Psychic Ability
New studies show people can anticipate future events.
Social psychologist, Dr. Bem conducted a series of studies that will soon be published. Across many experiments, Bem examined the idea that our brain has the ability to not only reflect on past experiences, but also anticipate future experiences. This ability for the brain to "see into the future" is often referred to as psi phenomena.
Bem's studies are unique in that they represent standard scientific methods and rely on well-established principles in psychology. Essentially, he took effects that are considered valid and reliable in psychology - studying improves memory, priming facilitates response times - and simply reversed their chronological order.
Bem examined whether a well-known priming effect could be reversed. People are shown a photo and they have to quickly indicate if the photo represents a negative or positive image. If the photo is of a cuddly kitten, you press the "positive" button and if the photo is of maggots on rotting meat, you press the "negative" button. Subliminal priming occurs when a word is flashed on the computer screen so quickly that your conscious brain doesn't recognize what you saw, but your nonconscious brain does. So you just see a flash, and if I asked you to tell me what you saw, you wouldn't be able to. But deep down, your nonconscious brain saw the word and processed it. In priming studies, we consistently find that people who are primed with a word consistent with the valence of the photo will categorize it quicker. So if I quickly flash the word "happy" before the kitten picture, you will click the "positive" button even quicker, but if I instead flash the word "ugly" before it, you will take longer to respond. This is because priming you with the word "happy" gets your mind ready to see happy things.
In Bem's retroactive priming study, he simply reversed the time sequence on this effect by flashing the primed word after the person categorized the photo. So I show you the kitten picture, you pick whether it is positive or negative, and then I randomly choose to prime you with a good or bad word. The results showed that people were quicker at categorizing photos when it was followed by a consistent prime. So not only will you categorize the kitten quicker when it is preceded by a good word, you will also categorize it quicker when it is followed by a good word. It was as if, while participants were categorizing the photo, their brain knew what word was coming next and this facilitated their decision.
Melissa Burkley, Ph.D. in The Social Thinker
Innatism is a philosophical doctrine that holds the mind is born with ideas, it is not a 'blank slate' at birth. It asserts not all knowledge originates from experience and the five senses. Often there are ideas considered necessarily true, but, not everyone has agreed to, universally. Gottfried Leibniz would say it is not because they do not possess the knowledge, but, have not yet become aware of the innate idea. He would argue principles, already embedded in our minds can, evidently, be brought to the surface. This is like needing to only hear the first few notes of a song in order to recall the rest of the melody.
John Locke, an antagonist to the innate concept, argues the mind is, in fact, devoid of all knowledge at birth, that it is tabula rosa or a blank slate. He argues all ideas are constructed in our minds by way of constant composition and decomposition of input from the five senses. Locke also has a problem with an innate idea that can be imprinted on the mind without the owner realizing it. Referring to the analogy, we may not be able to recall the entire melody until we hear the first few notes, but, the picture completes because we already knew the rest of the melody.
And here, I contend, beware of headstrong. Many times we determine what is going on and, frankly, there is no turning back. We call it as we see it, but can you see it to fruition? Strive for the bigger picture.
Wikipedia
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
God forbade...must reading!
Mind Reading
Every day, whether we're pusing for a raise, wrestling with the kids over homework, or judging whether a friend really likes our redecorating, we're reading each other's minds. Drawing on our observations, our databank of memories, our powers of reason or our wellspring of emotion, we constantly make educated guesses about what someone is thinking and feeling. Throughout the most light-hearted chat or the most heated argument, we, intently, collect clues to what's on the other's mind, at the moment.
Daniel Siegel, psychiatrist and author of The Mindful Brain calls it 'mindsight' that allows you to create a map of another's internal state.
Mind reading, not to be confused with the infallible telepathic superhero- is a critical human skill. It's the way we make sense of other's behavior and decide on our next moves. Mind reading allows us to negotiate, compete, cooperate and achieve emotional closeness. It let's us figure out when we're being manipulated or seduced. It's how we know someone finds our jokes hilarious or are humouring us, polite, but simulacratic.
Mind reading ability is, perhaps, the most urgent element of social intelligence. Do it poorly and the consequences are serious. It can lead to conflict born of misunderstanding. It can make us feel lonely within a relationship. It can incite violence. Abusive husbands typically- and inaccurately- attribute critical thoughts to their wives and mistakenly lash out. Difficulty divining other's thoughts and feelings characterizes
mindblindness indicative of autism and is what makes the condition so socially debilitating.
