Guomiqi stage2 ppj process journal “Spirituality&Belief”

PERSONAL PROJECT JOURNAL Spirituality & Belief Miqi Guo

Innovation Design & Service Design

Stage 2

2017 January -May 1

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Our studio --- GSA Innovation Design & Service Design

In our studio, the whole Innovation Design & Service design period is divided into three stages. In the first stage we do mainly about how to think and summarize. Ways of thinking, seek solutions and solutions to problems. Initially I was keen to use the service design tool to apply the first phase of the project, and later in the second stage finally have the opportunity to learn real service design approach, in our group projects in the second phase, with the advancement of our professional approach to service design To their own project into a more professional direction, so that our project more clearly according to what method of analysis of the problem, and how to analyse the problem, how to find out the pain of the problem, how to analyse stakeholder, and according to Personas design storyboards and prototypes, as well as service design blueprints.

Haldane Building, Glasgow 2

+44 07821452580 +86 15101185623

M.guo1@student. gsa.ac.uk

Index Page 07

Overview

10

Visual Process

12

Winter school: Innovation from Tradition

About us Timeline

Experience Map Process Flow Interview Brainstorm Questions Exhibition

33

Brief Identifying stakeholders Assumptions Desk research

36

Ethnographic research

28 30

Stakeholder Fieldwork Interview Insight Thinking Flow 58

63

REVIEW

Affiniting map Insights Stakeholders map

IDEAS Review

76

CASE STUDIES 3

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Page

Review

83 84 85

Workshop- Death Cafe Space of design intervention Persona Comfort zone Blueprint

91

Conclusion

92 94

Reference Appendix

Hot report Questionnaire

4

OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION

F R O M W I N T E R S C H O O L W E S TA R E D O U R N E W S TA G E 2 This process investigates the role of Spirituality and belief how impress and influence people in the traditional way of rituals, and focuses on involving design in activities to explore the new opportunities and possibilities of peaceful mind. With the development of urbanization all over the world, traditional religion pray for belief and spirituality has changed a lot. The mixture of new and old habits and thinking not only broke the traditional religious environment integrity, but also changed the people’s ritual relationship in nowadays. Under the macro-context of social background, understanding the existing problems and situation that residents who live in the modern cities may face when participating in daily cultural activities in the public space, has great practical significance in improving interpersonal relationship’s situation, further promoting the development of the social harmonious. Using the service design method to participant focus group’s life and ethnographic study to analyse, we visited and interviewed the people from our school and the residents who live in Glasgow. First of all, we describe the background, purpose and methods of this research, and then study the current situation of how the people in Forres participate in the Abbey. By identifying the persona, sampling investigating and re- searching on the focus group, we generate various ideas to figure out our subject and significance, iterate several times to create the final model on social interaction and network establishment of the Peaceful Death activities. The final outcomes of this paper include participatory workshops on Plus Abbey, the applet we design, and initiative on belief regeneration. The model and sustainable mechanism developed in this paper will be used to support the further Spirituality and Belief regeneration project.

DAT E

J A N U A R Y, 2 0 1 7

SUBJECT

SPIRITUALITY&BELIEF 5

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

ABOUT US Design for Belief & Spirituality, Peaceful Death service.

We are five students respectively come from China, South Korea, India, and the British Glasgow local resident , we are together to become a group together to enjoy a period of 11 weeks of service design project, forged a profound friendship. During this time we work together through co-operation, overcome difficulties, find problems, think about solutions, well-organized work.

Our subject is Spirituality & Belief. We use the methods of the field interview, observation, research, and then stakeholder analysis, brainstorming.

We do a lot of desk research work and keep reviewing our subject constantly rethinking our positioning and service direction. Through a few weeks of thinking, we collected a lot of ideas, according to the teacher’s feedback, we continue to repeat reviewing the missing aspects of our constantly updated, and ultimately, by integrating 6

a variety of ideas and ideas, we designed a prototype. Our prototype has been designed for specific service design. This is an introduction to the project process, thank you for your interest and hope you enjoy our project.

Babara Lixing Yan Ishiyetaa Seunghee Miqi Guo From left to right

TIMELINE

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Brief Weekly review

Stakeholder engagement

Research method

Concept development

Knowledge map Identify stakeholders

Final presentation

Engagement methods

Insights map refinement

Concept development Design development Prototypes

Formulating engagement questions Winter school

Interim Review

Innovation from Tradition

Develoment From Understanding period we did a lot of times feildwork and interviews, this term we focus on the social service from traditional cultural habits changing in nowadays, we have more new needs and necessaries. We based on our research, by design thinking methods and service design tools to analyse, synthesize and conclude.

7

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

VISUAL PROCESS

inter erviews

Problem-solving strategy focused or analysis and understanding (early stages of the design process)

Organising actions giving structure or char FIELD WORK INTERVIEWS INVESTIGATION TOOLS

Assimilating information

EXHIBITION

Journey Map

Review

constituting components ideas or parts

ttoolbox

interviews

BRIEF SCOPING BRAIN STORM PLUSCARDEN ABBEY INTERVIEW

8

STAKHOLDERS INTERACTION IDEATION

FEEDBACK REFLECTIO ANALYSIS SYNTHESIS INSIGHTS

ons e or character to the constituting compontents,ideas,or parts.

EDBACK LECTION ALYSIS NTHESIS SIGHTS

OPPORTUNITY IDENTIFICATION

PROTOTYPE

measuring Development Refinment

Visual solutation

Feedback

practice of the final outcome

Affinity map

Defining strategy/ methodlogy What who when where why

IDEAS CONCEPTS DEVELOPMENT

VISUAL COMMUNICATION OUTCOMES OTHER SOLUTIONS

9

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

WINTER SCHOOL December 9, 2016 9:30 am Published by InDI Leave your thoughts Dates have been announced for our Winter School 2017, which will take place at GSA Highlands and Islands.

Winter School

Forming an understanding of the relationship between tradition,innovation,lived experience and preferable.

Management

Homebase

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BELIEF & SPIRITUALITY 17th January

23rd January

[Tradition and Innovation] After the first day’s surprise about this beautiful school which was bought from an Italian farmer，the landscape here is so beautiful and give us a peaceful mood，we look around this place and took a lot of pictures with our surprise. Many visiting tutors come and share us their good experiences. The most interesting lecture is that about the tradition and innovation. which bring us reflection about the object which we think has been broken. Sometimes we can give them new meaning and life. It is important that we not only can make the product but also we could build and put the new value into out of date object.

Explain how this project started…

[Field work] Firstly, we talked about what is Spirituality & Belief meaning to us.

Spirituality and belief can tell a lot about a person, their context, their religion，their tattoo，their cultural habit, and principle about their lives.

According to our first fieldwork place - Pluscarden Abbey, a monk comes as our stakeholder offers us their lives habits and history of their abbey.

We went to their Abbey did our fieldwork and our first observation and interview that can reveal, communicate, or present pray or belief through the experiences of monks and believers, by investigating the abbey and monks through features of their pray halls, their religious architecture style, decoration. These meanings and influences are often quite complex.

You can see from our journey map, which logs our whole interview from start off, then we enjoy our time in the Abbey, the monk guided us and talk about a lot of things .

[Environment] Pluscarden Abbey, near Elgin / Forres, is one of Northern Scotland's more unusual attractions. It is the only medieval monastery in Britain still inhabited by monks and being used for its original purpose. Founded in 1230 by Alexander II, it is situated on a forested hill in a quiet valley that feels quite untouched by the modern world.

[History] Pluscarden had 2 sister monasteries, one in Beauly (the Priory is now a ruin) and Ardchattan in Argyll (the Priory is now a private house). The parent house, the Priory of Vallis Caulium, was in France. Interestingly, Valius Calcium translates as “Cabbage Valley”, and in the Old Scots language, Cabbage Valley translates as “Kail Glen”, the name of the place where Pluscarden Abbey stands.

11

BELIEF & SPIRITUALITY

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

[Situation] The Monks' living quarters are not open to the public and visitors can only get access to the grounds and the main chapel of the abbey. There are some beautiful stained glass windows in the chapel and some information boards about the history of Pluscarden Abbey, as well as a collection of carved stones. There is also a small shop at Pluscarden Abbey which sells gifts with a religious theme, books, and a few homegrown plants. A charming feature of the shop is that customers leave their money in an "honesty box" and simply sign a book to say what they bought.

Pluscarden Abbey is quite hard to find, but that all adds to its timeless sense of peace and tranquility. The road signs to Pluscarden Abbey are few so you really need to use a road atlas if you are going to visit here.We are in the male monastery felt from the religious belief in the devout, high painted glass window about Jesus, the sun, totem, everything makes people feel the power of piety. A monk leaded us to visit everywhere，we took photos and wishes after visiting then we sort out the photos and do more inspiration finishing.

According to our group's field experience visit, we began to think about monks as well as oblate, believers, tourists who have different thoughts and experiences can give us more inspiration and direction. Our group of five people are nonreligious people, we hope to know more about the idea of ​​ others and we are the same. After communicating with the monks who led them, we made more interviews based on the different groups and behavioral characteristics he said.

We are in the male monastery felt from the religious belief in the devout, high painted glass window about Jesus, the sun, totem, everything makes people feel the power of piety.

A monk leaded us to visit everywhere，we took photos and wished after visiting we sort out the photos and do more inspiration finishing.

[Different groups] According to our group's field experience visit, we began to think about monks as well as oblate, believers, tourists who have different thoughts and experiences can give us more inspiration and direction. Our group of five people are nonreligious people, we hope to know more about the idea of ​​ others and we are the same. After communicating with the monks who led them, we made more interviews based on the different groups and behavioral characteristics he said.

12

BELIEF & SPIRITUALITY Growing Spiritually Christian Quotes One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.

A Muslim fanatic and a Christian fanatic, a Jewish fanatic, a secular fanatic, an atheist fanatic, a communist fanatic - all of them are the same. The thinking that, 'If you don't think like me, that if you are not with me, then you are against me;' this is something to condemn.

The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical.

[Take away ideas] After we went to interview the Abbey, we think about the stakeholder's experience: 1. why they go to church?

2. How can they go there?

3. What did they do?

4. If there are some activities and what they did?

5. What’s the connections between them?

6. How to sustain their belief and religious culture?

7. Our stakeholders in this table map are Monks，Oblate，Believer， Tourist.

We try to analyse the interviewees talked about the the places and religion, which can be a very important element in their life?

13

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

EXPERIENCE MAP

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Brains to rm

Listing Findings

Identifying the issues

Defining the objective

Research question

16

PROCESS FLOW From brainstorm we list our exploration and findings, try to identify the issues, define the objectives,review and comp up with our questions to do more research.

Brainstorm We produced our core meaning including in spirituality and belief. We hope and pray for peace.

Peaceful world or peace in mind.

Findings We list our findings in 4 different areas: Past Construct+change Design intervention Future It makes us easy explore where we are and what we need.

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Issues The present existing construct can be our issues that we can extend and available directions.

Identifying the issues Lack of info knowledge.

Emotional driven Negotiating the land space Debate between practices/faiths

Research Question What is the spiritual trend in the future?

What is the aim of tradition/spirituality?

What does a spiritual ecosystem look like?

What makes us experience immersive? etc...

18

INTERVIEW _BELIEVER? CHANGES?PEACE?CEREMONY?

We try to find some students who are believers, they share their experience and ideas about some questions. The interview is short but very helpful.

Because I have no religion but I like the religion meditation especially Buddhism in China. I often go to the temple to pray with my friend. Because of the Catholicism has a great influence on the world, I love their culture and artwork in the history. I want to learn their habit and reason to pray, what have they learnt from their belief. Then we talked about their background of the religion in their life, if something changed, Where can be a good place to have a relax, if they do ceremony.

Then there is a Catholic student tell me the ceremony Catholic could have.

Baptize, First communion- flat bread, Confirmation, Wedding, Funeral, Sacrifice of Jesus Christ I asked her in nowadays the religion has become some weaker influence than the past days. How her religion effect on her life? she told me she read bible and they stories can be fable teacher them do good behaviour and help others, modesty and politeness.

IF THEY CAN BE OUR STAKEHOLDERS?

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Brainstorm

Associations Design

We explore from different perspectives: From the timeline, we have studied the history of the monasteries we have done in terms of the development of some religions and observed the architecture and cultural activities of the monasteries. And longitudinally from religious beliefs in different regions of the world begin to explore, such as Chinese Buddhism, the Taj Mahal in Thailand, and other countries, the impact of different faiths as well as changes in contemporary society.

Because visited Catholic monasteries, so we thought a lot about religion-related design. For example, fashion, some pendants, necklaces, jewellry. Cross with a variety of products can be found in stores.

Construct & Change System When we think about the literal meaning of the spirit and the faith, we hope to find the specific content and the changing keywords. So we first based on existing objects, as well as people to follow the norms, the relevant language wording, important heritage, stained glass windows, religious ethics, the Bible story, religious music, architectural style and moral, religious derivative fashion.

Tangible & Intangible Since our theme is a very abstract concept, so we can touch the spirit of support and ideas spread untouchable as different analytical direction.

20

Visible & Invisible This abstract spiritual belief exists in a visual and non-visual way. Like stainedglass windows, the birth of Jesus and the Cross paintings, is the presence of people on the spiritual belief in a visual way.

Those who can not see it in our hearts to the power of a spiritual guidance and direction of our existence.

Intervention Potential These have brought about changes and influences in our lives, for example, those who read the Bible from time to time will be the Bible story as a fable and moral standards to guide their words and deeds and life.

Religious beliefs, or spiritual ideas that influence or even determine our behaviour in the subconscious.

Placement Definition We from the location, placement of personnel, the definition of consideration, the monastery of monks work for consultation and interviews, recorded their habits.

WHERE DO YOU FIND PEACE? Home Decorating Family Minimalism Being up to date with tasks Faith God/religion Contemplation

Get organised

Start afresh Meditation Solitude The sea Good clear out Wilderness Peaceful space Prayer book

In a loving relationship 21

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Nature Help from friends Reflection Humanism Patheism Hinduism Quiet, safe place Keep a daily journal.

Yoga Relationship Walking.

WHERE DO YOU FIND Protestant Catholic Lain Humanism Islam Patheism Lutheran Episcopalian

22

KEY ASPECTS Sense of belonging (Artwork, Music...)

Beliefs and storytelling (stained glass)

Spirituality by being part of a bigger system.

The role of symbolism, ritual.

Spiritual ecosystem, retreat.

The urge to make meaning.

The idea of spiritual comfort in shapes and structures

[...]

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

QUESTIONS ?

1. How do people define ‘Being Spiritual’ or ‘Spirituality’?

2. How could spirituality be designed?

3. What makes an experience immersive and more valuable?

4. How can the past inform the future and spirituality?

5. Researching art and spirituality.

SPIRITUALITY (noun) the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

BELIEF (noun) an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof.

RESEARCH QUESTION HOW DO YOU CONSTRUCT AN INFORMED ENTRY POINT INTO A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE ?

FEEDBACK Elio talk about the faith and religious, body changes can bring us something new, changing our emotions and feelings, even the situation and personal experience.

