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JimR-OCDS
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Jim
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Robert_Sock
Guest
Skip the psychological help and get psychiatric help along with spiritual help. Quieting the mind through Centering Prayer can be quite beneficial.
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fin
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This article has good points. I find that some people take too long in Confession; they’re treating the priest like a therapist.
That said, things overlap. A psychological problem can also be helped with spiritual aids, and vice versa. I think that even when we’re physically not okay, it has an effect on other aspects of ourselves, whether we like it or not.
That said, things overlap. A psychological problem can also be helped with spiritual aids, and vice versa. I think that even when we’re physically not okay, it has an effect on other aspects of ourselves, whether we like it or not.
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GEddie
Guest
Although the mind per se is not the soul, they are inseparable. Even the word “psychology” – soul study – reflects this.
ICXC NIKA
ICXC NIKA
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SeekerofTruth27
Guest
I suppose that depends on what you mean by centering prayer. There are actually a couple of articles that Catholic Answers has explaining why centering prayer is not authentic Christian prayer and how it can be dangerous.
God bless!
The Danger of Centering Prayer
catholic.com/magazine/articles/the-danger-of-centering-prayer
Off Center
catholic.com/magazine/articles/off-center
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liturgy96
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With all due respect, mental disorders are dealt with on a case-to-case basis. I know someone who did not need psychiatric help but benefited much from psychological help. She never took medications but talk therapy worked so well for her
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Rosebud77
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Thank you… my thoughts exactly… surely forbidden here?
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Rosebud77
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I was thinking of all this last night after reading the thread on ouija boards,
There is also the danger of misinterpreting physical and mental problems as spiritual/demonic,
As I have related before , I was, aged 27, wrongly diagnosed as being mentally and that abuse went on for three decades until the reality emerged of a major systemic illness, Each dr simply went by what the previous one had said.
As I was always of deep faith, I was well known at church and during those years I lost count to the number of “healing ministries” I was subjected to.and that included issues re ?possession??
A total lack of any real discernment,
And always the blame; that I was not being healed as i did not have enough faith.
These things need care; added to the abuse and rejection I have suffered in just about every branch of the Christian church ? My faith thankfully is in Jesus.
Needs great care and humility on the part of every doctor, priest, healer,exorcist etc.
And above all that each believe and listen intently to what the person is saying.
If you push someone who is either physically or mentally ill beyond their limits as you have mistaken their state, then of course they break.
They told me that I was agoraphobic and that I must “face the things that made me afraid” and I did and broke down often as I was simply very ill…
Now I smile as I enjoy shopping as I have rested and prepared for it. Still very ill but know this disease and the word NO is the right one.
Sometimes I meet someone who is clearly ill, and they are setting their every sight on the visit of a “faith healer” and refusing any other medical advice.
There is also the danger of misinterpreting physical and mental problems as spiritual/demonic,
As I have related before , I was, aged 27, wrongly diagnosed as being mentally and that abuse went on for three decades until the reality emerged of a major systemic illness, Each dr simply went by what the previous one had said.
As I was always of deep faith, I was well known at church and during those years I lost count to the number of “healing ministries” I was subjected to.and that included issues re ?possession??
A total lack of any real discernment,
And always the blame; that I was not being healed as i did not have enough faith.
These things need care; added to the abuse and rejection I have suffered in just about every branch of the Christian church ? My faith thankfully is in Jesus.
Needs great care and humility on the part of every doctor, priest, healer,exorcist etc.
And above all that each believe and listen intently to what the person is saying.
If you push someone who is either physically or mentally ill beyond their limits as you have mistaken their state, then of course they break.
They told me that I was agoraphobic and that I must “face the things that made me afraid” and I did and broke down often as I was simply very ill…
Now I smile as I enjoy shopping as I have rested and prepared for it. Still very ill but know this disease and the word NO is the right one.
Sometimes I meet someone who is clearly ill, and they are setting their every sight on the visit of a “faith healer” and refusing any other medical advice.
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Vic_Taltrees_UK
Guest
Institutions define people as problems rather than as gifts.
When people highlighted what I was giving to them, rather than what I was (allegedly) taking away from them, I thrived, even if I was still fainting or whatever.
When people highlighted what I was giving to them, rather than what I was (allegedly) taking away from them, I thrived, even if I was still fainting or whatever.
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Lost_Sheep
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Myself having way too much personal experience with depression mixed in with struggling to maintain some semblance of a faith in God, I’ll offer my Two Cents.
What we commonly call “Mental Illness” is actually a physical illness. Years ago when people were afraid to utter the words “mental illness” because of the stigma attached to it, they would sometimes politely substitute the term “chemical imbalance.” But actually, “chemical imbalance” isn’t too far off the mark.
Many years ago, medical science believed that the brain functioned on a non-stop series of electrical impulses. This is why electro-convulsive or “shock” therapy was used as a treatment to “reset” or “reboot” the brain’s supposed electrical system.