Decades of research on mind reading, or empathetic accuracy reveals it's function divining thought, even when our conversational partner may not know his own mind. Those thoughts and feelings are far from transparent, mind reading becomes our subjective source to the truth, beyond the surface. It's the only way to true intimacy. And the only way to love someone for who they really are.
It's astonishing we peer in each other's minds, at all, but, truthfully, we don't do it all that well.
Our limited ability to mind read has ancient roots. Communcations professor Ross Buck says over thousands of years of development communications have become sophisticated with complex living arrangements. He says mind reading has become a tool to create and maintain social order.
Of course, to advance our own interest we need to conceal our feelings, at times, and to, even lie. Others can get the upper hand knowing our thoughts.
Our adequate mindsight can be thought of as a constant struggle between the need to show and hide our true selves.
This delicate balance has served humans over the years. Siegel worries mind reading is on the decline, today's obsessed with success parents spend so much time stimulating children with structured activities and Baby Einstein DVD's, but not sitting still being 'present ' with their children. As a result children are denied the opportunity to learn how to get in tune with another physically and emotionally, to develop mindsight.
Siegel says a reasonable degree of mindsight is primary in a civil society for adults to be kind to each other.
Wikipedia
Every day, whether we're pusing for a raise, wrestling with the kids over homework, or judging whether a friend really likes our redecorating, we're reading each other's minds. Drawing on our observations, our databank of memories, our powers of reason or our wellspring of emotion, we constantly make educated guesses about what someone is thinking and feeling. Throughout the most light-hearted chat or the most heated argument, we, intently, collect clues to what's on the other's mind, at the moment.
Daniel Siegel, psychiatrist and author of The Mindful Brain calls it 'mindsight' that allows you to create a map of another's internal state.
Mind reading, not to be confused with the infallible telepathic superhero- is a critical human skill. It's the way we make sense of other's behavior and decide on our next moves. Mind reading allows us to negotiate, compete, cooperate and achieve emotional closeness. It let's us figure out when we're being manipulated or seduced. It's how we know someone finds our jokes hilarious or are humouring us, polite, but simulacratic.
Mind reading ability is, perhaps, the most urgent element of social intelligence. Do it poorly and the consequences are serious. It can lead to conflict born of misunderstanding. It can make us feel lonely within a relationship. It can incite violence. Abusive husbands typically- and inaccurately- attribute critical thoughts to their wives and mistakenly lash out. Difficulty divining other's thoughts and feelings characterizes
mindblindness indicative of autism and is what makes the condition so socially debilitating.
Decades of research on mind reading, or empathetic accuracy reveals it's function divining thought, even when our conversational partner may not know his own mind. Those thoughts and feelings are far from transparent, mind reading becomes our subjective source to the truth, beyond the surface. It's the only way to true intimacy. And the only way to love someone for who they really are.
It's astonishing we peer in each other's minds, at all, but, truthfully, we don't do it all that well.
Our limited ability to mind read has ancient roots. Communcations professor Ross Buck says over thousands of years of development communications have become sophisticated with complex living arrangements. He says mind reading has become a tool to create and maintain social order.
Of course, to advance our own interest we need to conceal our feelings, at times, and to, even lie. Others can get the upper hand knowing our thoughts.
Our adequate mindsight can be thought of as a constant struggle between the need to show and hide our true selves.
This delicate balance has served humans over the years. Siegel worries mind reading is on the decline, today's obsessed with success parents spend so much time stimulating children with structured activities and Baby Einstein DVD's, but not sitting still being 'present ' with their children. As a result children are denied the opportunity to learn how to get in tune with another physically and emotionally, to develop mindsight.
Siegel says a reasonable degree of mindsight is primary in a civil society for adults to be kind to each other.
Wikipedia
God forbade...must reading!
Equality
Socially and politically speaking, equality is an important struggle. Some of the inequities between men and women are appalling. The equality achieved among the sexes has made a difference in marriages.
When you use fairness and equality as a marriage measure, you don't have a marriage, but a contest.
If We're So In Love, Why Aren't We Happy?
Susan Page
Socially and politically speaking, equality is an important struggle. Some of the inequities between men and women are appalling. The equality achieved among the sexes has made a difference in marriages.
When you use fairness and equality as a marriage measure, you don't have a marriage, but a contest.
If We're So In Love, Why Aren't We Happy?
Susan Page
Sunday, June 19, 2011
God forbade...must reading!
