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Zen Buddhist Insights for Self-Awareness, Mental Health, and Wellness
No full textThe benefits of meditative practices have been intuited for millennia, but now science has clearly observed the connection between mental wellness and curious self-awareness. The practice of mindfulness is now mainstream, and we\u27re beginning to ask deeper questions about what it really is, and about what it might be able to show us: What is the relationship between our mental health and our spirituality? What do words like compassion and wisdom mean for me in this age of anxiety? How are qualities like resiliency, courage, clarity, and kindness made available to us? In this program, Busshō Lahn draws upon insights from the Zen Buddhist tradition to address possible approaches to these questions based on his new book, Singing and Dancing Are the Voice of the Law (2022).
Busshō Lahn is a Zen student and teacher, and the founder of Flying Cloud Zen Spiritual Practice Community. He is a popular speaker, retreat leader, spiritual director, author, and is a Senior Priest at Minnesota Zen Meditation Center. He first came to Soto Zen Buddhism in 1993, was ordained as a novice in 2009, and received Dharma Transmission (authorization to carry the lineage and teach independently) in 2015. Busshō remains rooted in his Zen tradition but cultivates an openness to the beauty and wisdom of other faiths. His book Singing and Dancing are the Voice of the Law was published in early 2022. For more information, visit www.flyingcloudzen.org.
Sponsors: Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas Center for Well-Being at the University of St. Thoma
As if Prison Wasn\u27t Bad Enough: COVID-19 and Intensified Interest in the Politics of Crime (Luncheon Address)
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Clinically Significant Distress Post-Infidelity
No full textInfidelity is a prominent relationship concern within the United States, causing a myriad of detrimental consequences. Individuals betrayed by infidelity often report distressing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms following a partner’s affair. However, factors contributing to the level of distress experienced by the betrayed individual, and the resulting behaviors are poorly understood. Increasing the understanding of the interplay of individual, marital, and distress factors could inform, and potentially improve, therapeutic interventions for betrayed partners. The current study hypothesized that women and individuals with children are more likely to experience clinically significant distress and trauma-like symptoms following the discovery of a partner’s infidelity. Additionally, the current study hypothesized that individuals with a longer relationship duration have higher levels of clinically significant distress and trauma-like symptoms following the discovery of a partner’s infidelity, and that lower education attainment is positively correlated to clinically significant distress and trauma-like symptoms following the discovery of a partner’s infidelity. An online survey was completed by 112 individuals who had experienced a partner’s infidelity while in a committed relationship. The survey collected demographic information, relationship information, and screened for depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and trauma-like symptoms (PCL-5). Findings revealed that the majority of participants met or exceeded clinically significant depression symptoms (71.6%), anxiety symptoms (66.4%), and trauma-like symptoms (73.9%), with an average PHQ9 score of 14.07, GAD7 score of 12.61, and PCL-5 score of 43.04. The current study did not reveal a significant difference in distress levels based on gender identification, did not find a connection between distress levels and duration of the relationship, and did not find a significant correlation between education attainment and distress. However, contrary to the prediction, individuals with children had lower levels of depressive symptoms t(93), = -2.71, p = .008, d = -.640 and anxious symptoms t(96), = -2.29, p = .026, d = -.538. Clinical recommendations focus on the importance of recognizing and validating the intense emotional reactions of the betrayed partner
Learning to Lead: A Phenomenological Study on Women of Color Leaders in University and College Counseling
No full textUniversity and college counseling (UCC) centers are well-known for providing leadership development opportunities, strong training programs, and a commitment to diversity and multiculturalism (Clauss-Ehlers & Parham, 2014). However, this commitment to leadership development does not seem to be reflected in leadership roles. According to the AUCCCD Annual Report, 75.8% of UCC directors are White (Gorman et al., 2022) and little is known about why leadership positions are being less occupied by Women of Color. By interviewing directors of university and college counseling centers that identify as Women of Color, there is an opportunity to learn the experiences of navigating multiple, intersecting, and competing identities, roles, and responsibilities as Women of Color, psychologists, and leaders.
The purpose of the present study aimed to explore the individual and shared experiences of Women of Color leaders in UCC. A phenomenological approach was used to uncover the significance and experiences of Women of Color in leadership roles (Marshall & Rossman, 2016). In-depth interviews offered an opportunity for participants to share their stories and discuss how racial and gender identities, as well as the intersection of sexism and racism, have influenced their leadership development. Questions were separated into two interviews: the first interview scheduled for one hour focusing on the participant\u27s leadership development and past experiences, and the second interview also scheduled for one hour focusing on their present or recent experience in a leadership role. Additional sources of data included archival data and field notes.
There were six total participants interviewed for this study. All participants identified as cisgender women. The mean age at the time of the interview was 46.3 years. The racial and ethnic demography was relatively heterogeneous for the sample size, with three participants identifying as Black, one as Asian American, one as Pacific Islander, and one as Latina. Two of the six participants also identified as multiracial/mixed. Years of leadership experience ranged from 1 year to \u3e15 years, with a mean of 6.1. Most participants held a leadership position as Training Director (50%), with the second most common position being Clinical Director (33.3%). One participant held a leadership position as Center Director (16.7%).
