DISCUSSION      I am currently working on a book, and would like to offer you the opportunity to join in discussion of the book topics as I am writing. A topic will be posted each week and you can email your comments to me. I will be happy if you would share your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences on the topic posted. Some of your comments will be displayed on the RADIANT WAY Bulletin Board for all of you to enjoy. And some sections of the book as I am writing it, will be posted also. I hope you will enjoy those too!  

PSYCHOLOGICAL GROWTH      Psychological growth and development includes extrication from disorders and addictions such as compulsive behaviors, generalized anxiety, or depression, an effort towards establishing a strong and stable identity, and the development of self-esteem through self understanding and accomplishment. It includes the ability to control and direct cognitions, to manage emotions, and to change undesirable behavior. It includes developing skills, succeeding in work and social relationships, and maintaining primary relationships. In short psychological development means establishing a generally healthy and functioning life and manifesting our "true self".  

SPIRITUAL GROWTH      Spiritually, in Buddhist terminology, it is necessarily an effort to attain for oneself an experience of enlightenment - to realize one's "true nature". And it is necessarily an effort that is a determined, disciplined, and diligent effort -- one that also requires an integration of such experiences into daily life and circumstances. It includes an unending persevering effort to change conditioning, to develop character, to develop the highest qualities. It is an effort to surpass the self in the service of others.  

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY      On such an extensive psychological and spiritual journey, there are inevitably hindrances and setbacks, discouragement, and failures. There is inevitably a powerful resistance to responsibility and to a commitment to taking the real action of psychological growth and spiritual formation. It may be helpful to find a therapist and/or a teacher. Such a journey may require periods of solitude or study of others' experiences and writings. The spiritual pilgrimage requires a commitment to an individual, personal, spiritual practice. In Buddhist tradition, the method of realization and liberation is the method of meditation. It is essential to be trained in a form of meditation practice and to make that practice a regular part of one's spiritual life. These are the conditions of the journey that we will explore. These are the mountains and rivers, the meadows and streams of the spiritual path.  

GUIDANCE      What is the ultimate purpose of our spiritual journey? How does this relate to empathy? To caring? How do our spiritual efforts relate to the environment? How can our individual psychological and spiritual development contribute towards changes in societal values? What is spiritual/ecopsychology? How do I make a commitment? How do I begin? The discussion of these questions will provide the guidance you need to enter and maintain your own psycho/spiritual journey.  

SHARING      You are welcome to send your thoughts, feelings, and experiences regarding the following topic.  This topic will change every 2-3 weeks.  

If you decide to share on this topic, by sending an email you are agreeing that I may use your comments in the content of the book. A fictitious first name will be used, but the content of your email may be quoted. If this is not agreeable, and you wish to send an email, please state at the beginning of the email that you do not give permission for quoting you.

"The limits of psychological growth work and the historical separation of psychological and spiritual growth." 

topic@heartmind.com