Sunday, February 19, 2012

Cultivating Compassion: A Model for Adolescent Health Education






  

















Here's the abstract:

A MODEL FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH EDUCATION IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS

Purpose An outdoor non-frontal course for adolescents was designed and implemented to impart basic skills and knowledge in the areas of traditional medicine, medicinal plants and interpersonal communication. Course goals included increased awareness of (1) the body in health and disease, (2) plants as medicine and food as medicine, (3) the importance of dosage, (4) the relationship between emotions and the body, (5) the role of nature and the environment in relation to health and disease, as well as (6) enhanced self-esteem through a positive group experience, (7) empowerment through acquisition of basic healing skills, (8) interpersonal communication skills and guided imagery.  

Methods During 3 consecutive semesters, 3 heterogeneous groups of 25-27 adolescents, ages 12-15, met in the wadi behind the school for 90 minutes each week, for a semester-long science elective at the Reali Haivri School, Haifa, Israel (January 2004-June 2005). The course was led as a facilitated group. Activities included Mesoamerican healing rituals, medicinal plant preparations, Chinese medicine, guided imagery, art, and interpersonal communication games.   

Results Qualitative assessment was based on student responses, course popularity, the author’s participant observation and documentation. The course increased physical and emotional self-awareness, facilitated a constructive group process, imparted basic skills for preventive health care, enhanced appreciation of nature, of traditional medicine and medicinal plants, and otherwise met the stated goals.  

Conclusions The course fills a lacuna in adolescent preventive health education. The course has yet to be assessed quantitatively and applied in diverse cultural settings, for which it is expected to be well suited.

~ ~ ~

This presentation was presented orally at two international conferences.

Photos by Janna Weiss, unless otherwise indicated. I have not been able to trace origins/owners for the downloaded images. I would appreciate receiving permission for their use and to be able to acknowledge their creators. Thank you.

Feel free to borrow ideas. Acknowledgement is always appreciated.

All individuals in the photos are now over 18 years of age. 

May all beings be happy!


Additional comments


I was inspired to begin teaching this course after treating a 49 year old woman who suffered migraine headaches since puberty, which only intensified at menopause. Had she been treated with traditional medicine at puberty, she most likely would have been spared a great deal of suffering. Her 18 year old daughter suffered primarily from improper and inadequate nutrition due to lack of knowledge. I helped set her on a good course that would serve her for life. I would also like to mention that my son's nursery school had a great nutrition course for kids with a similar concept of providing wise life skills.

The Chatino woman being treated gave her explicit permission to show her image publicly. Chatino women traditionally, historically, wore only beads on their upper body. In my experience and to my understanding, breasts do not have a sexual connotation for the Chatino people, and are shown publicly when nursing, sometimes after nursing and during bathing in rivers. Nudity or partial nudity is perfectly acceptable in many human societies, mainly in tropical or warm regions where clothing may be cumbersome and impractical. 

The course was accompanied by occasional handouts, for example, showing point locations. We examined our own tongues with small cosmetic mirrors. Conflicts that arose between the kids were incorporated into the course, for practicing and modeling constructive conflict resolution skills. On rare days of inclement weather, we moved indoors for a slide show on Chinese and/or Chatino (Oaxaca, Mexico) medicine. 

Welcome - Blessings

Bruchim Haba'im - ברוכים הבאים


My active Hebrew blog is gradually becoming bilingual and accessible to the English reader. Close The Marker Café pop-up window and scroll down for English. Happy viewing!



Khensur Jhado Tulku Rinpoche, Abbot Emeritus of Namgyal Monastery, personal monastery to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is the 6th Jhado Tulku, reincarnate lama and abbot of Jhado Monastery (destroyed), situated on the north side of Namtso Lake, Tibet. Jhado Tulku Rinpoche visited Israel in February 2005, when the photo was taken.

Blog Description:

Janna Weiss' Blog

Tibetan Buddhism, human rights, universal responsibility, education for ethics and creating a humane and compassionate society are what concern me now. Am taking action so that we may willingly and wholeheartedly apply the cure for the pandemic lack of ethics that plagues us, and apply the practice of ethics in our lives.

May all beings be happy!

The blog contains original writing and translations to Hebrew of Phayul.com articles, videos, announcements, statements, educational materials and more.

