Dr. Drake Spaeth and Dr. Marina Smirnova, Saybrook University faculty members in the Department of Humanistic Psychology, provide key insights on how we can cope and use this time during the COVID-19 crisis to connect with others.
For more information about Saybrook University, please go to www.saybrook.edu.
Resources:
Five Love Languages: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/2018/06/the-five-love-languages-defined/
Choice: Embrace the Possible by Eva Eger (Saybrook 1978): https://www.amazon.com/Choice-Embrace-Possible-Edith-Eger-ebook/dp/B01HMXRZ6O
Dr. Drake Spaeth and Dr. Marina Smirnova, Saybrook University faculty members in the Department of Humanistic Psychology, provide key insights on how we can cope and use this time during the COVID-19 crisis to connect with others.
For more information about Saybrook University, please go to www.saybrook.edu.
Resources:
Five Love Languages: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/2018/06/the-five-love-languages-defined/
Choice: Embrace the Possible by Eva Eger (Saybrook 1978): https://www.amazon.com/Choice-Embrace-Possible-Edith-Eger-ebook/dp/B01HMXRZ6O
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{PLEASE NOTE: The following transcript contains some errors as a result of transcription. This provides a rough approximation of the audio file. We will continue to refine and edit future casts for the benefit of our friends who desire the transcript feature).
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Hello. Welcome, everyone. I am Nathan Long, president of Saybrook University. You're joining us on our inaugural GTM cast featuring two of our wonderful Saybrook University faculty members doctors Drake Spaeth and Marina Smirnova. I would like each of you to introduce yourselves today.
spk_1: 0:30
I'm Drake Spaeth. I am the psychology chair of the humanistic and clinical Psychology Department at Saybrook University.
spk_0: 0:39
Great, Marina.
spk_2: 0:42
Hello, everyone. My name is Marina Smirnova and I'm psychology faculty at Saybrook University. I also teach in consciousness, spirituality and integrated health specialization.
spk_0: 0:55
Fantastic. Thank you both for being here today. You know, with the recent global and national crisis that effects us, we thought as a university one of the things that we could bring to the public are wonderful people like yourselves, not just experts, but practitioners in the field, people who are working with individuals day in and day out for better mental and physical and emotional well being. So we thought maybe you could give us a few words around your practice of psychology, the things that you're seeing and how uh, we can, uh, live better lives. And in the current state of quarantine and us on nervousness, it's out there in our society right now. The first question: given the national and global crisis were in what are some coping strategies, Especially from a humanistic psychology perspective that each of you might consider or recommend?
spk_1: 2:08
Well, you know, I can't help but think in times like this of, ah, Rollo May and his emphasis on seeking beauty, you know, and I almost hear a Capital B when he talks about beauty in this way, you know, he has lamented in some of his talks our increasing disconnection with beauty and the pursuit of that directly. So this may seem like an abstract sounding kind of concept, but I think it absolutely speaks to the core of what's going on because in this crisis, which has engaged us in such difficulty in such challenge, you know, there's this paradox of social distancing and isolation, and yet we have an unprecedented opportunity also in our respective living spaces to connect or reconnect with the natural world around us. I mean, even if we live in urban environments, it's still possible to get to some places where nature is alive and well and has a chance while pollution levels are down and businesses are not as active and people are not clogging streets with traffic to get to some of these quiet, natural places and really affirm our organic connection with the beauty of the natural world. For me personally, this has been a gift, you know, in terms of getting outside, taking walks and just breathing the fresh air and hearing amid the stillness, the birds celebrating the coming of spring with unusual clarity and almost, you know, in a very poignant sense of celebration that strikes me, you know, even more strongly than it usually does. And I'm one you know, who's sort of inclined to seek those things out anyway. But it's been almost mystical. The sense of connection there, um, so I just felt a real longing to kind of share that from a personal level as well as you know, a recommendation for coping to really creatively express our connection with that. And it may not even be nature. It could be art and the things that we can engage in in our homes and households and domiciles. But anything that connects us to beauty with a capital B.
spk_0: 4:41
That's beautiful, Drake. Thank you for that. I think, uh, you know, as we we all try and figure out our way forward. Even in Los Angeles County, where we're located, I think it was the director of public health who came out and said something very similar to you that we're not prevented from going outside and taking part in this beautiful world of ours. To take a moment to take a walk, too, you know, see nature in front of us and to really take part in that which we've often neglected or not been able to be a part of. So I appreciate that very much. Thank you. Thank you, Marina. Any thoughts from you as well?