Besides, our reflections are about the women and men who has high stress ,the relations among different groups. Iran talk about our “mindfulness”, Brian hopes we link whole processes together.

So I remind of a organisation “Free hug” whose members try to give hugs to strangers on the street , I think a hug can be a body language which represents our love to care others. Especially in nowadays, we use internet chatting online, communicate with out friends with out meeting together. Popular social media instead of the common talking tea. It brings us more blocks, reducing closed relationships. The indifference existing worse than old days, we stand father and father to our friends and families.

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EXHIBITION

Where do you find peace?

What faith were you born into and what do you now follow?

Peace symbols

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

PROJECT BRIEF We continue to identify our clues around our winter school and the Pluscarden Abbey interview take away ideas.

There is the map sketch and graphic. Then document the context to make more thinking and explore.

PROJECT: SPIRITUALITY AND BELIEF Winter School client: Pluscarden Abbey 1.What is the research question?

How to construct an entry point for informed consumers to access their preferred spiritual experience.

2.Why are we doing this project?

The brief was allocated to our group with an option to review it and our client. Our group has chosen to continue to explore this space.

3.What are we trying to accomplish?

Our brief is to innovate from tradition. We aim to address struggles faced by humans in the 21st century. Despite progress in science and technology, basic, innate human needs haven’t fundamentally changed over time. We want to feel safe, secure, comforted, guided. We have concerns about mortality, meaning and pur26

pose.

4. Why is this project needed?

Problem areas being investigated and researched include: • Refugees • Religious intolerance • Suicide rates • Stress and mental illness including addiction • Death, dying and mortality • Feeling lost Helping people find the spiritual life they desire helps: • Cure stress • Combat rising suicide rates • Address social isolation • Enhance the quality of life • Ensure healthy body and mind • Help find happiness in a humanistic way • Promote tolerance and reduce judgement • Offer hope in times of stress • Prioritise, articulate and match values 5. What specific outcomes or results do we expect?

Design opportunities/interventions imagined at

PROJECT BRIEF scoping stage: • Spiritual trail across Scotland • Designing a spiritual experience (transferable state of calm) • Spirituality as a physical space, object or artefact 6. Who are we designing for?

These were identified at scoping stage as ‘warm’ groups: • Unfamiliar but interested • Familiar and detached or lost • The dispossessed.

Depending on the refining of the scope, they might include supporting refugees, addicts and others excluded from society.

7. What are the knowledge areas that the project touches upon?

Four key dimensions of human existence: isolation, meaning, death, freedom (psychotherapeutic perspective).

Knowledge map scope: • Retreat, get-away, escape • Co-existence • Enlightenment • Guidance • Rituals • Feelings • Clarity • Growth • For ‘the heart’ • Reflection • Awareness (self and others); inner dimension • Sustainability • Abstraction in comfort • Exercise control • Sense of purpose/meaning • School of thought • Superstitions

• Religious and spiritual practices • Identity, ego • Deconstructing/simplifying life • Community/belonging • Peace • Space and time • Associations: nature, art, music, objects, artefacts, rituals • Gurus • Sense of calm, wellbeing • Immersive experience

• Permission, right, access • Emotional health • Spiritual ecosystem 8. Who are key stakeholders/collaborators?

9. What are the phases of this design research project?

Research, synthesise, ideate, prototype, test, finalise, communicate.

10. How much time should be devoted to each phase?

11. How will the design outcome be implemented?

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

WHO SEEKERS

SUPPORTERS

STAKEHOLDERS & COLLABORATORS

Spiritual Clients (addiction centres, social care, counselling, coaching) Patients (medical care, mental health) Visitors (retreat centres, spiritual places and spaces) Users (yoga, meditation centres)

practices: Christian (Pluscarden), Buddhist, Humanist ...

National charities for mental health Emergency support: Samaritans (charity) Government: NHS Local government: social services Private practice: counsellors, coaches Private retreats Commercial classes: yoga Addiction centres Tam Baillie, Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commissioner for Children & Young People Shona Robinson, Health Secretary

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ASSUMPTIONS ORIGINAL RESEARCH QUESTION 1.“What if SPIRITUALITY could provide a quick fix (emergency support) as well as a lasting solution?”

2. On a spectrum from stress to suicide, where can a design intervention offer a pathway to spiritual support?

WHAT IS THE NEED/PURPOSE OF SPIRITUALITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY? • Cure stress.

• Combating rising suicide rates • Address social isolation.

• Enhancing the quality of life---Health of body & mind.

• Finding happiness in a humanistic way.

• Hope • Prioritizing your views • Promote Tolerance.

•••

This study seeks to examine how may manifest through different spirituality that surface in a specific context, and that may say about peoples’ lifestyles.

After discussing a few options, from association to community, we decided that the Meditation and mindfulness practice in nowadays applied for people who are suffering depression or stress.

This is because there is a wide range of people who tend to get a sense of relief, who can be represented from across the society.

For context, my understanding of the belief is about four parts: Political belief, Value principle, Cultural belief, and Religion.

The Religion in the history can be the role of government rule and principle that we 29

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

ASSUMPTIONS have known as changing from divine right and sanctification to secularisation. In the past, the superstitious campaign is main group which shrinks social responsibilities and eschews participation in public life. If this is existing in nowadays, it would be social withdrawal.

A variety of religions existing in nowadays.

Especially, the reasonable taking in and tolerance are very important to the believers. The religion’s influence is not only in the church but also in our life. Besides, the group is changing, more and more young people focus other lives and spirituality growth.

They prefer to find the accesses intimacy within themselves through meditation and self-inquiry.

This is what we seek for—- meditation and mindfulness.

There is a point of view, the income can decide our happiness and wellness.

Some people think it can make sense because excellent conditions of economic can bring us more choices and options to our lives.

But for our spirituality, if that can ensure our mental life in good and healthy conditions, that is a question remained us. At the last, our selection of our subject according to nowadays life is much different from the history. The times are different, the needs of spirituality are different.

The changes are the results of social development. Our social has developed to a certain degree, at the same time, our faith would have more requirements.

Meditation helps workers focus their attention, remind and remember their work detail information, favour to keep vitality and prevent themselves from negative emotion and mood.

Mindfulness has a lot of advantages: Pain/stress relief; Reduce the information blocks; reduce the risk of heart disease; Strong brain; improve work efficiency.

We can review the experience map, our stakeholders’ motivations are’ devotion’, ‘learn and grow’,’acceptance’ and retreat, which means the meditation and mindfulness both of them can account for a important part and similar effects on individuals. In another word, mindfulness is the core meaning why people pray in the church. We pick up the mediation and mindfulness take this as a kind of therapy cure depression, stress and anxiety.

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DESK RESEARCH Evidence

Mental ill health leads to isolation and discrimination, causes heart disease, stroke, diabetes and shortens life by 20 years.

ACCESS CRISIS

1 in 3

DEMAND UP 26%

1 in 4

CUT IN SERVICES

Women Suffer during Menopause

Experience Mental ill health

1 in 4

Wait more than

4 months For help

1 in 5

GP referrals For help â&#x20AC;&#x201D; REJECT

Costs up 25% in 5 years

Mental health bill ÂŁ10.8 billion

Ethnographic research: Interviews - individuals who have experienced stress Observations/interviews - entry points to potential sources of spiritual support Develop and test research tools: Elicitation - exploration tools from Winter School

Source: Scottish Mental Health Partnership Special Briefing Paper, Health Scotland Health Topics

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

WINTER SCHOOL RECAP

Looking back at the course of winter school, we finally found the problem and tend to be the key to research.

PROBLEM AS SOLUTION What is the need/purpose of spirituality in the 21st century?

Overview of Mindfulness Two component Definition: 1) Self-regulation of attention so that it is maintained on immediate so that it is maintained on immediate experience, thereby allowing for increased recognition of mental events in the present moment.

2) Adopting a particular orientation toward one’s experiences in the present moment, characterized by curiosity, openness, and acceptance.

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Top Cause of Death(US.2015) 1. Heart disease (596.339) 2. Cancer (575.313) 3. Respiraatory diseases (143.382) 4. Cerebrovascular diseases (143.382) 5. Accidents (122.777) 6. Alzheimer’s disease(84.681) 7. Diabetes (73.282) 8. Influenza (53.667) 9. Nephritis (45.731) 10. Suicide (38.285) 11. Septicemia (35.539) 12. Liver disease (33.539) 13. Hypertension (27.477) 14. Parkinson’s disease (23.107) 15. Pneumonitis (18.090) Stress(20.231)

DESK RESEARCH We have addict on some bad habits and do not know how to change it.

Meditation can help us to think deeply and keep curiosity about new life.

How to meditation?

What is meditation?

Why we should have meditation ?

• Can we break bad habits by being more curious about them? Psychiatrist Judson Brewer studies the relationship between mindfulness and addiction — from smoking to overeating to all those other things we do even though we know they’re bad for us. Learn more about the mechanism of habit development and discover a simple but profound tactic that might help you beat your next urge to smoke, snack or check a text while driving. https://www.ted.com/talks/judson_brewer_a_simple_way_to_break_a_bad_habit

• You’re not at your best when you’re stressed. In fact, your brain has evolved over millennia to release cortisol in stressful situations, inhibiting rational, logical thinking but potentially helping you survive, say, being attacked by a lion. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin thinks there’s a way to avoid making critical mistakes in stressful situations, when your thinking becomes clouded — the pre-mortem. “We all are going to fail now and then,” he says.

“The idea is to think ahead to what those failures might be.” https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_levitin_how_to_stay_calm_when_you_know_you_ll_be_stressed

• Carol Dweck researches “growth mindset” — the idea that we can grow our brain’s capacity to learn and to solve problems. In this talk, she describes two ways to think about a problem that’s slightly too hard for you to solve. Are you not smart enough to solve it … or have you just not solved it yet? A great introduction. https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve

• When is the last time you did absolutely nothing for 10 whole minutes?

Not texting, talking or even thinking? Mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe describes the transformative power of doing just that: Refreshing your mind for 10 minutes a day, simply by being mindful and experiencing the present moment. (No need for incense or sitting in uncomfortable positions.) https://www.ted.com/talks/andy_puddicombe_all_it_takes_is_10_mindful_minutes

https://www.ted.com/playlists/talks_to_help_practice_patienc

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

Determined what are the scope and direction of our specific research project is, Meditation treatment centers in various ways existing around the world now, bringing peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health as well as new lifestyle.

We identified a new treatment center, according to stakeholders meditation, support service centers to provide music therapist to analyse. In one case, we need our counsellor, volunteer, provide suicide helpline and social worker.

On the other hand, clients, represented in three ways as stress, depression / bi-polar, suicide addition.

This is a rough existing service process, we plan to carry out the following interview according to stakeholders.

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STAKEHOLDER According to our stakeholder service process map, we plan to interview some supporters, because Babara is a local resident here, she is pleasant to interview more people who are working here. The others try to design some interview with our friends or do our fieldwork to know some centresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service contents.

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

FIELD WORK

During reading week, our group members doing interview with different stakeholders, Seunghee got some medifulness centre in London, took back their leaflets, I interview some friends through video and fieldwork. Which futher my thinking about our worries about our lives and the way we choose to deal with the trouble. Meditation exists in someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, no matter if they know that was meditation exercise or not, they like reflection and control their lives.

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INTERVIEW Our interview topics around:

Menopause is a huge trigger Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lost our rites of passage

Issues

Spirituality comes up in almost every crisis

Goals, plans, a sense of control

Helps

Daily rituals, meditation, morning pages Talking to someone outside family Art, nature and connection

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

INTERVIEW — QUESTIONNAIRE Before we had our reading week, we prepared for the interview and questionnaires.

The follow are some details we did.

RESEARCH CONSENT FORM | SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF TEAM 04: SPIRITUALITY AND BELIEF MDes. Design Innovation & Service Design The Glasgow School of Art If you’d like to know more about Glasgow School of Art see www.gsa.ac.uk.

If you’d like to speak to our course director, contact Mr. Iain Reid: i.reid@gsa.ac.uk or our research tutor, Brian Loranger: b.loranger@gsa.ac.uk.

ABOUT THIS SESSION This engagement is for the project: SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF It’s part of my Masters in Design Innovation & Service Design.

Our session should take around ___ minutes.

You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to and you can stop at any time.

It’s my responsibility to keep to the time we agree.

I’d like an audio and photo record of the session. The audio is for back-up to verify my findings. The photo may be used on presentations within the School. Not in public without further permission.

I could share my findings with you to let you see the outcome of your contribution. If you’d like to have more information about the project, let me have your email and I’ll keep you in touch.

Thankyou for helping.

CONSENT I (name below) give permission to:

( ) record the interview

( ) use my photograph (if agreed to)

( ) share my first name or a given name to anonymise my contribution

( ) identify my country of origin and usual country/place of residence

( ) share my age if relevant to the interviewer.

I agree that the contents of our engagement can be used in research findings.

Signed ............................................................................

Name ..........................................................................

Date ............................................................................

Please provide your email if you would like us to keep in touch.

Email ...................................................................................

GET IN TOUCH | SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF Interview conducted by: Barbara Chalmers Ishiyetaa Saxena Miqi Guo Seunghee Jeong Yan Lixing If you want to get in touch with me again, please do: Email ID: Contact Number:

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• I think I still have some problems about some details, so I edit questionnaire the second time and try to interview more people. This is the interview questionnaire, I hope I can get some more reflection and more ideas from this time. I plan to interview my classmates, it is easy to find them and ask questions. some of them are believers , some of them like practise Yoga, I think it is very good to be a user or stakeholder in this topic, I so appreciate that I have so many good friends here with their mute-discipline. It would be more interesting.

In order to deepen our understanding, we search for more information through the secondhand rescourse.

Subject : Mindfulness practice & interview This topic is about our spirituality & Belief , which arise in the political belief, cultural, religious, or our personal value and behaviour principles.

We focus on some problems we meet in our lives and what kind of belief can help us deal with our difficult situations and bring us wellness.

Fieldworker: Miqi Guo Observation Date : Tuesday 21 February ,2017 Interview/Observation time : Questions Why you choose having a mindfulness practise?

What the problems you ever met confused you make you feel hard to control?

Do you have other ways to fix your stress?

What’s your experience of meditation or mindfulness can you share What do you get during the meditation and mindfulness?

Why you choose having a mindfulness practise ?

What the problems you ever met confused you make you feel hard to control?

Do you have other ways to fix your stress?

What’s your experience of meditation or mindfulness can you share?

What do you get during the meditation and mindfulness? what the most important thing to you in mindfulness ?

What do you think about the differences between religion and mindfulness?

Do you have region ? what it is? What do you get from the religious belief? Do you have your motto from your religion?

Do you have a value criterion?

What it is ? When will you use it ?

What can you get and influence in your life?

Do you have a favourite cultural belief ? What ’s it ?

Can you share your experience about it?

Some famous person in the history or your nation cultural habit you think is interesting ?

What do you think of the cultural belief ?

Before you come to mindfulness places? if there are some alternative choices ?

What it is ?

How can it make you work?

When you do mindfulness practise ? what will you think about?

If you think there are something else can show your belief ? (taboo / book/ super star/ motto) How old of the participants and how about the different figure ? age groups ?

