Comments on: Magical Thinking http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/05/31/magical-thinking/ Reflections of a Buddhist Physician Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:24:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Spencer http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/05/31/magical-thinking/#comment-1797 Spencer Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:48:13 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=2293#comment-1797 It's funny to me your post on magical thinking was inspired by, or at least illustrated by, an example of a patient with IBS. My understanding is that very little agreement exists on the etiology of the condition, and that most experts will accept a "mind-body" type influence at work, at least in part. Is IBS "magical thinking" that somehow produces changes in intestinal function and enteroception? There is an association between depression and IBS, and decreased serotonin activity may be a contributing factor to both. but why do people have lower serotonin? I guess what I am saying is, it's a bit of magical thinking to expect a specific treatment for IBS to work if the true cause of the condition is a mystery. <blockquote><em><strong>Spencer</strong>: Actually, in medicine we have many examples of specific treatments working for diseases whose cause is a complete mystery, including for example depression. No studies have ever shown low serotonin levels—or any specific neurotransmitter—cause depression. And though there isn't agreement on what causes IBS, recent studies are beginning to shed light on it and are showing there are definitely measurable physical differences in the bowels of people with IBS compared to those without it. Alex</em></blockquote> It’s funny to me your post on magical thinking was inspired by, or at least illustrated by, an example of a patient with IBS. My understanding is that very little agreement exists on the etiology of the condition, and that most experts will accept a “mind-body” type influence at work, at least in part. Is IBS “magical thinking” that somehow produces changes in intestinal function and enteroception? There is an association between depression and IBS, and decreased serotonin activity may be a contributing factor to both. but why do people have lower serotonin? I guess what I am saying is, it’s a bit of magical thinking to expect a specific treatment for IBS to work if the true cause of the condition is a mystery.

Spencer: Actually, in medicine we have many examples of specific treatments working for diseases whose cause is a complete mystery, including for example depression. No studies have ever shown low serotonin levels—or any specific neurotransmitter—cause depression. And though there isn’t agreement on what causes IBS, recent studies are beginning to shed light on it and are showing there are definitely measurable physical differences in the bowels of people with IBS compared to those without it.

Alex

]]> By: Janice http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/05/31/magical-thinking/#comment-904 Janice Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:29:45 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=2293#comment-904 Magical thinking abounds in our society where opinions and factual distortions abound in our media. In fact, it's no wonder that one might just descend into one's own madness as you might as well. It's no more crazy than the stuff you read about in the news or hear on TV, and those people get paid a LOT of money to misinform us. But for those of us not quite ready for that (I'll wait for the complete onset of Alzheimer's, I'm only up to the "z" so far...lol), it can't bear too much repeating that there are facts which exist despite someone's opinion of them, critical thinking is not anti-American, and knowledge is really power. Thanks for sharing, Alex. I think your IBS patient's just playing with ya.... <blockquote><em><strong>Janice</strong>: "I think your IBS patient's just playing with ya..." You have no idea how much I wish that were true. ;) Alex</em></blockquote> Magical thinking abounds in our society where opinions and factual distortions abound in our media. In fact, it’s no wonder that one might just descend into one’s own madness as you might as well. It’s no more crazy than the stuff you read about in the news or hear on TV, and those people get paid a LOT of money to misinform us.

But for those of us not quite ready for that (I’ll wait for the complete onset of Alzheimer’s, I’m only up to the “z” so far…lol), it can’t bear too much repeating that there are facts which exist despite someone’s opinion of them, critical thinking is not anti-American, and knowledge is really power. Thanks for sharing, Alex.

I think your IBS patient’s just playing with ya….

