John Graham's Blog

Selection of Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the 266th Roman Catholic Pope brings hope not only to Catholics but to people around the globe.  Pope Francis has shared how he chose the name Francis.  He says that just as it appeared the voting was going his way and it seemed "a bit dangerous" that he would be elected, his friend, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, and whispered in his ear, "Don't forget the poor."  The pope says, "And that is how in my heart came the name Francis of Assisi." 

The Pope went on to say that Francis of Assisi was "The man of

It was recently my joy to speak at ISH to visiting nursing students from the LoneStar College in Conroe.   They wanted to know more about the role that spirituality plays in health and healing, a subject that is exactly what ISH is all about.  I loved these students.  They were responsive and had a great teacher with them.  It was a lot of fun as you can see from this picture.  These students were only two months from graduation and what a great group of nurses they will be. 

Also, this week, I look forward to sharing the same information with another group of students from Springfield College in Houston.  It is always an honor to share with student some of the stories from my time as a physician and to enumerate the many evidence-based articles which appear in the medical literature on the subject.  It is such

In the January 26, 2013 issue of The Wall Street Journal there is an interesting article entitled "Stress-Busting Smiles."  Clearly, we all know that smiling is great for our sense of well-being.  But, I suspect we think, "Well, if things were better in my life, I'd smile.  But, right now I don't have anything to smile about."  Okay, life is difficult.  That's what Scott Peck told us in The Road Less Traveled.  But, have you noticed there are always people who seem to have a smile on their face all the time, even though you know everything is not perfect in their life?  I have known people like that and what happens is they awaken a smile in the rest of us -- a smile is as contagious as a cold virus.  As the saying goes, "Laugh and all the world will laugh with you; weep and you weap alone."  That is actually the first line of a poem, "Solitude," by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1991).  I believe it contains a lot of wisdom.  Read the rest of the poem:{C}

On Friday, February 1, 2013 our nation remembered the tenth anniversary of the death of seven brave astronauts when the shuttle Columbia disintegrated on its descent from space.  Many in Texas were especially touched by the experience, as debris rained down from the heavens.  Large pieces of the shuttle gave a loud whistling sound and thud as they crashed into the ground.  Many thought our nation was being bombed.  After a memorial service following the crash, a pastor when to every site where astronaut remains were recovered in Sabine County near the Louisiana border with Texas.  At each site he 

ISH held our 21st annual Psychotherapy & Faith Conference on Friday, Nov 16, 2012 with a packed house filling Fondren Hall at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, in Houston.   The theme for the conference was Happiness & Suffering:  What it Means to be Human.  Our speakers were terrific and after every talk people from the audience of 300 expressed to me their raving approval. "I am so glad I came."  "Just wonderful."  "I loved every minute."  

On the front page of the Sunday, October 28, 2012 issue of the Houston Chronicle is a deeply touching article by Monica Rhor entitled "L is for life, love and loss" featuring a teacher, Donna Shanklin-Henderson, and her students -- chilren who are desperately ill at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH).  Rhor begins her article saying that Shanklin-Henderson begins her day by settling her soul and spirit with prayer and meditation. "She banishes the tiniest pebbles of pessimism and fixes her mind on one abiding thought: 'All of my students will go home,' she tells herself, inscribing the belief deep in her core.  'They will live happy, healthy lives'."  {C}{C}

Join Ali Kemal Civelek for a meditation titled "The Beautiful Names of God." In Islamic tradition, the essence and truth of the universe is the names of God.  Praying the names of God is a central devotional practice.  Mr. Civelek currently serves as the Director of Houston Institute of Islam. He teaches Islam, Sufism and philosophy of Islam. He is doing his Masters in Faith and American Culture at Saint Thomas University. 

Experience the contemplative side of the world's great religious traditions with guided meditations offering an opportunity for healing and spiritual development. The series is co-sponsored by Ligmincha Texas Institute, The Jung Center of Houston, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the Rothko Chapel. For the M. D. Anderson meditation schedule and directions, please call 713-792-7184.  For more information about the talk on October 3, contact: michelle@rothkochapel.org or 713-524-9839.

            Today I had the pleasure of attending a “Spirituality Summit” at the Council on Alcohol and Drugs’ beautiful facility here in Houston. The theme for the summit was “Understanding the Impact of Addiction & Supporting Recovery,” and the content was geared towards clergy and congregational leaders who are interested in fighting addiction in their communities. James F. Crowley, MA, President of Community Intervention, and Sis Wenger, President/CEO of the National Association for Children and Alcoholics (NACoA) spoke to us about the problems associated with addiction as well as strategies and tools for congregational leaders to use to battle those problems.

ISH has a very important seminar coming up on Saturday, Sept 29, 2012 entitled, "Posttraumatic Growth."   We have all heard about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in our returning Vetrans (20 per cent or more) and with anyone who is subjected to emotional stress and violence in any form -- loss of a loved one, rape, abandonment, theft, assault.  So, we should fill the lecture room with people who need this seminar.  The two speakers are terrific and have given their presentation to gatherings of returning veterans and in churches with excellent responses -- "You gave me the tools I have needed to move on in my life." and "I will never be the same.  How can I every thank you enough?"  The lecture should be of value to anyone who has experienced PTSD and anyone who cares for someone with this condition.  And, therapists will find the seminar helpful, too.  Register early online as we anticipate filling our space.  You can also call 713-797-0600 to register, as well.

