Insight and Energy

Sometimes our own thoughts or feelings are tyrants. Read the full LinkedIn article, here: https://www.InsightAndEnergy.com/FF Do you ever have the experience in which you keep coming back to the same thoughts? Usually, those are negative thoughts about how you did something badly, or what someone else did wrong, or what may go wrong with your plans, or even worse, what will very likely go wrong with your dreams for the future.... And often, those thoughts are on an endless loop playing over and over without our even realizing it. ...... So, the question I am asking is: how can we find that true, enduring freedom from one's own tyrannical thoughts and sensations? The key I have found is entering deeper into one's true self... Read the full LinkedIn article, here: https://www.InsightAndEnergy.com/FF

January 15th: We had a very good meeting yesterday... all confidential, so no Zoom photos, but the main benefits were 1) people felt close to others and underst...ood that others are facing similar challenges and decisions as they are, and 2) useful conversation about health safety and how to get the COVID vaccine. We will do this again! ***************** If anyone wants to come to the Pandemic Support Group I will be running online today from 1pm to 2pm ET, you are welcome. Read more / sign up: https://www.InsightAndEnergy.com/PSG As a therapist, I will make sure this is enjoyable and meaningful. Listen, share (if you wish), hear solutions, and be part of a mini-community.

Come find out about a great organization, the Health & Business Alliance. You can sign up here: http://bit.ly/2LP4rPK I will be moderating a panel on the topic "The Human Connection in the Workplace and Everywhere Else", as part of the meeting. I promise a good experience, and connection with a warm community ready for shared business, learning, and mutual support opportunities!

Good, effective communication is a skill that is needed in every part of one's life! Improve relationships with significant others, family, friends, and those in the workplace. Find out more at this free, psychotherapist-led, live webinar, - , and become a stronger, clearer positive influence: https://www.InsightAndEnergy.com/HWC

Communication is so important. Do you want to improve relationships, with your child, parent, significant other, or those in your work life? Find out about Nonviolent Communication in a lively, enjoyable, free, and interactive webinar here: https://www.InsightAndEnergy.com/HWC Wherever you stand currently in relationships and friendships, you can improve your ability to fully express yourself while strengthening your connections, rather than pushing them away at moments of d...isagreement or intense emotion. And we can also always improve our listening, to understand others' true needs and requests of us. I am sure you will enjoy and learn from this engaging presentation and discussion.

Join a lively, informative conversation on how to make life more peaceful and richer. Good, effective communication is an art and a skill, that can be learned and practiced! Find out more at: https://www.insightandenergy.com/HWC.

This ebook, titled Escaping From Freedom, is an exploration of why the country has been heading in the direction of division and autocratic rule, and most importantly, how we can heal that. You can get the (free) ebook here: https://www.InsightAndEnergy.com/EFF One election does not change where we are in our society, and as a concerned citizen I wanted to understand better what are the root causes of the divisions and antagonisms, and how to heal them.... Along with other sources, this ebook builds on Erich Fromm's 1941 iconic classic "Escape From Freedom" as a primary source. I have updated and added observations, and the result is both readable and meaningful in its content. It is not about politics, but is about the psychology and sociology of the need for a perceived strong leader to provide a sense of security and belonging, at the expense of other values, and how through restoring of humane values through our actions, we can also start to repair the divisions. As a psychotherapist, I seek to share my understanding of these important issues, and to find ways for all of us to take action to heal these problems, to benefit all concerned.

In times of division and loss of understanding ("How can 'those people' believe in that?"), we need to look more closely, with an open mind. I have written a free 19-page ebook (you can get the ebook here: http://smpl.ro/EFFfb) which presents in a clear manner the driving forces behind the move to authoritarianism in this country and some other countries as well, past, present, and very likely and in various locations, in the future. The ebook builds on the insights of Erich ...Fromm's iconic book Escape From Freedom, in order to shed light and offer emotional connection. In this way, we can understand better and take effective action in society to promote healing and improvement in the real quality of life. As mentioned, you can get the free ebook here: http://smpl.ro/EFFfb

