology.

...pocumtuck bioregion...
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"Understanding of the self only arises in relationship, in watching yourself in relationship to people, ideas, and things; to trees, the earth, and the world around you and within you. Relationship is the mirror in which the self is revealed"
--J. Krishnamurti
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** UNDERSTANDING PSYCHE **

* The objective psyche. Much of the soul or psyche is objective - it has independent reality, independent from our thoughts and imaginings.
For this reason, attention to more consciously relating to our psyche within us, and as it is active in the world around us, can bring many benefits, and strengthen character.

* Continuity - Through the physical changes of time and space something continues to be distinctly 'you' - this is the psyche or spirit-self.
The physical body is an ever changing expression of this psyche.
Our psyche is what we bring with us when we are born into life, and what goes with us when our life here ends.

* Synchronicity. Instead of cause-effect action or personal power, the psyche acts through a sense of timing and through spontaneity-- where desired outcomes appear voluntarily instead of through forced effort of self-will.
A characteristic of synchronicity is meaningful coincidence-- a sense of meaning being a sign of the psyche's presence. One may follow these small events as one would follow a trail of breadcrumbs or a golden thread.

...dawn beside clinic...