What the proportion between women and men ?

What’s the surprise and take away idea?

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

INTERVIEW — QUESTIONNAIRE Mindfullness Interview1 Observation & Questionnaire

Subject : Mindfulness practice & interview This topic is about our spirituality & Belief ， which arise in the political belief 、 cultural 、religious、or our personal value and behaviour principles.

We focus on some problems we meet in our lives and what kind of belief can help us deal with our difficult situations and bring us wellness.

Fieldworker: Miqi Guo Observation Date : Tuesday 28 February ,2017 Interview/Observation time : 12:34

QUESTIONS

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ANSWERS

Why you choose having a mindfulness practise ?

YOGA BOOK INTRODUCE BOOK I hard to calm down and need to continue to practice ? the brain needs to relax ? 5-10 minutes are necessary.

The training in business organization is difficult achieving in a short-term.

What the problems you ever met confused you make you feel hard to control ?

Learning time will be distracted by other web pages, focusing attention is not enough.

Easy to worry, think a lot. Existing parental relationship problems in high school period

Do you have other ways to fix your stress ?

Thinking, need to open their own.

Talk to a good friend. Embrace yourself.

What’s your experience of meditation or mindfulness can you share

Thinking deeply, more and more willing to think.

What do you get during the meditation and mindfulness ?

Along with the age growth, continuous view of problems. To find out the source of the problem.

What the most important thing to you in mindfulness ?

Focus

What do you think about the differences between religion and mindfulness.

Religious thought, purification control hearts resonate. Thinking is mental.

There are big differences in culture.

There are no religious backgrounds can think out the influence of different results. More scientific rationality.

Do you have region ? what it is? What do you get from the religious belief ? Do you have your motto from your religion ?

No

Do you have a value criterion ?

What it is ? When will you use it ?

What can you get and influence in your life ?

Different stages have different value.

God reward those who work hard.

Need ourselves motivation. Encourage yourself more.

Do you have a favourite cultural belief ? What ’s it ? can you share your experience about it? some famous person in the history or your nation cultural habit you think is interesting ? what do you think of the cultural belief ?

Send a red envelope. The Spring Festival to share with your family. Now sharing a red envelope with friends, share each other can produce different interesting things.

Objective, advantages can learn, have no heroes Inheritance, the retention of what is better.

Before you come to mindfulness places? If there are some alternative choices ? What it is ? How can it make you work ?

The natural environment quiet and not noisy. In the home. Let you have a sense of security.

When you do mindfulness practise ?

What will you think about ?

If you think there are something else can show your belief ? (taboo / book/ super star/ motto)

Different books, “brave heart” brings me a lot of thinking, be brave to face the challenge, to pursue what you want.

41

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Mindfullness Interview2 Observation & Questionnaire

Subject : Mindfulness practice & interview This topic is about our spirituality & Belief ， which arise in the political belief. cultural 、religious、or our personal value and behaviour principles.

We focus on some problems we meet in our lives and what kind of belief can help us deal with our difficult situations and bring us wellness.

Fieldworker: Miqi Guo Observation Date : Tuesday 21 February ,2017

QUESTIONS

ANSWERS

Why you choose having a mindfulness practise ?

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What the problems you ever met confused you make you feel hard to control ?

Things happen over time.

Get used to the situation.

Changing things.

Do you have other ways to fix your stress ?

Mostly music Random things Feel alone

What’s your experience of meditation or mindfulness can you share

Meditation classes stage, stay teenage get one more experiences.

Every thing is gone. No music mediation .

What relax mood: excited, changing over time.

Face the life, talk to people, be alone.

Let them away, miss something.

What do you get during the meditation and mindfulness ?

Tired gone keep going

What the most important thing to you in mindfulness ?

A part of your life. Come to me naturally

What do you think about the differences between religion and mindfulness.

No Religion, collected, confront, follow religion, register, religious, places, without religions, meditation. French temple, any religion god.

Do not understand.

Do you have region ? what it is? What do you get from the religious belief ? Do you have your motto from your religion ?

Just keep going.

Do you have a value criterion ?

What it is? When will you use it ?

What can you get and influence in your life ?

Just keep going.

Feeling so stuff for me.

Negative activity

Do you have a favourite cultural belief ? What â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it ? can you share your experience about it? Some famous person in the history or your nation cultural habit you think is interesting ? what do you think of the cultural belief ?

Food. Cooking eating. The best.

Love history, Greek, central culture.

Architecture in India history life to understand the world, the way , practise, relate to it.

Before you come to mindfulness places? If there are some alternative choices ? What it is ? How can it make you work ?

Helpful for body .anything

When you do mindfulness practise ?

What will you think about ?

If you think there are something else can show your belief ? (taboo / book/ super star/ motto)

Place: matri mandir, in auroville, India meditation has their own principles .

They say that religion and meditation are two separate things, and focuses on meditation.

Take away ideas: Meditation 3-4 Practise eyes sight exercise, Light point is helpful to focus attention. 15 - 13 Concentrate. Fight with Concentrate anything , such as study.

Critical. Study everything make sense. Music relax stress. Music is the best way.

Photograph Dancing Festival : durga puja , Religous thing Family important thing.

Younger sister. Go home.

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Some original questionnaires.

Mindfullness Interview3

Service users: people who have agreed to talk to us who have experienced stress, identify with mental ill health and may be clients of service providers we connect with.

INTRO: Hello, my name is Miqi Guo and I’m studying for a Masters in Design Innovation at GSA. I’d like to talk to you to inform thinking for a group project. Your comments will be anonymised and findings fed into a final report we will present to the School. If you’d like a copy of the report, please give me your email after the interview. I’ll ask you to sign this Consent Form [show] at the end. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to and you can stop the interview at any time.

We’re interested in understanding what people do to find peace in life. I’ll ask you a few questions around this topic.

(STRESS) ∵ ∵

Who or what do you turn to for help at a time of stress? answer friends or families

∵

(Could probe… what else might you do?

∵ Do you have a sense that some of these things are ‘good’ and some ‘bad’? If yes, when might you go to the ‘good’ and when the ‘bad’ ∵ answer: That depends on my condition of my emotions

44

∵ ∵

If you have sought help, at what point did you realize you needed help? answer: when I was really depressed

∵ ∵

Thinking of an example of that, did you get the help you wanted? answer mostly yes

∵ ∵

If yes, in what way did it help? answer : They helped me get rid of my depression

∵

If no, what would have made it better?

∵ ∵

What do you do day-to-day to keep yourself well? answer : live a regular life and keep fit

∵ ∵

If you have ever felt in crisis, what did you do to help yourself? answer : learn something or travel

∵ ∵

Has this helped? (Was there a quick fix and did it have any lasting effect) answer : yes，body or soul，at least one must be on the way.

∵ ∵ ∵

What might have helped more? answer : maybe better condition of life

(PEACE) ∵ ∵

How do you usually find peace and calm in life? answer : Breath deeply

∵ ∵ ∵ ∵

What helps you feel in control? answer : when I have confidence What gives you a sense of meaning or purpose? answer : when I show up in a right way maybe

∵ ∵

What’s your ideal way to really feel at peace with yourself and the world? answer : when I am totally satisfied with myself and my life.

∵ ∵

What gives you a sense of connection in life? answer : my friends and families

∵ We asked people what sort of things move or touch them in a deep way and got a wide range of answers. Do any of these feel familiar to you… ∝ Being in a special place (if yes, probe: can I ask what might be a special place for you?) ∝ answer : no ∝ The power of nature… being at the sea, in the wind, up a hill, in the wild (if yes, probe: can you offer any details?) ∝ answer : yes, I enjoy sunny day the most ∝ Being part of something (if yes, probe: can I ask what that might be?) ∝ answer : get more involved in the life of those who I really care about. ∝ Feeling loved (if yes, probe: can I ask who what that might be?) ∝ answer : yes ∝ Space and time to think or reflect (if yes, probe: can you give me an example of where/when and what you might be reflecting on?) ∝ answer : yes, sometimes we need to cool down and think in all-rounded perspective. ∝ A faith or belief system or set of guiding principles. (if yes, probe: would you mind sharing what your belief is?) ∝ answer : I am almost an agnostic The topic we’re exploring is Spirituality and Belief. Would you be able to say what those words mean to you? ∝ answer : Make yourself more positive Is there anything else you’d like to share that might be helpful or anything that could be done to help. ∝ answer Areas of interest: ∵ quick fixes, regular practices (daily, weekly, occasional), lasting solutions Assumptions: ∵ “it’s easier to talk to strangers” [give them consent form to sign] 45

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF Mindfullness Interview4

Service users: people who have agreed to talk to us who have experienced stress, identify with mental ill health and may be clients of service providers we connect with.

1. Interviewee: A undergraduate student in GSA INTRO: Hello, my name is Miqi Guo and I’m studying for a Masters in Design Innovation at GSA. I’d like to talk to you to inform thinking for a group project. Your comments will be anonymised and findings fed into a final report we will present to the School. If you’d like a copy of the report, please give me your email after the interview. I’ll ask you to sign this Consent Form [show] at the end. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to and you can stop the interview at any time.

We’re interested in understanding what people do to find peace in life. I’ll ask you a few questions around this topic.

(STRESS) ∵ Who or what do you turn to for help at a time of stress? ∵ Gym, exercise every Wednesday night 8 o'clock. personal time, I can relieve, forget sth； some study problems I can ask my tutor, classmate, my most stressful day is assignment deadline. ∵ Could probe… what else might you do? ∵ Movie Marvel movie’ comic movie ∵ Do you have a sense that some of these things are ‘good’ and some ‘bad’? If yes, when might you go to the ‘good’ and when the ‘bad’ . ∵ Hard to identify, but I can be positive or negative. some thing is good or harm yourself. eg. 1 essay, the score bad does not mean the worst situation, however, it can help us pay more attention on study and devote into it. it is depend on your attitude. ∵ If you have sought help, at what point did you realise you needed help? ∵ some lost control , fail the essay I do not know, so I should ask tutor and other friend helps. ∵ Thinking of an example of that, did you get the help you wanted? ∵ Yes. I can show my tutor I am sad. ∵ If yes, in what way did it help? ∵ Ask. talk is the best way . communication ∵ If no, what would have made it better? ∵ What do you do day-to-day to keep yourself well? ∵ Chat with friends share friends listening also helpful. ∵ If you have ever felt in crisis, what did you do to help yourself? ∵ Try hard to fix it as possible as i can. study _ deadline ___ hard work ∵ Has this helped? (Was there a quick fix and did it have any lasting effect) ∵ It takes time and not quick effect ∵ What might have helped more?

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∵ Friends /traveling (PEACE) ∵ How do you usually find peace and calm in life? ∵ music/ movie is the best choice. ∵ ∵

What helps you feel in control?

Power / —- knowledge

What gives you a sense of meaning or purpose? ∵ ∵ Depend on the benefit eg. Gym is a meaning place for me to get 6 packs ∵ ∵

What’s your ideal way to really feel at peace with yourself and the world?

Agree with sth. no more against with

∵ ∵

What gives you a sense of connection in life?

Friends choose

We asked people what sort of things move or touch them in a deep way and got ∵ a wide range of answers. Do any of these feel familiar to you…

Being in a special place (if yes, probe: can I ask what might be a special place for ∝ you?) ∝ Home / family is where I belong to.

The power of nature… being at the sea, in the wind, up a hill, in the wild (if yes, ∝ probe: can you offer any details?) ∝ peace home ∝ ∝

Being part of something (if yes, probe: can I ask what that might be?) family / group

∝ ∝

Feeling loved (if yes, probe: can I ask who what that might be?) families / friends / parents

Space and time to think or reflect (if yes, probe: can you give me an example of ∝ where/when and what you might be reflecting on?) ∝ Way u think . journey, Grow up through a lot of things changes me. Education is totally different ,limited too many students .realise themselves; prove your self ,learn sth.

A faith or belief system or set of guiding principles. (if yes, probe: would you ∝ mind sharing what your belief is?) ∝ I believe myself The topic we’re exploring is Spirituality and Belief. Would you be able to say ∝ what those words mean to you? ∝ parents are the only persons after you learn sth. what do you believe what make you better whatever dose not kill u only makes you stranger _Nietzsche Is there anything else you’d like to share that might be helpful or anything that ∝ could be done to help. ∝ no 47

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

∵ ∵

Areas of interest: quick fixes, regular practices (daily, weekly, occasional), lasting solutions

∵ ∵

Assumptions: “it’s easier to talk to strangers” Do not talk to strangers，personal opinion [give them consent form to sign]

INSIGHT Physiological transitions trigger crisis

Spirituality is central to wellbeing

Taboos close us down

Menopause = Natural, Temporal, universal

States of crisis and peace are temporal

We articulate our beliefs differently

We use multiple approaches to find stasis

Self help is critical

FEEDBACK — Elio Brian Iain Michael Actions for team Keep focus on spirituality and belief and tradition>innovation What interests YOU in this project - potential areas Have a sense of adventure… passion Philosophy… why spirituality relates to menopause: presentation makes a leap.

Need to improve narrative, logic, rationale.

Spirituality = finding meaning and purpose in life Menopause = I’ve lost meaning and purpose in life

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TEAM CHAT Ish: look at what is easy to do for a quick fix.

Why is it easy? What can we learn and apply.

B interested in ‘upstream planning’ - work with S4 (15 year olds on stress in Pollok) - BBC news Fri 24 Feb http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ukscotland-39067388 Yan: last year I was fine; this year I’m diabetic - what does this mean for me, my body, my life Miqi - meditation, mindfulness - how practices work and help Potentials for stakeholder engagement Lifesavers: my QUICK FIX of choice (good/bad); my tips for long term wellness Research: get pics of people with cards they’ve written on… “my body is…” “i believe…” “spirituality is…” “My faith is…” “[ ] keeps me well” Knowledge map: explore definitions and perspectives on BELIEF, values, spirituality, faith, religion Life maps: from birth to death, draw your high and low points. What helped you get out of a low? What part spirituality and belief plays? What about traditions, learned behaviours, models, self-help, paths to help - how easy to access, touch points for help Potentials for research Philosophies around theism: A C Grayling Case studies: 50+, adolescent, public/private sector - tools, assets (what do Councils give as ongoing support) History: of spiritual practices from paganism to christianity and parallels. How we access, how it helps, why they exist.

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

THINKING FLOW

50

As we continue to think about the stakeholder and Focus group, we begin to list the journey of life, hoping to find the entry point through the different difficulties of the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and the different difficulties encountered.

As mentioned in Thinking flow, we want to solve the two problems of addition and suicide, so we start thinking about when people will encounter such problems, choose suicide or choose to deal with the problem in an alternative way.

So we think people will be rebellious in adolescence, to bear the pressure of work and life in a mature, at the time of menopause will be anxious temper. According to these inevitable natural growth conditions of life, we from the experience, lost, death, fear, transition five points to consider, and finally we selected the most interested, and there are basis, the most relevant topic, Death.

It was suggested that sexual health education, of course, we are also very interested. But because we have to be closer to the spiritual and beliefs of the subject, so we first try to list the life process: Biological, Psychological, death.

