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Even if you’re not in the medical world like me, you probably still hear a lot about the COVID vaccine. There are people with very strong feelings for and against it, and lots of folks somewhere in the middle. Since I’m naturally drawn to gather as much information as possible in an effort to discern the truth, I almost always end up in the middle.
This article isn’t actually about COVID but something it can teach us about human psychology: the ego likes to align itself with positions. The more polarized we get, the stronger the egoic structure becomes. But having a fixed point of view also entails narrowing our vision so that we don’t encounter any data that would make us wrong.
One of the arguments I hear from opponents of the vaccine is, “Pharmaceutical companies are evil. They only care about money.” The logic behind the argument would seem to be something like: “Because they stand to make zillions of dollars on this, they must therefore be motived entirely by money. Therefore, they don’t care about whether they hurt people. And therefore, they are evil.”
There are several logical errors here. I point it out not because I have any particular fondness for pharmaceutical companies – indeed, drugs and their makers are definitely a mixed bag – but because it’s a good example of troublesome thinking that ends up becoming a double-edged sword for many.
There’s plenty in those pharmaceutical statements that a logician could take issue with, but I want to specifically look at this idea: wanting to make lots of money and wanting to help people are mutually exclusive. Isn’t it possible that both can be true?
I see it all the time – good people doing good work making good money. If we don’t want to shoot ourselves in the foot, it’s worth unearthing the scornful mentality that a desire for money – even a lot of money – implies selfish or negative intentions.
With regard to the pharmaceutical industry, my guess is that most people hear stories of price gouging, side effects, and political corruption and develop a position without seeing much of the positive side: a bunch of brilliant, compassionate geeks who find it incredibly gratifying to study diseases and develop cures. It’s easier for me to have perspective because some of these scientists are among my oldest friends. They have husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, and kids. They’re well paid and they genuinely want to help humankind. They also want to get back safely to normal life like the rest of us.
When I was a young practitioner working at a clinic in downtown Portland for street youth, I was surprised one day to hear that the clinic had just received a $1 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It made a huge difference in the clinic’s ability to serve this challenged population. “Sure, that’s seems generous,” you might say, “but it’s just a drop in the bucket to Gates!” That may be true, but a million bucks is a million bucks. How many of us are in a position to make such a difference in the world – especially if we oppose wealth because we believe it’s antithetical to our values?
What I’ve taken a very roundabout way of getting to is that I believe it’s fully possible to earn money doing work that’s aligned with our values. Further, if we want to achieve large scale change we’ll need more conscientious, community-oriented people with wealth to direct toward these good works.
Our own desire for positive change is the driving force behind our non-profit Well Life Foundation and the Dragontree Coaching Program. We want to help put money in the hands of people with big hearts. Most participants in our coaching program have been individuals looking to earn a good income in a private coaching practice, making a measurable difference in others’ lives. Some have used their coaching skills to run charitable organizations. A handful have been employed in corporations and chose to go through our training in order to be better equipped to transform the corporate environment – ultimately helping the entire staff to feel more purposeful and connected to the fundamental values they’re advancing.
As the next enrollment period for the Coaching Program approaches, I can’t help but feel proud of how much love went into this training and of the incredible individuals we’ve had the honor to teach. If you’ve ever thought, “I think I could help people,” I agree with you! Check out our program if you’re interested.
Be well,
Peter
[post_title] => Why We Want You to Become Wealthy and Enlightened
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Almost every year I witness the same tragedy in Boulder. The daffodils emerge, the trees put forth tender leaves and delicate flowers, and my heart swells with the natural resurrection of life. Then we get a snowstorm and all the new growth dies. So much for spring.
But wait! As the snow melts, I’m reminded that these plants are hardier than I thought. The flowers return, more leaves grow, and it turns out they’re all the tougher for the hardship.
It’s tempting to hope for a life without hardship. But it’s neither realistic nor good for us. We’re better served by resilience. Resilience isn’t just the ability to withstand hardship, it’s the ability to utilize hardship as a means for growth. Let’s look into why we need it and how to build it.
