I am closing down my practice and will focus on writing. I accept invites to book clubs, events and will sign and sell my books at your venues.
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Thursday, 7 March 2019
The Internet Murders
“Sandra missed being a cop, but after two years on homicide, she had seen enough for a lifetime. Now, where was she?
“I need a coffee,” she mumbled. She didn’t hear anything. She had barely managed to rise from her chair when she felt powerful arms come from behind her, choking her. Automatically, Sandra tucked her chin down, bent her knees, and flung him over her head. She didn’t wait to see if she could take him. She wasn’t stupid, but was fully aware of her limitations. She ran, hearing the loud thump as her attacker landed over her desk. The instinct for survival took over and she ran out of her office into the vacant hallway. She ran down the stairs, stumbling a few times, but managed not to fall. It had been a long time since she had moved that fast. She almost made it outside. Her hand was on the door that promised her an escape. When she felt the knife slice her arm, she automatically used the force of her entire body to turn and punch him, aiming to kill him by using all her force to strike upward from just underneath his nose. She[…]”
Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks.
For your private copy, order on line ebook or signed soft cover at www.silvaredigonda.com
Monday, 4 March 2019
World Religions - continued (from notes)
Roman Catholicism recognizes the legitimacy of all world religions. Therefore, is Mohamed the prophet and the Koran the word of God? 1. Christianity at the time of Mohamed was oppressive (baptism or death). 2. First translation in 1873 by the Jesuits. Full text of the bible translated into Mandarin is 1960. What Mohamed heard of the gospel was heard through Greek or nothing in the Middle East. Mohammed - portrayed Jesus. What is the Koranic view of Jesus? Recognize old/New Testament as revelation of God. Koran speaks of Jesus in glorious terms - believe in Jesus and Mary - Jesus from the Virgin mother, not a sign of divinity. Recognizes Jesus Christ as Messiah and will come at end of time, but denies his death and resurrection. The Islamic denial of Jesus divinity (like Jews/ is integrated world view of Koran. The fall of Adam had consequences. It condemns humans of all time. This is Augustine’s point of view - not in the bible. Muslims don’t buy that. Augustine’s theology is for salvation. For Muslim’s, God is compassionate. People do sin. Here we hear the prodigal son. Same response is the Jews. In not accepting doctrine of original sin. They deny that Jesus died on the cross. He was mysteriously taken into heaven and an imposter put in his place. If Abraham would not be permitted for his son to be killed how can God allow his son to be killed? There is more than one way to understand how Jesus is died.
In 1956 - Harvard - First woman to study theology.
Islam is part of God’s Salvation - Muslims form a unity of faith. Koran is a word of God. Jesus is the word of God. No Muslim says he can be saved from Mohammed - only the Koran.
Hinduism - believe in one God. Buddhists - no. Theories of truth - when say Jesus is son of God. We say it metaphorically. Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Ghost. If three are equal = cannot be Christ alone. If salvation is Christ alone, then Jesus can do something that Holy Ghost can do or God cannot do that Jesus can do. So preoccupation with Jesus Christ alone, diminishes God and Holy Spirit. So, if they are all = even (Paul 2nd) can be saved by the Holy Ghost. Orthodox - no original sin. Collect data, understand and then make judgment. So, as a chart we have the Church, Ecclesiocentric. Christ 1492 1. Church. Salvation - no definition. Baptism by water 2. baptism by desire.Theocentric so maybe more dialogue outside of God - no salvation. Soteriocentric - outside the suffering of the world there is no salvation. Ethics - what can we do together to learn about the Kingdom of God. Emphasis on Justice and what we can do to each other.
