Art and the Brain - notes from Dr Fornazzari's lecture

During April I went to an amazing conference at Deerhurst in Muskoka. I love conferences and especially when it is mixed with pleasure. It becomes a mini vacation. The world of psychotherapy can be quite isolated and so I am in my glory when I get to see colleagues I have known since my own formation and get to meet new ones. I met fellow therapists and chaplains from across Canada and the USA. My reason for attending was to hear Dr Luis Fornazzari’s lecture. Dr Fornazzari is a medical doctor and a Behavioural Neurologist. He is a graduate from the University of Chile and a Consultant Behavioural Neurologist at the Memory Disorder Clinic and the Geriatric Mental Health Outpatient program at St Michael’s Hospital. He is a member of both the Division of Neurology and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. His clinical work is dedicated to Neurodegenerative Diseases affecting the Central Nervous System, particularly Dementia. I was quite enthusiastic for the event and it did not disappoint. Dr Forazzari spoke of art as an enhancer of brain reserve capacity and as an enhancer of brain reserve capacity. Art is better preserved in brain diseases. Art could have been developed earlier, or in parallel with other cognitive behaviours. Art and science is relatively new. There used to be two different approaches before. Neuropsychiatry is the science of the mind. Neuroscience is the science of the brain. This evolution does not always let us study - what is the conscience? Art function - the biological of art is that of rehearsal, a training etc…Science and the arts are mutually supporting and consequently there is a chain that bonds them together. We forgot about that until the last 50 years which is recent. Art is a powerful hearing process of body and mind - painting, music, dancing and particularly in writing. Music is now more accessible to investigate the musician or the people listening to music. The finest instrument is the brain. (To be continued next week………)

Nigeria’s Arch Bishop Ignatius. His message,“You brought Christianity to us. Now please don’t abandon us.” (Pastoral)