There is a book, later a movie, that gained some popularity. The name was and is, "Eat, Pray, Love". It occurred to me, since words and their sequence matter, that the sequence could be improved. I understand that building off the title of a light work of popular literature could be a shaky foundation, but here it goes anyway. My suggestion and recommendation would be: : this word is used in its broader sense, such as to meditate or pray to the universe, or to a God, with... deep sincerity, or possibly to commune with nature. In that way, "pray" could mean to center oneself, to experience the source of our own inspiration, to find the divine within. So, to pray or meditate is a good way to start any new plan, or activity, or each day, or each moment. : once we have centered ourselves, natural love can unfold from within. This love is the love of life, the feeling of oneness with and appreciation of self and of others. It does not seek to possess anything, but is kind and generous. It is forgiving, and sees the best in others. Our natural healthy state is "love", when the mind is not obstructed. In the history of psychoanalytic theory, Abraham Maslow said the primary human need is survival. Viktor Frankl, on the other hand, pointed to the search for meaning as the primary driver of human behavior. My experience tells me Viktor Frankl had it right. "Meaning" and "love", used in this way, are very close to each other, and are fundamental for our clear perception of and effective action in the world. : to "eat" is not just to eat food. It is is to partake of and participate in everyday life. It is to exercise, to do one's work for a living, it is to have relationships of all kinds. Or whichever of these we choose and whichever of these choose us. It is our engagement with the world, as it unfolds, and it is the intensity with which we engage in life. When we are centered in ourselves and connected to the bigger world with love, we can participate in all daily activities with both comfort and inspiration. Comfort then does not lead to laziness, and inspiration does not lead to burnout. The mind is soft and matches our daily activities. There is nothing "special", only a feeling of harmony and energy. So, I hope Elizabeth Gilbert does not mind my friendly alteration, and all I can say is that "Pray, Love, Eat" is the sequence that really makes sense for me. What sequence, or some other two or three words, makes sense for you?

Those who "know better" do so at the risk of BELIEVING that they know better, and for that reason risk feeling superior, also known as arrogant. Appreciating the universal struggle of every human being to find meaning and satisfaction in life, we can experience genuine compassion, and be helpful to others even if we disagree with their thoughts or actions.

Come share principles and experiences in good communication and community!

Find out how to cope if you are feeling isolated, or if you are feeling stressed, or with too many people and requirements in your daily life -- or all of these -- during this COVID-19 pandemic, and going forward when things return to what we call normal. Centering yourself in a peaceful and compassionate mind allows you the possibility of moving beyond the feelings of loneliness, stress, and loss that are common at this time. Being in the right mindset and using good communication skills is also key to continuing to grow as a person and connect with others during stressful times. Hear some ideas of how to do this.

We seem to be moving toward an upside-down world, expressed in politics but lived in many aspects of society. I am sad watching this happen. (read more below)

What is empathy? Empathy could be described as slowing down and listening with the heart, rather than offering analysis or strategies to help someone who is in pain or in joy. "Don't just do something; stand there!" ~ Martin Gabel, director, 1945... With empathy, we can exit the high-speed train of daily life and its stresses, and stand on the platform of our full selves. In that way, we can respond with presence, reflecting back our own deeply-felt response to that person's situation, whether good or bad, painful or joyful. Entering into empathy brings an enveloping sense of relief to all involved, as it allows our fundamental nature to be nourished, and softens the boundaries between individuals.

It was a pleasure and an honor to address the Health and Business Alliance on the topic of "Compassionate Communication: Enrich Your Relationships and Workplace", on Friday January 10th. Thanks to the organization for joining in discussion and making it a lively occasion.

If you have a connection to healthcare or serve the healthcare community, and are located in Queens or Long Island, this could be a good meeting. If interested, let me know.

INSIGHT AND ENERGY: A PATH TO EXPERIENCE A BETTER LIFE Life is often good, but do you sometimes feel there should be something more? Would you like to know why at times you feel exhausted, or stressed, or sad, or just lacking in determination? Or rotating among those various moods? This is an area for which people have sought answers since the beginning of time. And there are answers, for those who have been informed enough and determined enough to point themselves in a good ...Continue reading