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

QUESTIONS 1. WHAT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF AFTER DIE? 2. WHAT’S YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS? 3. WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY ABOUT DEATH? 4. REGRETS IF DIE TOMORROW? PROFESSIONALS Death doulas Soul midwives Doctors Brother Finba Financial Solicitor Funeral Natural death 52

Life transition MAP We have explored life stages focussing on women.

From birth to death, we go through different stages. From childhood to puberty, fertility, menopause and on to ageing and death.

Around menopause, women may also be coping with teenage children or children leaving home, divorce or separation… facing redundancy in many ways.

We’d like to see how we could support this.

Under 25 Grow 25-40 Fertile 40-64 Change 65-75 Retirement 75+ Inactive Aim : Peace (At death) Goal: deal with unfinished business -- Closure -- Emotional -- Financial -- Spiritual -- Legacy

Way forward So we reframed our research question to think about “How can spirituality fill the emotional gaps through transitional phases in life?“ So we begin our new research: our new interviews plan consider the 3 stages, what traditions are, where we can innovate.

And we are considering observation of a women’s group and research with a focus group to identify potential touch points.

Why not peaceful?

1. Loneliness 2. Pain/ Suffering 3. Extinction 4. Unknown PLan: Concept sheet Key insights What if ?

Concept description Reason Illustration

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SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

Our group members today are very interested in the topic of “death”, they cancel the “sexual health” which really difficult for me to expand this conception but make me feel so awesome about my group. They really prefer topical issue. Then we change our focus into Death and expand this to some field we can look for.

The first question: Belief about breath, belief about life. belief about the afterlife world.

The second question is: If you only have one day to live. the third question is; what would you think about it.

Yan told us there was some information from WIKI is that the population of people who have anxiety about death has a peak during 45-64 years old. So we decide to have an interview with our parents. I asked my mother about it.

At the start, I really thought it was not polite to ask her about death stress. So I asked her about the stress she was undertaking now. She said it was all about me, she only cares if I could have a good future and be healthy.

Then I asked her about our topic. She said because she is a doctor whose knowledge is all about science and chemistry so she thought if a human died there would be nothing left. And she has a positive attitude about her body and life. She thinks she is just mid-age and enough healthy. But as the afterlife world, she thinks it is more about religion and believers. But she still has a deep emotion for the families who has had gone. She respects the ceremony and she thinks there is something different from tradition and innovation. and in different countries, there would be some differences can be found by us. I would better ask more believers about it.

FEEDBACK — Elio & Brian This afternoon, Elio and Brian come to our group have a tutorial. It is about what we are thinking now.

Because we have sought for our topic of mindfulness, but then we find suicide and death, finally, we discuss about the sexual health.

He talks about perspectives. and why do we fear death? why some people accept it? from the “death”, the think about a lot of reason can die, around things and individuals.

Then we think about the next topic is some other problems we may meet in the same position as death.

Our group members are so interested in the topic of “sexual health”, I think it is really topical and make sense, but still confused to me. It is important in nowadays and I really feel women can get dangerous easily than men because of our body. We need more education to care about ourselves and our habits if it is good enough.

We should do more research.

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We start to do some more research around “death".

Some conceptions about death: The Sleep of Death Death is a sleep. The New Testament speaks of them “that are fallen asleep in Jesus”.

The term “sleep” is used in the Scriptures to describe the state of the body in death.

Only the body of man sleeps in death. This is revealed in Daniel. Where the dead are described as those who “sleep in the dust of the earth.” Here, it is obvious that: 1.The part of man that is placed in the dust of the earth is that which sleeps.

2.But it is man’s body that is placed in the earth.

3.Thus, it is the body that sleeps in death, not the spirit.

In the New Testament the word “asleep” is the Greek koimaomai, which is from keimai, literally meaning “to lie down.”

The Greeks used the word koimeterion of a place where traveling strangers could stop for sleep (i.e. an inn). From that word derives our term “cemetery,” a place where the bodies of the dead lie sleeping.

Some scholars suggest that the use of “sleep” for death conveys this idea: “As the sleeper does not cease to exist while his body sleeps, so the dead person continues to exist despite his absence from the region in which those who remain can communicate with him, and that, as sleep is known to be temporary, so the death of the body will be found to be” (Vine & Hogg 1997, 95).

Also, death is a state of rest from the toils and cares of the world. There, “the wicked cease from troubling; and the weary are at rest” ———The Biblical View of Death BY WAYNE JACKSON • The relationship between death and sleep, body and spirit. My view is that we should have a new birth, so we should have a new healthy body, so we leave the broken unhealthy body to find a full of vitality life.

FEEDBACK Tutor feedback: 1.To make sure we hold on to ethical grounds while interacting with people who have undergone depression/taken help, without seeming too intrusive.

2. Testing the outcome/validating the solutions we offer 3. Emphasis on ‘mindfulness’ 4. Studying the current solutions (Headspace, Buddify) 5. Is app really the only solution?

6. “Spirituality and the sea”- What’s the language/feeling behind this… calm, wild, tranquil (Brian): terminology of spirituality

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REVIEW PROCESS MAP:

BUILDING A DIRECTION

AREA OF INTERVENTIONP

OINT OF INTERVENTION

TRANSITIONAL STAGES IN LIFE

EXPLORING THE DYNAMICS OF DEATH

RESEARCH QUESTION

MENOPAUSE

JOURNEY MAP

WHY MEMORIES?

LIMITATIONS

STAKEHOLDERS

UNIVERSAL-TRANSITIONAL

INTERVIEWS

IDEATION

WHY DEATH?

INSIGHTS

STAKEHOLDERS

IDEATION

EXISTING SCENARIO

LINK TO SPIRITUALITY LINK TO TRADITION

ELEMENTS

STAGES

CONSTRUCTING A FRAMEWORK

MAPPING IDEAS

After several weeks research, now we are going to get the peace in life.

ACHIEVE PEACE IN LIFE & DEATH

“How do you want to be remembered?”

“What would you like to be remembered for?”

Memories, Material Culture, Reconfiguring Rituals, Rituals For a secular culture

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MEMORIES

STAKEHOLDERS

RITUAL

Create Legacy Remember Control

Partner Person Children Parents Friends Family Religious leaders

Mantra Prayer Eulogy Chant Confession Witness Letting go Staying present Saying goodbye Absolution Last rites

TECH Voice Senses Feeling Activate Time- later-date

VALUE Respect Original

OBJECT Connection Treasure Rosary Storage Candle Record Representation (of person)- Identity

EXPERIENCE Passive Solo Active Interactive

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AFFINITING MAP

We re-sorted the affiniting map, lists four important trends: Body Physical, Post death, pre-death, emotional, mental, spiritual. As you can see in the figure above, the area we want to select is the area between pre-death and Emotional mental spiritual, which can represent our philosophy. In this area, including the Regret prompt action, People borders, Legacy storytelling, positive living, gratitude, all change, little things, dream machine.

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INSIGHTS

Story ---- Applicability Rituals, Presence, Underlying Belief, Design factor.

According to have been derived Insights, we divided into different portions of Intangible and Tangible, try to design applications based on different characteristics.

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STAKEHOLDERS MAP

We carried out extensive stakeholder research to inform thinking talking to spiritual leaders, what we call â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;seekersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and people who offer mainstream and alternative support to meet spiritual needs.

People seek and find spiritual support in ways that we grouped into tangible and intangible. The importance of rituals came up time and again.

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IDEAS Pour out your sadness IDEA 1 Tell your sadness Sad not only through tears, also can be expressed by words. The secret of psychotherapy is to release the depressive mood. The same way to vent out the sadness, bitterness, resentment. Looking for a friend,you priests, relatives, friends to pour out your heart feeling are good objects. It does not have to talk to assist counselling experts.

The best people is who has time and also cares about you, he can accept what you said without blame; he can keep a secret for you, for god, have strong confidence in you.

There is a famous Psychoanalysis expert once said: “two friends talk to each other at ten o‘clock in the morning can get psychotherapy, more than stay all day sitting in the doctor’s office.” Conversation between close friends can really solve the problem, or they don’t tend to serious problems at least.

IDEA 2 Help him alive We must help the patient who at the end of their life to concentrate on his life, live long and rich as far as possible, rather than focusing on his death.

Died only a very short time is only a small part in life: one week, two weeks, a month, and the rest of the time are alive. So we have to help him enrich in last life, and have a positive attitude every day.

Question What exactly state it is of our lives would be in the last weeks, days, hours?

What’s the change of a man’s body near to death? What does he think about? What does he need? What should we do? What should we not to do? What can we do to give the end of life with comfortable, quiet, and even beautiful?

The fact Last period are generally 10 to 14 days (sometimes can be short to 24 hours).At this stage, the doctor’s job should be arranged from “help the patient recover health” into “relief”.

The Data A survey of 100 terminal cancer patients: a week before death, 56% of the patients are awake, 44% are lethargy, but no one is unable to communicate

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but in a coma. But when they entering the last six hours, sober accounted for 8%, 42% is in a state of sleepiness, the average person in a coma. So the family should be the right time to communicate with patients, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for the final and unprepared.

Five Regret Affairs First: 92% of people regret not make efforts enough when they was young which led to nothing Second: 73% people regret chose the wrong job when they are young Third: 62% people regret did improper education for their children Fourth: 57% people regret they have not cherished their partners.

Fifth: 45% people regret they did not good to their bodies.

We have some questions to think: There's been a significant body of work around redesigning the hospital experience for patients.

But for a dying person, the ways in which they experience their surrounding environment can be challenging. a) What are some of the key sensorial experiences designers should consider when reimagining the way a dying person experiences their surroundings? b) What are some examples of design interventions that you consider successful and why?

Challenge represents a broad spectrum: Connectedness, New Values, What Surrounds Us, Planning Now, Services & Care, the Cost of Dying, and After Death.

What Surrounds us describes the opportunity area to impact the physical and sensorial experiences in the end of life. Services & Care addresses the medical ecosystem and the underlying services that are critical to enabling a human-centered end of life experience. These opportunity areas, together, attempt to tackle some of the most under-served parts of the system today, which is why we're so excited about the potential impact for design.

The senses offer a true and whole experience. They transmit the experience of being alive. -- BJ Miller In our current technology-obsessed culture, what role do you see current technologies playing in easing people's end-of-life experiences?

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A sense of emotional connectedness—whether it is to people, things, places—is critical in people's final time. What are some ways that designers can contribute to forging this sense of belonging in a person's end-of-lifeexperience?

There are our ideas:

Name

Barbara

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Idea

Insight

Research/source/evidence

1) Dream machine (event, App ) 2) Gratitude Exchange (practice, App ) 3) Saying the Unsaid (prompts cards, talking/listening interaction, ‘confession’) 4) Church of All: real social networking (meet-ups) 5) All Change (event, practice - help/ hinder fun/fear exercise; disinvest in material - give to good causes

1) Most people don’t fulfill their dreams

Bronnie Ware, Regrets of the Dying 1). I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself - not what others expect of me 2). I wish I didn’t work so hard 3). I wish I had the courage to express my feelings 4). I wish I’d stayed in touch with my friends 5). I wish I had let myself be happier

2) Love and relationships are the most valuable thing at the end of life 3) We bottle up feelings and don’t resolve difficulties. This can build bitterness and resentment and cause ill health. Voicing gratitude helps us feel well.

4) Social isolation causes loneliness at end of life; health and emotional wellbeing fail 5) Fear of change and overworking spoil happiness

Name

Idea

Miqi

1) Choose a meaningful thing what they want to do, which can give them a chance to try in the suitable position. Give them a prize if they have a good effort.

2) They can have a good opportunity to act a role one day what they want to be.

For example, apply for the role online as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I want to be a singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The organisation can try to help him prepare a stage and air concert. Their friends invited to come and enjoy the time. Listening his singing and huge him with flowers and claps.

3) Write a good guidance for their children. Help them find a good life guide teacher.

Record a video for their Children for common life.

For instance, people can list what they hope their children would be and should be,some notices and hope.

4) Log their days, check the photos collection when they were together, post what they want to say and wish.

Memory album APP will be shared to their partner.

5) An App that body can be tested and checked by ourselves and find good doctors online or ask questions and prescription as soon as possible.

Insight

Sense of accomplishment A unfulfilled occupation Life guide tutor Have their perfect memory Body test and check in time.

Research/ source/evidence 1). 92% of people regret not making efforts enough when they was young which led to nothing 2). 73% people regret choosing the wrong job when they are young 3). 62% people regret did improper education for their children 4). 57% people regret they have not cherished their partners.

5). 45% people regret they did not good to your body Reference:

https://upvee.co/ top-10-things-will-regretyoure-old/ http://greatist.com/live/ most-common-regrets http://uk.businessinsider. com/the-most-commonregrets-in-life-frompeople-who-have-them-

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Name

Idea

Insight

Research/source/ evidence

Seunghee

1). Social Network Monument Service 2). Digital Tombstone Timeline 3). Natural decomposing coffin service 4). Charnel House Cafeteria service

1). Communicate People miss their dead family or friends and want to communicate with dead people.

2). Remember Phjceople want rest people to remember them after they die.

3). People normally choose their way to burial before they die.(except unexpected die) 4). Place related to death such as chanel house is treated as hate facilities and people avoid to go.

1). Conversation interview with people 2). Article : How well can we remember someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life after they die? https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/ mind-guest-blog/ how-well-can-we-remember-someone-slife-after-they-die/ 3). German funeral way https://www. german-way.com/ history-and-culture/ germany/the-german-way-of-deathfunerals/ / Green Funeral in UK http:// www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/finda-funeral-director/ what-is-a-greenfuneral/ 4) Article : Charnel house is treated as a NIMBY(Not In My Back Yard) facility or not pleasant place. http://catholicamericaneyesinkorea.blogspot. co.uk/2009/08/ korea-and-nimbysyndrome-withdeath.html

Name

Idea

Insight

Research/source/ evidence

Lixing Yan

1 ) Five senses to recall memory 2 ) Death planning service 3 ) Death as an alarm 4 ) Building belief

1). After our loved one dead we will go through trauma and miss that person a lot.

2) People will avoid talking about death to escape from death anxiety.

3) Talking/thinking about death openly is a good way to deal with death anxiety.

4) People never change until something bad happens to them.

5) Part of death anxiety are caused by fear of unknown/ loneliness.

Conversation with Ms.Zhengcun Yan Sterling. “Identity and Death Anxiety”Central Michigan University.1985.p11 Daisy Buchanantelegraph-Thinking about my death is the best cure for anxiety. Trust me, it works Daily observation Conte HR-measuring death anxiety

Ishi

1) Little Things (App) 2) The game of spirituality People without borders (Thought Concept) 3) (Digital/Physical board) 4) Funeral Service Gaps (Service)

1) Most of the things that people regret as they approach death is that they deprived themselves of little moments of joy in their everyday lives.

2) Spirituality binds people across borders 3) There is lack of empathy when it comes to other belief systems which creates tolerance hazards, violence and regrets.

4) “There I things I wish I would have known about my aunt. We were not extremely close but everyone deserves a funeral of their liking.”.

