Another approach is to ask the student for a specific definition of
mind/body/spirit. A glance through the last two years of _American Psychologist_
articles reveals topics of Flow and Happiness (Csikszentmihalyi, Deiner, Buss
articles), automaticity vs. free will in cliical psychology (Kirsch & Lynn
article, 1999), and an entire issue devoted to "happiness, excellence, and
optimal human functioning" (January 2000). Once these terms are operationalized
to _any_ reasonable degree, we make contact with main-stream society. The
student may have a vague idea of where their interests lie, but has not devoted
any time thinking it through. I like think that in the pastoral programs, they,
too, will demand the student clarify what they mean.
Gary Peterson wrote:
> I must confess I shared Tom Allaway's reaction. I would hope the
> student can differentiate psychological science from these other "shadows"
> that characterize--some would say plague, psychological practice. On the
> other hand, there are serious ways to study whatever these terms are
> referring to, or coming to mean, in pop-culture. Perhaps, various
> counseling programs, health psych degree programs? It's hard to know
> without getting more information about the student's search. Perhaps, a
> program in transpersonal psychology? Perhaps some pastoral programs?
> Perhaps, Deepak Chopra's institute (doesn't he have one?). I'd have a range
> of feelings if my senior-level students wanted to go in that direction, but
> then such interests/ideas/fields may appeal to some. I would probably try to
> help the student consider such diverse options, her motivations for such
> study and, frankly, be curious as to such interests....but then I'd wish her
> the best. (yes, I would sigh a lot ;-)
--
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John W. Kulig [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Department of Psychology http://oz.plymouth.edu/~kulig
Plymouth State College tel: (603) 535-2468
Plymouth NH USA 03264 fax: (603) 535-2412
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"What a man often sees he does not wonder at, although he knows
not why it happens; if something occurs which he has not seen before,
he thinks it is a marvel" - Cicero.