Janice: “I think your IBS patient’s just playing with ya…” You have no idea how much I wish that were true. ;)

Alex

]]> By: jstele http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/05/31/magical-thinking/#comment-882 jstele Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:42:29 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=2293#comment-882 Well, I will disagree with you about the law of attraction. "The Secret" did not say that action was unnecessary. What it promoted was that one should take inspired action. For example, let's say that someone is looking for a job. A conventional approach would be to look in the classifieds or ask people for contacts. But sometimes, the conventional approach does not work. If we base our approach on everything that we have seen or experienced, that just limits us to creating what we know is possible. So then, we may just look at ads or ask people for contacts. But maybe the job we want cannot be found that way. I've had the experience of manifesting jobs by using the law of attraction. I've had people I barely know offer me jobs when I was not actively looking nor had I put the word out. I know a woman who was offered a job while she was enjoying herself on vacation. She wasn't looking, either. I think anyone who dismisses the law of attraction is really missing out on some amazing possibilities. The law of attraction is not about giving up your power, but taking responsibility for achieving what you want. The story of the astronaut referenced above is a good example of the law of attraction. You start by focusing on what you want. You open yourself to guidance on achieving your goal by listening to the thoughts you get about it. You take action when it seems right. It really is about focusing your energy to achieve a goal as opposed to just taking action because you think that action will lead to your goal. Sometimes, action is unnecessary because it is easier than we realized. But it depends on the goal, really. If you think something will be a lot of work, it will be so. If you say that you must do X in order to achieve a goal, then you do not allow it to be realized in other ways. I agree that "The Secret" did not do a good job at explaining the law of attraction. It is a good introduction and motivational tool. But if you really want to understand the law, you should read "The Law of Attraction" by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Well, I will disagree with you about the law of attraction. “The Secret” did not say that action was unnecessary. What it promoted was that one should take inspired action. For example, let’s say that someone is looking for a job. A conventional approach would be to look in the classifieds or ask people for contacts. But sometimes, the conventional approach does not work. If we base our approach on everything that we have seen or experienced, that just limits us to creating what we know is possible. So then, we may just look at ads or ask people for contacts. But maybe the job we want cannot be found that way. I’ve had the experience of manifesting jobs by using the law of attraction. I’ve had people I barely know offer me jobs when I was not actively looking nor had I put the word out. I know a woman who was offered a job while she was enjoying herself on vacation. She wasn’t looking, either. I think anyone who dismisses the law of attraction is really missing out on some amazing possibilities.

The law of attraction is not about giving up your power, but taking responsibility for achieving what you want. The story of the astronaut referenced above is a good example of the law of attraction. You start by focusing on what you want. You open yourself to guidance on achieving your goal by listening to the thoughts you get about it. You take action when it seems right. It really is about focusing your energy to achieve a goal as opposed to just taking action because you think that action will lead to your goal. Sometimes, action is unnecessary because it is easier than we realized. But it depends on the goal, really. If you think something will be a lot of work, it will be so. If you say that you must do X in order to achieve a goal, then you do not allow it to be realized in other ways.

I agree that “The Secret” did not do a good job at explaining the law of attraction. It is a good introduction and motivational tool. But if you really want to understand the law, you should read “The Law of Attraction” by Esther and Jerry Hicks.

]]> By: Craig http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/05/31/magical-thinking/#comment-668 Craig Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:19:27 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=2293#comment-668 The post and the discussion are quite enjoyable here. I can't recommend strongly enough the book by Andrew Newberg and Mark Waldman "How God Changes Your Brain" even though I think the title is misleading. It's well referenced and great discussion of scientific studies of subjective experiences and how various religious practices can effect the brain. Chapters 8 and 9 really are the reason I like the book so much as it moves beyond discussion to give a current summing up on what are likely the best practices based on published studies to positively affect our brain's plasticity. <blockquote><em><strong>Craig</strong>: Thanks for the book suggestion. Sounds like it's right up my alley. I'll definitely take a look. Alex</em></blockquote> The post and the discussion are quite enjoyable here. I can’t recommend strongly enough the book by Andrew Newberg and Mark Waldman “How God Changes Your Brain” even though I think the title is misleading. It’s well referenced and great discussion of scientific studies of subjective experiences and how various religious practices can effect the brain. Chapters 8 and 9 really are the reason I like the book so much as it moves beyond discussion to give a current summing up on what are likely the best practices based on published studies to positively affect our brain’s plasticity.

Craig: Thanks for the book suggestion. Sounds like it’s right up my alley. I’ll definitely take a look.

Alex

]]> By: thquah http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/05/31/magical-thinking/#comment-406 thquah Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:00:22 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=2293#comment-406 Alex, great write up, all the way from an island called Penang. Got your link from Dan (SGI). Alex, great write up, all the way from an island called Penang. Got your link from Dan (SGI).

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