Hinduism - 40,000,000 (at time of writing notes) living outside India. Most of World Hindus are highly educated. Buddhish Hindus - 1, they argue not a religion. There is a complex of spiritual thought - no congregation. Religion - no uniformal sacraments - change. No initiating rites. No practises. Being Hindu is an individual decision. The notion of re-birth Christianity has a linear vision, beginning and end. Hinduism - what goes around, comes around. To be Hindu, don’t have to believe in anything Secular view of history. Hinduism is how to become one with Brahman. Three sote - grace alone, faith alone and prayers alone. Hinduism is not a world religion because there is no uniformity. Mostly confined to India but changing. Not a religion because they consider themselves a quest for righteousness. They are seekers. They believe that everyone has their own truth. Since 52AD, Christianity in India - doubting Thomas. He founded the Syrian Church. There is dispute whether Thomas got there in 52, but there is evidence that Christianity existed there before the fourth century. The Syrians still exist there today. Trouble started in 1498 when Portuguese thought you had to accept Christ and Western view. It was suggested that an inquisition began to Christianize the Hindus. Things went bad in 1599 at the Synod of Diamper when it was indicated that all had to join the Roman Church. This continued til 1605, Robert de Ivobili. He said you had to be wearing their clothes and eating their food to Christianize, Bitagarad Gita. Roman said you can’t do that (cultivate the faith in their culture). It was still too westernized. When you have so much truth, you get defeated by truth. Post Dutch - Protestant approach was very different. It was very aggressive. They would stand at sidewalks (with belts?)and call them pagans. They were attracted to Jesus. We consider Jesus Western but in many cultures, Jesus is considered Asian. It was regarded as an Eastern religion. So people like Cheshub Chunder Sen, 1834 -1888, became disciple of Christ while remaining Hindu. At least six churches today run by Hindus but they don’t want to join the Western Church (to be told they are wrong). To be continued……….(week after next)
Sunday, 3 March 2019
Scam alerts again - This gets tiresome but if you get these don't be deceived.
As I have stated, I am posting scams which I get offered very often. So many people lose money because of these fraudsters who prey on others. Hopefully we can develop a system to expose and arrest these people who cause so much misery to those they victimize. I have not listed this person's reply email address.
"I apologize for intruding into your privacy, especially by contacting
you through this means for important offer, how are you and your
family over there? My name is
Mrs. Betty Stewart I want to donate my inheritance to the less
privileged people in the society. I work as contractor and business
woman. I want to donate my inheritance to the less privileged people
in the society. I live alone and have no family, relatives or child
presently i lost my beloved husband and two kids on 18 July 2007 in a
plane crash during landing on the Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil .I am
suffering from Stomach Cancer and have undergone series of cancer
treatments but to no avail, i am presently in a special Government
hospital for a cancer operation. After the test result, my doctor said
that I have short time to live in life, for this reason I got your
email address on internet and I am contacting you because I have no
option again. I save my personal money the sum of 5.5Million Euros in
the Bank now that I have short time to live I want you to stand as my
representative in your country and build either Mosque or church for
people over there in your city or help any orphanage home or poor
people with my money. If you can accept to be my representative then I
will give you 30% of the total amount as your commission and you will
use the balance 70 % for the project. Please I need an honest person
who will take very good care of this project. If you are capable to
handle this project, then I will tell you further step to take. I
suffer a lot in my life and I am very much afraid of dying without
knowing the destination of my property, I hardly sleep at night and
during the day because I do not want to die without having donated all
the property I have otherwise I think it would be a mess.
Hope to hear from you even if you’re not interested on this email"
and another. I have xxxx what I think is inappropriate language:
"Hi!
As you may have noticed, I sent you an email from your account.
This means that I have full access to your account: At the time of hacking your accountxxxxxxxxxxxx had this password: xxxxxxxxxxxx
You can say: this is my, but old password!
Or: I can change my password at any time!
Of course! You will be right,
but the fact is that when you change the password, my malicious code every time saved a new one!
I've been watching you for a few months now.
But the fact is that you were infected with malware through xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx that you visited.
If you are not familiar with this, I will explain.
Trojan Virus gives me full access and control over a computer or other device.
This means that I can see everything on your screen, turn on the camera and microphone, but you do not know about it.
I also have access to all your contacts and all your correspondence from e-mail and messangers.
Why your antivirus did not detect my malware?
Answer: My malware uses the driver, I update its signatures every 4 hours so that your antivirus is silent.
I made a video showing xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, and in the right half you see the video that you watched.
With one click of the mouse, I can send this video to all your emails and contacts on social networks. I can also post access to all your e-mail correspondence and messengers that you use.
If you want to prevent this, transfer the amount of $798 to my bitcoin address (if you do not know how to do this, write to Google: "Buy Bitcoin").
