Contemplative Neurosciences refer to an emerging field of research that focuses on the changes within the mind, brain and body as a result of contemplative practices such as mindfulness-based meditation, tai chi, or yoga, corresponding to the field of Energy Psychology. Something as simple as breathing takes on new meaning in our lives with new information.
Energy Psychology is a collection of mind-body approaches which focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, sensations and behaviours, and the known bioenergy systems (chakras, meridians and the biofield). The American Psychological Association recognized Energy Psychology in 2012, allowing them to provide APA-approved continuing education as evidence-based practices. EP-type therapies include acupuncture, hypnosis, applied kinesiology, meditation, (EMDR) Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitization, (EFT) Emotional Freedom Technique, and Thought Field Therapy, among others. Their intention is to bypass the conscious mind and create change at the level of the unconscious mind and/or the physical body.
Transpersonal Psychology might loosely be called the psychology of spirituality and of those areas of the human mind which search for higher meanings in life, and which move beyond the limited boundaries of the ego to access an enhanced capacity for wisdom, creativity, unconditional love and compassion. It honours the existence of transpersonal experiences, and is concerned with their meaning for the individual and with their effect upon behaviour.
Much of psychology today tends to focus on those thoughts, behaviour patterns, and emotional upsets that are conscious. The practice of therapy was to dig for root causes of the distress, analyze them, and find a way to release the block (whether it be emotional or cognitive), revisiting the situation creating the distress – and that worked to a point. It also served to reinforce the trauma, an unintended consequence. The most intransigent aspects of almost any psychological distress lie at the unconscious level; the memories of association formed by thoughts that became associated with an emotional reaction and then were repeated over and over again. They have assumed the unconscious status of the autonomic nervous system which controls bodily functions like breathing and heartbeat.
During my years in retirement I began to explore quantum physics. I wasn’t looking to become well versed in this ‘new’ perspective of what’s really happening and what that has to do with me. My intention was to pry open, to loosen my analytical and linear mind to allow for new possibilities and potentials…to open my mind for rewiring. I hope the information in this section will give your mind permission to let go, expand and allow for new possibilities in your life. It certainly has changed my life!
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