1) Article posted by B about Regrets of Dying 2) Interview insight (Ria, Suicide Helpline) 3) Interview/Debate with Ms. Rupam Saxena 4) Interview Insight (Angela. 38)

Ishi

My Story of Life (history, herstory, my story)

We use stories to find spiritual support, help make meaning and find peace in life. Passing on our own story is part of our desire to make our mark, leave a legacy.

Brother Finbar: stories from the Bible, psalms and often stories from own life experience help others make sense of their trials.

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Target audience: Age group: 44-64 years old Across multiple belief systems Questions: 1. How do you feel about death?

2. What would you do if you had just 24 hours left to live?

3. What are your beliefs about death and afterlife?

How would you like to be remembered?

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IDEATION

1. Dream machine (event, App) 2. Saying the Unsaid 3. Gratitude Exchange (practice, App) 4. Church of All: real social networking (meet-ups) 5. All Change (event, practice) 6. Little Things (App) 7. People without borders (Thought Concept) 8. The game of spirituality People without borders 9. Social Network Monument Service 10. Digital Tombstone Timeline 11. Natural decomposing coffin service 12. Charnel House Cafeteria service 13. Five senses to recall memory 14. Death planning service 15. Death as an alarm 16. Building belief

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REVIEW “Universal structure : 3 stages mark moving from an old position to a new status and great wisdom.”

Arnold van Gennep, Les Rites de Passage 1908 “Sense of communion … experience new dimensions of selfhood” Cyrene Howe Rites of Passage “Help us learn and pass on what it is to be human.”

Fox and Gill, Welfare State International 2004 Private Rituals “Connect, Honour, Remember, Regain control” 85% move on from grief supported by private rituals : “Deliberately-controlled gestures.” Listening to special music, Carrying out old routines (often domestic).

We think about the Scotland traditions TRADITIONS Ancient ways of healing: VIsion Quest http://www.ancienthealingways.co.uk/ These courses – Councils, Vision Quests and Initiation Rites – are opportunities to expand perception and deepen compassion, finding our unique gifts. They are set in a field of non-judgment and acceptance, allowing the phenomenal power of the human heart and spirit to become visible. They seek to help us acknowledge, honor and celebrate our lives; they further the part we play in creating and visioning a future for ourselves and our planet.

Scotland vision quest http://www.naturalpathfinder.com/scotland.php Vision Quests in Scotland are usually conducted in the stunning central region of Scotland in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park region.

Or in the Hebrides - enchanting Islands on the east coast of Scotland. The islands have an abundance of beautiful habitats. Fresh water and sea lochs unsurpassable in their beauty provide a great resource for fishermen and bird life.

Considered a Gaelic heartland, as Gaelic was spoken there predominantly until fairly recently and is still used on some occasion.

Whales, dolphins, seals, puffins and otters abound here.

The Islands present an oasis of calm in a chaotic world.

A Quest of any kind is a heroic journey. It is a rite of passage that carries you to an inner place of silence and majesty and encourages you to live life more courageously and genuinely.

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"I highly recommend Catriona's quests. They are truly sojourns of the heart."" ~Denise Linn For centuries, people have embarked on rites of passage in nature to gain awareness of the sacred realms and greater self-knowledge. Spiritual journeys into nature can provide greater life direction and harmony. These archetypal passages, or quests into nature, are powerful acts that can change a person's life profoundly. This is why so many myths and stories around the world have the hero's quest as a central theme.

Vision & Nature Quests are powerful practices that have help people to tap into a deep wisdom that can provide profound guidance and insight. Many people around the world have benefited from immersing themselves in nature to seek wisdom, truth and beauty. This is because the Earth speaks to us all if we care to listen.

Experiencing a nature quest is a unique physical, emotional and spiritual adventure. There are many inherent benefits of a nature quest, such as getting in touch with one's inner rhythm. A quest can also provide the impetus that people need to take the first steps toward living a life in tune with their inner desires.

In nature, we are removed from societal constructs, so we do not need to wear a mask or meet the expectations of others. We can freely connect with the pure essence of who we are.

From the peace that nature offers, we can interpret the subtle movements of the animals, the slight changes in the wind, and the gentle shift in the light as the day progresses into night.

We can also come to terms with our thoughts and thought patterns. Without interruptions like ringing phones and schedules, our thoughts go further. By pushing the boundaries of our thoughts, we can journey to a point beyond.

My deep wish going into the Vision Quest was to experience myself in nature free of the distractions of daily life. I discovered a reservoir of inner strength, clarity and fearlessness that I can now easily access in my day-today life. Catriona's attunement to each person's unique process created an atmosphere of trust and allowed me to surrender to each unfolding moment with an increasing sense of inner peace. There is no doubt that the Vision Quest is one of the most daring, rejuvenating and transformative practices I've ever done and I am profoundly grateful for the experience. " L.T., Psychotherapist, CA When we listen to our still, inner voice, we can finally hear that our voice joins with the voice of the Earth.

Quest participants can also discover answers to long asked questions. Signs from nature can powerfully shape a person's life by providing direction or insight that we might not find on our own.

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Signs from nature can speak to "what is" from a way of knowing beyond our limited human consciousness.

Vision Quests are wonderful ways to : • > Find inner peace • > Find answers from the heart • > Connect deeply with nature and other living things • > Face your fears and step into courage • > Deepen your meditation practice or learn to meditate • > Communicate with animal totems and spirit helpers • > Contemplate your life's purpose and receive signs about your life's meaning • > Be at one with god/the creator/the universe, yourself.

Depanding on our tutors advices, we focus on the group of women, which can meet a lot of problems on their lives.

Elio said they might be no children or get some illness but could not say to others, they had to tolerate stress for making life and thier healthies.

We have explored life stages focussing on women. From birth to death, we go through different stages.From childhood to puberty, fertility, menopause and on to ageing and death.

Around menopause, women may also be coping with teenage children or children leaving home, divorce or separation… facing redundancy in many ways.

We’d like to see how we could support this.

Way forward So we have reframed our research question to think about “How can spirituality fill the emotional gaps through transitional phases in life?“ So we begin our new research: our new interviews plan consider the 3 stages, what traditions are, where we can innovate.

And we are considering observation of a women’s group and research with a focus group to identify potential touch points.

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EXTENDING

[ How to design in Technology ]

• VIRTUALITY REALITY

Front-project holographic display Principle of interferometry diffraction principles

So I think about how to ‘Have a virtual love when they gone’.

Holographic projection technology: also called virtual imaging technology is using the interference and diffraction principle to record and reproduce the real the three-dimensional image of the object technology. It not only can generate stereo air illusion. Also make illusion and interact with performers.

Complete performance together produce a stunning performance as a result.

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CASE STUDY We looked at a number of examples of inspiring, immersive sound and lighting spaces to inform our design thinking - like Ettore Spalletti and David Lang’s Salle Des Departs at Raymond Poincare trauma hospital near Paris. The Pulse Project, award-winning Gweilo that creates light in the room and this DNA installation in Rome.

DEATH EXPERIENCE MUSEUM

During the spring holiday, when I stay in Shanghai, I was surprised finding a social App in the mobile phone, by push a coupon on the “Death Experience Museum”.

A “wake up” life education social enterprises in this year’s Ching Ming Festival in Huangpu District opened a “death experience museum.” The agency says that they focus on expressing the ultimate proposition of life - death, loneliness, freedom and meaning, and provide experiential exploratory opportunities for the public.

This “death experience museum” has three founders: old yellow, Ding Rui, Morris. Morris, who was “waking up” media manager, told the BBC East Asia Department about the reasons for the establishment of the “death experience museum” and the museum’s experience activities.

We have had an in-depth and extensive understanding of the various dimensions of death. The building of the death experience hall is inspired by our experience in hospice care. We found that in the practice of hospice care, no matter how much we care, there is still no way to keep the patient from fear of death. Moreover, in the patient dying process, the family has also been a great impact on the mind. We believe that the fear of death comes from the collective subconscious that does not understand. If we deliberately avoid this part of life, when it comes, we will certainly be helpless.

Therefore, the purpose of building the death of the museum is to death education front, with the form of experience in advance to make people feel, in the face of death, when the experience of the face of their loved ones and their own death, can be more calm. At the same time, we also hope that people can die as a mirror, better insight into their past life, to the height of life and death and planning their own future.

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The Death Center is currently only one project, two and a half hours of death experience. Experience before you need to think first, if today is really your last day, how would you spend? With this kind of thinking, the experimenter came to the death experience hall, entered a closed game space, in the space for 12 rounds of psychological games, the game involves the death of the values ​​and ethical conflicts. For example, if your friend has advanced cancer, will you promise to help him euthanize it?

Each round will be out of a view of the experience is not recognized by the experience, alone into a black channel, followed by death, incineration, rebirth of the process, in a pure white space was born, and was eliminated before the experience of exchange of feelings , We are in this space to prepare some of the psychological reconstruction of the small rituals and simple questions to help them settle the feelings. We believe that death is not only the death of the flesh, but also the death of social relations. Through the 12 rounds of the game, we want to arouse people’s thinking about death, while simulating a person to leave this small society (other experience) produced a sense of psychological separation, it symbolizes the death of his social identity.

DMM Planets crystal art universe This work “walks in the crystal universe”, and can be re-defined with the smart phone art and space. Choose one of the elements that make up the universe, and throw it on the phone to slide it into the Crystal Universe to create a new universe. http://chuansong. me/n/662189752077

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MUSIC THANATOLOGY

This music can help to ease physical symptoms such as pain, restlessness, agitation, sleeplessness and labored breathing. It offers an atmosphere of serenity and comfort that can be profoundly soothing for those present. Difficult emotions such as anger, fear, sadness and grief can be relieved as listeners rest into a musical presence of beauty, intimacy and compassion.

Who: The dying people; Their relatives where: hospital, home, outside

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HOSPICE CARE ROBOT

Imagine that you are lying in a hospital bed, alone life only last a few minutes ago.Bedside, a smooth white on mobile robot arm stroke of your hand, with metallic voice say to you: “I’m dying robot. I’m here with you through your last moments on earth. I’m sorry, your family and friends not to send you the final leg, but don’t afraid. I am here to comfort you, accompany you, you won’t be alone. Your family and friends are all very love you, they’ll miss you when you leave.”Artists who have just graduated from Rhode Island school of design, designers and engineers krogh said, this design reveals the cruelty of life, the lack of human and social relations.Robot, on the other hand, as people can trust and rely on, it brings comfort comfort effect.Chen Dan said that death is likely to be a hit the most vulnerable time in life, when the people seeks to determine the interpersonal relationship.In setting up the scenario, the robot to replace human beings appeared, make close relationship has been questioned.

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HOSPICE CARE NURSE

The phone interview from hospice care nurse The following is her feeling about hospice care experience: Remind him of a good time! A lifetime of struggle and hardship income and loss, open the old mode of thinking, as far as possible joy and happiness time infected by the spirit of his remaining! Some old man in the final moments of life are awake. I felt so dignified eyes, for ever help. Thanks and gratitude, have you understood his comfort, actually help them also moved us.

As the saying goes, one man who is dying have kind word and wise.

We can see more from their language and their eyes to their true self, this is a kind of sublimate and touches, yes, but songs of life in one hundred, the pain and suffering, happiness and happiness, will be eliminated, but from the feeling of thought and feeling at the end of the time the more clear,Dorgon Baylor, Qing dynasty after being dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x153;prince and the media to recognize,â&#x20AC;? emperorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother Dorgon died in secret history, the picture shows a smiling face.

Let me sigh, true love is through the blood of life in the heart !Once heard a man said such a sentence: when I leave this world, I corners of the mouth smile only because I know what it is!

So, I respect and treat every one to leave this disturbing the temple in the world, and have their own life, no matter right or wrong, good and evil! Be kind to them, give them the satisfaction of the as far as possible, let them try to calm about leaving this let us cry smile the world, this also is the sacred duty of the minister, respect every life!

Try to alleviate suffering, give appropriate care, dry bed of life, the fresh air! Friendly attitude. Understanding of communication. Care about greetings and sincere eyes. The company of a warm heart.

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SENSORY FACILITY FOR DEATH SERVICE Interior

Exterior Sketch Existing Technology Touch + Visualisation https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/18/minority-reports-technologygestural-control-leap-motion Michelle Lewis-King, Pulse Project: A Sonic Investigation Across Bodies, Cultures and Technologies, 2016, Research Institute Cambridge School of Art [accessed online 27 Apr 17] https://isea2016.scm.cityu.edu.hk/openconf/modules/request.php?module=oc_ program&action=view.php&id=280&type=6&a=

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REVIEW Aim Achieve peace at the time of death Research Question How can we make death tangible in a way that helps the dying and their caretakers experience a good death?

Social Purpose Ensure the last hours of life are as rich, stimulating and comforting as possible for the dying and their significant others.

We discovered 1) Rites of passage are central to the human condition 2) People donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to die in clinical space 3) Rituals help us move on from grief

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WORKSHOP --- DEATH CAFE We took our core concept to a Death Cafe to co-create design development. We explored artefacts and rituals connected to memory and legacy.

On 20th April. Our group on facebook organized a Workshop on the topic of death, we asked some locals to chat with their loved ones left their precious belongings in Death cafe, something that makes us think of our deceased loved ones something that makes sense. Babara took a picture of her parents and her mother’s hair. I brought a picture of a shell that my mother thought was very special. Although these things are very common, but because it belongs to our loved ones, or record our growth, they have their feelings, so when we pick them up, for us are not the same. Let us remember once joined them for a certain time. It is so moving.

The record movie will be shown on the coming exhibition.

We were surprised to find there was little interest in the space of memory and legacy. Instead there was a shared appetite for finding a way of supporting the reality of death; the critical end-phase when nursing staff contact family to say “you might want to come in”.

1.Death doesn’t just happen. For most, there is a predictable trajectory.

2.There is usually a 3-4 day period leading up to death when family are in vigil mode.

3.No-one can predict when death comes - family can ‘miss the moment’.

4.Eventually, the dying person can no longer communicate.

5.Family can find it hard to know what’s going on.

6.People don’t want to die in clinical spaces but like the security of hospital care.

We don’t easily recognise death.

In A&E monitors signal the end… a helpful function.

Being able to track a person’s state of being could help families feel connected and at the same time, help them adjust and prepare for death.

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SPACE OF DESIGN INTERVENTION Instead talk was about how we could design in the space of The Vigil - for the dying and their caretakers: the 3-4 day period when family sit with a dying person.

The problem is that we lose connection with the dying person in the final stages and we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easily recognise death.

Most of us die over weeks, months, even years - so dying is an ill-defined space.

The point when nursing staff contact family tends to herald a 3-4 day vigil.

We decided to focus on this profound space.

Our aim is to create a design intervention called The Comfort Zone.

It creates two things: 1) First, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an immersive sensory environment (read slide) 2) Second, it introduces a new artefact and ritual: The vigil ring (read) a new ritual and keepsake.

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PERSONAS We created personas to direct our design. This is based on a real family experience of Fiona dying of pancreatic cancer being supported by her partner Bill, her daughter Jenna and friend Annabel.