Modern humans were already epidemically stressed. Now we’re pandemically stressed. Even if you’re healthy, you’re not scared of coronavirus, you don’t feel especially affected by what’s going on, it’s still likely that you’re going through a heightened state of nervous system arousal to adapt to these unique circumstances. And of course, if you are worried about your health or finances or loved ones or the overall state of the world, then you’re in an even more heightened state of arousal.
We can attribute today’s common usage of the word “stress” to an endocrinologist named Hans Selye who first described how organisms respond to chronic stress in what he dubbed the General Adaptation Syndrome. Most of us are going through this syndrome right now.
Here’s how it works. When we first encounter a stressor, we enter the “alarm phase.” The system is temporarily shocked, our body produces stress hormones, the nervous system gets more vigilant, and our fundamental homeostasis is compromised. Next, if the stressor persists, we enter the “resistance phase” in which the body/mind makes adaptations to manage the ongoing burden. We may feel like we’re getting used to it, but we’re actually chronically hyper-aroused and this demands a lot of energy. Eventually, if the stress continues, we enter the third phase: “exhaustion” – we just can’t maintain the constant adaptation and things start to collapse (we get sick, fatigued, anxious, depressed, etc.).
We’re probably hanging out in that resistance phase, but may get repeatedly re-alarmed when we hear more bad news. Some of us are already in exhaustion. What can we do?
In his popular 1994 book, Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, neuroendocrinologist Robert Sapolsky explains why it’s different for animals than it is for humans. They’re exposed to episodic stress – like the appearance of a predator. They react, the stressor goes away, and they return to a relaxed state and replenish from the toll of the stress. In contrast, the chronic stress we experience is taxing without any breaks.
As I see it, true resilience doesn’t just mean being able to stay in the resistance phase for a long time without getting exhausted. That might be evidence of resilience, but it could just be the sign of a strong constitution. Indeed, one definition of resilience is simply “toughness.” But the definition I find more compelling is this: “the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape.” I interpret “into shape” to mean the restoration of a state of fundamental wellbeing (not a state of active resistance).
To me, resilience entails returning to balance or freedom not just after, but throughout, an experience of hardship. I like the word freedom because it implies that we’re not fighting, not pushing back. Instead, at least for a moment, we’re liberated from our stress. In my opinion the single most powerful way to achieve this kind of resilience is through a daily meditation practice.
A few years ago, the American Psychological Association released a guidance document on the mental health impacts of climate change. It’s impressively holistic in its scope. One section offers great suggestions for building resilience, and I think they apply well to the current pandemic. Although these strategies we’re meant to be introduced by counselors, I believe you can apply them on your own (and reach out to us if you need further guidance).
- Build belief in your own resilience. Be compassionate with yourself. Notice all the challenging times you’ve already managed.
- Foster optimism. Actively reframe your circumstances. Stick to the facts. Choose to be an optimist – it’s a simple habit of thinking and habits can be changed.
- Cultivate active coping and self-regulation. Pay attention to your thoughts and behaviors. Look for solutions and help – there are so many good resources available to you.
- Find a source of personal meaning. Do you believe in a higher power? A personal mission? A mandate to serve the world and share your gifts? What’s the most important thing to you? Prioritize that.
- Boost personal preparedness. Managing crises holistically isn’t a matter of either wearing a mask or believing we’ll all get through this. Hedge your bets. Build resilience, stay positive, and also do some common sense things to enable you to better weather the unexpected.
- Support social networks. We need connection to other humans, not just for the psychological support, but the material support (e.g., toilet paper) too!
- Connect with parents, family, and other role models. While we generally recognize the powerful stabilizing force the family structure can provide for children, it can be equally valuable for adults. If family isn’t available or doesn’t function that way for you, make your own family and find other role models.
- Maintain connections to one’s culture. This is especially important for refugees and new immigrants, but it can also be a valuable constant – and source of stories of resilience – for everyone.
I’d like to close with two more. First, mindfulness practices build resilience, specifically in that “springing back into shape” way. Mindfulness puts us firmly in the here-and-now – the truth – over and over and over and over throughout every day. Second, finding ways to serve also “springs us back” because it’s our nature to love, to care, and to offer oneself to the greater Whole to which we all belong. We’re naturally oriented in this way when we feel free. Therefore, even if you don’t feel altogether free, acting as if you’re free – by finding ways to help others rather than being hyperfocused on your own survival – will facilitate that freedom.