As you know to those who have been reading me for awhile, I like to visit different churches and if one touches me, I like to talk about it. It has been awhile, but mostly because I have been detailed to serve more often at my own church. But it was on one of my escapes that I went to St Clair Church at Dufferin and St Clair (they have a beautiful Michael the Arch angel there that inspires me (For you who have read my third book will note). It was during this escape that I learned that an Archbishop was going to be attending 10 Jun after the 12:00 mass, to speak of the prosecutions of Christians in Nigeria. Of course, I was most interested and so yesterday I attended and I am so pleased that I did. When I first looked at the man, I saw just that, a man, a black man, a serious man who did not return my smile when he glanced around at the congregation. At the end of his talk, underneath the church, after my coffee and half donut, when I looked at the man, I saw a man, a courageous man, a spiritual man with so much faith. I saw a man I would worry about because of the dangers he has and will continue to face. As you know, and forgive me for you who don’t but I do write as if I know you all and in some aspects I do, I attend many conferences, seminars, workshops etc…..I have a wide range of interests. My love is writing and my work is helping those who need it or want it. I have a Masters in Ministry and Spirituality and so I also have an interest in that department which serves me well in my practice. How often have I heard, people tell me that their religion or spirituality is often ignored by some therapists. They feel misunderstood or not taken seriously. It is important to me to have an understanding of all religions. I do not correct a person’s belief. They are entitled to believe whatever they want. Sometimes, one may want a clarification of what their religion entails; sometimes not. There are others who want nothing to do with religion. They believe it is delusional or a fantasy or wishful thinking. That is their right. Sometimes, one has suffered at the hands of a religious leader or rep and then all they have believed in is destroyed by the acts of one person. Sometimes they want help in understanding what they have experienced and how they can manage to regain control of their lives. I was very interested in hearing what Archbishop Ignatius had to say because I have also had experience with Christians who have been raped and tortured for not denying Jesus and accepting the Muslim religion. I have nothing against the Muslim religion. I think that the concept of the religion is good. I have a copy of the Quran in my office shelf. I also have the bible and Hindu Bahgavad. I have taken two courses from two different professors regarding world religions. I have attended lectures etc. It has helped me when I was working as an intern with patients who were dying or suffering with HIV or cancer. It has helped me with people of the various religions who have come for therapy. So when I write this, I hope it is understood as in any religion, there are always extremists. Sometimes they are well organized and destructive thinking they are better than others. They wish to spread hate, maim, torture and kill. Look at the Taliban; Isis, the kkk. Look at the fighting between the Catholics and Protestants throughout the eras. Look at what Hitler did at trying to destroy an entire race. But what I would also like for you to think about is look how we allow all this to happen. When I have a client who comes to me, I have a blank canvas with a soul. I hear the pain, the suffering, and I hear what help is expected from me. A person may be suffering physically, emotionally, financially, etc……I suggest from there what therapies I would like to try to help the person. Sometimes, they just want to be able to function, cope, be able to enjoy life again, not wanting to actually kill themselves. Sometimes, this is a result of a bad marriage, abusive upbringing, bullying, etc….Sometimes it is succumbing to the early tortures of war. Arch Bishop was introduced by an organization “Aid to the Church in Need”, I had never heard of them before. Why would I? There are so many that it is difficult to keep up. The Director of the ACN began by providing stats of the amount of Christians and Muslims there are in Nigeria. I had heard of horror stories happening in Nigeria before, but due to confidentiality I cannot share this with you. The Archbishop began with an introduction of his own personal history. Nigeria is his home. It is the size of Quebec. It had taken him 31 hours to arrive here in Toronto. He spoke of the persecutions of Christians in his county. He said that if left alone, Christianity will die. He spoke of areas where Christianity had thrived and has since died out. He said that if we allow the things to continue as it is, we will allow the destruction of Christian identity. Families, women and children are slaughtered by the Muslim extremists. He has witnessed the brutality against the Christians. At one church a truck came to diffuse a bomb. The truck was stopped prior to getting into the church. Fourteen people were killed, but many more would have been so, if the truck had not been stopped. The Archbishop stated that there is a need to support the churches who are under prosecution. If we do not know what is going on in Nigeria, we cannot sympathize or have empathy. Not too long ago two priests and the parishioners were killed in their church in Northern Nigeria. “You come with your weapons and spray bullets to remove good.” The bishop spoke of a young girl. She is 14 or 15 years of age. Her name is Lia. She has not been released with the other girls who were kidnapped (I had heard of many young girls being kidnapped in Nigeria). She is the only girl who refused to denounce her religion and accept the muslim religion. The Archbishop reports that there are many who suffer because they are Christians. He looked at us and said,” As you are baptized, you are a missionary. I am here on behalf of Africa and say thank you.” He let us who were there know that they are in terrible danger. He said that the Muslim sect in Nigeria believes that the Western Life is corrupt. Families are being killed who do not even know what is going on. Religious processions now have to be limited because of clashes with the Muslim sect. Christians and Muslims live on opposite sides of each other. Archbishop Ignatius said it is hard to do pastoral work under these conditions. He said he comes from a small tribe. He spoke of the Muslim sects coming in 1804 who began to attack the local tribes. The Archbishop’s tribe went to the mountains and remained there until 1892. I listened to the Archbishop as he spoke of his house being destroyed and all their vehicles. He spoke of getting together with non sect Muslims to promote a better relationship. “Muslim youth see the need to work in peace and harmony.” Since the Jihad, things have not been the same. They want to spread Islam and that is where there are problems. When Sharia law was introduced it was meant for Muslims not Christians. When the cartoon artist (I remember hearing about that on the news) was killed for his depiction of the religion, many Christians were killed as a result. The Archbishop reported that young Christians want to take up arms, but that is not the mission. He wants the government to help. He wants prayers for change. He spoke of St Paul, the prosecutor who became the defender. He spoke of churches being full even though they know they can be killed going or/and their church being blown up. His mission is to provide hope. “With your prayer and support we need. You brought Christianity to us so don’t leave us alone.” Questions from the audience: Do the police protect? Is the UN taking any role? Is their support from Europe? Answer: Police - They say police is your friend but not in Nigeria. They themselves are not equipped. He runs. When they see danger, they don’t go. It has to do with bad governance. The police have to beg for resources. The UN (United Nations) talks a lot but I would like to see more action. Leaders of the world speak with grandeur but are not much help. Most of the support comes from Europe, especially from the people - poor people. But that has changed. People have become wealthier and are not willing. When Muslims say they are attacked, the Middle East provide assistance with weapons. There is nothing to defend. If Christian leaders spoke out, they would listen, but they don’t. The Archbishop reported that more needs to be done, than providing the government with funds. “They drive big cars but don’t do much for the trafficking of women.” He spoke of how money may be spent on travel for the politicians while people remain hungry with no electricity. The Archbishop has started a centre inviting Muslims as well as Christians to think and plan together without compromising faith. At the end, I approached one of the organizers. “Is he safe?” I asked, already knowing the answer. He shook his head with a worried look on his face. “You know, they had a team of police with weapons to escort him, but he was with a group of children and when the children saw the police descend their vehicles with their weapons, the children scattered and ran. Ever since he has refused security for himself. I approached the Archbishop. “I will pray for you.” I said sincerely. “We shall pray for each other” he replied. If you wish to donate or get further information regarding Aid to the Church in Need. Their address is Aide a l’englise en detresse Inc. Aid to the Church in Need Inc. CP 670 SUCC H. Montreal, QC H3G 9Z9. The pamplet provided indicates that the mission is to aid to the church in need, founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried Van Straaten, Is a Pontifical charity which has a mission to provide assisstance to Christians wherever the Church suffers from poverty or persecution. The foundation operates offices in 23 countries including Canada, who together support Projects in over 140 countries. I hope people reading this understand that the Islam religion does not endorse what is happening with these fanatics. There is also a cultural element to remember. An old professor of mine who is a Jesuit priest told me an interesting story. He spoke of a Catholic priest who was beaten up by Christians in a very poor area in the Philippines. A Muslim man came and picked up the Priest and carried him to his home where he mended him back to health. I would like you to remember that story. What do you think?

The Internet Murders

I have missed a week of writing to you and I am sorry. I have been somewhat busy but I know I owe you a few blogs. Just in case I continue to be busy, I want to update you on my website. www.silvaredigonda.com. I have secured the site and you should see a lock when you buy a book or ebook. If there are any problems please let me know. I have joined a book association, which is a first and so on the 23rd of Jun I shall be in Woodbridge selling my three books and possible conducting a reading. I have just finished reading my third book again and will copy and paste segments of what I have decided is ok to read to the general public. I have a few swear words here and there and some religion thrown here and there and so to make it more user friendly to children etc...I will forward it soon to the organizer. I have about 10 minutes to read and one thing I have learned from going to readings myself (which I hate to admit, I find boring and only go when I have to), I don't want the audience to fall asleep. I don't even know if this is open to the public. I should focus more on selling my books. I do love writing them, but it is not practical to write them and not sell them, so I have to find more time for that. If you live in Toronto, you may also buy any of my books at Sqibb's at 1974 Weston Road, Toronto, just North of Lawrence Avenue, on the West side. There is a farmers market just South of Lawrence where the Go Train is. So, if you want to make me happy why not buy one of my books or ebooks. What do you think?