#movement that was birthed during that period. It feels self obsessed to make it about how I feel about it

[sschmendrick]

Sometimes I truly feel really dumb seeing all the people here and on the internet on general make amazing analysis of characters, of events, of parallels in books, movies, songs and whatnot. I feel very poor mentally when all I can see is cool images, amazing stories, and the best songs I get to listen to. I feel like I'm missing on so much, and always beein fed the analysis by other people because I just cannot do it on my own can be very tiring and sink the self-esteem. Especially as someone who's gonna end up working with artists I feel so out of place, like I shouldn't be there talking to them since I do not have the right tool to understand them.

What I hate most of all is that even the stuff that I adore I cannot dig into in a proper way. It's all feelings and it's not good enough.

[roosterbruiser]

whenever you have the time, I’d love to hear more about Faye’s other pregnancies. I’m obsessed with Landslide. It’s a masterpiece!

sorry I let this sit in my drafts for so long!!! omg!!!

canonically, I'm making it so Faye really enjoys being pregnant (and good bc they have FIVE girls) because I've tortured her more than enough in the story :,)

here's a blurb I wrote about Olive:

And then, of course, there was Olive. And the house was never even close to quiet ever again. A crackling baby monitor, some battery-operated toy, hiccups, crying, giggling, abused piano keys crying unceremoniously, gleeful chattering, babbling, burping, tiny feet on the kitchen tile. Olive was always relentless--plagued with a never-ending case of hiccups, especially when she was upset--and walked through life with a certain boldness only her aunt had possessed. It took Olive a few moments to cry when she was born in that white-washed hospital room just before midnight--stubborn as she is, she only relented when her daddy touched her for the first time. She is the oldest daughter, the bravest, the boldest. Self-assured, secured in her place in this world. 

Faye's pregnancy with Joni is about as smooth as a pregnancy can get! chasing around a toddler keeps Faye on her toes, but Bradley always makes sure to spoil her rotten as soon as he gets home.

her biggest craving is giant salads. and we aren't talking flimsy little things, either. we're talking the words: cooked pasta, breadcrumbs, cabbage, butter lettuce, carrots, peppers, vinegar dressing, tomatoes, chicken, seeds, nuts, etc. Bradley would obviously start calling Faye "bunny" during this period bc of that!

after her less-than-steller experience birthing in a hospital, I think Faye would opt to give birth at home. she already knows that she can do it medication-free, but they go to lots of classes anyway! I imagine that Faye is only in labor for a few hours, just like she was with Olive. and then Joni Caroline is born late into the night on October 19th, 2023.

here's a blurb I wrote about it:

Then there was Joni--sweet Joni, endlessly quieter than Olive, but doted on relentlessly. Joni was always watching--those big, brown eyes lingering over still faces and laughing forms and moving screens and cloudy skies. But we--Bradley and I--we could always hear her. It was the humming. She hummed from--what feels like--birth. Always a low little vibration in her throat, her eyes far-away and glassy, her little lips a flat line. When Joni was born, when I pulled her from the warm water and onto my naked chest in the lowlight of the living room, she didn’t cry. Frantically, the midwives checked her airways while Bradley and I rubbed her back, cooing at her. Her airways were clear and she was breathing; she just didn’t have anything to say. 

similarly with Olive and Joni, the pregnancy is easy. she's a surprise baby, but it's a happy surprise! chasing after two toddlers does keep Faye on her toes, but they have family living close to them by the time she's pregnant with Finch!

they keep the gender a surprise, even though they both feel like it's a boy. they don't know why other than they just assume after two girls, they'd get a boy. they settle on the name Finch and don't really look for a girl name at all!

but as soon as Finch is born and is absolutely a girl, they decide that the name Finch is absolutely perfect anyway.

here's a blurb I wrote about it:

Finch came screaming into the world on the coldest day in February, roaring herself into this serious world with a very serious cry. As I laid on the bedroom floor, the plastic sheet beneath me crinkling with my every movement, she bawled and bawled and bawled. It wasn’t until I put her to my breast, only minutes after birth, that she relinquished all thoughts of upset. Finch has always been insistent--always attached to the boob when she was an infant, always begging for more of this, more of that. But as insistent as she has always been, she has been the kindest soul to ever touch this earth. She used to rush into the house in a frenzy, holding an ailing baby bunny, begging me to save it, mommy, save it! She was the resident bug collector, releasing spiders and centipedes outside safely. She would hold hands with anyone, would never leave without kissing us goodbye, and was never embarrassed to let her dad hold her on her shoulders at concerts--even when she was too big. 

Bradley and Faye have three sweet and perfect girls and decide what the Hell? why not have one more!

and then they get pregnant with twins. twin girls!

I feel like this is Faye's most complicated pregnancy. knowing that she is carrying twin girls is a genuine physical reminder of her own sister every single day. worrying about repeating the mistakes of her parents or repeating any part of her history is a major concern for her. Bradley's constantly rubbing knots out of her shoulders at the end of the day.

physically, she's dealing with more weight and less room in her womb, but she's been pregnant a few times by now and knows how it goes. pregnancy agrees with her, even if it's twins!

Bradley is more concerned about two newborns than anything else, especially since the other girls aren't very old yet!

but then they're born and they're the most perfect little souls to ever grace this earth. they complete the Ledger-Bradshaw family to a tee--complete with their big brown eyes and loud mouths.

here's a blurb I wrote about it:

Last came Opal and June. My last daughters stretched me to my breaking point, waiting until a cool June day to start my labor. It was my longest and most grueling one, which was unexpected. Twenty-three hours of me pacing around the house like a wild animal, heavy with two baby girls, twisting this way, stretching that way, standing up, kneeling, leaning, swaying. Little Opal was born first--and she was slow to emerge from me. Coming into my arms at four in the morning a tiny and pink thing, furrowing her brow at me as if I'd interrupted her quiet night. Shortly after Opal was June, who was sweeter and quieter. She was born with her eyes wide open and looking into mine--they were the eyes of my grandmother, deep blue and very intense. They have always been attached to me--attached to my hip. Despite being born in the same hour on the same day, Opal is louder than June. She is more than June in every way: more emotional, more angry, more happy, more hungry, more thirsty. Opal was my only daughter that cried when I left her at daycare for the first time. June held her hand quietly, diligently, but did not tear up. But when I returned only a few hours later, grocery bags in the backseat of the truck, June wrapped her arms around my leg and would not let me go. I sat in the car with them for a long time, the engine cut and the ice cream in the trunk melting, just petting their hair and explaining that I will always come back. Always. This is not to say that the twins love Bradley any less than they love me. And he loves them just as fiercely as he loves me, Olive, Joni, Finch. But they have always been my shadows. They were the last to stop breastfeeding, the last to stop sleeping in our bed, the last to take their training wheels of their bikes, the last to leave the house. And even now, when Opal needs comfort, she will openly weep and wail until we are cooing and patting her hair and kissing her cheeks. And even now, when June needs comfort, she will hold onto me and not let me go. They use their spare keys often.

[ghostlyferrettarot]

🖤🌗Lilith in the Signs🌓🖤

❗️All the observations in this post are based on personal experience and research, it's completely fine if it doesn't resonate with everyone❗️

✨️Paid Services ✨️ (Natal charts and tarot readings) Open.

🖤If you like my work you can support me through Ko-fi. Thank you!🖤

🌟Masterlist🌟

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Aries: the native may feel more of a desire to be independent, to stand up for things he believes in, to cherish individualism, to argue persuasively for his opinions, and to be more sensual and straightforward when in love. The issue is that this can make relationships a little more challenging, encouraging more rejection or the tendency to look for flaws in a spouse since it's hard to commit. Those who were born with this alignment in their birth chart might have gone through periods of rejection.If Lilith is in Aries, don't be scared to look ahead; what vibrates will remain, and if not, don't be afraid to let it go for good.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Taurus: Lilit in Taurus indicates a stronger sense of tenacity along with an increased attraction to all things sensual and lovely. Additionally, it may increase emotional activity to the point that you look for greater security in relationships. Furthermore, this comfort isn't necessarily purely emotional; you might want to look for individuals who are stable financially, for instance. This particular dependency on tangible, safe things might occasionally cause discomfort and disrupt your emotional balance. Lilith, who stands for feminine power, narrates how the family's ladies acquired strength and empowerment so Lilith is in Taurus could be a clan women who came to power by making excellent use of their resources and handling their finances and belongings with diligence.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Gemini: It can induce a greater search for independence and make the native particularly interested in intellectual or communicative areas, such as literature and public relations. This position can also suppress emotions a little or make the native more rational. With this placement it is important to understand that what kills or what hurts the native is not the physical offense, but the negative use of other people's words. With Lilith in Gemini this people may be afraid to connect with their environment for fear of rejection Or it could be the opposite, someone who is very good at social communication, who is friendly and fun and connects with everyone.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Cancer: Lilith in Cancer has a great capacity to intuit emotionally charged issues, perhaps about the past, childhood, lack of protection during childhood, or during a moment of great vulnerability. She encourages the native to reflect on the concepts of family. This movement also speaks of emotions that are gestated in the primordial energy of Creation. The desire to establish emotional ties is intense and these people may obsessively seek to start a family.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Leo: In general, it brings a greater desire to have fun, increases the desire to participate in parties and perhaps be the center of attention. It increases the chance of convincing and seducing people and slightly increases the chances of being a notable person. Self-knowledge is very important for you to find your true identity and eliminate any type of narcissism and overvaluation of your shape or physical beauty. When seeking recognition and attention, you must be careful not to do so in an exaggerated way. Lilith in Leo represents the energetic vibration of rebellion, uniqueness and creativity. This energy has the quality of helping those with this position.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Virgo: They have a character that is not afraid of loneliness, they are independent and do not sacrifice their autonomy for some company. They are very selective with their friends and partners and do not dedicate time to the bonds that do not find meaning in the shared moments. This positioning of Lilit can make objectivity in details a little difficult, influencing the native to criticize things or people at first glance. Her analytical and psychological abilities tend to increase and they may have very strong intuition. The problem is that they may not be exactly aware of these abilities or, out of modesty, may not admit them.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Libra: Lilith in Libra can intensify the thirst for justice, this position indicates a constant search for equality and beauty and at the same time a great need for symmetry in relationships. The challenge of this displacement is that natives often face scenarios where independence is threatened. with Lilith in Libra you may have difficulty establishing healthy boundaries in your social connections. This is because Lilith represents our darkest side.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Scorpio: Lilith in Scorpio can generate a tendency towards self-destruction or an overwhelming need to go against what is established. People born under this sign have an intense and magnetic energy that can attract others to them. In addition, they are very passionate and deep people, which allows them to connect with their darkest part and have the ability to face fears and internal traumas. In addition, it can speak of people with a strong and defiant character who do not follow conventional social norms. People with this position may be curious about issues associated with sexuality, power, and individual and social transformation.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Sagittarius: Here this native has the opportunity to unite intellect and spirituality, in addition, he suggests an influence that gives rise to a greater desire for knowledge and adventure. He usually contacts other people in search of more experience, always with good intentions. Also, he can talk about detached people, who feel that they cannot dedicate themselves to a single person, who need to adventure, travel and discover other cultures. This individuals must be careful from those who try to take advantage of their generosity as well as they must avoid nurturing vices.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Capricorn: It tends to slightly intensify the desire for status or to obtain a prominent position, it induces the native to be a little more indifferent or demanding with others, but sometimes it is important to make concessions. On the other hand, it can increase the sense of discipline and duty, basic things to achieve a prestigious position. It is important to keep in mind that those born with Lilith in this Earth sign can express themselves in a harsh way emotionally, and their own limitation makes it difficult to expression of others. They treat the people they love with somewhat authoritarian dynamics and expect them to respond in a certain way.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Aquarius: Lilith in Aquarius can intensify intuition, the desire for adventure, and a bolder attitude. She can stimulate independence or rebellion. Lilith in this Air sign, by not respecting what is established, they can adopt a permanent attitude of being contrary and testing everything around her. Their biggest urge is to cut ties and be totally autonomous, which can cause discomfort with others. These natives may feel that they do not match their family, they feel like the black sheep or the oddball of the clan. Then, they leave the blood network in search of a group to which they belong.

