Subject: “Culture as a mirror but also a medicine of sadness in ancient Greece”
Speaker: Moraitou Despina, Dr. Philology of University of Cologne, Dr. Psychology of University of Athens, Lecturer at the Department of Psychology at Panteion University, Author
Subject: “Psychosomatic Afflictions and the Role of Altered/Alternate States of Consciousness in Indigenous Ethnomedical Systems”
Speaker: Diana Riboli, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Anthropology, at Panteion University
In anthropology ethnomedicine is a term used to indicate medical systems related to, and embedded in, specific cultural contexts. Despite the fact that biomedicine could be considered as the ethnomedical system of western countries and cultures, ethomedical research mostly focuses on the study of therapeutic systems which do not conform and/or apply biomedical methodologies. Most indigenous cultures do not perceive illness and suffering as merely physical conditions. In fact, diseases are attributed to states of imbalance between the personal/physical, social, environmental and cosmic spheres. During healing rituals, the traditional therapists (shamans, medicine-men, curanderosand so on) often use altered/alternate states of consciousness (ASC) to communicate with other cosmic zones and other-than-human persons. In so doing, they deconstruct and reconstruct the mythological sphere both of the patient and their social group, in order to restore the balance. The paper, drawing upon ethnographic examples from various cultures and geographical areas, aims to analyze the polysemic dimension of ASC in healing processes.
Subject: “Science Observes the Soul”
Speaker: Christodoulakis Theodosis, Psychiatrist – Psychoanalyst, Director of Psychiatric Clinic “Panagia Grigorousa”
Subject: “The Relationship with God as a factor of mental resilience”
Speaker: Vassilios Thermos, Dr Theological School of Athens, Psychiatrist, Archpriest
Subject: “Exploring Self-Compassion – Our True Spiritual Nature”
Speaker: Sarah Eagger, Psychiatrist MB, BS; F RCPswch
Self–compassion is very popular in the Mindfulness/ Buddhist communities right now and is especially applicable to anyone on a spiritual path. Two American psychologists, Christopher Germer and Kristen Neff, have developed a program of sessions to help people explore and enhance their self-compassion.
They have established a centre called the The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
And they also have their own websites;
Christopher Germer http://www.mindfulselfcompassion.org/
Kristen Neff http://self-compassion.org/and
They have both written good books on the subject
http://www.mindfulselfcompassion.org/publications_books.php#mindfulpath
http://www.amazon.com/Self-Compassion-Beating-Yourself-Insecurity-Behind-ebook/dp/B004JN1DBO
Having compassion means that you offer understanding and kindness to others when they fail or make mistakes, rather than judging them harshly. Self-compassion involves acting the same way towards yourself when you are having a difficult time, fail, or notice something you don’t like about yourself. Instead of just ignoring your pain, you can pause to tell yourself “this is really difficult right now,” how can I comfort and care for myself in this moment?
Three key components of self-compassion are self- kindness, a sense of common humanity and balanced mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to our essential interrelatedness so that we know we aren’t alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warm- hearted, connected presence.
Those on a spiritual path have the knowledge that our true nature is compassion and love but we have very deep tendencies that mean we are in the habit of treating ourselves harshly. The experiential exercises help us to recognisehow we are often unkind and subtly violent towards ourselves and how we can learn to respond in a kinder, more compassionate way. This choice is done because you care about yourself and realise that if you really want to motivate yourself, love is more powerful than fear. The emphasis is on building resources rather than addressing old wounds and positive change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way.
This retreat will explore these themes and give an opportunity to experience the program through meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion and self-compassion practices.
Subject: “From the trauma to creation: the strange of the soul”
Speaker: Fotini Tsalikoglou, Clinical Psychologist, Emeritus Professor of Panteion University, Author
Coordinator: George Krallis, Social-Intercultural Worker, Special Social Groups Motivator, NDI Psychotherapist, President of the Non-Profit Organization “Humanlinks”
Venue: Amphitheater of Acropolis Museum
Due to limited seats, a priority list will be kept. For your convenience, kindly complete this form or send an email to info.humanlinks@gmail.com.