Table of Contents  

If this isn't your first visit to this page (Welcome back! :) and the TOC hasn't been updated in a while, never mind, please just see for yourself, please just go to the blog... 
Updated May 18, 2012 


For Mother, for Mother Earth
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2622448 (Hebrew/English)
Also: http://therealjannaweiss.blogspot.com/2012/05/for-mother-for-mother-earth.html
Posted May 14, 2012



The Age of the Brain Is Here
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2610274 (Hebrew)
http://therealjannaweiss.blogspot.com/2012/05/age-of-brain-is-here.html (English)
Posted Apr 30, 2012

A Different Way for Memorial Day
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2604847/

Posted Apr 24, 2012


Business & marketing with the altruistic intent are good for the Earth: Mental Health
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2602621/ (Hebrew)
http://therealjannaweiss.blogspot.com/2012/04/business-marketing-with-altruistic.html (English)
Posted Apr 22, 2012



The Tibetan Issue Is A Global Issue

http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2595495/
The Dalai Lama says ‘totalitarian, blind, unrealistic policies’ leading to self-immolations
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=31226&t=1
Samdong Rinpoche: Cannot Discourage Self-Immolations
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=31218&t=1
Posted Apr 15, 2012


Obama, Shalom from Israel - Compassion for Prisoners
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2592115/ (Hebrew)
http://therealjannaweiss.blogspot.com/2012/04/obama-shalom-from-israel-compassion-for.html (English)
Posted Apr 11, 2012


This year we are free, next year in Jerusalem, next year in Lhasa!
Reflections on slavery, exile, freedom and unity with a happy end
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2585668/ (Hebrew)
http://therealjannaweiss.blogspot.com/2012/04/this-year-we-are-free-next-year-in.html (English)
Posted Apr 4, 2012

We Love You, Israelis - Nation Shall Not Lift Up Sword Unto Nation
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2582742/ (Hebrew / English)
http://therealjannaweiss.blogspot.com/2012/04/we-love-you-israelis-nation-shall-not.html (English)
Posted Apr 2, 2012

Listen to the Children - ECO
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2578357/ (English transcript)
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQmz6Rbpnu0
Posted Mar 28, 2012


Sonam Dhargey's body is cremated, thousands protest in Rebkong How much longer? The 30th Tibetan self-immolates - What does it take for us to be empathic? Compassionate? To take action to relieve the suffering of others? To relieve the suffering of our Tibetan brothers and sisters?
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2567455/
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=31076&article=Thousands+protest+in+Rebkong%2c+Sonam+Dhargey+cremated
Posted Mar 18, 2012

53rd Commemoration of the March 10, 1959 Non-Violent Uprising in Lhasa
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2559966/

Videos and screen shots of Phayul.com DOS attack are in English:
Why the Dalai Lama Matters - Robert Thurman http://dalailamamatters.com
Banned Book in China "Lhasa 1959 !"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apg1v2py5Co
MADE IN TIBET - Tibetan rap by Shapaley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDwahj8_hhg
Posted Mar 10, 2012

A Cool Revolution: Robert Thurman speaks to Occupy Wall Street
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2552225/
Posted Mar 3, 2012


Conference of Israeli Dharma Organizations for Tibet March 12, 2012
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2551114/ (Hebrew announcement)
Posted Mar 3, 2012


A Real Revolution - Shawn Achor - Positive Psychology from Harvard
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2547809/
Posted Feb 29, 2012


Meditation for Improving the Quality of Life - Meditation Good for Everyone
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2547446/
Posted Feb 28, 2012

The Spiritual Aspect of Struggles - Personal, Social, Political and Economic - Feb 15 6:30 PM
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2532544/  (Hebrew announcement)
Khensur Jhado Tulku Rinpoche's English bio is posted here:
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2505912/  
Posted Feb 14, 2012

Tibet 2012 - We Will Realize the Prophecies - 3 Films with Hebrew translation
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2525192/ 
Posted Feb 8, 2012

A Revolution of the Heart: A Call to Sanity and Cooperation
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/1808698/ 
Posted Oct 2, 2010 Revised, translated Feb 4, 2012 

"Learning for Peace" Nahi Alon & Combatants for Peace
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2509764/ 
Posted Jan 25, 2012 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama - Bridging the Faith Divide: Compassion in Action 
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2506609/
Source: http://www.dalailama.com/webcasts/post/199-bridging-the-faith-divide
Posted Jan 22, 2012

Jhado Tulku Rinpoche is coming to Israel February 2012 - Teachings translated to Hebrew
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2505912/  
Posted Jan 21, 2012

Thousands attend Sopa Rinpoche's funeral; Protests reported
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2502034/
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Thousands+attend+Sopa+Rinpoche%27s+funeral%3b+Protests+reported&id=30704
Posted Jan 18, 2012