🐈‍⬛Lilith in Pisces: This positioning can cause the person to intensify themes, such as imagination, fantasy, artistic sense and inspiration. It may also stimulate a greater inclination to help people or an appreciation for social work. However, such influence can cause one to neglect oneself and fail to meet one's own needs. You must be careful not to get caught in illusions. Your spirituality or creative imagination can bear good material fruits, and it is necessary to deepen your knowledge and self-knowledge to unlock good ideas. You should always think about how to develop your spirituality and intuition to get a good idea of everything that happens around you.

[wizyk2]

Japanese Art

Hisashi Tenmyouya (Japanese, b.1966), is a Japanese artist famous for his fusion of Fine Art and street art.

He developed his Neo-Nihonga style (Neo-Japanese Painting) by combining Japanese painting methods and motifs with contemporary and traditional iconography- working predominantly in gold leaf and acrylic

Tenmoyouya’s work looks really original even though it it’s baes on a popular concept of working in gold leaf and acrylic. His golden background contrasts the painted machine as yellow/gold and purple as they are complementary colours, another thing that creates the contrast is that the gold looks rough and worn out while the purple is really smooth and lacks texture.

Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is an example of traditional ukiyo-e.

The word ukiyo-e originally reflected the Buddhist concept of life as a transitory illusion, involving a cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth as it’s a combination of uki for sadness and yo for life.

But ironically, during the early Edo period, another ideograph which meant "to float," similarly pronounced as uki, came into usage, and the term became associated with wafting on life's worldly pleasures.

I think the Great Wave looks amazing as there is a lot of detail in this artwork:  like the little waves, drops of water already falling etc. Most of Hokusai’s art work uses a lot of blue in it, he executes it wonderfully to create depth in the artwork.

Hiroshi Yoshida - Fuji from Kawaguchi Lake

Hiroshi Yoshida is known as one of the most important figures of the shin-hanga style (shin-hanga was an art movement in early 20th-century Japan), that revitalized traditional ukiyo-e art rooted in the Edo and Meiji periods (17th–19th century). He was trained in the Western oil painting tradition, which was adopted in Japan during the Meiji period.

Yoshida uses really thin lines to separate ares and the colours seem quite desaturated which makes them work together really well as the ground in the front would not fit if it was more saturated. The water looks absolutely beautiful, it reflects the weeds that grow by the water perfectly as they are distorted as water is not smooth but you can still tell what is being reflected. The water is also not flat in the background as some areas are highlighted while other are made darker.

Kawanabe Kyosai - Tiger

Kawanabe Kyosai was one of the most prominent Japanese artists of the Edo period. Although Kyosai is best-known as caricaturist, he created some of the most notable paintings in the Japanese history of art of the 19th Century. Tiger is one of these paintings where Kyosai used watercolor and ink to create this picture.

I love the ink as it adds so much texture to the fur, the water colour are bright and they contrast the black ink and the grey background really well. The only thing I don’t like about this is the eyes, they seem too small.

Yayoi Kusama 

She established a trademark out of repeating motifs and psychedelic colors that imply on the themes of feminism, obsession, sex, aggression, psychology and powerful self-reflection. Kusama represents an artistic legend that stands as a real leader in the both avant-garde and post avant-garde movements.

I do not see how it implies these themes, or how anyone can like it. In my opinion its just weird to look at and feels like a pain. The colours are simples well as the pattern, this blasts into my eyes and draws my attention but that’s it. 

sources:

 http://www.artnet.com/artists/hisashi-tenmyouya/biography

https://www.theartstory.org/movement/ukiyo-e-japanese-woodblock-prints/

https://www.widewalls.ch/japanese-painting/tiger/

https://www.widewalls.ch/artist/yayoi-kusama/

[ulrichfoester]

Rehab For Depression and Anxiety in a Private Inpatient Setting

Rehab For Depression and Anxiety in a Private Inpatient Setting

Rehab for Depression and Anxiety is an Option!

When depression and anxiety takes hold, no matter what the root cause, it can literally upend all aspects of a person’s life.  Sinking deeper into the gray fog each passing day, many will eventually reach out to a mental health provider who can offer some therapeutic and medical assistance.  However, as much as we all strive to keep it together, there may come a time when it becomes apparent that the depression and anxiety has become so severe that it can no longer be managed.  At this point you may wonder if you can you go to rehab for depression.

When major depression and anxiety become life threatening a higher level of care is indicated.  Admittance to an inpatient rehab for depression facility may be the best action to take in order to stabilize a crisis situation, or to just benefit from the expertise and oversight of 24-hour psychiatric care.  Going to rehab for depression anxiety may be a life saving step in the battle with severe symptoms.

Understanding When Going to Rehab for Depression and Anxiety is Warranted

Unfortunately, depression is a very complex mental health disorder that is difficult to treat effectively.  After trialing sometimes multiple antidepressants prescribed by well-intending doctors, it may be that the drugs simply do not improve your symptoms. In fact, the medications do not work in 30%-50% of patients being treated for depression with antidepressant drug therapy. If the symptoms actually worsen, even while on medication, you may consider if you can go to rehab for depression to receive more individualized support.

Knowing when you have reached that point is key to taking proactive steps to get the help you need.  Here are some signs that the depression is severe enough to warrant inpatient treatment:

Extreme Inertia.  Fatigue is a common symptom of depression, sapping your energy and making daily activities seem like an overwhelming feat.  But when extreme inertia settles in, just getting out of bed can become a challenge.  The ability to function at a job or academics is severely impaired.  Even taking the prescribed medications or getting to your therapy appointments is a daunting task, undermining your treatment plan.

Substance Abuse.  Individuals suffering from major depression often acquire a dual diagnosis in an effort to self-medicate by using drugs or alcohol.  Alcoholism, especially, is a common co-occurring condition with major depression.  Instead of helping with the symptoms of depression, abusing alcohol only exacerbates the depression because it is also a depressant, and alcohol dependency can result.

Adverse Impact on Relationships.  While in the grip of debilitating depression, personality changes can occur.  Frustration builds as the ability to function normally at home or at work steadily decreases.  These feelings of frustration and despair can result in irritability and anger, potentially harming important relationships at home or at work.  As people are pushed away, isolating behaviors set in, further disrupting relationships.

Thoughts of Suicide.  Obsessively thinking about death, or actually making unsuccessful attempts to commit suicide are the most obvious signs that 24-hour care is needed.  Suicidal ideation and acting on it constitutes an acute medical event where psychiatric inpatient treatment can stabilize the patient and provide a safe, supportive setting while being treated for the depression and anxiety.

Different Types of Depression Rehabs

When seeking out an inpatient depression and anxiety treatment center, it is important that the facility has been licensed or has obtained accreditation by the Joint Commission, which establishes a set standard of care.  There are various options for the type of depression rehabs, including:

Residential treatment. These are facilities that provide a comfortable environment for an extended stay, with daily psychiatric care and support groups.

Work-based or farm-based programs. These long-term care facilities incorporate life skills, occupational skills, and social skills with clinical care.

Group homes. A residence that is converted to a rehab for depression, providing a homey environment for a small number of residents who receive therapy, clinical care, and group support while also working at a part-time job off site.

Basic Information About Depression

Depression is the second most prevalent mental health disorder experienced by Americans, with over 17 million people, or 7% of U.S. adults, struggling with this complicated disorder. Depression rates are significantly higher among women, with it impacting 8.7% of women versus 5.3% of men. The age bracket that sees the highest rates of depression is that of young adults, with 13.1% of them affected by this serious disorder. Sadly, more than one-third of individuals who suffer from depression do not seek treatment for it.

Different Features of Depression

There are different types and manifestations of depression. Generally, depression is diagnosed based on differentiating features, resulting in the following different types of the mental health disorder:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): When someone feels sad most of the time for at least two weeks they may have MDD. The DSM-5 lists nine diagnostic criteria for MDD, including:

Feelings of persistent sadness or hopelessness

Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness

Loss of interest in usual activities

Experiencing fatigue and listlessness

Feeling sluggish, slowed cognitive thoughts and movements

Insomnia or hypersomnia

Weight loss or gain when not trying

Difficulty making decisions

Suicidal ideation

Dysthymia: When symptoms of chronic depression last for an extended period, such as more than two years, albeit at a lesser severity as with MDD, it is called persistent depressive disorder, or dysthymia. Symptoms include:

Change in sleep habits

Change in eating habits

Fatigue

Feelings of hopelessness

Low self-esteem

Trouble concentrating or making decisions

Premenopausal Dysphoric Depression (PMDD): PMDD is a more intensified version of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms include:

Severe fatigue

Mood swings

Highly emotional

Difficulty concentrating

Heart palpitations

Insomnia

Forgetfulness

PMS physical symptoms

Postpartum Depression: Some women (and men) may experience a bout with postpartum depression following the birth of a child. Symptoms include:

Feelings of sadness

Intense irritability

Insomnia

Mood swings

Loss of appetite

Thoughts of harming the baby

Thoughts of suicide

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): In some regions that lie further from the equator, a type of depressive disorder can occur due to a lack of sunlight during winter months. It is thought that the lack of sunlight results in vitamin D deficiency, which could be contributory to the disorder.

