The Problem With Pedestals

 

Robert Fettgather is a longtime psychology instructor who has extensive experience working with those with developmental disabilities. As co-founder of Tashi Lhunpo Sangha, Robert Fettgather helped grow and guide a community of likeminded people practicing meditation and studying the dharma in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. 

It is only natural that we put people, places and institutions on a pedestal now and then. But some timeless wisdom suggests we should, in those cases, proceed with caution.

The saying "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him" originates from the teachings of the Zen master Linji Yixuan. It is a provocative and paradoxical expression meant to challenge adherents to transcend the limitations of external authorities, including revered spiritual figures.

In Zen philosophy, the road symbolizes the path to self-realization, and meeting the Buddha represents encountering external wisdom or authority. The call to "kill him" is not a literal act of violence but rather a metaphorical directive to let go of attachment to external forms and concepts. By relinquishing such attachments, individuals can move beyond preconceived notions and dogmas, freeing themselves to experience a more direct and personal connection with the essence of enlightenment.

Here is a bottom line:"If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him" serves as a reminder that the path to enlightenment is a personal and internal journey. It encourages individuals to question, explore, and transcend the boundaries of conventional beliefs, fostering a deeper understanding of their true nature. Ultimately, the saying invites contemplation on the nature of spiritual growth, urging individuals to seek wisdom within themselves rather than relying solely on external authorities. 

And in today's social media powered culture, it is a reminder to go easy on the latest celebrity fad and online influencer craze!

Models of Psychopathology

Robert Fettgather, Ph.D. is a counselor, educator, writer and activist residing in Grass Valley, California.  He started as a special education teacher in an institutional setting where he worked with people with intellectual disability, autism and cerebral palsy. Robert Fettgather holds a doctorate in psychology and master degrees in both psychology and education, and teaches at Mission College. 

There are various models or perspectives that frame the field of abnormal psychology. You may recognize that many of them have been covered in earlier Posts.

The sociocultural model of abnormality takes into account the effect of culture on behavior and suggests that psychological disorders should be assessed within the realm of cultural relativity. Culture-bound syndromes are certain psychological disorders that are only found in particular cultures. The biological model of psychopathology proposes that psychological disorders arise from a physical or biological cause. 

The psychoanalytical model asserts that disorders are the result of repressed thoughts in the unconscious mind, and grounded in our past experiences. The behaviorist model explains disorders as a set of learned behaviors influenced by the environment. Cognitive psychologists have outlined the cognitive model which describes psychological disorders as resulting from errant patterns of thought. The biopsychosocial model is multi-faceted and asserts that abnormal behavior is the result of biological, psychological, cultural and social factors.

Studies of abnormal behavior, or psychopathology have considerable historic roots.  For example, archaeological evidence (3000 B.C.) of a practice called "trepanning", or drilling holes in the skull-this  showed concern for aberrant behavior with a radical intervention.

The Innocence Project

 

Robert Fettgather's writings have been published in the Transactional Analysis Journal (Translated to French per the Centre Pour La Formationet L'intervention Psycho-Sociologiques), Voices: The Art and Science of Psychotherapy, and Lifelong Learning. His latest article was published online with the International Network of Critical Gerontology and was entitled "Guardianship of the Infantilized Elder: A Pipeline to the Institution Industrial Complex?"

The Innocence Project, founded in 1992 by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, is a non-profit organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through the use of DNA evidence. This initiative sheds light on systemic issues within the justice system, highlighting flaws that can lead to the imprisonment of innocent individuals.

One of the primary focuses of the Innocence Project is the utilization of DNA testing to reevaluate cases where doubts about guilt arise. The advent of DNA technology has been a game-changer in the pursuit of justice, as it provides a scientifically sound method for confirming or refuting a person's involvement in a crime. The Innocence Project has been instrumental in securing the release of numerous individuals who were wrongly convicted, some of whom had spent decades behind bars.

The cases handled by the Innocence Project underscore the fallibility of the justice system. Factors such as eyewitness misidentification, prosecutorial misconduct, inadequate legal representation, and flawed forensic evidence contribute to the alarming rate of wrongful convictions. These cases serve as a stark reminder that the quest for justice is an imperfect endeavor, susceptible to human error and systemic deficiencies.

Moreover, the work of the Innocence Project raises questions about the reliability of certain investigative techniques and the need for ongoing reform within the criminal justice system. The organization not only seeks to exonerate the innocent but also advocates for policy changes to prevent future miscarriages of justice. Their efforts underscore the importance of addressing root causes and implementing safeguards to ensure a fair and just legal process.

The Innocence Project plays a vital role in revealing the shortcomings of the justice system and working towards its improvement. By exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals, advocating for policy changes, and promoting the use of reliable forensic methods, the organization contributes to a broader conversation about the need for reform and the pursuit of a more just and equitable legal system.

States Of Dissociation

An instructor at Mission college, robert Fettgather hassd taught Human Development, abnormal Psychology and other courses. Robert fettgather has also taught courses in psychology and education at San Jose State University and National University. 

Most of us have had the experience of "spacing out' as a kind of absent minded moment or even a pleasant day dream. On the other hand, dissociative disorders involve a break, or dissociation, in a person’s sense of identity. In dissociative amnesia, an individual cannot remember information contained in long-term memory such as her own name or where she lives. A dissociative fugue occurs when a person suddenly travels away from his home and afterwards cannot remember the trip or even his own identity. In dissociative identity disorder, formerly referred to as multiple personality disorder, a person seems to experience at least two or more distinct personalities.

For example, a woman called Hilary Stanton had considerable blanks in her memories of childhood. She recalled her "safe place" behind the barn, and how her "alters" began to protect her mind. Dr. Allan Schore has noted the physiological impact of dissociation in response to early trauma, and its effect on suicidality.

According to the psychoanalytical model, dissociation is a defense mechanism and is associated with emotional or physical trauma. Behaviorists believe that “not thinking” about certain events can be negatively reinforced by reducing anxiety and unpleasant feelings, while cognitive psychologists focus on the feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety that may be avoided through “thought avoidance.” Biological reasoning for dissociative disorders is found in the scientific literature as well. For example, researchers have discovered that people with depersonalization disorder also have diminished brain activity in brain areas responsible for our experience of body sensations.