spk_2: 5:16
(Note: due to audio quality, Dr. Smirnova's words are not exact here. Please excuse any errors in transcription). I certainly think the sense of beauty that exists within and with us and tapping into this It was just such a gift. And as you mentioned. We have an opportunity in the midst of any crisis. They're used certainly danger and opportunity that are tied together in the pure electrical way that each of us gets to explore. After all, do a lot of times. And this time is no different. In a sense, all of this is the experiential ditz Experiential journey for all what I would like to offer it as another change to not only Pope but actually used this time for, um, funeral glances with looking at the heart but also connecting with others. Taking a look at reframing our experience that one off individual and also collective [inaccurate transcription ahead] Shiro journey. This is something that Joseph Campbell talked about, uh, decades ago, and that continues to be very relevant for all of us. So Hero's journey, we can think of it as a mom. I miss that is, uh, three steps separating from reality as we know it. Certainly that is still relevant for all of us here and now, in this time then deepening or descending into the unknown and all. All of us individually and collectively have our share of that experience here and now. And God is the journey that essentially will lead to the third stop, which is coming back from this journey with a boon. And the beauty of it is that no matter how difficult and how challenging the journeys are, and we're in miniature of journeys at the same time, individually and collectively all together. But no matter how difficult and challenging great are, they hold that incredible promise to bring force the gift, the born that actually makes the journey worthwhile in some deeply, ah, human, meaningful way. So each of us gets to look with them and connect with them and without and share that sense of humanity and share the gift you not only with our self, now a lot limbs, but also with the community. Because for Joseph Campbell, be sure Virginia was incomplete until that Boone was a rancher to the community in the way that stretch of the community not on Lee gives what community needs but actually goes beyond meetings and neat and so analogy in time reframing our journeys...what comes to mind is the work and recommendations that that have been shared by ---. He actually is the one who mentioned we're old heroes in rating and that this find it seems to me that we collectively and individually have stepped up its in your fence identity. We're no longer hero in waiting.
spk_2: 9:04
[Transcription modified due to audio transcript errors] We shall be with all the world, each of us. That individual has an opportunity to tap into that hero potential. And here we are, in the world that is made out of 7.7 billion heroes. No lingering waiting, but really heroes in the makings. So let it leads us to the best [of ourselves] and each day's and opportunity to remember who we are.
spk_0: 10:35
Thank you both. Um, as we look, at strategies for our members of our community Both Saybrook and the communities in which we live just very briefly If if both of you wouldn't mind sharing: What are some of the options and opportunities that people can tap into locally, regionally? Naturally, as psychologists I'm sure you have some tools in your toolkit that you would recommend. So just Marina, do you mind taking a start with this?
spk_2: 11:25
(Note: due to audio quality, Dr. Smirnova's words are not exact here. Please excuse any errors in transcription). In this time, communities come with a number off creative solutions. And to me, it seems that each solution for each community customized on whatever needs are much more present. And certainly that will require community leadership to actually delegate responsibilities in organized perhaps even virtual groups and virtual communities, virtual committees that can tend to the living and breathing our community. And it sees as they're unfolding and with respect off opportunities that exist. One thing that I would like to dimension is, and that is not only on level of the community, but because community is made out of individuals trying so tipping in camp into the individual strength and individual support and sent off pretty sickness within and developed. I think it's important. So with that, I find it very helpful. The idea off five love languages first? And it's coming from Dr Chapman, Gary Chapman, [lost audio for transcript]. It takes a few moments toe, learn about there, own ways off preferred ways off receiving appreciations. We can say genuine the love. But it can be simply a sense of gratitude, appreciation, etcetera and also learning about their loved ones. And their friends, their neighbors. How did they every Steve it. So I would love to see a community of virtual community that would take it on and actually again invest getting into living each day and each moment with loving intensity, of appreciation and gratitude. And, you know, the five languages are very important. Acts of service, right quality time, physical touch, gift and words of appreciation. How often do we actually assume that another individual is actually receiving and wanted to receive again appreciation gratitude, in the ways that they prefer? (Note: due to audio quality, Dr. Smirnova's words are not exact here. Please excuse any errors in transcription). [Audio transcription error - section removed] Additionally, I think book reading is important. I'm a huge audible fan actually carry with me everywhere I go. [Section removed due to audio transcription errors. Dr. Smirnova makes reference in this section to resources we've included in the resource page.]