Situations
....Some question whether situations are an appropriate source of hurt because no moral wrong can be done by a situation. The finding; casuality is attributed to situation. It's perception that is thought to matter. What situational factors might lead an offender to hurt a participant? Situations highlight certain motives, but, put other motives in relative darkness. A blatant wrong can bring the issue into the open, to be held accountable and seek to build responsibility into them. The victim senses failure in the other's self control and, in a sense, tries to help them regain self control. Warmth based virtues are relegated to the background and do not emerge naturally. Only a conscious effort of the victim, or ensuing events can bring about empathy, sympathy or compassion for the wrong doer.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Everett L. Worthington, Jr.
....Some question whether situations are an appropriate source of hurt because no moral wrong can be done by a situation. The finding; casuality is attributed to situation. It's perception that is thought to matter. What situational factors might lead an offender to hurt a participant? Situations highlight certain motives, but, put other motives in relative darkness. A blatant wrong can bring the issue into the open, to be held accountable and seek to build responsibility into them. The victim senses failure in the other's self control and, in a sense, tries to help them regain self control. Warmth based virtues are relegated to the background and do not emerge naturally. Only a conscious effort of the victim, or ensuing events can bring about empathy, sympathy or compassion for the wrong doer.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Everett L. Worthington, Jr.
Monday, June 13, 2011
God forbade...must reading!
Leadership
A leader is someone who agrees to watch over, not only, their needs, but those of and within the group. A good leader promotes the goals of the whole group, not just their own, wants the whole group to succeed. Good leadership takes initiative to accomplish these goals, by setting a good example and supporting other members of the group.
Leadership is not fair. Often, the leader has to do extra work, but values satisfaction guiding the group to success, reaching out of a comfort zone for specific ways to lead.
Another way to define spiritual leadership is to be the 'big' person in any interaction. You voluntarily take the high ground. You make sacrifices. You put your ego in the backseat for the time being. Acknowledment means less. The 'big' person means you give up being right or making sure you're acknowledged right. You become more interested in relational good results than in 'winning' or getting praise. The 'big' person means avoiding getting caught up in immediate action, take a step back to evaluate the game you are a part of.
If We're So in Love, Why Aren't We Happy?
Susan Page
A leader is someone who agrees to watch over, not only, their needs, but those of and within the group. A good leader promotes the goals of the whole group, not just their own, wants the whole group to succeed. Good leadership takes initiative to accomplish these goals, by setting a good example and supporting other members of the group.
Leadership is not fair. Often, the leader has to do extra work, but values satisfaction guiding the group to success, reaching out of a comfort zone for specific ways to lead.
Another way to define spiritual leadership is to be the 'big' person in any interaction. You voluntarily take the high ground. You make sacrifices. You put your ego in the backseat for the time being. Acknowledment means less. The 'big' person means you give up being right or making sure you're acknowledged right. You become more interested in relational good results than in 'winning' or getting praise. The 'big' person means avoiding getting caught up in immediate action, take a step back to evaluate the game you are a part of.
If We're So in Love, Why Aren't We Happy?
Susan Page
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
God forbade...must reading!
Masks and the Soul
There is a lot of talk these days about soul, which is another way of talking about an authentic self. When you are identified with your 'public' self and have lost touch with your true desires and passions, you are out of alignment with your soul. Your soul knows what is best for you and longs to bring you back to your true self. Your soul is your authentic self calling out to you, guiding you back home to the fullest expression of your true self.
The true you is unique in the universe and is, so, vitally important. When you stay behind a 'mask' you look and behave like a lot of other people who have donned similar masks, instead of the fresh, shining presence of your genuine self. Most of the world consists of masked people, busily relating to other masked people, taking their masks ever so seriously, fervently caught up in work that is someone else's work. They participate in relationships cluttered with defenses, unwittingly teaching their children to build the same masks they have worn all their lives. They never embark on a spiritual quest, going through an entire life without discovering who they truly are.
This, the difference between spiritual and non-spiritual people.
If We are So In Love, Why Aren't We Happy?
Susan Page
There is a lot of talk these days about soul, which is another way of talking about an authentic self. When you are identified with your 'public' self and have lost touch with your true desires and passions, you are out of alignment with your soul. Your soul knows what is best for you and longs to bring you back to your true self. Your soul is your authentic self calling out to you, guiding you back home to the fullest expression of your true self.
