A Cascade Special

An associate professor in the psychology department at Mission College, Robert Fettgather has taught courses such as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and general psychology for more than 35 years. Robert Fettgather also spent 25 years as a teacher at Agnews Developmental Center in Santa Clara, California, through a developmental center based community college program. Robert Fettgather has published in the Transactional Analysis Journal and Voices: The Art and Science of Psychotherapy.

The western Cascade mountain range has many wonders-among them Mt. Shasta.

Mount Shasta has interested geologists, Native American tribes, spiritual seekers, and even conspiracy theorists. The mountain's dual identity - as a natural wonder and a vortex of mysticism - makes it worth our investigation. It is stratovolcano rising 14,179 feet above sea level in Northern California. And we will establish that it is is more than just a geographical landmark but alsoa tpography of legend and matters of the spirit.

Geologists explain that themountain is actually a complex of four overlapping volcanic cones, each from different periods of eruptive activity. Moreover, Shasta's diverse landscape includes glaciers, lava domes, and lava tubes. The Whitney Glacier on the mountain's north side is the longest glacier in California. Let's not forget water- a critical element of the California landscape. Shasta serves as a vital water source for surrounding communities, with snowmelt feeding into the Sacramento River and underground aquifers.

Mount Shasta has been linked to UAP sightings and stories of covert government bases, and even time portals. While none of these claims are supported by scientific evidence, it is probable that no true investigative science has been financed or applied to these hypotheses.

Native tribes considered the mountain a place of spiritual power, healing, and “vision quests” and to this day, many Indigenous people continue to perform rituals and ceremonies on or near the mountain. After all, it is a spot of gods, spirits, and supernatural forces!

The Cascades in general and Mt. Shasta specifically are all worth a visit!

Houseboating: Fun And Safety

 

Robert Fettgather holds a specialist credential in learning handicapped and community college credentials in both psychology and developmental disabilities. The Institute for Personality and Ability Testing has certified Robert Fettgather as a Stress Management Trainer, and Medical Hypnosis Seminars of the Los Gatos Institute has certified him in Clinical Hypnotherapy. At Santa Clara University, Graduate Department of Education and Counseling Psychology, his studies included Health Education and Behavioral Medicine. Robert Fettgather enjoys house boating.

Located just 15 miles from the city of Susanville, Eagle Lake provides the perfect spot for houseboating and trout fishing. Its 24,000-acre water body and 66-mile shoreline have been home to the largest trout fish in the country. Trout in Eagle Lake typically grow to 18 inches long and weigh 2 pounds, although the largest catch on record in Eagle Lake was a 114-pound rainbow trout. Lake Tahoe, one of the largest lakes in California, has a surface area of 112,000 acres. It suits those who want to fish from a boat since the lake has a limited shoreline. Several marinas located around Lake Tahoe serve the needs of houseboaters.

Several other locations in northern California can perfectly accommodate houseboating. Lake Berryessa is one of the largest man-made lakes in California. The Vaca Mountains, the grassy hills that surround the lake, serve as a habitat for diverse species of vegetation, animals, and wildlife like deer, eagles, and hawks. A popular weekend destination for houseboaters, Lake Berryessa lies only 55 miles north of San Francisco.

To make the most out of the experience of being on a houseboat, it is important to be aware of safety measures. Houseboats require water pumps to protect them from sinking. The pumps help in case of leaks or natural calamities. It is advisable to refrain from placing certain water pumps in the lower parts of the houseboat because they would be hard to reach in the case of emergencies. Bilge pumps are an important component of most boats.

Learning To Meditate

Robert Fettgather has a bachelor's degree in psychology from San Jose State University, as well as a master's degree in education and a Ph.D. in psychology. With an interest in psychology, spirituality and religion, Robert Fettgather practices meditation and is co-founder of the Tashi Lhunpo Sangha in Palo Alto, California.

Meditation can help practitioners unwind from the stress of their daily lives. Anyone can use spiritual meditation at home or in a house of worship. Various forms of meditation exist across a wide variety of religious and secular traditions. Certain types of prayer are also recognized as a form of meditation.

Focused attention meditation may be the easiest form for beginners. It entails focusing on a particular thing, sound, or sensation. A common stimulus is breath awareness, in which practitioners gently dismiss all other thoughts and focus on their breathing. Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM) or mantra-based meditation uses a mantra unique to each practitioner. Individuals silently repeat the mantra, which helps them focus. Transcendental meditation is also a mantra-based meditation. It uses mantras to promote inner calmness, creativity, energy, mind clarity, and happiness.

There are many resources available to help learn to meditate including popular Apps and guided meditation presentations on YouTube. Perhaps the best path is to work with an established meditation teacher.