Patient

Fiona has pancreatic cancer. She’s 62. When she got her diagnosis she went through weeks of feeling cheated and furious, not ready to go. She had plans. This vicious illness has been quick and she knows she’ll die very soon. She’s been in the hospice for 3 weeks. Last week they offered her the use of the Comfort Zone for her vigil and gave her the ring and she talked about it with her ‘family’. She likes to think that when she can’t communicate anymore, at least they’ll be able to sense where she’s at. She feels they’ll be with her more on the final stages of her life’s journey together. She thinks the Comfort Zone approach is a profound, poetic and moving approach to dying. She’s made her peace with death.

Caretakers

Daughter Jenna is 24. She’s devastated and has been moving numbly through life since her mum shared her diagnosis. She’s thankful she’s working (it keeps her busy) and that she’s met Pete (he’s been amazing).

And hopefully both those things mean her mum won’t worry about her.

The important thing is to make the most of the short time they have left.

She’s scared of this vigil that’s before them. She’s never experienced a death but hopes that the experience will help her to let her mum go.

Friend Annabel is 63, a retired social work manager. She was at the diagnosis with Fiona and has been by her side ever since. They’ve been holidaying and hanging out for as long as she can remember and she can’t bear to think about Fiona not being there. She’s strong and resilient and does her weeping privately. Right now, she wants to focus on making this vigil for her friend the comforting end she deserves.

Partner Bill is 62. They’ve known each other since they were young.

They’ve been very independent in their partnership and that makes the loss a bit easier to prepare for. He lost his sister to cancer 4 years ago and knows how it goes. It’s just a matter of time now. He’s preparing himself for the vigil and just wants to be strong for Fiona. He’s caretaking the ring for the Comfort Zone and will be the person to put it on Fiona’s finger when the staff suggest it’s time. They are the first family to use it. Typical Fiona. She always did lead the way. Perfect.

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We created personas to direct our design. This is based on a real family experience.

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FILM - COMFORT ZONE When caretakers visit, they are offered the choice of using the Comfort Zone: a soft light scape and sound scape that provides soothing patterns and waves of light, colour and sound to create a gentle holding space.

If they choose to use it, staff give them the Vigil ring. A new ritual that marks the beginning of an important rite of passage. The transition from life to death.

The ring detects pulses and signals in the body and any interaction between the dying person and the family and maps this biometric data onto a programming system that creates the sound and light scape in real time, echoing the dying person’s life force.

Light dances in the room - like the natural phenomena of the Northern Lights. Voice and tones - like soft chanting - rises and falls. The light and sound match the ebb and flow of the body to final fade. A literal interpretation of the Dying of the Light.

This immersive environment is created in a normal hospital ward or hospice room.

This customer journey shows how it is now. Basically, staff in a hospital contact the family and advise that they should attend. Family spend day and night sitting with the dying person until death. For most, it’s an unreadable space and worse, it’s a clinical, working space.

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Questions to consider: 1) When is the ring purchased/when does the patient start wearing the ring? Is it an earlier point in life or after knowing death is nearing?

2) Is a wristband a better option because the wrist can detect pulse?

3) What happens to the collected data? What kind of data is collected?

Nursing staff offer caretakers the Vigil ring. Each caretaker party chooses if they want to use the ring to activate the Comfort Zone. They can have it on as long as they want. One member of the family might choose to use for private time with the dying person and the next visitor prefers not to.

Option: The ring alone can act as a less dramatic indicator of life force for family who want help to understand what is happening to the dying person.

The ring becomes a family keepsake or stays with the person who has died.

It creates two things: 1) First, an immersive sensory environment designed to support a family sharing a profound rite of passage experience. The concept is that, in real time, the dying person’s life force generates a sound and light scape. Gentle sound and light patterns in the room help family stay in connection with the dying person - a literal interpretation of the ‘dying of the light’.

2) Second, it introduces a new artefact and ritual: The vigil ring Nursing staff ask the family if they’d like to use the Comfort Zone.

If yes, they hand over the Vigil ring to the family to mark the beginning of the final phase.

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BLUEPRINT

STAFF DETERMINES SOMEONE IS DYING AND INFORMS THE FAMILY TO COME IN

THE FAMILY MAKES A DECISION ABOUT USING ‘THE COMFORT ZONE’

GET A RING FROM THE STAFF

KEY CARETAKER PUTS THAT RING ON THE PATIENT’S FINGER

EXPERIENCE A SERIES OF LIGHTSCAPE AND SOUNDSCAPE SCENARIOS BASED ON THE PERSON’S BIOMETRIC SIGNALS

HIGH RATE

(RIPPLES + BLUE) (LOW MOVEMENT + GREEN) (NO MOVEMENT + PINK)

NORMAL RATE LOW RATE

EVENTUAL DEATH

FAMILY DECIDES TO KEEP THE RING IN REMEMBERANCE OF A FINAL MOMENTS MOTTO

BECOMES A DEATH RING FOR THE FAMILY

Currently there is no service for this profound experience At the moment staff contact family to invite them in - the pink boxes.

With the new service - yellow boxes: Nursing staff ask the family if they’d like to use the Comfort Zone.

They hand over the Vigil ring to the family to mark the beginning of the final phase.

The key caretaker places the ring on the dying person.

The ring is a sensor that detects biometrics and transmits body pulses as data that map onto a system that composes sound scape and light scape in real time.

A literal interpretation of the Dying of the Light.

Light dances in the room - a natural phenomenon like the Northern Lights.

The sound scape pulses.

As the life force ebbs and flows, light and sound rises and dips.

When family touch the dying person, the system registers that interaction.

Eventually the light and sound dim and die. Help for the family to recognise when death has come.

The vigil ring becomes a memento mori and a keepsake.

The whole system is designed in a practical way that can work within the limited space that is a hospital ward.

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Benefits: The Comfort Zone is a spiritual environment for profound experience it helps ‘read’ death, keep connection between family - a sense of communion It has potential for universal access with no language, cultural or faith barriers.

Limitations: Limits of technical and medical knowledge Assumptions around system Costs not known No-one can feedback on the dying experience Sensitive area to test market appetite

We have consulted a sound artist, a lighting artist, a theatre technical director, and an IT specialist in NHS. We shared our proposal with some of those we originally connected - spiritual leaders as well as ‘seekers’, death doulas and palliative care leads.

We’ve had positive feedback from people who work around end of life care.

From ‘seekers’ - people who would use the service we have had a range of views from ‘bit creepy’ to ‘amazing, I’d love that’. It would require development and testing to arrive at the right design approach. We’ve had positive feedback from people who work around end of life care.

From ‘seekers’ - people who would use the service we have had a range of views from ‘bit creepy’ to ‘amazing, I’d love that’. It would require development and testing to arrive at the right design approach.

POSITIVE FEEDBACK

The we are going to develop our design and evaluate it by more stakeholders and users.

Prototyping / Testing / Further feedback / Experiential demonstration -We need more help, information and feedback from medical and technical professionals and from individuals who might use the system.

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CONCLUSION This phase of the project revolves from the traditional to the modern innovation, based on digging the concept of the historical culture and people’s habits, our subject and modern life were linked through the stakeholder in-depth investigation interview, deepen the theme, find insights and design point.

In this long and busy three months. From mindfulness to death, twists and turns repeated, and enjoy it. The team members awesome ideas, insight into the investigation, I am very impressed. Because of them, these three months I had a very happy period. They make me feel united and friendship, and go forward with each other. Sometimes I owned a block off, the group of friends always have the way get me gently back from the state of lost, let me excited to work again. It is this team spirit that I have been full of confidence in the three months.

Through this project, I am not only refreshed my understanding of Belief & Spirituality, but also constantly self-training from mindfulness. No fear of death, but to face and accept, feel the precious life, and loved ones love and thoughts, which makes me more cherish life and alive time, and more want to care about their families, especially those who have serious illness. It makes me feel that this project has a mission and a sense of social responsibility, this meaningful career gives me more strength to encourage me to do the next stage of the task.

This stage we began to study the Service design methods, in the project we started to use and contact the real Service design tools and Thinking methods into our project, so that the project could be some more professional and specific than last stage.

Thanks for this lucky group bringing me luck and courage, is that they taught me more things than this project - the teamwork! Thanks for my good sister who is a resident in Glasgow give us a lot of help and support, she is patient to me every time even though I was not good at speaking English. She always give me his kind and nice smile try to understand and support. Babara is our leader in the group which make us lucky. We can stay in a relax situation with many snacks and free to get our bottles of tea or coffee, we have not got nervous but we were really feel so supported by each other. What’s more, we are expected to share different ideas and respect each other different perspectives.

Ishi is good at speaking English, she is smart to record the notes and tutors’ feedback, I always admired her tidy notebook and rich vocabulary. She is a good sister make me feel kind who always can give me a hand. Seunghee is a beautiful Korean girl who surprise me many times, she has a lot of knowledge and broaden view, she likes show us her resources by her cute PPT as her character. She is good at communication design. I want to learn from her how to design the layout and handle more software she could. Lixing Yan is a cool girl with her ideas, she is good at recording and writing in her lovely notebook, she record our thinking flow by her pen draw it as graphic. She ever learned keyshot which help us produce the Virgil ring at last. Thanks to Babara and our team members. I am a Lucky girl with you.

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REFERENCES Touch + Visualisation https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/18/minority-reports-technology-gestural-control-leap-motion Sending / Receiving Smell http://www.wired.co.uk/article/ophone-scent-sending-phone Michelle Lewis-King, Pulse Project: A Sonic Investigation Across Bodies, Cultures and Technologies, 2016, Research Institute Cambridge School of Art [accessed online 27 Apr 17] https://isea2016.scm.cityu.edu.hk/openconf/modules/request.php?module=oc_ program&action=view.php&id=280&type=6&a= Fox & Gill, Rites of Passage, 1994, Welfare State International Design for Death, 2012, Final Fling/Snook [accessed 6 Mar 17] http://blog.finalfling.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/10/120831-Final-Debrief-DesignforDeath.pdf Ware, Bronnie, Regrets of the Dying [accessed online 3 Mar 17] http://www.dmcc.cc/pdf/kalina%20handouts/regretsOfTheDying.pdf Killing, Alison, 2014, New Ways to Think About Death, TED Talk, [Accessed 3 Mar 17] http:// www.ted.com/playlists/241/new_ways_to_think_about_death?utm_source=newsletter_ daily&utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=playlist__2017-03-02playlist_ button What really matters at the end of life?, Miller BJ, 2015, TED Talk [Accessed 3 Mar 17] http://www.ted.com/playlists/241/new_ways_to_think_about_death?utm_source=newsletter_ daily&utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=playlist__2017-03-02playlist_ button Let’s talk about the Menopause, BBC documentary with Kirsty Wark, BBC News link http:// www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38905528 [accessed 24 Feb 17) Pupils trained to reduce stress, BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39067388 [Accessed 24 Feb 2017] Ancient ways of healing VIsion Quest http://www.ancienthealingways.co.uk/ [Accessed online 21 Feb 2017] Scotland vision quest http://www.naturalpathfinder.com/scotland.php [Accessed online 22 Feb 2017] The Twelve Step Programme, Al‑Anon, http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/the-twelve-traditions [Accessed online 20 Feb 2017] Menopause: The Facts, Live Well, NHS Choices, http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/menopause/ Pages/Menopauseoverview.aspx [Accessed online 17 Feb 2017] Menopause Stories, Health Talk http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/later-life/menopause/topics [Accessed online 21 Feb 2017] Menopause and Mood: It’s Not All In Your Head, Very Well https://www.verywell.com/menopause-mood-swings-causes-and-coping-2322791 [Accessed 90

online 20 Feb 2017] Low mood and depression, NHS UK, http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/low-mood-and-depression. aspx [Accessed online 20 Feb 2017] Beating the Blues, http://www.beatingtheblues.co.uk/patients/ [Accessed online 16 Feb 2017] Mood Juice http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/ [Accessed online 16 Feb 2017] Focusing on spirituality and daydreaming, Two Designs for the Elderly, Goldsmiths, London http://research.gold.ac.uk/4590/1/NDA_Project.pdf [Accessed online 6 Feb 2017] What is the role of spirituality in “Design” by Robert Frost? E-Notes, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-role-spirituality-design-by-robertfrost-633098 [Accessed online 7 Feb 2017] Events exploring spirituality, The London Spirituality Centre, http://www.spiritualitycentre.org/ index.php/exploring [Accessed online 31 Jan 2017] Autumn Midweek Retreats, The Bield, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftP1wD ZSNXMYoLlzJ8qsvW9A6Ik2Q4a5is0jhrpmzK6HaLTA/viewform?c=0&w=1 [Accessed online 31 Jan 2017] Discovering Spirituality, London Spirituality Centre, http://www.spiritualitycentre.org/index. php/discovering [Accessed online 31 Jan 2017]

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APPENDIX We think about the Scotland traditions TRADITIONS Ancient ways of healing: VIsion Quest http://www.ancienthealingways.co.uk/ These courses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Councils, Vision Quests and Initiation Rites â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are opportunities to expand perception and deepen compassion, finding our unique gifts. They are set in a field of non-judgment and acceptance, allowing the phenomenal power of the human heart and spirit to become visible. They seek to help us acknowledge, honor and celebrate our lives; they further the part we play in creating and visioning a future for ourselves and our planet.

Scotland vision quest http://www.naturalpathfinder.com/scotland.php Vision Quests in Scotland are usually conducted in the stunning central region of Scotland in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park region.

Or in the Hebrides - enchanting Islands on the east coast of Scotland. The islands have an abundance of beautiful habitats. Fresh water and sea lochs unsurpassable in their beauty provide a great resource for fishermen and bird life.

Considered a Gaelic heartland, as Gaelic was spoken there predominantly until fairly recently and is still used on some occasion.

Whales, dolphins, seals, puffins and otters abound here.

The Islands present an oasis of calm in a chaotic world.

A Quest of any kind is a heroic journey. It is a rite of passage that carries you to an inner place of silence and majesty and encourages you to live life more courageously and genuinely.

"I highly recommend Catriona's quests. They are truly sojourns of the heart."" ~Denise Linn For centuries, people have embarked on rites of passage in nature to gain awareness of the sacred realms and greater self-knowledge. Spiritual journeys into nature can provide greater life direction and harmony. These archetypal passages, or quests into nature, are powerful acts that can change a person's life profoundly. This is why so many myths and stories around the world have the hero's quest as a central theme.

Vision & Nature Quests are powerful practices that have help people to tap into a deep wisdom that can provide profound guidance and insight. Many people around the world have benefited from immersing themselves in nature to seek wisdom, truth and beauty.

This is because the Earth speaks to us all if we care to listen.

Experiencing a nature quest is a unique physical, emotional and spiritual adventure.

There are many inherent benefits of a nature quest, such as getting in touch with one's inner rhythm. A quest can also provide the impetus that people need to take the first steps toward living a life in tune with their inner desires.

In nature, we are removed from societal constructs, so we do not need to wear a mask or

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meet the expectations of others. We can freely connect with the pure essence of who we are.

From the peace that nature offers, we can interpret the subtle movements of the animals, the slight changes in the wind, and the gentle shift in the light as the day progresses into night.

We can also come to terms with our thoughts and thought patterns. Without interruptions like ringing phones and schedules, our thoughts go further. By pushing the boundaries of our thoughts, we can journey to a point beyond.