My bitcoin address (BTC Wallet) is: 1B3Lx1t4CQSt3ck85bqzGHC9TeEQGANhUR
After receiving the payment, I will delete the video and you will never hear me again.
I give you 48 hours to pay.
I have a notice reading this letter, and the timer will work when you see this letter.
Filing a complaint somewhere does not make sense because this email cannot be tracked like my bitcoin address.
I do not make any mistakes.
If I find that you have shared this message with someone else, the video will be immediately distributed.
Bye!"
Don't believe it when and if you get these emails.
Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Marijuana - The effects of cannabis on the developing brain
It is not a secret about how concerned I am that marijuana is legal in my country. I am even more concerned that there is a hint of persons/institutions trying to legalize other drugs, even more powerful. When I decided to begin caring for people with mental health concerns, addiction was not in the forefront. I had no interest in dealing with addiction. However, that is in my opinion not possible. I therefore have one stipulation. Do not see me if you are under the influence. Though in the beginning, I thought I had that in control, experience has dictated that though I may wish to see people who are sober or not under the influence of drugs, how can I turn anyone away who comes to see me because of pain? Addiction is pain. So, the more I deal with the suffering of addiction, the more I become very much opposed to the legalization of illegal drugs. However, I do not run my country and am not interested right now if ever of getting involved in politics and so I can only inform you of what I learn and have learnt. I am sure I have written here about addiction before, so I will just relay what I learned and refreshed myself at my last seminar about two weeks ago. It was during that snow storm, where I was forced to take the TTC. It was rather nice because it is not to often that my city quiets down and snow storms usually makes that happen. There were students all around me as well as we walked to our respective destinations. Academia usually surpasses all else. There were about fourteen of us in the seminar room, however, our peers were watching and sharing from all over Ontario. We would share thoughts, concerns and experiences from Kingston, Ottawa, Niagara (I love Niagara Falls and appreciated the photo of the falls), Kitchener, Oakville, Owen Sound and London. The topic - The effects of cannabis on the developing brain. At this seminar the speaker is Dr. K. Shen, MD., CCFP, Addiction Specialist, helping lead young physicians in their training. Points were as listed here. There is no medication right now to wear off marijuana. Spiritual care is important. In a 12 month period survey, 27, 8 youths 16 to 19 years of age had driven within 2 hours of marijuana consumption. 43, 1 of youth 20-24, drive within 2 hours. Recommendations of waiting time is 6 hours of no driving. Almost 1/2 of Canada is among the highest recreational users in the world. 15 to 24 years of age are the highest. One to six youths who try marijuana will become addicted. illegal and legal differences is the THC which has more euphoria. CBT - higher tends to less euphoria and helps with seizures and pain (medical use). Effects on youths with legalization? In the States there is now 10 States where marijuana is legal. In the city of Oregan, after legislation, there was more use. Colorado - more risk with children injury accidentally. Higher risk suggested in crime and driving. We shall see what will happen in our country. Where do children get marijuana? 22% were from their parents. 38% was obtained legally. What are the reasons youths try cannabis? It is legal and therefore it must be ok. They take it to relieve depression and anxiety, pain control, peer pressure, euphoria, sleep. Youths wanting to fit in. It seems exciting or out of boredom. Do they think there is a risk? Yes, maybe, but it won’t happen to them. Social media is reaching out to teens as never before. How does one filter to get research based effects on the brain? Marijuana effects respiratory, heart increased, risk of psychosis, risk for addiction. Impacts on development, memory loss, can reduce ability to make decisions, loss of motivation, low self esteem, can increase depression. Effects the pre-frontal cortex. Effects are worse when the brain is still developing. It effects IQ which may not be reversible. It is like pouring salt rather then a pinch of salt on chips, but it is your brain. The brain is rapidly developing til age 25. 17 -25 increases psychosis and mental illness. Notice a connection between marijuana and psychosis. You see it in vulnerable patients. More research has to be done. There is no clear recommendation at the moment. DSM - 5, spends more time on the drug, craving, thinking about it, can’t stop, problems at work and home. There are four or five or six in criteria already in that spectrum etc…It starts as recreational, longer term contributes to problems and increases mental health concerns. What are the signs for addiction in a teen? Changes in behaviour, drop in school grades, isolation, more withdrawn, change in sleep patterns. Treatment: prevention if possible, no approved medication, treat anxiety and depression, counselling, on-going research, dialogue with teens, drug kit tool - how to have conversation with teen, schools - have talks in schools. Screening tools for adolescents: Questionnaire: use of alcohol or drugs to fit in, use alcohol or drugs alone, asking to cut down. Medications in the future? No clinical trials right now. Counselling, Cognitive behavioural Therapy, Motivational enhancement therapy…….