So much love,
Peter
[post_title] => How to Be Resilient
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[post_content] => My 12-year-old is always asking me to tell her stories from my childhood, so I recently described the time when I got into big trouble for making long-distance calls to an out-of-state girlfriend. The phone bill was over $500. “Wait,” she asked, “you mean, the phone company charged you more money because the person lived farther away?” It’s such a foreign concept today when we can have a video conversation with someone on the other side of the planet for free! (Moment of gratitude for communication technology . . . Amen.)
Our talk turned to how the world was more culturally insular back then. I explained that many of the Eastern philosophical and medical concepts that are commonplace in our house and community only became mainstream in the past few decades. Global connectedness has allowed us to share the pearls of our cultures with receptive others around the world in an unprecedented way. It’s awesome.
The only downside is that details – and sometimes even the core value – can get lost in translation. One particular “incomplete translation” I’ve been working on correcting for 20 years has to do with the yogic practice of neti – which can be a valuable part of our immune enhancement routine in these crazy times.
Neti – AKA “nasal washing” – comes from the millennia-old tradition of Ayurveda. It cleanses and soothes the nasal passages and is great for people with allergies, crusty nasal mucus, difficulty breathing through the nose, snoring, and frequent colds and flus. By helping to clean and heal our upper airway, it may help the body to more effectively catch and kill airborne viruses. However, traditionally neti has always been prescribed in combination with another practice called nasya – but somehow almost no one knows about it.
While salt water in the nasal passages can clean out the gunk and calm the membranes down, it can also leave them dry and vulnerable. Sometimes the dryness even causes these membranes to respond by producing more mucus. This is why nasya – the practice of lubricating the inside of the nose with oil – is essential. Whereas neti can potentially “strip” your nasal passages, nasyacoats and protects them.
Several years ago, I developed an herb-infused nasya oil called
Dragontree Nasal Oil, and it’s been one of our best sellers. I think it’s been popular partly because of the unique combination of herbs it contains and partly because there just aren’t many products like it out there. One doctor tells me she gives it to all her patients who get frequent colds and flus and says it has helped them tremendously.
Let’s look at the whole neti-nasya practice. A neti pot is shaped like a small tea pot, the spout of which fits comfortably in a nostril. You start with warm, clean water (body temperature is good) to which you add a little salt. The ideal degree of saltiness varies from person to person – about the saltiness of tears is usually good. A standard solution is 1/4 teaspoon of salt per 1/2 cup of water. Try this concentration first, and adjust the saltiness if necessary.
Fill the pot with your saline solution, stand over a sink, and place the tip of the spout in one nostril. Tip your head sideways without leaning your head forward or back. As the pot is tipped, the solution should enter one nostril and flow out the other. It helps to keep your mouth open and try not to breathe through your nose. Pour half of the solution through one nostril and then the other half of the solution through the other nostril. This process cleanses the nasal passages of dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and other debris which can cause allergies, colds, and sinus infections. If it causes a burning sensation it’s often because there isn’t enough salt for you. Try a little more. Sometimes a pinch of baking soda in the solution can also help.
Now for the nasya. We have often heard from clients that they feel congested after doing neti. This is probably because they didn’t do nasya. There are two main ways of applying oil to the nasal passages. One is to place oil on your (very clean) little finger and use this to lightly coat the inside of each nostril with oil. The other option, which I prefer because it’s more thorough, is to use an eyedropper to instill 4-5 drops of oil into each nostril while lying on a bed with your head hanging slightly off the edge. With this second method, it is best to relax in this position for a few minutes to let the oil penetrate deeply.
A good all purpose (tridoshic) oil for neti is safflower (which is what we use in the
Dragontree Nasal Oil). If you don’t have any on hand, you can use olive oil or even liquid ghee (clarified butter). Nasya provides lubrication and protection against pathogens in the nasal passageways after being cleansed by neti. If the nasya step is skipped then the process of neti can potentially make our membranes more susceptible to irritation and infection.
