Hi Rowdy haven’t had any communication for over a week, can you check that
I am still on the mailing list, thanks ,
All the best for xmas and regards to everybody.
robbie
-----Original Message-----
From: Therapeutic Communities
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rowdy Yates
Sent: 04 December 2009 00:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [EFTC] Seven Flames
Kamil
This is lovely and very appropriate. It immediately reminded me of the
seven-armed candlestick in Judaeism - the menorah. Though in this case, I
don't think there was any particular significance attached to each of the
seven arms. In the Book of Exodus, it merely says:
"And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the
candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and
its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. And there shall be six branches
going out of the sides thereof: three branches of the candlestick out of the
one side thereof, and three branches of the candle-stick out of the other
side thereof; three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and
a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a
knop and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the candlestick. And
in the candlestick four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof,
and the flowers thereof. And a knop under two branches of one piece with it,
and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two
branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the
candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of one piece with it;
the whole of it one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the lamps
thereof, seven; and they shall light the lamps thereof, to give light over
against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of
pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall it be made, with all these
vessels. And see that thou make them after their pattern, which is being
shown thee in the mount."
But your mail did spark off a thought about the role of ritual and
spirituality in the TC. This is a sensitive subject of course because the
early TC was (and sometimes still is) accused of being a cult. In fact, the
first TC, Synanon indisputably became one. TCs of course grew out of the AA
fellowship and that organisation has frequently been attacked for cult
behaviour. In fact I came across a group recently whose recovery seemed to
consist of attacking AA and NA organisations and spreading the word about
their cult behaviour. Some folks get clean in the most unimaginable ways!!
But I am interested in the role of spirituality and ritual in the TC - what
it means, how we interpret it (to ourselves and others), its residual value.
Maybe that's something we can talk about on this list over the coming weeks.
Rowdy Yates
Senior Research Fellow
Scottish Addiction Studies
Dept. of Applied Social Science
University of Stirling
Scotland
T: +44 (0) 1786-467737
F: +44 (0) 1786-466299
W: http://www.dass.stir.ac.uk/sections/showsection.php?id=4 (home)
W: http://www.drugslibrary.stir.ac.uk/ (online library)
________________________________________
From: Therapeutic Communities [[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Kamil Kalina [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 30 November 2009 21:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [EFTC] Seven Flames
Dear Anthony and all friends in Phoenix Haga!
In the therapeutic community Sananim-Nemcice (founded 1991 as the first TC
for drug addicts in the Czech Republic) a closing ceremony is celebrated
using the ritual candelabrum with 7 candles. The head of the TC lights up
gradually the candles and he/she reminds to each graduate symbols of Seven
Flames, the names given many years ago by Professor Jaroslav Skála, our
great teacher and patriarch of Czech addictology.
1.. Flame of abstinence (not only from drugs but from all what can harm
people)
2.. Flame of humility (which is our best ally in confronting our false
boast)
3.. Flame of wisdom (which is better achievement than cleverness, and if
someone has a piece of power, let him use it with wisdom)
4.. Flame of responsibility (we all wish to be free, but there is no
freedom without responsibility)
5.. Flame of vital energy (let us watch our sources of energy and protect
them from getting dry)
6.. Flame of confidence and self-confidence (which is a base for creating
safe and meaningful relationships)
7.. Flame of love (which is a supreme value for our happiness)
A graduate is warming his/her palms over the flames to absorb their symbolic
message, and to be responsible for their maintenance in his/her life.
I send Seven Flames to all who will graduate tomorrow.
Best regards, Kamil Kalina
Assoc. Prof. Kamil Kalina, MD PhD DSc.
Head of teaching
Centre for Addictology
Psychiatric Clinic, 1st Medical Faculty
Charles University, Prague
Ke Karlovu 11, CZ 120 00 Prague 2
Czech Republic
[log in to unmask]
www.adiktologie.cz
www.sur.cz
www.drogy-info.cz
Tel: (+420)224965064, Fax: (+420) 224923077
Mobil (+420)606718113
Van: Therapeutic Communities
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] Namens Anthony Slater
Verzonden: vrijdag 27 november 2009 15:09
Aan: [log in to unmask]
Onderwerp: [EFTC] Graduation celebration at Phoenix House Haga - December
1st
Urgentie: Hoog
Dear friends,
As is our tradition here at Phoenix House Haga in Norway, we hold a
celebration evening on December 1st where the theme is graduation.
There are a number of people graduating this year and on their behalf I
would like to invite you all to send a message of congratulations to our
graduates.
On previous years when we have done this, the graduates and TC community
really do appreciate these messages, which demonstrate the caring nature of
the TC movement, as we say “You Alone Can do it, but you can’t do it
alone”.
A copy of each message is given to each person as another reminder of
success.
Warmest regards, and on behalf of all at Phoenix Haga, I thank you in
advance,
Anthony Slater,
Director - Phoenix House Haga,
President, E.F.T.C.
Folkenborgveien 198,
1850 Mysen, Norway.
tlf. +47 69 89 82 50 / fax. + 47 69 89 82 51.
E-post: [log in to unmask]
www.phoenixhouse.no
www.eftc-europe.com
> http://www.tc-of.org.uk/wiki/index.php/RadioTC_International_Norsk
__________ Informace od ESET NOD32 Antivirus, verze databaze 4650 (20091130)
__________
Tuto zpravu proveril ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.cz
--
The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010
The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland,
number SC 011159.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.426 / Virus Database: 270.14.91/2541 - Release Date: 12/02/09
19:43:00
|