Today we know that the brain does not run on electricity so much as it runs on an ongoing process of chemical reactions. One of the key components in this process is a chemical called Serotonin. Serotonin is kind of like Cholesterol in the sense that your body needs it and your body manufactures it. But too much cholesterol can be a bad thing and could lead to ailments such as heart disease. Your brain need Serotonin to function and your brain manufactures Serotonin. But unlike cholesterol, too *little *Serotonin can cause depression.
So medicines called Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed to prevent your brain from consuming Serotonin too fast so as to maintain proper levels thereby warding off Depression.
(Now that’s it in a nutshell. Disclaimer: It is not my intent to give medical advice. Please see a doctor for more specific information. Mods: This is for information purposes only!)
So as has been previously suggested, one should see a psychiatrist as well as a therapist. A psychiatrist is a MD who can prescribe medications; a therapist cannot. And there is no rule that says your psychiatrist and your therapist cannot consult with each other provided you sign the proper release forms to allow them to share your information.
And if you are feeling suicidal, tell a friend or call 911.
Keep in mind that this medical treatment is vital to your well-being, but you should not give up on the spiritual aspect as well.
My :twocents:
What we commonly call “Mental Illness” is actually a physical illness. Years ago when people were afraid to utter the words “mental illness” because of the stigma attached to it, they would sometimes politely substitute the term “chemical imbalance.” But actually, “chemical imbalance” isn’t too far off the mark.
Many years ago, medical science believed that the brain functioned on a non-stop series of electrical impulses. This is why electro-convulsive or “shock” therapy was used as a treatment to “reset” or “reboot” the brain’s supposed electrical system.
Today we know that the brain does not run on electricity so much as it runs on an ongoing process of chemical reactions. One of the key components in this process is a chemical called Serotonin. Serotonin is kind of like Cholesterol in the sense that your body needs it and your body manufactures it. But too much cholesterol can be a bad thing and could lead to ailments such as heart disease. Your brain need Serotonin to function and your brain manufactures Serotonin. But unlike cholesterol, too *little *Serotonin can cause depression.
So medicines called Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed to prevent your brain from consuming Serotonin too fast so as to maintain proper levels thereby warding off Depression.
(Now that’s it in a nutshell. Disclaimer: It is not my intent to give medical advice. Please see a doctor for more specific information. Mods: This is for information purposes only!)
So as has been previously suggested, one should see a psychiatrist as well as a therapist. A psychiatrist is a MD who can prescribe medications; a therapist cannot. And there is no rule that says your psychiatrist and your therapist cannot consult with each other provided you sign the proper release forms to allow them to share your information.
And if you are feeling suicidal, tell a friend or call 911.
Keep in mind that this medical treatment is vital to your well-being, but you should not give up on the spiritual aspect as well.
My :twocents:
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Rosebud77
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Actually the idea of a chemical imbalance was disputed and proved erroneous some years ago, No time just now to find that online but I am sure you can? Again for info only.
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Robert_Sock
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Whatever the process explained in The Cloud of Unknowing, which I believe is one and the same as centering prayer.
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Robert_Sock
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Yes, in some cases like in bereavement or in an eating disorder, a psychologist specializing in a particular area may be beneficial, but I feel that nothing heals most “psychological” disorders better than spiritual and psychiatric intervention.With all due respect, mental disorders are dealt with on a case-to-case basis. I know someone who did not need psychiatric help but benefited much from psychological help. She never took medications but talk therapy worked so well for her
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Lost_Sheep
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I’m using analogies here to try and provide a simplified explanation to a complicated problem. That’s why I said talk to a doctor.
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Robert_Sock
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I should also mention that I personally believe that some sort of centering prayer is a prerequisite for all contemplative prayer. Moreover, I would define centering prayer as a total quieting of the mind while keeping the mind active and very attentive, although I sometimes drift off into a twilight sleep where I believe God can still speak to me. I believe that centering prayer is necessary if we are to love God with all our mind and with all our strength.
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JimR-OCDS
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Centering Prayer is a banned topic at CAF, otherwise, I’d share my experience and knowledge with it, to refute the critics in the articles.
Jim
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GEddie
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I’m not quieting my mind. Death will do that to me against my will.
It also STM that WRT to a mind, quiet and active are opposites.
ICXC NIKA
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Robert_Sock
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Alert, attentive, quiet, and actively listening for the “voice” of God.
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GEddie
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Elena321
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I have witnessed this in the country where I live too.
Usually though,here it has been Evangelical types doing this with 'healing nights" and blaming those unhealed as lacking in faith.
To be honest though,I have seen this with some Catholics too.Ie:a Catholic priest will sometimes perform an exorcism on someone after they have been to a couple of doctors (without help) and the priest will be comfortable that it is demonic simply because doctor “A & B” didn’t find the cause.
Then if the persons make vocalisations etc during the Exorcism the priest/s become 100% convinced it is demonic but in my view the persons could just have Autism or something & be confused,scared or overwhelmed by the process.
I do think real demonic possession can be real but is very rare.
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