Bipolar Depression: Extreme mood swings are the primary characteristic of bipolar disorder. The low moods, or depressive episodes, can occur alternately with the manic episodes, and in some types of bipolar, the depressive episodes are dominant.

Substance Use Disorder-Related Depression: Depression can be a co-occurring disorder that accompanies a substance use disorder. The individual may become chemically dependent on alcohol or drugs, which can lead to serious negative consequences in life. The substances also impact brain chemistry, which can affect mood.

What Causes a Depressive Disorder?

Although research and advanced imaging continue to offer us clues into this complex mental health disorder,the root causes of depression are still not completely understood. It is believed that 5 factors may play a significant role in whether someone develop a depressive disorder. These include:

Brain chemistry. Ongoing research into the role of brain activity and chemical imbalances shows these to be factors in mood regulation.

Family history. People with a strong family history of depression are more prone to it themselves, demonstrating a genetic component to depression.

Personality. Our unique temperaments play a part in how we process and manage stressful life events.

Life events. Major stressful life events, such as trauma, physical or sexual abuse, unexpected loss of a loved one, divorce, or a serious financial setback can trigger a depressive disorder.

Health conditions. Some health conditions may trigger a depressive disorder, such as cancer, stroke, lupus, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or HIV. The drugs themselves, used to manage medical conditions, can also contribute the side effect of depressed mood.

What to Expect At A Depression Rehab

A rehab for inpatient depression treatment will provide the highest level of care for individuals struggling with this vexing mental health disorder. The exception to this being the hospital environment, which is best for those who are experiencing a mental health crisis, such as a suicide attempt, and require acute stabilization. The depression rehab setting provides an opportunity for individuals who have continued to decline regardless of outpatient interventions, and that need a more specialized approach.

After a thorough psychological evaluation is conducted, the clinical team will design a customized treatment plan for the individual. Each plan will conform to the specific needs of the patient, and take into consideration the unique features of their depression.

Treatment plans are integrated, meaning they will include various types of treatment modalities that will work in concert to achieve relief or improvement of symptoms. These interventions might include:

Psychotherapy. Depression has various potential causes, one of them being negative life events or trauma. In talk therapy, individuals can explore areas of suppressed emotional pain left by experiencing childhood trauma or abuse, a recent trauma, or loss of a loved one. Therapy can also help identify negative self-talk or thought distortions that keep one locked into persistent sadness, and then replace those with health thought patterns.

Group therapy. When gathering as a small group, individuals who share the common experience of having depression are able to chat about their personal experiences and establish trust bonds and peer support while in rehab for depression.

Family systems therapy. Family systems can pertain to the actual primary family relationships and interacting dynamic within the family unit, or any relationship that is primary in one’s life. This therapy helps identify dysfunction in relationship systems, and guides individuals towards more effective communication and conflict resolution techniques.

Medication. In most cases, patients with depression are likely to need antidepressant medication to help stabilize and manage symptoms. When first admitted to a rehab for depression, a careful assessment of the medications the patient is already taking will be conducted. This allows the psychiatric staff to make changes at the outset of treatment.

Experiential activities. Increasingly, adding experiential therapies to the treatment plan is being embraced in the mental health community. This is because these activities can amplify the therapeutic results of the evidence-based therapy. These might include journaling, art therapy, and equine therapy.

Adjunctive therapies. Likewise, depression treatment may include alternative therapies that augment or complement traditional interventions. These might include TMS therapy, biofeedback, or eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR).

Holistic elements. Activities that help reduce stress and promote relaxation are helpful in the treatment of depression, as depression often coexists with anxiety. Integrating holistic elements into the treatment plan can provide useful activities that the patient can take forward into their continuing care planning. These might include yoga, mindfulness meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy, deep-breathing techniques, regular exercise, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, and aromatherapy.

The depression rehab setting offers patients the potential to drill down and explore their emotional needs, focusing all energy and attention on achieving wellness. The usual distractions and triggers, and daily responsibilities, are temporarily removed, allowing one to really prioritize their mental wellness and learn new ways of managing distressing situations. Adding daily exercise and a healthy diet will only enhance the treatment effects of the residential depression rehab, recognizing the importance of the mind-body connection.

The Treatment Specialist Offers Treatment Resources for Residential Depression and Anxiety Rehab

When depression and anxiety has reached an urgent stage, you need support and guidance to make the next step to enter treatment. The Treatment Specialist provides a trusted online resource center for accessing important information about depressive disorders. Call now to connect with a high quality treatment program at 866-644-7911 and receive a free confidential assessment that will help answer the question, can you go to rehab for depression? The specialists will review your psychiatric and medical conditions to determine the level of care needed. There are options for private pay or depression rehab centers that take insurance.  To get started, call for a private assessment at (866) 644-7911.

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[katievbr]

Tali Lennox x Sendb00ks essay March 2020

ERICA JONG AND TALI LENNOX 

This month more than any other we can’t wait for you all to receive your packages in the pos. Packages in the post have quickly become the only way for us to access new books, with libraries, book shops and the bookshelves of our friends and families all closed to us. This unexpected solidarity has come as a shock to many, the expanse of time that has suddenly opened up is as tentatively inviting as it is scary. Naturally time spent alone is time spent looking inward, or finding ways to avoid doing so. But, as our author for this month's novel Erica Jong puts it, “birth is the start of loneliness and loneliness is the start of poetry.” Tali Lennox, the artist whose beautiful sketches are tucked away in your packages too is also no stranger to solitude: “I've basically spent the last six years in my studio....It’s vital for me to have the time to really explore the nuances of the interior self... I like talking to myself and dancing by myself.” Whether you are looking to use this time being still and reflective or active and creative, periods of isolation can be inspiring with the right outlook. The two artists we have sent this month offer a perfect springboard into rumination surrounding the feminine self, the expression of self and the way in which we can each turn our unique lived experiences into art that has the ability to transform the way we see and feel about ourselves. 

These two talented New Yorkers have a lot in common. They both have a staggering collection of beautiful work that explores themes of sex, death, love and loss and the many ways in which we as humans contort ourselves to deal with the presence of these themes in our lives. There is a defiant and non-conformist voice in Jong’s writing that is totally uninhibited as she narrates a woman struggling to define what she wants her life to look like. Jong's infamous exploration of her protagonist's sexualness, her failing marriage and her desires enraged and inspired warring audiences on its release in 1973 as she carved a new space for women to vocalise their trauma and their desires at the expense of the men desiring them. Isadora, the protagonist, lusts after something that neither she  nor the men in her life can currently satisfy and embarks on a journey into her authentic self. Her voice is louche and lustful, her tone dry and full of contradictions, cartwheeling over herself into the unknown: “Lovers were no pancea, sex was no final solution. If you made your life into one long disease then death was the only cure.” Critiqued as a “delicious, erotic novel” by John Updike himself, Jong takes a genre of writing that was at the time often discarded and elevates it with warped abandon. 

Tali’s paintings are an intriguing continuation of these themes, with a clear intention to “make cracks in the walls we put up when we play out our roles in the real world.” The perfect gloss of her paintings seem beautiful at a glance, and of course they are just that, but when we look again the characters and their surroundings are unsettling in their almost grotesque, carnivalesque strangeness. A sense of quiet decay permeates her work that is electrifying and the energy of her art feels extremely independent, with a sexual confidence that wields the power to both arouse and repulse. Both women share this power, and Tali makes light work of using it to “toy with the line between lies within our psyche, and what we want to show to others.” Although the women are separated by a generation or two Tali’s preoccupation with the past and her ethereal bohemianism connects the women in more than just their subject matters. Her creative vision seems to belie her years, an old soul with  fastidious attention to detail and an obsession with sentimentality and nostalgia that results in a body of work that is timeless in its offerings, a love song to the human condition in this century and the last.

During particularly challenging times such as these, engaging with art that embraces both the darkness and the light can be a tonic for the anxiousness and the unknown that invades our thoughts and feelings. Whilst both Tali and Erica are no strangers to love and loss, there is an unrelenting sense of self that emanates from their work. Tali begins all of her paintings with the eyes, as if they themselves will be translating unwritable secrets to the viewer by boldy holding their gaze: “For me, the strongest source of human connection lies within the meeting of the eyes.” The elevation of the body into a manifestation of various symbols and fantasies permeates the work of both artists. Jong’s preoccupation with describing the judgements and pressures heaped onto Isadoras body seeps into every page: “Excess flesh was connected with sex- that much i knew from fourteen years old...the war between the sexes began with the sinking of male teeth into a female apple... to eat was to seal ones doom.” The endless conversation around the liberation and the ownership of the female form is an inherently feminist issue, a movement that embraced Jong during its second wave and paved the way for modern artists like Tali to express difficult themes in their work. The harnessing of one's own creative voice, however,  is a universal pursuit, transcendent of social movements, that can aid us all in times of crisis. 

Both women have willed their own fantasies into life and compelled their images into being, transforming the darkest aspects of their lives into art. The act of isolation and learning how to sit with your own body and thoughts having played a key role in the process. Jong observes that “at times of stress-or ecstasy- we lose the boundaries of our bodies. We forget we own them.” So while a prolonged period of isolation and social turbulence may at first seem overwhelming, the potential for inspiration is boundless if we use the time to reflect on ourselves and remember that “the body is wiser than its inhabitants.” Identifying our own desires and creative spirit can teach us how to survive our own stories and thrive in the process: “[Learn] how to survive your own life. [Learn] how to endure your own existence. [Learn] how to mother yourself.” And we can’t think of two better women to start with.