spk_0: 16:42
I think you and I are gonna have to start that virtual book groups and I'm serious. So I'm all in. Let's talk about that's great, Dr ST
spk_1: 16:55
ell, I could not. I mean, I could not agree more with leading with gratitude and appreciation, being of itself. So healing and therapeutic not only for others but of course, yourself. You know, the the upwelling of wholeness that organically follows that I in terms of connecting locally. You know, of course, were challenged because we're all you know, in our homes or close to it. And, you know, we can't connect in person, even locally, the same way that we could. On the other hand, I can share what I've really taken. Ah, lot of unexpected joy in doing is through social media, connecting with some of the local social media pages of, you know, topics pertinent to my town of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and just hearing about what individuals and groups are doing to support and help in such creative ways. And if nothing else, me sending little messages of love and appreciation to those individuals and groups because, you know, we can find each other that way. And, um, you know, just tow. Be able to just send the little love notes you know that Marina has alluded to has been help. It's been, I think, more helpful than anything in keeping my spirits up and feeling connected to my community at a local level. I mean, as as a for instance, you know, we have, um, local restaurants who are doing free deliveries of food and leaving them for the grocery store workers who, as we know, are being regarded as emergency personnel. Now, you know, and putting their lives at risk toe show upto work to keep the sources of our food going, you know? And so just the appreciation of that status, the little things, other restaurants working from their drive through windows, you know, to basically toss bags of food at you as you drive by e. I mean, I love hearing about these things and the heroic efforts to remain open and available to folks. Um, and you know, the local women's shelter basically really providing education about hygiene and social distancing and what we can do to keep the women of our community safe at a time when they might not be able to congregate at the local center and things like that, you know, So just staying in touch with what's going on locally as well as nationally and worldwide through the social media piece has been very helpful for me. Anyway,I am inspired. Those were fantastic thoughts and suggestions by both of you. It's ah, it's clear we are blessed to have both of you as part of our Saybrook family and all the faculty that we have. I want to thank thank you, Dr Smirnova and Dr Spaeth for taking this time to share with our larger community from a humanistic psychological perspective. It's a tough time right now for a lot of folks who are losing loved ones who are experiencing grief and loss, but also figuring out this new way of being in the world. If it's only for a few weeks, it's still a dramatic change to life as we know it. So my thanks to both of you and for all that you bring to the university.This is our first go with this and I think you both were wonderful, and we hope that you'll say safe, be kind to one another. Wash your hands. Pay attention to the CDC website and as both doctors Smirnova and Dr Spaeth pointed out, reach out, connect, be with one another, virtually take time out for yourself on and engage in a lot of self care. So thank you all very much and have a really great weekend since today is Friday the first week of our COVID-19 quarantine for many of us. Thank you.Thank you.
spk_1: 21:25
Well, I could not. I mean, I could not agree more with leading with gratitude and appreciation, being of itself. So healing and therapeutic not only for others but of course, yourself. You know, the the upwelling of wholeness that organically follows that I in terms of connecting locally. You know, of course, were challenged because we're all you know, in our homes or close to it. And, you know, we can't connect in person, even locally, the same way that we could. On the other hand, I can share what I've really taken. Ah, lot of unexpected joy in doing is through social media, connecting with some of the local social media pages of, you know, topics pertinent to my town of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and just hearing about what individuals and groups are doing to support and help in such creative ways. And if nothing else, me sending little messages of love and appreciation to those individuals and groups because, you know, we can find each other that way. And, um, you know, just tow. Be able to just send the little love notes you know that Marina has alluded to has been help. It's been, I think, more helpful than anything in keeping my spirits up and feeling connected to my community at a local level. I mean, as as a for instance, you know, we have, um, local restaurants who are doing free deliveries of food and leaving them for the grocery store workers who, as we know, are being regarded as emergency personnel. Now, you know, and putting their lives at risk toe show upto work to keep the sources of our food going, you know? And so just the appreciation of that status, the little things, other restaurants working from their drive through windows, you know, to basically toss bags of food at you as you drive by e. I mean, I love hearing about these things and the heroic efforts to remain open and available to folks. Um, and you know, the local women's shelter basically really providing education about hygiene and social distancing and what we can do to keep the women of our community safe at a time when they might not be able to congregate at the local center and things like that, you know, So just staying in touch with what's going on locally as well as nationally and worldwide through the social media piece has been very helpful for me. Anyway,I am inspired. Those were fantastic thoughts and suggestions by both of you. It's ah, it's clear we are blessed to have both of you as part of our Saybrook family and all the faculty that we have. I want to thank thank you, Dr Smirnova and Dr Spaeth for taking this time to share with our larger community from a humanistic psychological perspective. It's a tough time right now for a lot of folks who are losing loved ones who are experiencing grief and loss, but also figuring out this new way of being in the world. If it's only for a few weeks, it's still a dramatic change to life as we know it. So my thanks to both of you and for all that you bring to the university.This is our first go with this and I think you both were wonderful, and we hope that you'll say safe, be kind to one another. Wash your hands. Pay attention to the CDC website and as both doctors Smirnova and Dr Spaeth pointed out, reach out, connect, be with one another, virtually take time out for yourself on and engage in a lot of self care. So thank you all very much and have a really great weekend since today is Friday the first week of our COVID-19 quarantine for many of us. Thank you.Thank you.