Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1977
DHS Writings
“God Search” Classes
Below are outlines and some sharings from two “God Search” classes that were taught at Temple Beth El and facilitated by Michael Grossman and myself.
Johanna Comment:
Wow, these are beautiful prayers to prepare yourself and the students for this class. Sort of turning over the whole experience to God. Love it!
Young Adult Class Material
This class for young adults (Post Bat/Bar Mitzvah) is an opportunity to explore and share your evolving views of God in a safe, caring environment.
A letter was sent to the parents inviting them to explore and discuss several topics with their children that we plan to cover in the class
Class 1: Questions:
- When I say the word God, I mean…
- My early memories of God are…
- If I were to draw a picture of God, it would look like this…
- The time I felt (feel) closest to God…
- Questions I once had (or now have) about God are…
- Why are you taking this class?
- Homework: for next week: Click here for first class questions/responses and Homework
Class 2
- Examples of noticing God’s presence or even mention of God
- Connect nine dots
- Discussion of when something that seemed bad happened and it later turned to be a valuable of positive experience
- Examples you saw this week of people being compassionate, kind, helpful to others
- When things not going well, taking a pause. Try to see a different perspective.
- Homework: for next week: Click here for second class questions/responses and Homework
Class 3
- Where is God? still small voice?
- Perspectives;
- Different focusing exercises (Click here for Mind Experiences)
- Look for examples of compassion, caring you see
- Homework: for next week: Click here for third class questions/responses and Homework
Class 4
- Review different views of God-compassion, still small voice; each has to find own relationship with God
- Examples of compassion noticed this past week
- Basho poem: over darkened sea
- Examples of Prayers: over meal (pages 7-8)
- The Shema
- Homework: Click here for fourth class questions/responses and Homework
- Discuss good and “evil” impulses;
- Do one compassionate act
- Find one example where you change a lower impulse to a higher one
- Ask parents to say one blessing before meal
- Say the Shema
- Explore, draw what it means to be Jewish in a majority Christian country.
Class 5
- Review Homework; Re-look at God beliefs
- Questions for you and parents (when felt, feel closest to God)
- Shalom, hello, good bye, peace.
Adult Class Material
The effects of intensive meditation on sex role identification
by Shapiro, D. H., Shapiro, J., Walsh, R. N., Brown, D.
The effects of intensive meditation on sex role identification: Implications for a control model of psychological health. Psychological Reports, 1982, 51, 44-46.
Supplemental material to the above article.
Effects of Meditation – Editorial
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
Meditation, positive psychological health, and science: A reply to Switkes, Donaldson, and Fenwick. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1982, 139 (9), 1217.
Meditation and Contemplative Prayer Questionnaire
A Questionnaire I worked on with Noetic Sciences Institute, evolved from the Meditation Adherence, Expectation Questionnaire (and including a question (10) regarding one or many paths to the Universal).
Clinical Applications Of Meditation And Behavioral Self-Control
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
Clinical Applications Of Meditation And Behavioral Self-Control Strategies and Instructions in Meditation And Behavioral Self-Management.
Meditation Instructions
An overview research compilation of North American scientists interested in empirical work on meditation
by Hurley, T. and Shapiro, D.H.
An overview research compilation of North American scientists interested in empirical work on meditation. (l994) In Haruki, Y. Meditation Researchers Around the World: An International Overview. Masara Ibuka Foundation: Advanced Research Center for Human Sciences. Waseda University: Tokyo, Japan.
A Cross-Sectional Study Of The Effects Of Holotropic Breathwork: Quantitative And Qualitative Findings
by Kirsten Enriquez
This study investigates Holotropic Breathwork (breathwork), a therapy/spiritual practice originating within the framework of transpersonal psychology. There have been 25,000 participants of breathwork over the past decade (Taylor, 1994) and dramatic claims have been made for its unique effectiveness over other therapeutic approaches (Grof, 1988a); however, there have been no empirical studies of any kind on.breathwork to date. To investigate these claims, 27 individuals who had participated in breathwork were given questionnaires assessing their control profiles, the effects of breathwork, their evaluation of breathwork’s value, and the role of surrender /positive yielding. Although 85% rated the ‘breathwork highly or very highly, only 11% have replaced other therapies with breathwork. Further, 15% had adverse effects and 4% said that they would not continue the breathwork practice. The paper concludes with guidelines and suggestions for further research of experiential therapies and for matching therapeutic techniques with personal concerns.
The Content and Context of Meditation: Relationship to Physical and Mental Health
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
Meditation
Meditation is a safe and simple way to balance a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states. It is easily learned and has been used as an aid in treating stress and pain management. It has also been employed as part of an overall treatment for other conditions, including hypertension and heart disease.