www.drug free kids canada.org wp.
Marijuana is not a non problem drug. It can alter the structure of the developing brain. In some the effects may not be reversible.
www.ccsa.
For therapists: what is the cause the person is the user?
Find other way to cope with anxiety or depression.
My question: Is paranoia a symptom?
Answer: Powerful blurted out by more than one expert: “Absolutely!”
When one is in denial - use the approach “What is your goal?”
My question: smoking marijuana among children?
Response: same as second hand smoke (cigarettes).
The rest of the seminar involved updates on policies about association changes, college updates etc….which is important to me but boring for you. So, I hope this has been of interest to you. Though this may sound depressing, I find it very rewarding where youths who have become addicted, after many years, come to therapy for help determined to stop. I often refer them to support groups while using CBT. I usually do ask clients why they are coming to me and how they would like me to help them, which is them letting me know what their goals are and how I can help them get there. It is always their option. The control is theirs. Regarding addiction, it affects the entire family. Sometimes addicts stop and then start again not because they want to, but because the addiction is so compelling. This is a process, not the end. I have probably seen people at every stage of their addiction and there is nothing so rewarding as when someone is so determined to make changes and I am able to journey along with them on their travels to see those results.
Next week it is back to theology and alternating, I will continue to catch up with seminars before more begin. I was invited to attend a talk about engineers who have developed cannabis detectors and digestible cameras as well as more about the brain. However, I was too late in responding and so I wouldn’t have my choice of including the brain. What I have learned is not to stall in my rspv’s. I have to always pick and choose what I attend as well as considering my clients needs. So, I now know there is a limit at this university which I did not know in the past because I usually respond right away. The weather this winter has been challenging, in my decision making of what to attend.
Thursday, 21 February 2019
Tuesday, 19 February 2019
cont....from World Religions (Theology notes)
First Century
Arianism - only God the Father is God.
The international language was Greek. The language in the middle east was Armenian, Syria and coptic (when think in one religion, translate to own and there is some misinterpretation. When it went West, it became Latin. When Constantine was in power, it was either do it his way or you would be shot. There was no accommodation for language as in the West. One of the things to unify is to have a common religion. So, you come out with the appropriate answer or you are dead. These were the solutions to unify.
Four main Schools of law. Islam - five pillars of Islam. Things you do, rather than what you believe. When Mohammed was born in 570, never heard about Roman Catholicism, and racing together you are ready for a fight to the death. Alexander died in 3.24, may say that Mohammed was the answer to Alexander, protector of Christian rules under Muslims greater than the rest. Muslims discouraged Christians from being Muslims (wouldn’t pay taxes anymore). Muslim scholars educated Europe. Culture that was not Jewish. Plato - West. Aristotle came to the West during the crusades (after 15th century). Muslims conquered Spain 711 and ruled Europe til 1763 (for about 10 centuries) Muslims called the shots. Europe/Africa - threat because of the Mediterranean Sea.
1683 - Balance shifted. Today we must not only speak of salvation, but also geography of salvation. Can there be more than one?
Religion Imperialism - The crusades began with the Christians which had nothing about faith, but economics in Europe. The crusades lasted over 200 years. Popes used to fight in the army.
Seminan - Religion of the people. People of the King. 1961 - Roman Catholicism recognized human rights. Pastoral - left alone. Is the Koran the word of God? Theology is faith seeking understanding. When the context changes, changes the theology. 1945 - after war, balance of people did change.
