After having spent much time with reading, writing, agonising over research dilemmas (in conjunction with many dilemmas and conflicts in my personal life, deeply related to the process of finding peace with my ‘roots’ and working towards integrating my host and original cultures within) i felt the urgent desire to connect with nature and be nurtutred by it. I went for a walk with JP at a park and after walking around in the greek, feeding ducks etc, we lay down on the soil. I so much needed to feel the sun on my skin and be connected to the Earth…is there something around the need for grounding? (i somehow see this as very necessary for anybody in a heuristic research journey, as it appears quite demanding for the person).
This makes me think about what we call Ecopsychology and i guess that since location and space,place, ground are concepts deeply connected with the topic of culture, this area doesnt seem at all irrelevant. … Read more »
I spent most of the morning/afternoon today listening on the recording of the research interview with M. and remembered what an engaging process that is. I know that doing verbatim transcription is far more tiring…but listening to the tape and also keeping notes with a reflexive attitude is also very demanding (and interesting process). I think a good point to keep in mind is that a researcher may be ‘catching’ into awareness different nuances each time he/she listens to the recording – depending on ‘where’ one is at that particular moment. Also. i have a sense that location place a role for some reason, maybe more so in my case where I am researching ‘culture’. … Read more »
Having reflected earlier upon the ‘dualities’ and ’splittings’ occuring both in my personal and research process, i can recognise the urgent need to ground myself. As my supervisor put it: “you need to embed yourself”. I am contemplating on the meaning of this word, for which I found a number of definitions, depending on the context,such as: To become an integral part of something or to enclose closely; implant: fix or set securely or deeply; attach to. This also explains my need lately to in-bed (put myself to bed) and sleep, as if there is work to be done at an unconscious level, hence my vivid dreams. … Read more »
I am aware of the fact that I was ‘processing’ the problems with the research proposal during the night,in my sleep…it was anxious sleep, couldnt find solutions or make sense of things. As I was waking up this morning, i remember ‘asking the unconscious’ sort of thing to give me a solution and the word that came to mind was the ancient Greek name “Antigoni”… … Read more »
I had the joy to attend a workshop here in Manchester about ’storytelling in counselling’, delivered by my Greek colleague (and friend!) Sophia B. William, my friend F., another Greek called M. was there and also some other interesting people…the day was ‘full’…of stories of course! Mine and those of the fellow attendants. … Read more »