My deep wish going into the Vision Quest was to experience myself in nature free of the distractions of daily life. I discovered a reservoir of inner strength, clarity and fearlessness that I can now easily access in my day-to-day life. Catriona's attunement to each person's unique process created an atmosphere of trust and allowed me to surrender to each unfolding moment with an increasing sense of inner peace. There is no doubt that the Vision Quest is one of the most daring, rejuvenating and transformative practices I've ever done and I am profoundly grateful for the experience. " L.T., Psychotherapist, CA When we listen to our still, inner voice, we can finally hear that our voice joins with the voice of the Earth.

Quest participants can also discover answers to long asked questions. Signs from nature can powerfully shape a person's life by providing direction or insight that we might not find on our own.

Signs from nature can speak to "what is" from a way of knowing beyond our limited human consciousness.

Vision Quests are wonderful ways to : • > Find inner peace • > Find answers from the heart • > Connect deeply with nature and other living things • > Face your fears and step into courage • > Deepen your meditation practice or learn to meditate • > Communicate with animal totems and spirit helpers • > Contemplate your life's purpose and receive signs about your life's meaning • > Be at one with god/the creator/the universe, yourself.

Depanding on our tutors advices, we focus on the group of women, which can meet a lot of problems on their lives.

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Elio said they might be no children or get some illness but could not say to others, they had to tolerate stress for making life and thier healthies.

We have explored life stages focussing on women. From birth to death, we go through different stages.From childhood to puberty, fertility, menopause and on to ageing and death.

Around menopause, women may also be coping with teenage children or children leaving home, divorce or separation… facing redundancy in many ways.

We’d like to see how we could support this.

Way forward So we have reframed our research question to think about “How can spirituality fill the emotional gaps through transitional phases in life?“ So we begin our new research: our new interviews plan consider the 3 stages, what traditions are, where we can innovate.

And we are considering observation of a women’s group and research with a focus group to identify potential touch points.

HOT REPORT PROJECT SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF RESEARCHER Ishiyetaa Saxena Interviewee Ms. Rupam Saxena Setting FaceTime Date/time Wed , 7:30 pm AIMS Death and spirituality OBJECTIVES Broad enquiry while we’re looking for direction CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio Rupam Saxena is my aunt. She is a follower of a Guru called Sri Sri Ravishankar and an active part of The Art of Living which is a spiritual organisation in India. She’s in her 50s, a consistent yogi. She has an active lifestyle, is a working professional and lives with two children and her brother.

Mood/set-up End of the day in India, talking before going to bed. Relaxed, freetime to talk.

Impressions Happy to talk. Lots of energy. Lots of synergies. Spiritually aware.

THEMES FEELINGS/IMPRESSIONS Thoughts on death Very comfortable with the idea of death and believes in the circle/cycle of life. I t made me slightly uncomfortable to see that my aunt was so casual and carefree about death. However, it made me realize that the age factor and her spiritual practices are responsible for this point of view.

Spiritual belief about death Believes that the spirit/soul is eternal and keeps moving from one physical form to

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another. Karma carries from one life to another and we all pay for our sins/doings. Being a Hindu, believes in the concept of seven lives.

Religion plays a part in how one interprets death and afterlife.

If you had 24 hours left to live how would you spend them?

I would stick to my normal routine and live it one last time. I love my life.

I expected a really sentimental response. However, it made me realise that sometimes our own notions of things influence our expectations from others and it helped me keep my own notions aside in order to understand my aunt’s interpretations better.

THE TWELVE STEPS These Twelve Steps, adapted nearly word-for-word from the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, have been a tool for spiritual growth for millions of Al‑Anon/Alateen members.

At meetings, Al‑Anon/Alateen members share with each other the personal lessons they have learned from practicing from these Steps.

The Twelve Steps is one of Al‑Anon’s three Legacies, along with Al‑Anon’s Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service.

Al-Anon’s books and pamphlets have a great deal to say about how Al-Anon members use the three Legacies as a tool for spiritual growth. But the best way to come to understand the Legacies is to listen to members share at Al-Anon meetings.

Twelve Steps 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. © Al-Anon's Twelve Steps, copyright 1996 by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. At many Al-Anon meetings, the Twelve Steps are introduced with the Suggested Al-Anon Preamble to the Twelve Steps: Suggested Al-Anon Preamble to the Twelve Steps The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share

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their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause.

There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.

Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA. You can read Alateen's Preamble here.

Interviewer-Yan Interviewee A friend who suffers from bipolar disorder Age-24 Gender-female Who or what will you turn for help at a time of tress -For me the key point is distracting attention, I will talk with friends and my mom. And sometimes I will go for running.

Who will you prefer to talk to and why -My friends. Because they are living in the same life stage as me. They can also understand my feeling in some extent, since they have the same pressure as me.

If you have sought help at what point did you realize you needed help -When I am under pressure, I will try to do something to relieve stress by myself at first, such as running, but If I still cannot escape from the sad feeling, I feel I cannot bear it anymore, then I will talk with people who I trusted.

Can you describe the feeling of under pressure -I feel nervous. I can only concentrate on the thing which gives me pressure and do not want to eat. In that moment I felt my life is in chaos. Sometimes I also think my life is meaningless.

Thinking of an example of that, did you get the help you wanted -I watched entertainment show [humorous] for a while. This really helps me a lot, because I feel this can distract my attention very well.

I tried running but I cannot persist in it, so I feel it is not very useful.

I also tried to listen music, but music can only release tension for a few minutes. It is useless for me.

Do you think talking with people can help you It does. But as a doctor said, if I want to defeat my illness, I have to rely on myself, because others can only be auxiliary. And I believe that there is no real empathy in the world. Others can never understand me fully, if they have not experienced the same thing as me.

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What do you do day to day to keep yourself well Buy a bottle of innocent orange juice, buy some fruit, go to library The key point is to have a feeling that my life is in order. And I am doing right things, such as studying and reading.

If you have ever felt in crisis, what did you do to help yourelf Deadline is coming, but know I am wasting time. At this moment I will go to library.

How do you usually find peace and calm in life Surrounding by my friends and family members Finishing something and doing some right things What gives you a sense of meaning or purpose Having a goal for a short term or having a plan Do you think nature can give you some good impact Once I sat on a bus in Edinburgh, I cried because the passing landscape is too beautiful Once I stood by a sea, I felt so relaxed, the world has nothing to do with me and I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to talk anymore.

But the impact of nature is weak. Finally I have to go back to my daily life and I have to deal with things that give me pressure.

The talk with you reminds me of the concept of gap year. If I can have a chance to live a totally different life and experience something different, maybe I can find out the purpose of my life. [exchange ife] About suicide I have thought about suicide at home, I prepared knife and plug board and hid them in a drawer.

To be honest, even now I still feel that I can kill myself at any time. The reason that I am alive is that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to trouble other people.

About bipolar disorder Taking medicine is necessary for me. Talking with doctor or having psychological therapy can only help me, but medicine can heal me.

The process of recovery costs time. I cannot be cured very quickly.

The causes of this illness are varied.[long term pressureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;based on different social or family background, inherited]

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Questions for service users Service users: people who have agreed to talk to us who have experienced stress, identify with mental ill health and may be clients of service providers we connect with.

INTRO: Hello, my name is [ ] and I’m studying for a Masters in Design Innovation at GSA. I’d like to talk to you to inform thinking for a group project. Your comments will be anonymised and findings fed into a final report we will present to the School. If you’d like a copy of the report, please give me your email after the interview. I’ll ask you to sign this Consent Form [show] at the end. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to and you can stop the interview at any time.

We’re interested in understanding what people do to find peace in life. I’ll ask you a few questions around this topic.

(STRESS) 42 Who or what do you turn to for help at a time of stress?

2 or 3 very close friend outside family – a neutral ear – no bias, being able to trust someone – not that they’ll give an answer I want to hear but they’ll be honest with me.

If you have sought help, at what point did you realise you needed help?

Completely broken down with nowhere to go. I’m a resilient character but when I’m reduced to tears I realice I can’t do anything else. Noone else can help. I need more help – doctor, talk… 5 minutes in doctors and signed off 2 months. Pushed to tears. It’s not a matter of self repair. Feel like I’m in a corner.

Thinking of an example of that, did you get the help you wanted?

Doc – you need out of this. I’m going to sign you off. Bullying at work – tried to sort by moving office. Still carried on. Doc took a reading. I wanted a kick start to getting things done formally. Ultimately the path to recovery. Wasn’t a way to escape it was a way to repair. Not looking for time off to hide the problem, looking to resolve it.

What do you do day-to-day to keep yourself well?

Simple things. I live alone (Munich) have dad and brother in UK. Peppermint tea good; not caffeine – read poetry and cook. Make time to keep hand in as a funeral celebrant – things that interest me – chill out at end of day. Treat myself to a lunch or time at the spa – pamper myself. Poetry – normally stuff I’ve come across for funerals – mostly around nature – my funeral work training with Green Fuse – anthology around nature. Share in group… someone points. Resource – find what you like by feeling in the dark. Nice relaxing to read, listen to music – stick on ipod. Not until I got into funerals that I the importance of the arts.

If you have ever felt in crisis, what did you do to help yourself?

When signed off – kicked into the funeral celebrancy training – whatever happens, something good could happen – need a change of career (from civil service – time to

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as studying and reading.

If you have ever felt in crisis, what did you do to help yourelf Deadline is coming, but know I am wasting time. At this moment I will go to library.

How do you usually find peace and calm in life Surrounding by my friends and family members Finishing something and doing some right things What gives you a sense of meaning or purpose Having a goal for a short term or having a plan Do you think nature can give you some good impact Once I sat on a bus in Edinburgh, I cried because the passing landscape is too beautiful Once I stood by a sea, I felt so relaxed, the world has nothing to do with me and I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to talk anymore.

But the impact of nature is weak. Finally I have to go back to my daily life and I have to deal with things that give me pressure.

The talk with you reminds me of the concept of gap year. If I can have a chance to live a totally different life and experience something different, maybe I can find out the purpose of my life. [exchange ife] About suicide I have thought about suicide at home, I prepared knife and plug board and hid them in a drawer.

To be honest, even now I still feel that I can kill myself at any time. The reason that I am alive is that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to trouble other people.

About bipolar disorder Taking medicine is necessary for me. Talking with doctor or having psychological therapy can only help me, but medicine can heal me.

The process of recovery costs time. I cannot be cured very quickly.

The causes of this illness are varied.[long term pressureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;based on different social or family background, inherited]

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HOT REPORT PROJECT SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF RESEARCHER BARBARA CHALMERS Interviewee LIZ, Senior Mental Health Social Worker, Emergency Duty Team Setting Stirling Date/time Thu 16 Feb, 1pm AIMS Knowledge, experience, sense OBJECTIVES - What’s your experience of spirituality in a mental health setting - What does spirituality mean to you - Can it make a difference? To what part of the journey?

CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio Liz is in her 50s. Been a social worker for 30 years. Is very passionate about mental health care.

Mood/set-up Relaxed lunch.

Impressions She’s very keen to share – talks non-stop.

THEMES THOUGHTS/FEELINGS Spirituality and belief “More often than not in assessing mental health, spirituality comes into it” People who are suicidal and believe it is a sin, that their soul will never rest, be in purgatory – they feel like they have no escape.

For someone in low mood, they find it a blessing, knowing they can’t kill themselves.

Like the 12 steps… in the depths of despair there is comfort that there’s a higher path.

For someone with faith, also conflict, “what have I done to deserve this?” reactive depression to assault, trauma, death – “why did god take my child”.

Jehovah’s Witness: a client stripped naked by nurses – wife distraught; not their way.

Needed palliative care – wouldn’t allow a catheter. What an opener – hadn’t expected this.

Like the term LOW MOOD Check 12 step programme – see in folder Schizophrenic’s talk about god, demons, spirits, angela a lot. If no belief, if god’s not part of their normal landscape, his appearance in a psychotic episode is very frightening.

Without belief they might talk about monsters, aliens, people talking through the TV. Around 70% of psychosis involves religion… demons, gods, god or a higher being telling them to kill someone.

God often comes in. It’s a minefield. It’s ingrained… how and where you grew up, what part it played in life. Could be they believed, embraced religion; that could help… “Jesus didn’t have it easy, it’ll be worth it in heaven”.

It can also be the root cause of a problem – like sexuality – may have been brought up believing your going to hell.

Belief puts a lot of pressure on people.

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Might have cut off and developed own beliefs.

Customer journey She works in Emergency Duty Team EDT. They work out of hours. Pass on to day team.

Someone needing help will wait 4 months.

They are a sticking plaster. People present 3-4am, in crisis with depression talking of self harm… they often have to be detained for their own and others’ safety. Not always the best thing but no one wants to take the risk. They’re sent home the next day.

People present in crisis. They’ll wait 4 hours for a GP or ambulance. Usually this is on the phone to EDT. Will try to get care from the Intensive Home Treatment Team IHTT (till 10pm) then emergency Mobile services after that.

Once they feel better, they don’t want services. This is the time when you could do work with them… they need to work when they’re well.

Medication helps take the eddge of things, then you can do work together but the medication itself doesn’t work.

They should have a Wellness Recovery Action Plan: WRAP. Day care services should do this once they’re well. Everyone’s involved. When they present in crisis I ask “do you have a WRAP plan”. Good practitioners get them working on this then crisis doesn’t happen.

But they’re only 9-5. ¾ of the time, there’s no service. Daytime care teams have 10 or 15 minutes rota’d here and there. There are no floating resources. It’s getting worse.

Stripping back services.

Complex Moderate-severe needs director, Plan, tam, care support, psychiatrist to medicate, medical team, physical support, OT, diagnosis, specialist nurse, community care workers, support workers.

Xmas Services shut longer, skeleton staff on, only crisis and Child Protection operates.

270 referrals each weekend xmas and new year.

- Children normally in care going home - Alcohol - Pressure of have a great time - Cost of gifts - Stress of being together - Stress of loneliness or self elected absence - Domestic violence - Teenagers getting out of control AND CHRISTMAS IS MEANT TO BE ALL ABOUT RELIGION

Fragmented services It’s a postcode lottery. A mish mash.

Psych Svs Larbert now specialize in trauma. Doesn’t cover everyone, like post-natal depression.

Clacks is great for mental health – best by far. Integrated in Carsebridge area: skills 101

SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF

development – computer to get back to work; psych services (limited), art projects, alternative therapies like aromatherapy for £5 a session Belief Buddhism is the best fit in my opinion… meditation, self-awareness, choosing our path… align with CBT and psychological treatment, change your inlook before you change your outlook.

Some people change faith during illness.

It can give a sense of belonging – that’s HUGE. TRIGGERS Menopause – HUGE Change in body, mood, temperature, sex drive and therefore relationship, how they manage at work, loss of fertility and often identity – triggers mental ill health… physical, hormonal, reactive cause.

Social profile – there is no TYPE. 1 in 3 will have mental ill health

Collaboration with faith There are no faith groups involved in planning services though there will probably be nurses and others who sit in their own capacity on faith group meetings.

Religious folk help at food banks, hand in gifts at xmas. The Round Table do a lot to help young families – I’ve applied for a grant for help for a client; they take on projects.