[hasansonsuzceliktas]

Spiritual Emergencies

What to Do in a Spiritual Emergency? The growing popularity of the so-called “new age” movements has successfully simplified many esoteric teachings and introduced new people to them. Unfortunately, it has also led to a flawed belief that the discipline-based approaches of the “old-school” systems can be replaced by nothing more than a sentimental, intellectual attitude. Even now, it’s hard to find information about the spiritual crises and emergencies that any spiritual practitioner can encounter, although there are the theories of Stanislav Grof and various networks. Nevertheless, it’s still important to understand the importance of concepts like spiritual emergencies, especially in the current times, when notions such as “ascendance” can trigger mass hysteria. What is a Spiritual Emergency? A spiritual emergency is a sudden and drastic change in your spiritual state. It can manifest as traumatic or semi-traumatic revelations and serious imbalances in energy. Messages and visions can befall practitioners of any system (or even multiple systems). These are generally spiritual transitions and ordeals that are the sudden onset of a devastating perception and psychology, and they demand an urgent and direct response. They are born out of mistakes in practice, as well as forced situations. The initial stages of these spiritual ordeals, which will transform your life’s foundation, can progress to a spiritual emergency if the practitioner is unable to create a sufficiently explanatory and supportive framework. Creating such a framework is not so easy in many New Age systems. Spiritual emergencies don’t just develop from the initial phases of a transformative crisis—they can also emerge on their own . In such cases, what is the difference between a spiritual emergency and a spiritual ordeal? In simpler terms, what is the difference between a “Dark Night” and a forced, sudden Kundalini awakening? Every exploratory experience has the potential to radically transform you by devastating your routine flow of life. Every step on the spiritual path is prone to causing a serious transformation, and no transformation occurs without pain. So, the “natural crises” that can be triggered by spiritual practices, or which spiritual practices may lead the practitioner into, can herald the birth of a new paradigm. However, the integration this new knowledge and revelations is often preceded by a paralyzing experience. The human psyche is not a well-oiled machine, so any effort to integrate the experience will automatically encounter resistance. Sometimes elements of both resistance and acceptance can be observed simultaneously. If the novel experience cannot be integrated, the resistance will cause the creation of a negative paradigm. Such paradigms usually require a “myth” to function. Say you’d been through an infatuation that affected you deeply yet gave no result, such as forcing yourself to fixate on your career and worldly things for so many years. If you fail to integrate the lessons from this adventure into yourself and make room for emotional satisfaction in your life rather than speculating on mere results and arriving at irrational conclusions (e.g., love having no place in your life or not deserving love), you will return to a safe haven and even make it safer than before. These revelations cannot be repressed without “myths,” and cracks in your personal reality cannot be closed without these “myths.” On the other hand, while integrating the new knowledge, visions, and intuition, a sudden “feeling of loss” triggers sudden eruptions. Spiritual ordeals and transitions don’t necessarily need to be triggered by “spiritual” experiences. Circumstances can force you to change your priorities and goals in life, such as when you lose a loved one or even when you fall in love. These experiences can be as intense as a spiritual ordeal created through persistent practice. The flow already carries these life-changing gifts. Contrary to crises, spiritual emergencies are the direct results of unhealthy, erroneous practices that lack foundation, balance, and integration. They are built on an unbalanced spiritual foundation or conducted without discipline, such as: A contemplation-based forced Kundalini awakening, which is brought forth without proper grounding and balanced work Practices that are preformed to meet a thirst for power rather than a desire for balance, health, or harmony Practices motivated by self-repression and self-blame, which can trigger a severe spiritual crisis A crisis can erupt during a spiritual emergency in forms such as apathy, psychosis, panic, paranoia, depression, thought disorders, and so on. You can control the situation, however, by following some very simple procedures and creating some breathing space. Your greatest savior in these circumstances is your ability to look at your mystic, spiritual world, as well as viewing your gigantic, unbalanced waves of emotions from the outside. So, what should we look for when a spiritual emergency explodes in our life? You can follow these simple steps to understand the spiritual environment you are in and take the necessary measures to weather the crisis. Seek Professional Medical Help Whatever your faithful fortune-teller, your yoga teacher, or the quasi-Sufi master you had a drink with would say, accept that you are going through a spiritual emergency. The first thing you should do is put aside the mystical perspective and consult a medical professional. Even if the psychosis you’re experiencing will precede a spectacular revelation, it’s still ultimately a psychosis. If you stay home and skip work for ten days because your head is in the clouds, you are neglecting your routine and harming yourself. When you seek enlightenment whatever the price, forced spiritual emergencies (in contrast to spiritual ordeals) don’t often result in spectacular enlightenments. The medical profession may have a tendency to first seek solutions in chemical prescriptions, but this won’t change the fact that consulting a medical professional is a good idea. You have the right to avoid medical treatment if you want or have it adapted to your circumstances and conditions, but if you maintain a romantic perspective during a crisis, you may end up with unhealable wounds. Look at the Source of the Messages Most spiritual crises arise from confusing the oscillation of emotional states with “inner” guidance. At the extreme end of this phenomenon, serial killers and false messiahs act on the messages they receive to purge the earth from sinners. At the passive end of this spectrum, people start believing the stars determine everything in their lives. There are also those spiritualists who look at The Starry Night by Van Gogh’s and believe they’ve attained Buddha status. The “Eastern” wisdom is not bent on getting rid of the “mind.” In fact, reason is your greatest support in these circumstances, because healthy minds think alike. Behaviors or actions that can hurt you or others may harm the things you value. Your work and your life are not rational, so they cannot be a part of any genuine “path.” The emotions that arise in you, however powerful and compelling or imbued in energy they might seem, don’t have to be your guidance. There’s a very well-known rule for those who practice Western systems: On entering the body, the energy activates not just the “good” (i.e., virtuous and beneficial) regions of the body but all of them, especially if you work with a powerful yet “neutral” system. This boosts your obsessions, fears, and desires. Transcending these “negative” qualities (i.e., your wall of fear) is what is expected from you. If you keep them buried while chasing your own shadow in circles, you will constantly experience a modern-day neurosis instead of leading a spiritual life. On the other hand, if you listen too much to these energized regions, using them as guides rather than observing and comprehending them, you can’t expect balanced results either. Get Grounded Grounding is one of the best means to achieve mental safety, and this is unfortunately ignored by many who engage in energy work. Grounding, as well as establishing a solid balance and remaining aware of environmental influences, can be a lifesaver. This is especially true in Turkey, a land that flows with dark Scorpionic energy and where every experience is lived with intense emotions. In addition to walking barefoot in the garden or using “anchoring” meditations, eating red meat and engaging in sexual activity are fast ways to ground yourself. Maintain Balance While riding the waves of life, preserving a certain “vibration” to sustain your joy no matter what is a spectacular success. However, if you use defense mechanisms like repression, you are not being honest with yourself. The waves that you think you have transcended will return to you as tsunamis. Life is not a river that flows with a constant volume. Forcing a determination on yourself to remain positive no matter what and engage in a life practice that ignores the simplest of chores and essential pleasures may cause intensely negative crises. Remember those stressful situations and other experiences, because even periods of depression have their places in life. Don’t expect to live a continuously upbeat life. Laugh Listen to the laughing Buddha... Remember that existence is a big joke, including what you are going through at that moment. Sorrows eventually pass, but joy always remains. Read the full article

[kauveryhospitals]

Sleeplessness - Understanding Insomnia

Not getting enough sleep is an increasingly common problem across the globe. While people have differing sleep needs in regards to how much sleep is enough for them, in general the average adult needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. There are 2 stages or cycles of sleep:

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep makes up about 25% of the total sleep time and typically is broken up into 4 or 5 individual segments. During REM sleep the body is the most relaxed and dreaming takes place.

Non Rapid Eye Movement (Non REM) sleep makes up about 75% of the total sleep time and is normally without dreams occurring. This is when limb movement occurs during the sleep and also when sleep walking may take place.

During a normal sleep cycle, there will be movement between the 2 stages with the amount of REM sleep increasing as the night progresses.

The Need for Sleep

The importance of sleep is still a major research subject, but it has been established that sleep is:

When the body heals and restores itself.

When the production of important hormones increases.

Critical to the maintenance of proper brain functioning, memory and problem solving skills.

What reduces the risk of accidental injury caused by a lack of alertness.

Important to the overall health and wellbeing.

How Much Sleep?

   The typical human sleep requirements are:

Newborns - 18 hours in a 24 hour cycle

Ages 3 to 5 - 11 to 13 hours of sleep a night

Ages 6 to 11 - 9 to 13 hours of sleep a night

Pre-teenagers - 9 to 11 hours of sleep a night

Teenagers - 9 to 10 hours of sleep a night

Adults - 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night

The need for sleep is age related. That does not only mean that the number of hours of sleep reduces, it also means that the sleep is less deep. The body has a built in time keeper called the Circadian clock. This is due to the production of chemicals by the body that affects energy levels and sleepiness. Daylight also affects the body clock and a drop in daylight causes the increased production of a hormone called melatonin which helps in regulating the sleeping and waking cycle. Gender Research shows that around 25 to 40% of women across the world need more sleep than they get. It also shows that 15 to 30% of men suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep Disorders Sleeping disorders can take various forms which include:

Insomnia (sleeplessness)

Bruxism (teeth grinding while asleep)

Delayed Sleep Phase syndrome (as in the case of those who work the nigh shift or keep changing their sleep times)

Sleep Apnea (breathing stops momentarily while asleep)

Narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleep)

Parasomnias (sleep walking, night terrors, periodic limb movement disorders, acting out violent dreams, compulsion to move your legs)

Lack of Sleep - What Happens

Lack of sleep can result in a wide range of physical and mental problems. The most common of these are:

Altered body functioning

Paleness of the skin and dark circles under the eyes

Reduced memory, concentration

Increased reaction time

Headaches

Irritability

Blurred vision

Slurred speech

Digestive problems such as nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss or gain

Physiological changes leading to dizziness, fainting, tremors, increased blood pressure

Increased risk of cardiovascular conditions and type 2 diabetes

Psychiatric and neurological problems like depression, alcoholism, a feeling of detachment, hyperactivity, bi-polar disorder, types of psychosis like hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking

Physical Causes of Insomnia

There are a number of physical issues that can lead to insomnia. Among the most common are:

Consumption of caffeine which is found in tea, coffee, cocoa and aerated drinks

Consumption of alcohol which, while making a person sleepy initially, will have an adverse effect on sleep quality and duration

Consumption of sugar before sleeping may cause a drop in sugar levels at night, affecting sleep quality

Low magnesium levels can cause disturbed sleep. Magnesium rich foods include mustard, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, pulses, beans, bananas, avocados, garlic, prunes and dates. Adding these to your diet may help in dealing with sleeplessness

Hyperthyroidism- excess secretion of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands speeds up the vital functions of the body thereby creating restlessness

Menstruation, pregnancy and menopause which can result in low estrogen levels before menstruation cycle causing temporary sleeplessness; high levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may lead to longer REM sleep; a drop in estrogen levels during menopause may result in hot flushes and disturbed sleep

Restless leg syndrome which is when there is a feeling of burning, itching or tickling in the legs which is more pronounced at night

Neurological conditions like Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, traumatic brain injury

Other health issues

Psychological Causes of Insomnia A number of psychological causes can be associated with insomnia. These include:

Stress of various kinds. Short term stress caused by an upcoming event such as an examination; medium term due to something like bereavement, a birth in the family etc.; and sleep related stress where the sleeplessness starts a cycle in which the lack of sleep makes getting to sleep difficult

Depression

Anxiety

Dementia

Bipolar disorders

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Schizophrenia

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Lifestyle Causes of Insomnia

The lifestyle factors that affect sleep are large in number. The most common are:

An irregular sleep schedule.