Pearls of Compassion - With the Blessing of H.H. the Dalai Lama - 2500 visitors in Israel
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2500350/
Posted Jan 16, 2012 (Translated from Hebrew source)

Blessing Rain of Dharma - Newsletters - April May and Throughout the Year - An Updating Post * Dharma Friends of Israel * Dharma House on Mt. Carmel * Rigpa Israel * Bhavana House Tel Aviv * Garchen Rinpoche * Chamtrul Rinpoche * Tovana * (Hebrew newsletters - Post is updated on an ongoing basis)
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2491255/ 
Posted Jan 8, 2012 וֹUpdated Apr 2012

On Haredi /Jewish ultra-Orthodox separation of men and women
 http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2488129/
 Posted Jan 6, 2012 (Translated from Hebrew source) 

Lama Konchok Tsering - Manjushri Retreat Tuval Jan 12-15
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2488002/ 
Posted Jan 6, 2012 

Kalachakra for World Peace 2012 - Live Streaming
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2485931/ 
Posted Jan 4, 2012


~ ~ ~

Two Chanukahs in Lhasa
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2481523/
Posted Dec 31, 2011 (Translated from Hebrew source)

Statement of the 14th Dalai Lama on the Issue of His Reincarnation
Hebrew translation
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2479925/
Source: http://www.dalailama.com/messages/tibet/reincarnation-statement
Posted Dec 30, 2011

Love of Others - Altruism in Hebrew
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2475594/
Posted Dec 26, 2011 (Translated from Hebrew source)


2012 The Mayan Word - 2012 La Palabra Maya  - English / Spanish / Hebrew - 8:54 min
Hebrew translation of the trailer to Melissa Gunasena's new film
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2467348/
Posted Dec 20, 2011


His Holiness the Dalai Lama's New Book - Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2452200/
Posted Dec 7, 2011


Past Lives - Science and Documentation - Three Films
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2433941/
Posted Nov 22, 2011

Tibet's Cry for Help
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2417585/
Source: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_tibetan_lives/?vl
Posted Nov 8, 2011


Dharma As Social Action Retreat with Stephen Fulder and Shiri Bar Dec 1-3, 2011
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2411483/
Source: email announcement of http://engagedharma.wordpress.com/english/
Posted Nov 3, 2011


Pearls of Compassion and Love - With the Blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
A rare and unique exhibit, from Dec 21, 2011 to Jan 14, 2011
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2408161/
Posted Oct 31, 2011 (Translated from Hebrew source)


Evolving Minds: Psychosis and Spirituality 45 min English/Spanish subtitles/Hebrew text
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2402018/
Source: http://www.undercurrents.org/minds.html
Posted Oct 26, 2011


The Situation in Tibet Escalates - 8 Monks and One Nun Self-Immolated, Two Demonstrators Shot by Chinese Security Personnel
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2391240/
Posted Oct 18, 2011

A Revolution of the Heart: A Call to Sanity and Cooperation

http://cafe.themarker.com/post/1808698/

Posted Oct 2, 2010 Revised, translated Feb 4, 2012

Royal Buddhist Wedding in Bhutan
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2386943/
Source: http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/13/8298669-bhutans-dragon-king-marries-his-commoner-bride
Posted links:
Introduction to the Bhutanese Legal System - Royal Court of Justice
http://www.judiciary.gov.bt/html/judiciary/legal.php
Bhutan-Israel Relations - Israel-Asia Center
http://www.israelasiacenter.org/#/bhutan-gross-domestic-happines/4551911100
Posted Oct 14, 2011


PeaceWeek 2011 - Free - Starts September 15, 2011 7:30 P.M.
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2350944/
Source: http://peaceweek.info/
Posted Sep 15, 2011


After September 11, Yearning for Peaceful Co-existence, Statement by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2347003/
Source: http://dalailama.com/news/post/737-after-sept-11-yearning-for-peaceful-co-existence
Posted Sep 12, 2011


The Dalai Lama: Violence in the Name of Moral Principle is Very Sad
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2343395/
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Violence+in+the+name+of+moral+principle+is+very+sad%2c+the+Dalai+Lama&id=29973
Posted Sep 9, 2011

The Dalai Lama: Education is like a tool, useful only when applied ethically and constructively, with a warm heart
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2343371/
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=29959&article=The+Dalai+Lama+inaugurates+Centre+for+Tibetan+Studies+in+Delhi
Posted Sep 9, 2011