Stephen Joseph, Ph.D., has written a book entitled, What Doesn't Kill Us: The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth. (New York:  Basic Books, 2011).  It is an excellent book to{C}

Buddist Pema Chodron says in her book Comfortable with Uncertainity, "Spiritual awakening is frequently described as a journey to the top of a mountain  We leave our attachments and our worldliness behind and slowing make our way to the top.  At the peak we have transcended all pain" (Pema Chodron, Shambhala Press, 2008, p 1).  Let me begin by saying at the peak of my Twin-Sisters Mountain trail hike ourside Estes Park, CO I cannot say I had transcended "all pain".   I suspect that could only be true for the well-seasoned, acclimatized and native mountain hiker.  Or, it is something only those who have never made a 11,435 ft. climb could say.

Every now and then you are sent an email which touches your heart.  Go to this site and be blessed as you watch a symphony and choral group gather in a street square in Spain to perform Beethoven's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=GBaHPND2QJg&feature=youtu.be.   I loved it and when you finish watching that video, you will be shown a mosaic of options.  If you can locate the one that says "One of the Most

A recent study, authored by Adam Burke, PhD, MPH, LAc, compares the preferred meditative practices of 247 people and was published in EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing (Vol 8 , No. 4, July-August 2012, p 237-242).  People between ages 20 and 56 were taught four kinds of meditations: Zen, Mindfulness, Qigong, and Mantra. They were then asked to report which they liked best.

I just happened to watch the TV Show, Starting Point on CNN this morning (Monday, July 2, 2012) and saw Soledad O'Brien interview a friend that I had met while on a trip to Martha's Vineyard, Squire Rushnell, author of God Winks.  Having turned on my TV at the exact moment the interview began is what Rushnell would call a "God Wink moment."  Squire was sharing his new book Divine Alignment (pictured on the left) which he says is the idea behind God Winks -- how God Wink moments guide our life's journey.  It is the idea that all people are interconnected God Wink to Go

Pictured is the wall at the Institute featuring our 2012 "Great Teachers" in our Thursday afternoon Great Teacher Lecture Series.  Each lecturer has his or her photo and a description of their talk along with other information about their lecture.  This was a profound series with wonderful speakers such as Jeffrey Kripal, head of the department of religion at Rice U speaking on "Everyone Needs to be a Comparativist" in which he presented an introduction to his upcoming book.  Another lecturer was Jon Allen, PhD from the Menninger Clinic talking on "Mentalizing God."  Rabbi David Lyon gave an inspiring talk on "Psalms for Spirituality and Health."  Andy Achenbaum spoke on "Rumi as a Spiritual Guide."  Rabbi Sam Karff spoke on "The Healing Power of Story."   It was a literal feast with topics ranging from "Guided Imagery" (Ginger Clarkson, M.A.), to "Professional Burnout" (Warren Holleman, PhD), and "the Health Effects of Sexual Trauma in Women" (Anne Koci PhD).  I cannot thank our featured lecturers enough. This was truly a rich offering to our community. We were blessed.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor, stands as one of the greatest figures of courage in the 20th century.  The story of his stance against the Third Reich of Nazi Germany has appeared in countless books and is told in the stage play, "The Beams Are Creaking" by Douglas Anderson.  The title is the code phrase used by those who conspired to kill Hitler.  For his resistance, Bonhoeffer was arrested and sent to Buchenwald death camp.  A few weeks before the war ended, this man who had more courage than his church, was hung until dead.  

Personally, I stand amazed at the ability of humankind to inflict great suffering, even mass murder, on others.  And, it isn't a thing of the past.  How can good people commit these atrocities?  An interesting book I am reading is entitled {C}

I recently visited with Mark Wallace, President/CEO to invite Texas Children's Hospital to become a member of ISH's Circle of Friends which he happily agreed to do.  He said he had something he wanted me to show me -- a Prayer Bowl which was a gift to him from his staff when they opened the new Pavillion for Women.  In the large bowl was a hundred or more cards, each with a prayer for Mark Wallace.  He said, "Take one and read it."  I did and was blessed.  He said every day he picks a card from his Prayer Bowl and is blessed to read one of the prayers that was prayed for him.

Next, I was taken to see the Chapel in Texas Children's Hospital.  I was stunned by its beauty and the story is a young girl designed it.  The chapel is round and the ceiling is painted with a starry sky above.  When I arrived there were two nurses kneeling and praying.  My guide, Nancy Gordon, said they were probably praying for one or more of their patients.  I was blessed.

The front page of the Houston Chronicle for Friday, April 13, 2012 shows man from India beginning the day with a classic Yoga exercise and he says yoga is good for one's health and increases longevity.  He is correct.  The vast majority of over 3,000 studies reveal there is a positive correlation between consistent spiritual practices and greater sense of well-being, overall better health and even a lengthening of one's life.  So, maybe we should all join this man in the park, watching the sunrise, stretching our limbs and renewing our soul as we begin a new day.

I just read a disturbing article on KevinMD.com written by David Houle and Jonathan Fleece and entitled, Why One Third of Hospitals Will Close by 2020.  My assumption was the loss of hospital would be due to the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  In part, that was the case but the substance of the article says that, because hospitals will be forced to publish their rates of infections and outcomes of care, people will choose the hospital with the best care and bankrupt the remaining institutions.  These hospitals will close their doors because people have gone elsewhere.