I have studied and experimented with many forms of “medicated” nasya oil over the years. Typically these oils are infused with various herbs and/or essential oils to enhance the protective and cleansing effect of this practice (or occasionally to calm the mind or achieve some other therapeutic effect). For my own herbed nasya, I chose herbs and oils that are traditionally used to kill germs and calm irritated mucus membranes.
I know it’s a bit of an unusual practice, and due to the herbs sometimes people experience a bit of stinging and a bitter taste when they use it – especially if they have an early stage infection. But I’ve been told so many times that it rapidly cleared whatever was in there, so apparently the effectiveness trumps the weirdness factor!
If you try it, I would love to hear about your experience with it.
Wishing you clear, full breaths,
Peter
P.S if you'd like to use our Dragontree Nasal Oil in your immunity routine, you can find a bottle here:
Grab a bottle of
Dragontree Nasal Oil
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Even if you’re not in the medical world like me, you probably still hear a lot about the COVID vaccine. There are people with very strong feelings for and against it, and lots of folks somewhere in the middle. Since I’m naturally drawn to gather as much information as possible in an effort to discern the truth, I almost always end up in the middle.
This article isn’t actually about COVID but something it can teach us about human psychology: the ego likes to align itself with positions. The more polarized we get, the stronger the egoic structure becomes. But having a fixed point of view also entails narrowing our vision so that we don’t encounter any data that would make us wrong.
One of the arguments I hear from opponents of the vaccine is, “Pharmaceutical companies are evil. They only care about money.” The logic behind the argument would seem to be something like: “Because they stand to make zillions of dollars on this, they must therefore be motived entirely by money. Therefore, they don’t care about whether they hurt people. And therefore, they are evil.”
There are several logical errors here. I point it out not because I have any particular fondness for pharmaceutical companies – indeed, drugs and their makers are definitely a mixed bag – but because it’s a good example of troublesome thinking that ends up becoming a double-edged sword for many.
There’s plenty in those pharmaceutical statements that a logician could take issue with, but I want to specifically look at this idea: wanting to make lots of money and wanting to help people are mutually exclusive. Isn’t it possible that both can be true?
I see it all the time – good people doing good work making good money. If we don’t want to shoot ourselves in the foot, it’s worth unearthing the scornful mentality that a desire for money – even a lot of money – implies selfish or negative intentions.
With regard to the pharmaceutical industry, my guess is that most people hear stories of price gouging, side effects, and political corruption and develop a position without seeing much of the positive side: a bunch of brilliant, compassionate geeks who find it incredibly gratifying to study diseases and develop cures. It’s easier for me to have perspective because some of these scientists are among my oldest friends. They have husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, and kids. They’re well paid and they genuinely want to help humankind. They also want to get back safely to normal life like the rest of us.
When I was a young practitioner working at a clinic in downtown Portland for street youth, I was surprised one day to hear that the clinic had just received a $1 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It made a huge difference in the clinic’s ability to serve this challenged population. “Sure, that’s seems generous,” you might say, “but it’s just a drop in the bucket to Gates!” That may be true, but a million bucks is a million bucks. How many of us are in a position to make such a difference in the world – especially if we oppose wealth because we believe it’s antithetical to our values?
What I’ve taken a very roundabout way of getting to is that I believe it’s fully possible to earn money doing work that’s aligned with our values. Further, if we want to achieve large scale change we’ll need more conscientious, community-oriented people with wealth to direct toward these good works.
Our own desire for positive change is the driving force behind our non-profit Well Life Foundation and the Dragontree Coaching Program. We want to help put money in the hands of people with big hearts. Most participants in our coaching program have been individuals looking to earn a good income in a private coaching practice, making a measurable difference in others’ lives. Some have used their coaching skills to run charitable organizations. A handful have been employed in corporations and chose to go through our training in order to be better equipped to transform the corporate environment – ultimately helping the entire staff to feel more purposeful and connected to the fundamental values they’re advancing.
As the next enrollment period for the Coaching Program approaches, I can’t help but feel proud of how much love went into this training and of the incredible individuals we’ve had the honor to teach. If you’ve ever thought, “I think I could help people,” I agree with you! Check out our program if you’re interested.
Be well,
Peter
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