For The Benefit of All Beings - Film Today, Thursday, Aug 11, Haifa Cinemateque
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2305759/
Source: http://www.forthebenefitofallbeings.com/
[Hebrew source removed from the Web; was garchen.org.il]
Posted Aug 11, 2011


The Dalai Lama: Faith Without Moral Values Is Not Faith
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2305551/
Source: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=29855&article=Faith+without+moral+values+is+not+faith%3a+Dalai+Lama
Posted Links:
A New Political Leader for the Tibetan People, Dr. Lobsang Sangay Begins Position with a Festive  Celebration
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Kalon+Tripa+Lobsang+Sangay+takes+oath%2c+Pledges+reunion&id=29839
International Leaders Express Support for the New Tibetan Leader
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=%27You+have+our+support%2c%27+international+leaders+tell+Kalon+Tripa&id=29849
Posted Aug 11, 2011

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's World Peace Talk - Q & A and His Blessing for the Hebrew Translation
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2289802/
Source: http://www.dalailama.com/webcasts/post/194-a-talk-for-world-peace
Posted Jul 31, 2011

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's World Peace Talk, Washington D.C., July 9, 2011
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2289801/
Source: http://www.dalailama.com/webcasts/post/194-a-talk-for-world-peace
Posted July 31, 2011

Creating a Mindful Society - 2 Days in New York
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2277105/
Source: http://www.eomega.org/omega/mindful-society/
Posted July 22, 2011

The Dalai Lama Comments on His Meeting with President Obama
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2270523/
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yi87K-acR4
Posted Links:
Phayul: Exiled Tibetan community website for news on Tibet and the exiled Tibetan community
http://www.phayul.com
President Obama Assures Dalai Lama of his 'genuine concerns' for Tibet
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=29767&article=President+Obama+assures+the+Dalai+Lama+of+his+‘genuine+concerns’+for+Tibet&t=1&c=1
Obama Invites the Dalai Lama to White House, China Protests
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Obama+invites+the+Dalai+Lama+to+White+House%2c+China+protests&id=29762
Kalachakra for World Peace 2011
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2254585/
Posted July 17, 2011

---
Two Views of the "I" - Dharma House Hat Rack - Painting/Photo
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2082328/
Posted March 17, 2011

Tibetan Medicine & Public Health: Integrative Public Health Model to Heal/Eradicate Violence
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/1881065/ 
Posted November 13, 2010

Buddhist Wedding Vows in Israel
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2226727/
Adapted from: http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/pdf/weddingceremonyeditedkm.pdf

Bhutan Schools Focus on Gross National Happiness
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2245107/


Building An Enlightened Society - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2213607/
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVywM-zqSME

Technology of the Heart - His Holiness the 17th Karmapa - Hebrew TED.com Transcript
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2253557/
Source: http://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_the_karmapa_the_technology_of_the_heart.html

Technology of the Heart - His Holiness the 17th Karmapa - Video and Links

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkKhI6-t40w
Posted Links:
Website of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, the reincarnation recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
http://www.kagyuoffice.org/
Karmapa's Environment Protection Project
http://www.khoryug.com/vision/
Interview with the 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche regarding the controversy concerning the identification of the Karmapa
http://www.rinpoche.com/controversy.htm

How to Choose a Spiritual Teacher  (Hebrew)
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/1619206/
http://therealjannaweiss.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-choose-spiritual-teacher.html (English)

Kalachakra for World Peace 2011, Washington D.C.
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2054029/

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Birthday Celebration Saturday July 2, 2011
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2248849/
Posted Links: 
Israeli Friends of the Tibetan People
Dharma Friends of Israel
The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama www.dalailama.com

Soldiers of Peace
Source: http://www.soldiersofpeacemovie.com/

Meditation for Children

Sources:
Epoch Times - Falun Da Fa
http://www.epochtimes.co.il/news/content/view/11570/74/
The Dharma Primary School, UK
http://www.dharmaschool.co.uk/film.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/1198914.stm
Cincinnati Children's Hospital - Lawrence Edwards
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/74/muse-in-the-moment/
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/bio/e/lawrence-edwards/
http://www.anamcara-ny.org/about.html

16 Guidelines for Life

Source: http://www.16guidelines.org/16guidelines-overview/92-source-of-16-guidelines

Study Guide for Secular Ethics
Source: http://www.dalailamafoundation.org/programs/study-circles/study-guides/

Buddhism: Science of Mind
http://cafe.themarker.com/post/1619848/ (Hebrew)
http://therealjannaweiss.blogspot.com/2012/04/buddhism-science-of-mind.html (English)
Posted Jun 5, 2010

work in progress... May 18, 2012