Jasper #3: The Canary’s Call: A Story of Healing and Understanding Within the hearts of the silent, a story awaits its voice. Theirs is a tale stifled beneath the weight of memories only partly their own. In understanding the mentally ill, we grasp the fragments of an ancient mosaic—each piece Read more
Jasper #4: Reflecting on a Journey Through Trauma and Redemption Phase 4: An Encounter with Transformation It was autumn, 1987, when I revisited the echoes of my past—Donelle’s apartment near Camas, Washington. Divorced from her since ’84, our paths crossed infrequently, tethered by concern rather than affection. Sobriety, newfound in Read more
Bridging the Expanse: From Biological Limits to Universal Love In an era defined by unparalleled challenges, from the existential threat of climate change to the deep fissures of social injustice, a profound question echoes through the collective consciousness of humanity. What happens when our hearts swell with empathy as vast Read more
Bridging Minds and Mechanics: The Shared Philosophy of Electricians and Therapists In the intricate dance of cause and effect that governs both the mechanical and mental realms, a profound analogy emerges, drawing a line of similarity between the professions of electricians that service existing installations and therapists who serve troubled Read more
My Kingdom Is Not Of This World: The Paradox of Consciousness–Choosing Between Divine and Material Worlds In a statement that has resonated through centuries, “My kingdom is not of this world,” Jesus imparted a profound wisdom on the nature of consciousness and reality. This wisdom invites us to explore the Read more
Jasper–Chapter One: The Spark That Illuminated the World In an era where the flick of a switch illuminates our rooms, powers our technology, and even drives our cars, it’s easy to overlook the sheer wonder of electricity. Yet, take a moment to ponder: what magic lies within these walls, beneath Read more
The Paradox of Internal Imagery: A Reflection on Judgment and Indulgence In the intricate tapestry of human behavior and cognition, there exists a curious parallel between two seemingly disparate activities: the creation and enjoyment of internal imagery for pleasure and the harboring of such images for judgment against others. Within Read more
Jasper 2; The National Tragedy of Mental Health Mental health has transcended its space in the annals of personal health and become an issue of national importance. The 1973 Evergreen High School Photograph, with its tapestry is an icon for all that we hope the human experience could be. Read more
Breaking the Silence: Addressing the Cultural Conspiracy Around Mental Illness In our society’s tapestry, mental illness is often a thread that’s hidden, not for its lack of presence, but for our collective refusal to acknowledge it. This conspiracy of silence, deeply embedded within our culture, is as harmful as the Read more
The Cycle of Hope and Despair in Treating Schizophrenia: A Personal Reflection Reflecting on the decade spanning from 1973 to 1983, I witnessed the arduous battle my ex-wife, Donelle, waged against schizophrenia—a fight not just against her own mind but against a healthcare system that seemed ill-equipped for the nuances Read more
Silence is no Salve for Schizophrenia’s Shadow Mental illness is our modern-day plague, a spectral assailant creeping into families, leaving no member untouched. We shy away from discussing it, as though voicing its name could summon it into our lives. On beholding the face of this feared visitor – particularly Read more
Part one: The rising issue of mental health distresses me deeply as I’ve witnessed the collective struggle of our society. We live in a world that, tragically, often encourages the stifling of significant aspects of our human spirit, resulting in imbalances in the collective and individual mind. The psychiatric profession Read more
Donelle: “Society’s Healing Begins at Home: Why It’s Time We Shatter the Silence on Domestic Trauma” In the serene order of a family’s portrait—smiles frozen in time, moments captured in the stillness of a frame—often lies overbearing silence. It’s the kind of silence that harbors more than just secrets; it Read more
Mental Illness and Family Care: Oregon’s Silent Crisis In the shadows of our community dialogues and legislative priorities, the issue of mental health continues to bear a hefty, though often silent, weight on families throughout Oregon. This silence, a virtual conspiracy driven by a lack of action and adequate funding, Read more
Jasper #5: The Transformation of Heartbreak into Teamwork – A Journey Through Night and Light The Stark Contrasts of Life Under the muted tones of a darkening sky, I was en route to Seaside, having just left the confining walls of Fort Steilacoom’s mental hospital, the temporary residence of my Read more
Between Light and Darkness: My Journey Towards Cosmic Awakening In January 1986, the world watched in horror as the Challenger spacecraft broke apart, taking with it the lives of seven souls and the dreams of a generation. On that same day, lost in the personal abyss of my own despair, Read more
The Cycle of Repetition vs. the Call for Innovation: Our Societal Conundrum In our society’s tapestry, two phrases have woven themselves into the very fabric of our collective understanding. “The poor will always be among us,” and the perennial question it provokes: Does a “Jesus Christ” type figure need to Read more
Chapter One: The Invisible Epidemic of Cultural Schizophrenia In a society where the rugged individual stands as an icon and the narrative of personal success is etched into our collective psyche, a pervasive form of schizophrenia quietly thrives. We, the presumed singular entities swimming in the sea of shared consciousness, Read more
Chapters 40-44: The Illusion of Self: Philosopher in the Looking Glass Who are you? Really. This is not an idle question reserved for introductory pleasantries or drunken late-night conversations. I want to know who you are, stripped bare of the roles you play and the labels you’re assigned. Are you your Read more
The National Tragedy of Mental Health: The Interwoven Strands of Trauma and Mental Illness Mental health has transcended its space in the annals of personal biology and become an issue of national importance. The 1973 Evergreen High School Photograph, with its tapestry of youthful glances and hopeful dreams, is an Read more