Inadequate exercise or physical activity.

Excessive stimulation (both mental and physical) before sleeping.

Too much noise or light to allow for failing asleep.

Age related lifestyle changes.

Self-Diagnosis

If you are not certain about the quantity and quality of your sleep, maintaining a sleep dairy in the following format can help you to know how good your sleep pattern is and whether you should consult a sleep specialist.

Relaxation and Sleep

Relaxation is key to good sleep and can improve overall health and the feeling of well-being. All it usually takes is just 15 minutes a day devoted to relaxing and unwinding. Progressive deep muscle relaxation, massage, yoga, meditation and hypnotherapy are few of the relaxation techniques that can be practiced easily to prevent or to manage sleeplessness effectively.

http://www.kauveryhospital.com/newsletters/2018/may/sleeplessness-understanding-insomnia.html

[dara-savchenko]

What is happening or where are we heading

Fisrt of all, what i am about to write are my personal thoughts based on gathering the information from different sources and connecting A to B. You can agree or disagree nevertheless at least think about it.

People with their peculiar minds have always thought about the future, most of the time not in a very bright perspective. Take “Blade Runner” as an example. For a long time, those kind of ideas were only in books or movies and seemed to be unreal in that present. But what if the future is already here?

You have to be deaf not to hear about AI ( Artificial Intelligence ). For those who are in a tank here is a brief explanation. Basically, it is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning, and self-correction. In another words there is no specific program that operates the system, the machine is gathering the information from the surroundings, proceeds it and makes conclusions based on what it already knows. And what you would ask? But the comprehended Ai that has been shown to the public is Sophie and she or it got a citizenship in Saudi Arabia. Just youtube her interviews and you would be fascinated

Nowadays AI is capable of almost everything, they use them in all fields of work because it is much more efficient than even a very very smart human. There is even a machine that draws beautiful pictures. In a few years, AI could replace 95% of people who are working. Sounds astonishing and like a new era for humanity, however, the population of the earth grows in a geometric progression and all of them needs basic needs to be fulfilled. So what will all the people do when machines replace them? this is a tough question.

The first thing to do is to stop the population from growing that fast. And what we can witness right now? Huge gay movement, twisted “feminism” movement transgenders taking over. ALL of those things are not natural for people. Fully zombized people would say that they are fighting for their rights and blah blah but they just repeat what they’ve heard. Of course over the years gays were abused and women were suppressed, however, it’s not a question of a fight, it’s a question of the education of abusers and suppressors. I believe that we could solve the majority of problems by educating people right and living by simple laws that spiritual leaders gave us. Nothing happens by accident, especially this kind of major things. When i was in uni my professor ones told me: “when you see something happening, ask yourself a question who will benefit from it for everything happens for a reason”. Gays and women were around for as long as the Earth stands yet only now they started to “fight for their rights” so massively. I believe that all the tree movements are made to stop people from reproducing so fast. 

Starting with gays, pretty obvious that gay couple could not conceive a child, so they will have to either adopt already existing one or live without a child

Now feminism. The idea of feminism that we have now is super fucked up.  How does not shaving helps you to feel more like a woman? for me, real feminism is to acknowledge the difference between man and women and embrace it. Embrace being feminine. No matter how load feminists shout there is a difference between man and women and scientists can prove it. I don’t say that women’s goal should be to get married, sit at home and in a short period of time become husband’s maid. No, no. Women who work and do their thing are beautiful and let’s be honest no matter how strong and powerful a woman is, she wants to be weak with a man who will protect her and take care of her otherwise she won’t be very happy. The idea of 21st-century feminism is different from this and they are trying to pull the thought that women are the same as man by which twisting the roles and in the end nobody is happy. It must be very hard to build a family with feminist women, which affects the birth rate

And the last group is transgenders. I believe that the thought of a man being in a women’s body or vice versa comes from parents neglection on education, hormones problem and chemicals intake during pregnancy or breastfeeding or early ears of a child which affects the body. It is not natural. And if it happens we have to looл for a cause of it but not saying it’s ok, we will fuck up all your body and hormones.

So after you got these things done and the population is not growing as fast as it could had been. You have to deal with the ones who left. Let’s be honest nobody needs 7 billion people. Divide and conquer. We are being divided by many principles. Race, religion, culture ect. And instead of bringing the thought that diversity is beautiful they make people fight because of the differences. I won’t go far into that. If you are paying attention you know what i am talking about and if you are not you wouldn’t go up to this point in this post.

So hate to differences has been set. People are surrounded by violence, hate, rage, inhuman behaviour. You see it everywhere. People just need a little, small trigger to let it out and go fight the opponent. And the majority think that it’s a way to be, it’s part of who he is and part of being a human. Technically, yes because it is happening but it is not something that we can’t get rid off for our own good. Scientists discoveries say how much our emotions effects quality of our lives and well being, so why do we deliberately choose to harm ourselves? Emotions are choices, you are responsible for them and if you blame someone to “make you mad or furious” you are just a fool. They are warming you up for the big fight. If ( or when ) the war starts, people would be “motivated” to fight.

On the previous matter, have you noticed that each year there is a new mass disease coming out and at the same time the medical industry is one of the richest industry in the world, being close to gun trading and drug dealing. the 21-century royalty spoils the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. Do your research if you don’t want to take my word for it. I’m sure you never heard of Dr. Sebi who cures people from cancer, AIDS and many other diseases who, as the matter of fact, died in prison some time ago. Here is a link to an article about him worth checking out  ( https://wakeup-world.com/2015/08/28/dr-sebi-the-man-who-cures-aids-cancer-diabetes-and-more/ )

In fact, nobody will take care of you except you. And the masses are blind.

So you ask me how does AI connected to all what i wrote above? In the era of artificial intelligence, the ones who have all the power don’t need a huge population to serve them. And they try to find ways to reduce it. Nobody cares about you and me, we are just dust in a big game. Maybe you’ve heard about the threat of WW3 and 3rd World Order. Some call it a conspiracy, may be or may be not, however, using your rational thinking you could clearly see that there are way much people on Earth. Yes much not many, because for them we are nothing. When i was talking with people about WW3 my main argument against it was that nobody would benefit from it because they say it would be a nuclear war where is no winner. However, now i am not so sure about that.

See, when AI will be everywhere, it’s only a matter of time, huge pain in the ass would be for authorities to deal with people they don’t need anymore. almost everybody would be unemployed and striking. Why bother if you can just vanish 70% of the population with nuclear weapon. People are too obsessed with their instagram and kardashians to lift their heads up and look what is going on. Don’t be like them. if every soldier on a battlefield put down his gun there would be no war. 

Things are happening and we already entered the future and to be aware is the most important thing, awareness is your way out along with self-mastering.

thank you for reading

[artdjgblog]

Innerview (Luis Hernandez)

Innerview: Luis Hernandez / Design Student in California

Feb. 2017

Art: Diego Rivera / Pneumatic Drilling / 1931-1932

Note: Email Q&A

01) Mr. Gibson, I’m a fan. I follow your Instagram, I’ve checked out your website, and I love your posters. Mehallo mentioned you during a critique of my work two years ago, I was doing A Ralph Steadman homage at the time. Your band posters were especially inspiring during this period. Your lettering invoked the kinetic flow of Steadman’s and Ed Fella’s ink work. I'm a type nerd and I could look those pieces all day. There is a certain visual rhythm in some of your pieces. It’s as if you adhere to a certain culture of materials, reminiscent of the Russian Suprematism Movement. Your work seems to dwell in reflexivity. It’s very aware of its analog or digital nature. Your digital type is cropped tightly making every pixel visible. By doing this you give even cold digital type an analog warmth.

Luis, Thank you so much. And thank you for following along with my Instagram. I procured a device for that in mid-2015 after my flip phone broke in half. I was apprehensive as I'm not one to quickly upgrade technology. However, I soon found the smartphone to be an incredible creative tool and outlet, as well as a way to document my timeline more fluidly. Alhough I've carried a digital camera on me the last dozen years, the phone has become an even more valuable resource while on my daily path, in giving birth to new art, and in general goofing and exploring. I often share more photos than spoken words in a day. I guess every day can be an exhibition. I'm also utilizing Pinterest for this and/or a filing cabinet system for my body of work. As well as Tumblr. I don't have an actual website, but these platforms work fine for me.

We've never met in the flesh, but Steve Mehallo sought me out over a decade ago per my poster and design work. Multi-state distance plus my hermit sensibilities mixed with modern times makes for a good relationship these days. He's been a gracious supporter of my work over the years, and I can't thank him enough. In 2007 I shipped him a big box of materials for a last minute show. 

As for my DJG Design practice, I awoke in early 2011 with the urge to retire it after ten years. I wrote a long-winded essay about it at the time. The decision was a long gestation and I decided to put the punctuation on that part of my life while I was still feeling good about it. I'm proud of what was accomplished with my little footnote, but I had to move on and I'm better for it. I feel I hit the window at just the right time and then crawled out. In short, I found myself increasingly out of touch and disenfranchised with "design." I was also terrible at business and the stress of project deadlines and other hiccups on top of life stuff (day jobs, marriage, etc.) was starting to make a mess of wiring that was frayed to begin with. I found myself more excited and fueled by a personal path through my art. However, I decided to keep a particular alley open for when certain client projects fell in my lap in unison of voice and vision. 

Overall, I'm in a much more comfortable place and far healthier. Art has never paid the bills, but I feel better balanced following creative impulse and choosing to be picky. Ralph Steadman / Ed Fella / Russian Suprematism Movement: Ah yes, you can see their influence, among many others, in a lot of my poster work, respectively. Many people have been drawn to the typographic work of my former poster work. I love the visual play and rhythm of typography, something that works great in communicating with music. I simply worked fast (as I had to) and experimented often (as I could), with no rules. I guess I still do.