Hindes - with end of colonism, before Vatican Two (1962-65), RC’s (Roman Catholics) used to believe that revelation was to affirm that it was true absolute the world would be saved and if questioned, would be in a little trouble. Preparation for the gospel. Islam - after the birth of Christ - one of the reasons was that revelation ceased with the last apostle. After WW2, began to understand revelation differently. Revelation is the self communication to the world and this communication is not only to the Christian world but to all nations. General revelation is given to anyone. Received through personal encounter. This dimension was emphasized by RC. If this is the truth and this is the faith, “There is no pure faith.” In this concept, it is not the New Testament that is the revelation of Jesus Christ, but Jesus Christ himself. The New Testament admits that Christ does so incompletely. What do Protestants believe in revelation? We don’t know. If it is a revelation from God? This understanding of revelation with a personal encounter. World religion is a setting of world revelation. RC understanding is yes. With this concept can slip in Islam even though after Jesus Christ.
Christianity became allied with Western culture, never with the East. Constantine emperor 4th century used to enforce not theology. It was baptism or death. Christians living under Muslim were protected but they were not allowed to try to convert. Christianity falls under Abraham, Sarah, Issac, 12 tribes, Jerusalem and Jesus. Muslims under Hager, Ish meal, 12 tribes, Mecca, Mohammed. Revelation since Vatican11 - self of God (always filtered thru language and culture. God has not left God self without revelation. General and Special - Christians. For RC’s the revelations that they get is salvation. Crusades (Christian wars) last more than 2000 years. This has impacted the relationship of the two cultures. Muslims governed Spain from 711 until defeated in 1683, so for 8 hundred years. (1492 Jesuits, at least 500 years). Vatican 11 - 1962 - 1965 - trying to update the faith. Regarding non Christians states, reject nothing that is good. That enlightens men and women everywhere. Highlights between the two - Muslims and Christians. Higher power - even thought different of God’s oneness. RC believes the possibility everyone has. Vatican 11 recognized the mystery of Islam in salvation. Panel 2 recognized that both Christians and Muslims come from the children of Abraham. Neither does Abraham replace the Koran. Koran is necessary for the Muslim. If Jesus separates us, Mohammed joins us. To be continued…. Next week I want to talk about some seminars I have been to, before continuing with my psychology notes. I will probably tell you about last weeks education regarding marijuana and the developing brain. I am now alternating between Theology and Psychology notes or conferences for psychotherapy. I wish you a wonderful week and thank you for reading my blogs.
Monday, 11 February 2019
Depersonaliztion, Dissociative Fugue and Dissociative Amnesia
Depersonalization
Persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from, and as if an outside observer of one mental processes or body (eg. feeling like one is in a dream).
during depersonalization, experience reality testing remains intact.
depersonalization causes distress or impairment in social etc…..
Dissociative Fugue
predominant disturbance is sudden, non expectant travel away from home or (customary place of work, with inability to recall one’s past).
confusion about personal identity or assumption of a new identity (partial or complete).
disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of Dissociative Identity Disorder and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance etc….or medical disorder.
symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
Dissociative Amnesia
The predominant disturbance is one or more episodes of inability to recall important personal information usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
ok, this is the end of my second notebook for abnormal psychology. There is a lot more and a continuation of dissociative amnesia. You can look up references at http://www.cmhc.com/disorders/sx24.htm. During my first psychology course “Basic Psychology” we were warned not to see the symptoms in ourselves. Physicians too when studying have to ensure that they do not internalize the same for physical symptoms. I find that many outside of the fields begin to believe they have a disorder because they see symptoms which they believe they have and then self diagnose. I do not recommend this. When I think I have a client with a disorder or a client believes she or he has a disorder, I request that their physician refers them to a psychiatrist. This is a physician with three years of psychology. Many have not had a physical for years and this is my first recommendation. Next week I shall continue with theology which I post on my blog only. I shall probably continue with notes from seminars which I have not yet shared with you. As you know if you have been reading my notes, I type out my written notes for myself to clear all my paper. Now I can destroy this notebook or leave it outside once the snow clears for someone to pick up along with my other recycling material. Remember also that my notes were written before there were revisions to the DSM. However, I consider the information quite beneficial. This is also a refresher for myself. Writing notes rather than typing them has better retention value.
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