Upon completion of data analysis, three primary themes emerged from the data: supportive experiences, systemic oppression as barriers to leadership opportunities, and sustainability. The first theme of supportive experiences explored opportunities that supported participants’ leadership development and was categorized into three subthemes: mentorship, community, and diversification of training. The second theme of systemic oppression as barriers to leadership opportunities was categorized into three subthemes: experiences of racism and sexism, institutional challenges, and self-doubt. The third and final theme of sustainability highlighted leadership growth and was categorized into three subthemes: setting boundaries, meaning and purpose, and learning to lead. There were several noteworthy findings, namely the significance of mentorship, community, representation, and authenticity in becoming a leader. The findings illustrate the phenomenon of Women of Color leaders in university and college counseling and tell an important narrative that, despite facing many hurdles, Women of Color leaders are exemplifying a new approach to leadership, and leading with courage, integrity, and verity
Associations Between Gender, Torture, and Health: A 5-Year Retrospective Cohort Analysis
No full textOur purpose was to identify longitudinal associations between torture exposure, physical and mental health outcomes, and gender in a cohort of 143 war-affected Karen adults five years post resettlement. Results showed that participants who self-reported primary torture experiences had higher rates of certain mental and physical health diagnoses. We observed gender differences in health over time in the cohort. Findings have implications for how primary care and public health providers implement war trauma screening tools and timelines, targeted healthcare services, and community resources to promote health and prevent disease in populations that have trauma from torture or war
Navigating the Path to Independence: An Exploratory Study of Transitional Correlates for Autistic Individuals
Full text linkAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the United States, yet social workers are often ill-equipped to address the issues that the population faces due to a lack of training in education and practice. The following Banded Dissertation comprises three separate scholarly Products that together explore ASD and the transition into adulthood. The first Product is a conceptual paper that examines the division within the Autism community among autistic adults and non-autistic parents raising autistic children. This paper looks at how the divide within the Autism community affects the transition to adulthood for autistic youth. Product number two is a qualitative study that seeks to better understand correlates associated with attaining independence by examining childhood experiences that are common across adults on the Autism spectrum. The third Product is a peer-reviewed poster presentation entitled: Childhood Experiences and Independence among Adults on the Autism Spectrum presented at Minnesota’s Social Service Association (MSSA) conference on March 17, 2022. The poster included an overview of the preliminary findings of Product number two and its application to social work. Specifically, the poster examines ways that human services professionals could more easily understand and work with autistic individuals and their families
Morning Breakout Sessions (click here for descriptions)
No full text1. Room 203: “Engaging Religious Diversity on your Campus” led by students (for students only)
description coming soon …
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2. Room 201: “Cultivating Curiosity through Storytelling and Active Listening for Empathetic Interfaith Engagement” with Jane Ulring, Managing director of Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University
Curiosity is a foundational skill for forging trusting relationships, as well as a powerful antidote to biases that cause harm and severely limit collaboration across and within difference. In this session, participants will have the opportunity to practice and build their curiosity skill set (with special regard for meaningfully engaging religious/spiritual/worldview diversity) through guided self-reflection and storytelling.
Jane Ulring is the Managing Director of Augsburg University’s Interfaith Institute, where she manages campus based and regional interfaith programming, and develops congregational and community partnerships. Her work is committed to cultivating a thriving interfaith campus community inclusive of a wide range of traditions, voices, and forms of practice and belief. Jane’s personal passions lie at the intersection of interfaith activism, care for creation, and mutual healing from colonial violence. She is committed to work braiding religious diversity, public service, and justice for Earth’s communities. She is a fierce advocate for sacred play and when she\u27s not at work you\u27ll find her rock climbing, making music, walking in the woods, and communing with trees. Jane Ulring holds a B.A. in philosophy from Augsburg University and a Master of Divinity in social ethics from Union Theological Seminary.
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3. Room 205: “Navigating Difficult Conversations: Communication for Interfaith Peacebuilding” with Najeeba Syeed, El-Hibri endowed chair, full professor and executive director of Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University
In this session, interaction with the speaker and between participants will be emphasized. This is a skills-based workshop that focus on 1) diagnosing the stage of conflict from discomfort to crisis, 2) developing intervention plans for addressing difficult conversations, 3) practicing foundational skills for managing interfaith conflicts and conversations, 4) designing encounters that foster trust and care in times of trauma. Participants will use case studies from their own lives and from the speaker\u27s toolbox. Be ready to interact, enjoy and have fun as we spend time together learning and growing together.
Najeeba is the inaugural El-Hibri endowed chair, a full professor and executive director of Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University. She has been a professor, expert practitioner and public speaker for the last two decades in the fields of conflict resolution, interfaith studies, mediation, education, deliberative democracy, social, gender and racial equity.
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4. Room 204: “Liberative Leadership in Diverse Societies” with Rev. Michael Le Buhn Jr., MDiv., Manager, Spiritual Care, Allina Health West Region
The dictionary definition of liberation includes the process of freeing someone from something that limits their control over their own life. Liberating leaders co-create a culture where everyone\u27s wholeness is invited. This is achieved by the leader\u27s example of being her whole self, thus empowering others to do likewise. Liberative leadership is challenging and requires a tremendous amount of self-examination, self-knowledge, and cultural humility. The benefits are immeasurable, however, as it creates a sense of belonging, enables genuine connection and trust on the team, and discourages injustices from going unaddressed. In this session, participants will discuss becoming liberating leaders by examining three areas of leadership together: social location and biases, accountability and restoration, and leading with vulnerability.
Michael Le Buhn Jr. serves as the Manager of Spiritual Care for Abbott Northwestern and the West Region of Allina Health. He is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and received his Masters of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). His undergraduate degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign, IL). Michael previously worked as a chaplain at Open Table Nashville, a non-profit that serves people experiencing homelessness. His experience serving as a hospital chaplain includes intensive care, palliative care, COVID-19, mental health, chemical dependency, and trauma one. Michael is a veteran of the United States Army and former Soldier of the Year for the White House Military Office. His awards and decorations include a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Badge, and a Presidential Service Badge. Professional interests: Public theology, trauma informed care, health equity, Community Health, and Interfaith ministry. Personal interests: comic books, gardening, vegan cuisine, live music, and stand-up comedy