02) What drove your work toward this handmade and reflexive aesthetic? Was it born out of an organic process where you simplified your work or was it driven by a response to the marketplace?  

Born of farmers, hunters and butchers, my formative years are rooted in rural Missouri. So, that certainly made a mold. A big inspiration would have to be my Grandma Gibson who was quite resourceful and made a lot of things by hand. I understand from others that I have a prolific work ethic and nature, though I don't really see it this way. It's kind of tattooed on my bones. When you get to a certain place the plow pulls itself.

Still, as a child of the '80s and '90s, the influential, often slicker strings of pop-culture were not far removed. Like many, I have deep connections with the culture of my era, as well as a couple decades prior. (movies, music, comics, cards, sports, architecture, graffiti, etc.) We can't pick the placement and era we're born into, but I'm pleased with mine. I guess I found a happy medium with the way I made things in my youth, constantly inspired and burying myself in many areas, inside and out. I was on the computer cusp with one foot in the dirt. It's interesting when you start to stack and strip the blocks. I point to anything Jim Henson had his hands in as being the greatest consistent creative inspiration of my life.

All the while something in me felt a harsh scrape with the dichotomy of a rural lifestyle and there being something more for me in the world. I've always felt late-blooming, extremely reserved and an ill-fitting peg most anywhere. It was challenging, but by the late '90s I was ready to venture off and study graphic design, illustration and art at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State) in Springfield, MO. There, I had instructors with Easter European and Russian backgrounds. I soon became enthralled with how I could hands-on pour myself into a creative voice after a couple of frustrating years with the learning curve of a computer screen barrier. I was drawn to Polish poster design, in particular that of Henryk Tomaszewski. As well as great artists and designers that include Push Pin Studios, Saul Bass, Lester Beall, Stefan Sagmeister, 4AD, Ray Johnson, Saul Steinberg, Robert Rauschenberg and Art Chantry. I told excited computer-literate peers I was going the design route that didn't necessarily require computers and technology. They laughed at me. After four years I came to a place in my life where a decision needed to be made. I soon had a calling to Kansas City, MO, live with a band and be their art director while working as a janitor. With my head down, creative opportunities flooded in and the art became more outgoing than I was.

03) As both an artist and printmaker I understand that when you work handmade-you build your pieces. I am thoroughly impressed by how prolific you are. 

I dabble in a few things digitally, and have bridged the gap a bit with some of my Instacanvases. Though, overall everything is hands-on for me. Even during my design years I would make a lot of posters and logos entirely by hand. Then, if need-be, utilize the computer (I have a Mac old enough to drive.) for print production, application and/or any slight manipulation. My Photoshop software is probably as old as some college students. There were some concert poster runs done entirely by hand, including production via photocopy and spray paint. Being I don't sell or part with a lot of my art, I still have it all. (Some process photos over the years.) My archives are a mess.

Considering how long a day is and how much of it is spent scooped and scurried between a day job, other things and sleeping, I think I could always make more art. I also watch a lot of movies. Though, I see that as fuel and research. General day-to-day stuff can be nourishment to the creative process as well. I'm sure elements of obsessive-compulsive and social phobic leanings play a factor to my art piles. I know I feel best and like my true self when I'm in the act of creation. I never have felt lonely. I feel more connected and balanced. I do what I can and I'm generally always doing something. I try to carve out a routine that fits. I think that goes for anyone. I don't personally believe in creative blocks or waiting for inspiration to strike. I also don't fully subscribe to a particular method, mood or style. Though, it all likely falls under my little umbrella.

04) How long do spend on your pieces? Are your personal projects more time consuming than your commissions?

Personal projects are a large portion of my life and I work those in bursts of 1-to-2-to-3 hour blocks. Though, I rarely spend that much time on a single art piece and often create many things in a sitting. There are many times when I'm fully gassed and stuff will bang out rapidly. I've had the lights halfway switched off and a foot out the door when the best moments come. You should never ignore those and be open to creating things on the fly. There are particular personal projects that need more finesse time, these would be things like books. I told myself to finally put together a collection of my poetry with imagery in 2015. Off and on it took the bulk of the year and I actually ended up with five of them. In 2016 I released ten more books of various collections.

I don't really do art commissions and I'm not entirely sure I want to. I guess it would depend on what it is and what manner of traded waves there are with the flags of commerce. Anything not entirely made for me would come by way of a handful of design work for like-minded clients (usually friends) I've allowed myself to make something special with. These have included identities, videos and music packages. Naturally, more factors and responsibilities are at play, so these demand more time, energy, patience and incubation. The longest being an epic vinyl and CD package project that was in fruition for the last four years. It was a fascinating project to witness develop on both sides and we're very pleased with the results currently rolling off the press. Sometimes the old design demons can well up. Though, I come away from my limited project leash as a positive.

05) I imagine your studio is populated by stacks of cut outs from vintage magazines, spray paint chips, and bottles of Higgins ink.

I've always worked out of small back bedrooms and grungy basement quarters. Because of my pack rat and resourceful nature (diagnosed as hoarder to most) I have a making space with little space in which to make. I'm always banging elbows and allow only one of my four cats as she has the best manners. I relate the space to my womb or brain and I think it can be overwhelming and weird to most people. Let's just say I collect a lot of content. I dream of what I could do with a bigger space, but I make it all fit. I've always preferred to work where I live as I like to keep it close to me. If I had to travel to get to what some refer to as an "artist studio," I'd rarely go as I don't like leaving the house. Besides, it's not financially in my favor and it's not like I have my entire day to devote to art as I please. Aside from a few random canvas, etc. pieces, or items more sculptural, I primarily produce on sheets of paper I tape together (11"x 17," or various big art pads I find on sale). Even my works on paper can become three-dimensional. My philosophy over the years has been that I can always add or subtract a piece of paper. I'm a big fan of tape. I keep piles of work materials on my tabletop and/or tucked around my room in various boxes, containers and kitty litter buckets. Often the line is blurred between my collections and keepables, art materials and finished art. (Various studio shots over the years.)

06) Are your projects composed of individual comps that you add to and repurpose for client work or are they all made from scratch?

To add to the commission / client work question prior ... it wasn't that I was constantly at work for four years on that one particular music package. Rather, we (client and I) considered everything I made within the time frame as a potential component. I definitely had core ideas and art in focus for the project (the original cover art is roughly 4x4 feet), but we fleshed it out with some elements pulled from other pieces I had made. Usually I prefer to start from scratch, though it just depends on what it is and how it works out. I know I've adapted personal things well into music videos. I think because those involve more edits and revisions than most projects. I guess if someone gets a spark from something I've made personally to use on their thing elsewhere, I'm definitely open for exploration and hybrid. It can be fun to see where things end up. What I find most fascinating with long-haul work is the evolution that can take place. My engagement, emotion, mood, inclination and taste swings rapidly in a day's time, let alone in the span of a project's bookends.

07) Great art awakens your senses. When I was taking drawing classes at the Dolores Olmedo Art Center in Mexico City there was a large Diego Rivera piece called "Pneumatic Drill.” It’s this tall imposing line drawing done in charcoal. I remember walking up to it and pantomiming Diego’s strokes with my hand. It was an exercise in kinesthetic empathy. Some of your pieces trigger this reflex for me. I want to play with the paper used in your collages or re-arrange your spray paint chips like a tangram. A lot of your pieces invite the viewer to play with the materials that you use. In this way, you’ve engage the viewer's gaze and caused a sensory response beyond the visual.

I can see where Pneumatic Drill would make for a daily moving experience. I really like this idea of "kinesthetic" empathy, and you make my artist methods seem far more intelligent and profound than they are! I've come to realize I'm far more comfortable as a "doer," and/or I figure and follow along. I also require a need to work alone and don't like at all to be watched doing anything. I don't even like people watching me watch something. Anyway, I did a recent (what I call) "Quick Clicks" study via Instagram that was conjured out of nowhere. I took the same handful of found pieces and made 20 different things within a short window. I'd create, click and make anew, keeping it very fast, loose and under an hour. (Set One / Set Two) It would be great to give these same pieces to the next person and see what they come up with, and so on. Would we essentially get the same results? (Perhaps we can have Mehallo assign this in class.) Though, as I probably mentioned before there are particular moves we develop over time that can start to unearth and intersect with how we create. 

For good reason he's mentioned so much in art history, but this somehow reminds me of a fantastic film capturing Picasso drawing (The Mystery of Picasso, 1956). I saw it years ago, but it is lodged in me. I love the magic that appears to happen on screen. I've engaged and identified more and more with Picasso's entire body of work in recent years - - just an endless creative need and feed. You can really tell he's exploring and having a good time creating. The hands-on approach, energy and play is reciprocal. A friend and I use the silly term "whole pizza" a lot when describing lots of content or the notion of "going for it." I'm drawn to artists who give it all, and in multiple areas (artists, musicians, writers, directors, etc.). I also identify so much with folk artists (the likes of Henry Darger, Bill Traylor, Howard Finster). Such art feels like a lived-in engagement of call and response to life and experience, and I can dive in and move around. The same goes for anything (culture, etc.) that any viewer develops an unusual immediate attraction and kinship with. It's like their DNA is already included. It can help represent and better understand how we're all in this together.

08) Was this intentional? Do you find that this playful gaze just comes natural when using the materials that inspire you?

Anyone who does anything has a bit of calculated formula and routine to approach. Even when I try to push forward or not plan a premeditated means of production, manual instincts can easily repeat particular patterns, rhythms and visual cadence. I think everyone has a bag of tricks. I guess that's where anyone's voice and style comes in. I've never been good at math but can understand it in the way I experience the world and respond or regurgitate through my creativity. There's a particular geometry I've become very aware taking place and spatial relation along with my presence and behavior, a constant conversation, so to speak. And it's not just spelled in the practice of bone girth and chalk dust. Therefore, I really dig this word "reflexivity" you bring into discussion. You may have helped me tap further into something about myself. Further still, when others interact and respond to what I make of life here, then that's pretty interesting, to say the least. It goes way beyond me.

09) I’ll follow up with more questions later. I’d like to have a back and forth dialogue if that’s ok with you.

Sounds great. Thank you, Luis!

