"If you you
don't turn on to politics, politics will turn on
you!"
-- Ralph Nader
"The health of democracies, of whatever type and range, depends on a wretched technical detail--electoral procedure. All the rest is secondary. If the regime of the elections is successful, if it is in accordance with reality, all goes well; if not, though the rest progresses beautifully, all goes wrong."
Personal psychological healing and transformation takes place in a social and political context. Since the abortion of democracy on December 9, 2000, I can no longer in good conscience present an ideology free website. I believe that the forces at work today in American politics will prove to be severely destructive to the environment, to society, and to the psychological well-being of each individual.
In Germany the Nazis first came for the Communists
and I didn't object because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't object because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't object because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't object because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me
and there was nobody left to object.
-- Martin Niemoller, Dachau, Germany, 1941
"Nothing would prove more disastrous, we contend, than to neglect the effect of the internal upon the external, of the psychologic motives and needs upon existing institutions." (Emma Goldman)
What's with the Background?
The red and black banner has long been the symbol of Anarchism (no, not rebellious, pubescent punks painting circle-A graffiti everywhere, but real anarchists, such as Emma Goldman, Michael Bakunin, Alexander Berkman, and others). What is Anarchism?
"Anarchism, therefore, is a political theory that aims to create a society which is without political, economic or social hierarchies. Anarchists maintain that anarchy, the absence of rulers, is a viable form of social system and so work for the maximisation of individual liberty and social equality." (Anarchism FAQ)
The true function of organization is to aid the development and growth of personality. Just as the animal cells, by mutual co-operation, express their latent powers in the formation of the complete organism, so does the individuality, by co-operative effort with other individualities, attain its highest form of development. An organization, in the true sense, cannot result from the combination of mere nonentities. It must be composed of self-conscious, intelligent individualities. Indeed, the total of the possibilities and activities of an organization is represented in the expression of individual energies. Anarchism asserts the possiblility of an organization without discipline, fear, or punishment and without the pressure of poverty: a new social organism, which will make an end to the struggle for the means of existence--the savage struggle which undermines the finest qualities in man and ever widens the social abyss. In short, anarchism strives towards a social organization which will establish well-being for all. (Emma Goldman, Living My Life, vol. 1, p. 402)
In other words, anarchism strives for a society that cherishes the mental health of the individual--compare this with our society which considers mental and physical well-being as non-essential luxuries. As a psychotherapist, I do not seek to "adjust" individuals to society's expectations, nor to pigeonhole them into socially acceptable roles. I strive to help the individuals who seek my care to discover themselves, for themselves; to identify oppression which blocks their actualization; and to maximize their own liberty and fulfill their unique potentials. To an extent, I find that "mental illness" is a sane response to an insane society.
The yellow "trident" is the Greek letter, Psi, the first letter in "Yuch" (psyche), Greek for "spirit or breath" a root of the word "psychology".
Enter John Elder's Personal Trance/formation Website
"The free expression of the hopes and aspirations of a people is the greatest and only safety in a sane society."
-- Emma Goldman
Week Links
Each week (nearly every week, generally on Wednesdays) I publish a list of interesting websites that I've visited. If you'd like to subscribe, fill out the form below:
![[John Elder Mugshot]](ebear.jpg)
John Elder practices psychotherapy in the
South Bay area of Los Angeles County. He interns at Coast
Counseling Center in Redondo Beach, supervised by Janice Held, MFT27232. He can be
reached at (310) 322-8061. John is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist intern, IMF 32621.. He completed internships at Richstone Family Center and Friends of the Family, where he has worked with individual adults, families, couples, and abused children. He finished his MA in clinical psychology at Antioch University. He received a BA in ministerial studies and a BS in computer science from La Sierra University.
John has trained with the Southern California Society of Clinical Hypnosis and has experience using hypnotic trance with both individuals and groups. In the past he has represented the pre-licensed members of the Long Beach/South Bay chapter of CAMFT on the chapter board of directors. He has published his prose and poetry in journals ranging from IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science to Insight and Circle Network News. He is a past editor of Criterion and currently writes reviews for Amazon.com.
- John has been active in developing a program with local dentists using hypnosis to help overcome dental anxiety. The patients use their trance state to help them process a deeper level of spiritual experience. This program is called Trance and Dental Meditation.
John Elder
Amazon.com Associate
This site is associated with Amazon.com, the
world's largest bookstore. I try to maintain links so that you can order any books I
mention here. My experience with Amazon.com has always been positive. They can generally
get books to me faster than my local chain stores can special order them. I review
books for Amazon--a list of my
reviews can be found here.
Please leave positive feedback at Amazon--It's the only payment I receive for my reviews
& I thrive on it.
A number of people are concerned about Amazon's labor practices, and would rather not patronize them. I've found that Powells Books in the Pacific Northwest is a reliable source of books. Frequently, I can find what I'm looking for used & save a bundle.
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