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Read Part
1 of this article.
In recent years non-PPIC, effective strategic or
therapeutic technological approaches have been developed.
These range from the British cognitive-behavioral
research based approaches that effectively limit
or remove psychotic symptoms to unusual technological
approaches.
These technological approaches include strategic
approaches grounded in Milton Erikson's covert hypnotic
procedures e.g., neurolinguistic programming, etc.;
approaches grounded in oriental acupuncture techniques
e.g., Tappas Accupressure Technique (TAT), Thought
Field Therapy (TFT) and Emotional Freedom Technique
(EFT); approaches grounded in Buddhist practice,
including herbal and Tibetan medical approaches
and other unique approaches, serendipitously discovered,
e.g., eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
(EMDR), etc.
When mentions of any of these approaches are made
on a so-called professional listserv or dialogue
session, they are immediately discredited as "scientism"
or without a base in research.
Yet, a psychologist from South America has accumulated
more than 25,000 subjects demonstrating success
of these and other non-traditional approaches. Those
who disparage these approaches as without foundation
in research, either out of ignorance or neglect,
fail to realize (as reported in The New York
Times a few years ago by a well known surgeon)
that nearly 85% of all commonly practiced medical
procedures have little, if any foundation in research.
These same critics continue to practice their brand
of "psychoanalysis" or other so-called
"talking" therapy that demonstrates minimal
change in their patients, aside from making the
patient's wallets thinner and the practitioners'
wallets thicker.
Another neglected approach that can effectively
characterologically restructure those with severe
disturbances is that developed in the 1930's by
Wilhelm Reich, M.D., a man who was far ahead of
his time. This approach was originally established
as 'character analysis', but evolved into the contemporary
approach called 'medical orgonomy,' subsuming character
analysis. This is practiced today by Reich's followers,
referred to as medical orgonomists.
Unfortunately though, after Reich's death in prison
in the 1950's, where he was held in contempt of
court from a PPIC sponsored court action, a period
of federally sponsored book burnings of his writings
in this and other countries and castigation by the
American Medical Association and Food and Drug Administration,
his followers departed from the original, flexible,
expansive and very creative approach. They were
led by an arch-conservative who lacked Reich's dynamic
and creative ability.
The field of orgonomy took a turn towards the conservative
philosophy in which the practitioners actually (and
preposterously) proclaimed, in essence, that a political
conservative approach is an expression of 'health,'
vs. the 'socially destructive pathology inherent
in liberalism.' This seemed to be akin to a reaction-formation
e.g., the psychoanalytic defense in which one's
inner feeling is expressed, in the environment,
in its opposite.
Reich, at one time in his development, thought
that the European socialist approaches, including
communism, might be a vehicle that could be used
to change society from a fascist, repressive, authoritarian
and pathological system (cf. our presently evolving
society) that promotes unhealthy character types
to a system that could restructure the human character
towards what he conceived of as the epitome of health.
At the time, Reich thought socialist approaches
were a more effective means of winning the battle
against the development of the neurotic character
or neurotic plague, as they, at first, seemed to
promote healthy functioning. However, he became
disillusioned with this movement when he saw them
developing the same authoritarian, repressive measures
used in fascism and more conservative capitalist
societies.
The healthy character, first identified by Reich,
exhibits all or most of the following characteristics
and abilities: flexibility in expanding (pleasure,
sustaining strongly charged positive contact with
others, generosity, etc.) and contracting (anxiety,
withdrawal from contact, penuriousness, etc.) of
one's energy in response to the environment; having
the ability to express and satisfy oneself in living;
being moral in their sexuality but not moralistic;
exhibiting flexibility in thinking; having the ability
to sustain a high degree of anxiety without breaking
down or breaking contact with the environment; being
relatively honest and direct; being able to freely
express all emotions; being relaxed and calm in
demeanor; having the ability to sustain an intensely
intimate relationship with another; having the ability
to give of oneself and ones feelings, as well as
material generosity when appropriate to the circumstance,
etc. These represent some hallmarks of this healthy
character type.
Given the above, it is reasonable to conclude that
many professionals who are rigidly aligned with
PPIC beliefs and opinions operate from a generally
otiose consciousness. Otiose in that they will repeatedly,
not only ignore, but castigate the minority of their
colleagues who heal major thought disturbance without
resort to chemical, electrical or long term institutional
means.
When seeking psychological growth and enhancement
in your life journey, be cautious when considering
the proclamations of the mainstream. Always keep
in mind that some of the most creative and innovative
beings, throughout history, were initially castigated
and discredited by those who adhere to the rigidity
of main stream thinking.
Consider why the so-called "mental health"
professions have advanced so little since the horse
and buggy days while other sciences like theoretical
physics are approaching an understanding of other
dimensional space and the origins of the universe.
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