-djg

[chickenwingshotcheetos-blog]

Post 4 | Midterm Topics |

Neoclassical Art (Movement)

Emerging in the 1760′s, this movement took over during the Enlightenment period. Neoclassical art came about because people were nostalgic and almost obsessed about the Greeks and Romans (kind of how we are really into the 90s now). The people admired and respected Greek and Roman democratic government, style, methodology, and architecture. They were longing to ditch age old practices where religion themes took over every medium. Which is why Neoclassical art is one of my favorite movements. It happened during a time where people were really inspired to move forward as individuals and not be held down by a church or a monarchy.

When we look at Jacques Louis David’s painting of Napoleon at the Great St. Bernard, we see every recurring theme of Neoclassical Art. Napoleon’s face has this emotional control, even his own body posture can be seen to have control. Which contrast the scene behind him which appears to be in midst of a battle, not to mention his horse looks like it can take him down easily. Napoleon looks courageous, a theme in neoclassical art, as he points forwards. A big feature of this piece is the red cloth being worn by Napoleon, it is a very small but very important detail as to how much Neoclassical art took after Greek and Roman art and their fashion. The painting almost appears as a propaganda method used by the French to show the courage and how self-sacrifice is not frowned upon in the name of patriotism. What makes Neoclassical so great is its true simplicity, unlike its predecessor Rococo which only represented the wealthy and extravagance.

Surrealism (Movement) 

Surrealism, without a doubt, is meant to make you think and unlock your true imagination. For artist, this was a time for true self exploration. Personally, this was a beautiful movement that was a first glance at actual human thought. Long gone are the paintings depicting the rich folk, very fit men with little to wear, and stoic faces. Surrealism is all about the artist’s feelings and emotions. 

Surrealism is an escape from the real world when first experiences. Each painting had deep symbolism or were not necessarily comprehensible but it did not mean that it was not an amazing work of art.  Of course, Salvador Dali is a prime example of this movement but was not alone. 

Renaissance (Movement)

At the beginning of the 15th Century to the end of the 16th Century an art, literary, and architectural movement dominated Europe. Its birth would be in the Italian City of Florence, with the help of a powerful family, the Medici. The art of the Renaissance movement was of sorts, a rebirth of the classical cultures, Greek and Roman.

The Greeks inspired artists like Michelangelo to create the statue of David. With its accurate depiction of the human body, its excruciating attention to detail, and the mix of religious influences, the statue has become the icon of the movement. The Romans inspired the renaissance movement in architecture, with high columns, open court yards, and domes. Their paintings depict women with fair skin, very beautiful, and fragile while their men are carved to look strong and courageous. They have a certain style that can be easily identified as Renaissance art. 

[kim26chiu]

Silence and Suffering

Scene from Martin Scorcese’s “Silence”

Every last one of us is going to exit this world in a pine box. On the way out the door, we’re very likely to suffer debilitation and pain, often extreme and of long duration. Every single person we love and care about in this world will likewise die.

The existence of death and suffering in a religious context has been called the “Problem of Evil.”  From what I understand Buddhism teaches that suffering is ultimately an illusion. In Hinduism suffering is deserved because it is the paying off of a karmic debt from bad deeds in a previous life. In Christianity, the dilemma is that if God is all powerful and all good, why hasn’t he put an end to suffering?

But as Charles Taylor points out in A Secular Age, unbelieving modernity also faces the same problem:

When we break down the hunger for meaning into more concrete needs, one is for an answer to the problem of suffering and evil. I don’t mean a theodicy; by definition, unbelievers have no place for this. I mean how to live with it. We can be overwhelmed when we are made aware of all the suffering there is in the world; and more than this, the loss, dispersal, evil, blindness; or the distorted and thwarted and self-mutilating humanity; or the dullness, emptiness, flatness.

This is, as it were, a condition which arises even in the disenchanted world: we are unprotected; not now from demons and spirits, but from suffering and evil as we sense it raging in the world. There are unguarded moments when we can feel the immense weight of suffering, when we are dragged down by it, or pulled down into despair. Being in contact with war, or famine, or massacre, or pestilence, will press this in on us.

But beyond suffering there is evil; for instance, the infliction of suffering, the cruelty, fanaticism, joy, or laughter at the suffering of the victims. And then what is almost worse, the sinking into brutality, the insensible brute violence of the criminal. It’s almost like a nightmare.

Modernity has two strands of responses to this. The first is the response to evil and suffering generally, and usually takes the form of the quest to eliminate it. This can produce much good effect when those efforts recognize the inevitability of the human condition. Too often, however, it crosses over into a utopian seeking of the complete elimination of evil and suffering, and by doing so becomes that very evil itself. The 20th century record of movements like Communism attest to this, though this belief that we are on the side of righteousness and thus are justified in anything in our pursuit of what we believe of be justice is something to which we are all susceptible.

The second strand is the response to personal suffering. One approach is what I’ll label “mindset.” The idea is that we engage in a thought control process to attempt to reframe suffering into a positive context. We might, for example, think of all the people who have it worse than us so as to make our own suffering seem less. Or we try to recontextualize suffering as a growth experience – “no pain, no gain” or “that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” Pretty much every self-help or self-improvement book I’ve read involves some type of mindset advice. Another attempt to deal with suffering is medication, which can take various forms.  This often ends badly when not subject to rigorous external constraint.

We are in fact often able to use these techniques to successfully overcome personal suffering. The problem we face is that we can, and often do encounter suffering and events that overwhelm our coping mechanisms.

Consider the Biblical example of Job. We’re told Job was the most righteous man on planet Earth. When his children are killed and all of his property is destroyed, he engaged in a classic mindset type reframe, saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). Pretty impressive of Job. Then he get hit a second time, this time with painful boils that covered his body from head to toe. This is too much for Job. It overwhelms his ability to reframe the problem away and he goes on a rampage lasting an entire chapter, saying things like, “Let the day perish on which I was to be born…Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me and the breast give me suck?…Why is light given to him who suffers, and life to the bitter of soul who long for death but there is none?” (Job 3)

Everyone of us has a breaking point at which our resources for coping with suffering will fail. If it has not happened to you yet, rest assured, it very much could. Some people do survive extreme suffering like the Holocaust, post-nuclear Nagasaki, 9/11, or the horrors of war, but very often they are permanently damaged or scarred by the experience, not made stronger. Don’t believe you’re guaranteed to be different.

Being confronted with the limits of your own ability to cope with suffering is one of the themes of Shusako Endo’s novel Silence, which was just released in a film adaptation of the same name by Martin Scorcese.

Silence tells the story of two Portuguese Jesuit priests who travel to Japan during a time of persecution in search of their former mentor, who rumor has it apostatized from this faith (i.e, repudiated Christianity). They are fully trained in the Christian theology of persecution, martyrdom, etc., but find they are unprepared for the reality of what they experience.

Makoto Fujimura, an American-born, ethnically Japanese artist, wrote an excellent commentary on the book called Silence and Beauty that provides a lot of insight into not just the book and film, but also Japanese culture.  (He also put up a Silence and Beauty web site with more info on his commentary on Endo). Fujimura writes:

What Endo gets at, and repeatedly obsesses over in all of his writings, is the fate of those who are pushed beyond the normative categories of experience. Martin Scorsese’s script, very faithful to the book, reveals the deeper, artful way of pushing us out of normative categories of experience as well. Endo seems to argue that none of us are exempt from the possibility of complete failure if we face extraordinary torture and dehumanization. Scorsese translates this trauma to a hidden, and therefore more powerful, view of fear. Neither of them discounts the possibility that even in such circumstances one may rise above all the darkness and achieve heroic heights—or true martyrdom. But Endo’s focus is on the weak, those who cannot rise above their fears and whose circumstances expose their inner demise. Given the worst scenario, the most nightmare-filled turn of events, what virtue and faith remain?

Endo’s Silence thus explores the essence of the human condition, our weakness and incapacity in the face of the inevitability of the evil and suffering in this world. By exploring this through the lens of the extreme, it allows us to understand the more mundane as well. Not everyone fails only under torture, but often under much more ordinary events: sickness, job loss, divorce, loneliness. It may well be that we have the ability to develop additional capacity to overcome these kinds of experiences, but all of us at any moment are at risk of being hit by the right event that will overwhelm us.

Silence takes place around 1640. It’s a fictional story, but takes place in a genuine historical setting and is based on real historical figures. Japan had been globalizing and had opened its ports, particularly Nagasaki, to European traders. Christian missionaries came to the country and converted a large number of people, as many as 300,000.

After the Shimabara Rebellion in in 1637, Japan decided that Christianity and Europeans were a threat to their culture and society. Christianity was banned and Japanese converts forced to recant under threat of torture. As Fujimura puts it:

What ensued after Ieyasu’s edict to ban Christianity is one of the darkest periods in the history of the Japanese Christian church. The depth of cruelty, the “refined” design of torture techniques and the prolonged suffering of the faithful rival any time in history, including the early church. The depth of evil—what can only be described as a genius for innovative torture techniques that equaled or even surpassed any modern torture methods—led many Japanese Christians, even the greatest of priests, to recant their faith.

Beyond banning Christianity, European contact was greatly restricted for an extended period of time and the Japanese became a closed off society until the famous arrival of Commodore Perry’s black ships in 1853.

The novel is set after the persecutions have already largely succeeded. The foreign priests in Japan are either dead, or in the case of Father Ferreira, potentially recanted their faith. The ordinary Japanese Christians have been driven underground.

Jesuits priests Sebastian Rodrigues and Francisco Garrpe can’t believe that Ferreira, their mentor in the faith, could ever apostatize. They beg for permission go to Japan, finally finding a way in on a Chinese ship with a strange Japanese guide named Kichijiro, who may or may not be a Christian himself but who is an obviously wounded and haunted person.

Kichijiro takes them to a dirt poor village with underground Christians ecstatic to see the priests. They minister to the community and search after news of Ferreira, while being appalled by the conditions in which the Japanese villagers live.

I won’t go into many more details on the plot – no major spoilers. You can find the plot summary online for yourself, but ultimately the priests find themselves betrayed and Rodrigues comes into the power of Inoue, the magistrate known for his horrific tortures of Christians. Fearful yet confident in his ability to resist torture, Rodrigues comes face to face with a situation unlike anything he was remotely prepared to deal with.