The true you is unique in the universe and is, so, vitally important. When you stay behind a 'mask' you look and behave like a lot of other people who have donned similar masks, instead of the fresh, shining presence of your genuine self. Most of the world consists of masked people, busily relating to other masked people, taking their masks ever so seriously, fervently caught up in work that is someone else's work. They participate in relationships cluttered with defenses, unwittingly teaching their children to build the same masks they have worn all their lives. They never embark on a spiritual quest, going through an entire life without discovering who they truly are.
This, the difference between spiritual and non-spiritual people.
If We are So In Love, Why Aren't We Happy?
Susan Page
Monday, June 6, 2011
God forbade...must reading!
The Extent of Domination
Our mammalian brains come wired with ancient sexual preference, prominent in forms of erotica. Men are aroused by being dominant and by submissive women and women are aroused by being submissive and by dominant men. In the bedroom...inequality beats equality.
Almost every quality of dominant males triggers arousal in the female brain; dominant accents, walks like a man, deep voices, height and displays of wealth. Romance heroes are almost always high status alpha males- billionaires, barons, surgeons and sherriffs. Avon books feature no heroes who are kindergarten teachers, accountants or plumbers. Even though there's been a trend away from the 'hunk' men of the eighties, women still want strong, dominant men.
Most men are aroused by being dominant from the porn of being drunk (men trick inebriated women into having sex) to other exploitative porn (women exchange sexual favors for school books, a ride or a rent-free apartment).
So what's a loving couple who are committed to equality, consensus and mutual compromise to do? Negotiating sexual politics has always been difficult, but the necessary victories of gender equality activism might make it even more challenging. We are all figuring out how to live in the first society in human history where women have such power, independence and clout.
Just as democracy has nil effect on our taste preferences for sugar and fat, democracy doesn't affect our basic sexual preferences for domination and submission.
Ogi Ogas, Ph.D.
Psychology Today
Our mammalian brains come wired with ancient sexual preference, prominent in forms of erotica. Men are aroused by being dominant and by submissive women and women are aroused by being submissive and by dominant men. In the bedroom...inequality beats equality.
Almost every quality of dominant males triggers arousal in the female brain; dominant accents, walks like a man, deep voices, height and displays of wealth. Romance heroes are almost always high status alpha males- billionaires, barons, surgeons and sherriffs. Avon books feature no heroes who are kindergarten teachers, accountants or plumbers. Even though there's been a trend away from the 'hunk' men of the eighties, women still want strong, dominant men.
Most men are aroused by being dominant from the porn of being drunk (men trick inebriated women into having sex) to other exploitative porn (women exchange sexual favors for school books, a ride or a rent-free apartment).
So what's a loving couple who are committed to equality, consensus and mutual compromise to do? Negotiating sexual politics has always been difficult, but the necessary victories of gender equality activism might make it even more challenging. We are all figuring out how to live in the first society in human history where women have such power, independence and clout.
Just as democracy has nil effect on our taste preferences for sugar and fat, democracy doesn't affect our basic sexual preferences for domination and submission.
Ogi Ogas, Ph.D.
Psychology Today
God forbade...must reading!
Spirituality
For many spiritual seekers, spirituality means, above all else, connection with a dimension of our lives we can not see or explain, the forces that create nature. It is the whole realm of experience beyond the personal, interpersonal and the material side of our lives. In this area language and concepts vary greatly. Yet, with all the diversity the 'spiritual' are united in honoring what is beyond direct human apprehension.
Each individual conceptualization of the spiritual is different. Most agree the definitive attempt at reducing the concept to words is inadequate.
A goal toward spirituality is anything that moves us toward connection, with each other, with the spiritual dimension of our lives. Spiritual practice helps us discover in our purest essence, we are all the same. We take on different external forms, but share human experience. Separation and difference is an illusion spiritual practice transcends.
If We're So In Love, Why Aren't We Happy
Susan Page
For many spiritual seekers, spirituality means, above all else, connection with a dimension of our lives we can not see or explain, the forces that create nature. It is the whole realm of experience beyond the personal, interpersonal and the material side of our lives. In this area language and concepts vary greatly. Yet, with all the diversity the 'spiritual' are united in honoring what is beyond direct human apprehension.
Each individual conceptualization of the spiritual is different. Most agree the definitive attempt at reducing the concept to words is inadequate.
A goal toward spirituality is anything that moves us toward connection, with each other, with the spiritual dimension of our lives. Spiritual practice helps us discover in our purest essence, we are all the same. We take on different external forms, but share human experience. Separation and difference is an illusion spiritual practice transcends.
If We're So In Love, Why Aren't We Happy
Susan Page
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