Both Endo’s book and Scorcese’s film are excellent. If I have one criticism of Scorcese’s film, it’s that he plays up the arrogance of Rodrigues to a greater extent than the book. This turns the story into something of a morality play on pride rather than the human condition. That’s unfortunate, especially since Scorcese sees the supreme relevance of Silence in helping us confront the human condition in our own daily lives. As he recently told Film Comment:

You are put to the test: how much can you take before you crack? How could you judge another person for falling out of grace if, when you haven’t been put to the test? And even if you’ve been put to the test and make it, in a true Christian sense, the Kichijiros have to be accepted to – they have to be “forgiven” by the priests and the people around him. If you’ve ever had a family member or loved one who’s got an addiction of some kind…They clean up and they go back on. What do you do with them? They come back, they’ve cleaned up for a while. Next thing you know they rob the house. They’re back on the stuff. Bail ’em out, you get ’em out again, they bring friends over to rob the house. Then what do you do?

It reminds me of when I was about eight years old during the Cold War. The most frightening thing was the image of the POWs who had been brainwashed. Like, their souls were taken away. They came back and they were shunned by society. And was that the right thing to do to them? Where was the compassion? What about their suffering? This, for me, is something that is troubling, and I guess that’s why the material has always been so important to me.

Both Endo’s and Scorcese’s versions of Silence are fantastic meditations on the cold reality of the human condition that makes a mockery of our modern assumptions that we can live largely free of suffering and evil in this world. Highly recommended.

from Aaron M. Renn http://www.urbanophile.com/2017/01/21/silence-and-suffering/

[barb31clem]

Silence and Suffering

Scene from Martin Scorcese’s “Silence”

Every last one of us is going to exit this world in a pine box. On the way out the door, we’re very likely to suffer debilitation and pain, often extreme and of long duration. Every single person we love and care about in this world will likewise die.

The existence of death and suffering in a religious context has been called the “Problem of Evil.”  From what I understand Buddhism teaches that suffering is ultimately an illusion. In Hinduism suffering is deserved because it is the paying off of a karmic debt from bad deeds in a previous life. In Christianity, the dilemma is that if God is all powerful and all good, why hasn’t he put an end to suffering?

But as Charles Taylor points out in A Secular Age, unbelieving modernity also faces the same problem:

When we break down the hunger for meaning into more concrete needs, one is for an answer to the problem of suffering and evil. I don’t mean a theodicy; by definition, unbelievers have no place for this. I mean how to live with it. We can be overwhelmed when we are made aware of all the suffering there is in the world; and more than this, the loss, dispersal, evil, blindness; or the distorted and thwarted and self-mutilating humanity; or the dullness, emptiness, flatness.

This is, as it were, a condition which arises even in the disenchanted world: we are unprotected; not now from demons and spirits, but from suffering and evil as we sense it raging in the world. There are unguarded moments when we can feel the immense weight of suffering, when we are dragged down by it, or pulled down into despair. Being in contact with war, or famine, or massacre, or pestilence, will press this in on us.

But beyond suffering there is evil; for instance, the infliction of suffering, the cruelty, fanaticism, joy, or laughter at the suffering of the victims. And then what is almost worse, the sinking into brutality, the insensible brute violence of the criminal. It’s almost like a nightmare.

Modernity has two strands of responses to this. The first is the response to evil and suffering generally, and usually takes the form of the quest to eliminate it. This can produce much good effect when those efforts recognize the inevitability of the human condition. Too often, however, it crosses over into a utopian seeking of the complete elimination of evil and suffering, and by doing so becomes that very evil itself. The 20th century record of movements like Communism attest to this, though this belief that we are on the side of righteousness and thus are justified in anything in our pursuit of what we believe of be justice is something to which we are all susceptible.

The second strand is the response to personal suffering. One approach is what I’ll label “mindset.” The idea is that we engage in a thought control process to attempt to reframe suffering into a positive context. We might, for example, think of all the people who have it worse than us so as to make our own suffering seem less. Or we try to recontextualize suffering as a growth experience – “no pain, no gain” or “that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” Pretty much every self-help or self-improvement book I’ve read involves some type of mindset advice. Another attempt to deal with suffering is medication, which can take various forms.  This often ends badly when not subject to rigorous external constraint.

We are in fact often able to use these techniques to successfully overcome personal suffering. The problem we face is that we can, and often do encounter suffering and events that overwhelm our coping mechanisms.

Consider the Biblical example of Job. We’re told Job was the most righteous man on planet Earth. When his children are killed and all of his property is destroyed, he engaged in a classic mindset type reframe, saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). Pretty impressive of Job. Then he get hit a second time, this time with painful boils that covered his body from head to toe. This is too much for Job. It overwhelms his ability to reframe the problem away and he goes on a rampage lasting an entire chapter, saying things like, “Let the day perish on which I was to be born…Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me and the breast give me suck?…Why is light given to him who suffers, and life to the bitter of soul who long for death but there is none?” (Job 3)

Everyone of us has a breaking point at which our resources for coping with suffering will fail. If it has not happened to you yet, rest assured, it very much could. Some people do survive extreme suffering like the Holocaust, post-nuclear Nagasaki, 9/11, or the horrors of war, but very often they are permanently damaged or scarred by the experience, not made stronger. Don’t believe you’re guaranteed to be different.

Being confronted with the limits of your own ability to cope with suffering is one of the themes of Shusako Endo’s novel Silence, which was just released in a film adaptation of the same name by Martin Scorcese.

Silence tells the story of two Portuguese Jesuit priests who travel to Japan during a time of persecution in search of their former mentor, who rumor has it apostatized from this faith (i.e, repudiated Christianity). They are fully trained in the Christian theology of persecution, martyrdom, etc., but find they are unprepared for the reality of what they experience.

Makoto Fujimura, an American-born, ethnically Japanese artist, wrote an excellent commentary on the book called Silence and Beauty that provides a lot of insight into not just the book and film, but also Japanese culture.  (He also put up a Silence and Beauty web site with more info on his commentary on Endo). Fujimura writes:

What Endo gets at, and repeatedly obsesses over in all of his writings, is the fate of those who are pushed beyond the normative categories of experience. Martin Scorsese’s script, very faithful to the book, reveals the deeper, artful way of pushing us out of normative categories of experience as well. Endo seems to argue that none of us are exempt from the possibility of complete failure if we face extraordinary torture and dehumanization. Scorsese translates this trauma to a hidden, and therefore more powerful, view of fear. Neither of them discounts the possibility that even in such circumstances one may rise above all the darkness and achieve heroic heights—or true martyrdom. But Endo’s focus is on the weak, those who cannot rise above their fears and whose circumstances expose their inner demise. Given the worst scenario, the most nightmare-filled turn of events, what virtue and faith remain?

Endo’s Silence thus explores the essence of the human condition, our weakness and incapacity in the face of the inevitability of the evil and suffering in this world. By exploring this through the lens of the extreme, it allows us to understand the more mundane as well. Not everyone fails only under torture, but often under much more ordinary events: sickness, job loss, divorce, loneliness. It may well be that we have the ability to develop additional capacity to overcome these kinds of experiences, but all of us at any moment are at risk of being hit by the right event that will overwhelm us.

Silence takes place around 1640. It’s a fictional story, but takes place in a genuine historical setting and is based on real historical figures. Japan had been globalizing and had opened its ports, particularly Nagasaki, to European traders. Christian missionaries came to the country and converted a large number of people, as many as 300,000.

After the Shimabara Rebellion in in 1637, Japan decided that Christianity and Europeans were a threat to their culture and society. Christianity was banned and Japanese converts forced to recant under threat of torture. As Fujimura puts it:

What ensued after Ieyasu’s edict to ban Christianity is one of the darkest periods in the history of the Japanese Christian church. The depth of cruelty, the “refined” design of torture techniques and the prolonged suffering of the faithful rival any time in history, including the early church. The depth of evil—what can only be described as a genius for innovative torture techniques that equaled or even surpassed any modern torture methods—led many Japanese Christians, even the greatest of priests, to recant their faith.

Beyond banning Christianity, European contact was greatly restricted for an extended period of time and the Japanese became a closed off society until the famous arrival of Commodore Perry’s black ships in 1853.

The novel is set after the persecutions have already largely succeeded. The foreign priests in Japan are either dead, or in the case of Father Ferreira, potentially recanted their faith. The ordinary Japanese Christians have been driven underground.

Jesuits priests Sebastian Rodrigues and Francisco Garrpe can’t believe that Ferreira, their mentor in the faith, could ever apostatize. They beg for permission go to Japan, finally finding a way in on a Chinese ship with a strange Japanese guide named Kichijiro, who may or may not be a Christian himself but who is an obviously wounded and haunted person.

Kichijiro takes them to a dirt poor village with underground Christians ecstatic to see the priests. They minister to the community and search after news of Ferreira, while being appalled by the conditions in which the Japanese villagers live.

I won’t go into many more details on the plot – no major spoilers. You can find the plot summary online for yourself, but ultimately the priests find themselves betrayed and Rodrigues comes into the power of Inoue, the magistrate known for his horrific tortures of Christians. Fearful yet confident in his ability to resist torture, Rodrigues comes face to face with a situation unlike anything he was remotely prepared to deal with.

Both Endo’s book and Scorcese’s film are excellent. If I have one criticism of Scorcese’s film, it’s that he plays up the arrogance of Rodrigues to a greater extent than the book. This turns the story into something of a morality play on pride rather than the human condition. That’s unfortunate, especially since Scorcese sees the supreme relevance of Silence in helping us confront the human condition in our own daily lives. As he recently told Film Comment:

You are put to the test: how much can you take before you crack? How could you judge another person for falling out of grace if, when you haven’t been put to the test? And even if you’ve been put to the test and make it, in a true Christian sense, the Kichijiros have to be accepted to – they have to be “forgiven” by the priests and the people around him. If you’ve ever had a family member or loved one who’s got an addiction of some kind…They clean up and they go back on. What do you do with them? They come back, they’ve cleaned up for a while. Next thing you know they rob the house. They’re back on the stuff. Bail ’em out, you get ’em out again, they bring friends over to rob the house. Then what do you do?

It reminds me of when I was about eight years old during the Cold War. The most frightening thing was the image of the POWs who had been brainwashed. Like, their souls were taken away. They came back and they were shunned by society. And was that the right thing to do to them? Where was the compassion? What about their suffering? This, for me, is something that is troubling, and I guess that’s why the material has always been so important to me.

Both Endo’s and Scorcese’s versions of Silence are fantastic meditations on the cold reality of the human condition that makes a mockery of our modern assumptions that we can live largely free of suffering and evil in this world. Highly recommended.

from Aaron M. Renn http://www.urbanophile.com/2017/01/21/silence-and-suffering/