We had a client who wouldn’t let anyone assess him. Do-gooders from his church stepped in “we can manage this” implying we weren’t doing a good job, till he kicked off then they’re out of there.

I wouldn’t call a priest unless asked – if it was in the WRAP plan as the person’s emergency contact.

EMERGENCY FIX I will ask when they last laughed – really laughed, to tell me about it. In terms of moodshifters, if they think about that, it shifts the mood, memory and muscle memory help.

If the memory is about the person or thing they’ve lost, of course you can see in their demeanour, the change to lighter and brighter and back again as they remember the loss. I would use that to ask “what would they want for you”. It can shift the path from dark doom and gloom… a parallel to reach the memory.

I DON’T THINK THERE COULD BE A QUICK FIX. Not everyone responds to same thing. Not everyone likes group work, or art work. Simple tactic for quick change of mood.

Wanting the best for those we love.

Pre-post

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Do you have packs, toolkits or anything you offer to people to help them post-crisis?

At my current job no. If needing anything further, I refer them to other people or services.

It is the day time staff likely to have the toolkits etc. I refer to other people/ services such as breathing space For those detained however, there are booklets given re their rights and about independent advocacy

We pass on the problem. Lack of continuity? Revolving door.

No self-help guide Good services Online: Beating the Blues, Mood Juice been going 7-8 years.

Use computer at GPs to access; CBT assessment tools Success When people younger – if a child learns to cope they are less likely to come back in later.

And if something happens in middle age, past experiences of coping will help.

TIPS FOCUS ON LOW MOOD AND ADDICTION RECOVERY – not crisis or anxiety or panic attacks Good to acknowledge where problems start but not to go back. We’re here now. What next…

SPIRITUALITY IS… Being at peace with self and world around me - Being - Actions - Reacting - How I am with other people - How I affect the planet I ask – what would God do to guide how best to act/react.

If I get it right, I feel at one.

Christian since 13. I was into drugs and gangs.

Whatever it is, it saved my life.

Went to the Gate Fellowship on a Tuesday to fight other gangs – and to listen, have tea and biscuits. This guy was talking about being Christian and everything I thought, he said: “I’d be the laughing stock” and he gave reasons not to feel like that. Everything I thought, he said just after me. It freaked me out. I went to speak to him and decided to pray. I prayed to be a Christian and was waiting for something to happen. Nothing happened.

I went back to him and asked him about it. He said “It’s a journey… he’s listening all the time” I stopped sniffing glue, went to school got good grades. I had been scared of the dentist. He was a dentist. I went in for 10 fillings over 3 weeks. His wife sad and held my hand and prayed with me. 40 years later, I’m still in touch with them.

I felt wobby living in sin with Brad. Left the church, felt I was a sinner.

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I started to question other religions … how can so many be wrong. Bough a book on religions of the world over a couple years read … Bible to Quoran – decided religion was created by and interpreted by men. Nowhere in Quoran says women should be covered up. Sura, stories say “be modest” – best translation. Women walked behind men because men were armed. The first Muslim was a woman.

I stand in front of God as a higher being – call it whatever – internal moral compass. At the end of day I want to say, I did my best.

For others from other religions I say, do what’s right for you.

SPIRITUAL TOURISM Maybe a very good travel agent – match experience to person. Retreat: not everyone would know how to use it.

Liz has had leaflets for retreats.

Not everyone is happy to take someone with a mental health issue. One schizophrenic, heroine user, she booked him 3 days at a hotel in London. Gave him all the info and numbers. He had money. Grown up. Father was a minister. B&B complained. He looked scruffy, wore 3 coats, always cold, beard, long hair – it’s about accepting. I had to arrange another place. He came back early. Rejection and impact was worse. Social worker has to be careful.

Short breaks There’s a Short Breaks Bureau in Council for this – people on benefits with mental ill health get financial help for short breaks if they need to pay for a carer. They have a list of resources – homes that cater for physical and mental disability eg a family with a child with learning and physical disab who’ve had home adapted.. they provide care. Curdies(?) in Edinburgh is staffed by nurses though you wouldn’t know. There are specific places – caravan parks, bus holidays – where a carer can go too. She’s had a client with family in Leeds – they’ll buy service from Council in Leeds so she can get care there – it’s about enablement.

Never thought about that. Worth asking the faith people! Back to spiritual tourism potential.

No easy routes

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HOT REPORT PROJECT SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF: MENOPAUSE - THE CHANGE RESEARCHER BARBARA CHALMERS Interviewee HAZEL McC, counsellor Setting Glasgow, Tapa Date/time Mon 20 Feb, 4pm AIMS Shift of emphasis onto menopause as a trigger for mental ill health OBJECTIVES - What’s your knowledge/experience around menopause CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio Hazel is in her 40s. Recently retrained as a counsellor. Interested in alternative practices.

Mood/set-up Tapa - relaxed. Coffee and cake treat at end of day.

Impressions Nice to catch up and she said after, she loved sharing - sparked so many thoughts.

THEMES THOUGHTS/FEELINGS Groups - attracting people She’d come across someone talking about the difficulty of attracting men to a group called erectile disfunction. They changed it to Stay Hard and the numbers shot up.

In this way don’t go for Women and the Menopause - go for Wise Women… appeal to the positive.

Genius Thinking ‘Step Change’ HRT She will direct women to homeopathic hospital, suggest they try black cohosh, agnus castor as hormone regulators Symptoms Women say the feel insane, don’t know myself, don’t recognise myself, hard to come to terms with the change Terms: Periods - the curse Menopause - the change Counselling support I work with this from a backdrop of GRIEF - sense of loss… “if only, never used to be like this…” they can recover from that… new chapter, new way to be

My own biggest losses - childhood, my children Transitions - rites of passage: traditions>innovation Tribal traditions… medicine doctor would ask ‘when did you stop singing and dancing’ - about embracing and living life fully. People would honour the struggle - now we live in isolation; people dont talk… better to celebrate rites of passage… adolescence to adulthood… women in sweat lodges bleeding together… now talk about ‘crazy old bag lady - not honoured as a rite….

Gone wrong - stopped ceremonies (Pagan), celebrating, spirituality lost - habits of society lost…

CHECK OUT PAGAN RITES AND INFO

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Life stages Stages of developing womanhood: Pagan: maiden > witch > crone Christian? virgin > mother > ??

As women age they become invisible - not seen, heard, met Sell-by date Society celebrates new, shiny, vibrant Menopause = redundant, obselete

What’s Christian (Pluscarden take?)

My “off the radar” beyond sexual objectification CHALLENGE - HOW TO NORMALISE? Retreats have to seek retreat to deal with change… spiritual nourishment becomes a luxury… afford time away, on own, paid for space cost, elitist, inaccessible I THINK SPIRITUALITY SAVES PEOPLE

Faith and its demise People are disillusiond - don’t turn to spirit. All the cracks in institutions portraying a wholeseom way… far from it - lost trust. Need to feel safe - put our most vulnerable into the hands of another… need sense they come from wise and good place.

I find the church repellent.

Control in society Spirit used to control people - suppress our nature… create shadows - no longer balanced truth.

Creates polarities of right and wrong, good and evil. Lose sense of our connection to higher power.

Hope for future More people watch David Attenborough than XFactor! - a shift. Need for spiritual connection has never gone from people’s hearts - just not practising…

Don’t know how?

Role for Humanism in gatherings? Assembly.

ReaSoN (Real Social Networking) Connection/community We thrive in contact - “I’ve got your back” - masons, the church, sense of community… doesn’t have to come from on high, about strong shared beliefs huge part of people’s economic and emotional health and wellbeing Beat That - menopausal women (team come to drumming!)

Mortality Thing that underpins all is degrees of awareness of mortality - THIS WILL END. (Irvine Yaloub?

Israeli psychotherapist) based on premise that care of my distress is awareness of mortality… base choices - conscious awareness or rejection/denial of our relationship to mortality.

Existential Qs Men For a lost of men, having point or purpose is work. Men made redundant - nothing meaningful to contribute - more singular, linear than women: point is to protect and provide. Loss of work single killer blow for a man.

Theories - theist - atheist Theories try to provide context, structure, meaning - belief systems, making sense of unexplainable.

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Women Identity in multiple roles - mother, partner, worker, carer… cyclical journey.

Places TirNaNog - treatments, sound healing, crystal opono-pono Hawaiin healing affirmation, family constellations, modality - Pagan rites/festivals Lendrick Lodge - stone circle, hexagonal room, rebirthing pool, release trauma, shamanic, reiki - Theosophical Society quirky community to an outsider - masking mental health issues! I didn’t feel safe -people present, someone vulnerable - in the hands of someone inexperienced - power, committee, not wholesome.

Limited options Vulnerable seek spiritual guidance. Not enough role models. Church and others a bit fusty. Some have to pay. Charity/voluntary can offer counselling but can’t go on a journey with you. Nothing you can relax into. Castlemilk £20-30 a year lunch, trips, bingo.

Tribes - territorial We’re brought up to ignore or lose primitive tribal instincts. Feel guilty/bad/judemental. We need them to survive. Should honour our instincts. TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD. SINGLE PARENT STRUGGLE… NEED USEFUL GUIDANCE (WISE WOMEN) Sudden trauma Developmental trauma - primary care giver lacks on spectrum of care Religion vs Spirituality Religion replaced tribal understanding of life - brough SHAME - suppressed natural impulses instead of expansion, we shut down Spirituality - elder gets time to make sense of and honour life

Taboo (menopause, sex, death, natural impulses) Contributes to deterrioration of mental health.

HONOUR LEARN SHARE - mantra!

Death George Harrison wanted death to be a conscious spiritual experience - he had prepared, knew how to do it.

The movie A Monster Calls - about facing mortality and human nature. Monster asks boy (whose mum is dying) what his darkness is “I wanted her to die” - natural - unspoken truth; get locked into guilt and shame. Need a language to take off blinkers - feel guilty around death to laugh.

Friend dying - friends brought candles, music and scents to the room - he was mad. (We laughed about that and GSA protectionism towards dying people - like they’re not just people who are dying: “Get Enya tae fuck!”

With death and consciousness, pain goes, our own hallucinogens kick in… pre-verbal state… sensory. “Die before you die” buddhist approach - practice - trust our sensory intelligence - need more experience to trust the process… awake all the way. Prepare spiritually for aloneness and connectedness.

Carolyn Wood - talk to her about Vision Quest… movement medicine… dig grave and sleep in it.

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Interviewee Deirdre Setting Phone Date/time Mon 20 Feb, 6.30pm AIMS Shift of emphasis onto menopause and impact on l ife OBJECTIVES - What’s your knowledge/experience around menopause CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio Deirdre is in her 50s, mother, community development worker Mood/set-up Short conversation - could follow up Impressions Off the cuff - hadn’t time to prep THEMES FEELINGS/IMPRESSIONS Acceptance In a meeting with Manager, he was horrified when I fanned myself - hot flush… picked up a report and used it to fan myself, commented “I’m having a moment - can we open a window”. He really objected. You know something is happening - past the point of no return. It’s coming to you.

Professionalism demands cool demeanour that’s uncontrollable and undoable for women. I wear a cardy, not a jumper for speed of changing temperature: you manage.

Menopause I was with a partner and using a contraceptive implant. My periods stopped. I was around 45. Ten years later, my periods never came back so I’m not sure when they finished. Sometimes not sure is this a hot flush or am I just embarrassed and nervous… my face sweats. It’s horrible. It’s like you don’t function properly. Same taboo as puberty. All so hidden.

I go sweat and go red, feel flustered and annoyed that others will notice I’m sweating… sudden desire to rip of layers and cool down. I don’t like cos I recognise the symptoms look (and feel) like embarrassment and never been entirely sure whether they are actually embarrassment. Like being an adolescent again and your face giving your minor fluctuations away. Women disadvantaged as older professionals -the silver fox vs sweaty Betty.

Puberty Menopause is like puberty - unprepared. When I started my period I didn’t know anything about it.

I thought “I’ll tell my mum and I’ll understand everything - the whole world will open up”. It didn’t.

She just took me upstairs and gave me some towels.

Changing world I think - hope - younger men and women are more aware.

Positive framing I like that some women call hot flushes “power surges”. should be seen as a new phase in the adventure, new chapter.

HOT REPORT PROJECT SPIRITUALITY: PEACE RESEARCHER BARBARA CHALMERS Interviewee Claire Setting CCA Date/time Tue , 12.30pm 108

AIMS HOW DOES SHE FIND PEACE OBJECTIVES CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio Claire is in her 40s. Single parent. James son is 15 and Mirren, daugher 12. She gave up work in the NHS and took a temp contract that is one month to end. Her partner was a drug user and violent before their relationship ended. He offers some support but is not reliable. Her parents help.

She suffers from low mood and depression.

Mood/set-up Bowl of soup and chat in cafe.

Impressions Good positive vibe though I hear she’s had bowel issues and wondering how the chick pea sound will do for her.

THEMES FEELINGS/IMPRESSIONS TOOLBOX I talk about my toolbox. I’ll say to people at work I need to go rummage in my toolbox at home and I think they imagine it’s an actual toolbox in the shed.

Easy way to talk about with co-workers.

Pragmatic Diary I have a diary of reminders of things that help me when I’m low.

The diary has all comments in different coloured pen - like a teenage diary.

Tell me about me (my name) I had asked people one time to tell me things about myself… ‘funny, clever’. Have on a piece of paper folded over so couldn’t see what the previous person wrote… helps remind me about my qualities.

“It’s not just about why others love me it’s about why I deserve to love myself” folded over and over concertina - I think of it like ‘consequences’ Gratitude diary I will do from time to time when I feel low… keep a note of the little things that I can feel grateful for day to day. It’s good when life feels bleak to remember there are things all the time.

Self care Having a bath is always nice. In fact, I had one at the weekend. Haven’t been feeling well and off food. Had thought I should socialise and then realised I wasn’t in the mood and treated myself to a bath, got into my PJs, made a curry and watched the film Pride - just makes you feel good.

Lovely.

Ritual.

Drink doesn’t help though friendship can - how do one without the other.

Simple treats to wellbeing.

Scrapbook If I get a nice text I print it out and keep it.

Thought record

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I’ll write “I’m upset because…” and try and work out what happened, why it might have happened, what the actual hurt is about. You write down all the things, prioritise them. Give them percentage marks. It’s about finding evidence for what’s going on.

Reminds me of the True/False/Don’t know coaching tool.

HOT REPORT PROJECT SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF: MENOPAUSE - THE CHANGE RESEARCHER BARBARA CHALMERS Interviewee CAROLYN WOOD Setting Tapa Date/time Wed , 4.30pm AIMS Originally: suicide and bereavement Now: Death and spirituality OBJECTIVES Broad enquiry while we’re looking for direction CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio Carolyn has own business Pure Potential (started 18 months ago). Also works with families who’ve experienced suicide. She is doing work with Health Improvement - death cafe style bereavement blether happening 2 March and monthly for 6 months. Works with Thriving Place, Parkhead, Calton, Easterhouse. Trained Counsellor - suicide, crisis, childhood attachment issues.

Mood/set-up I’d tried to bring forward time cos going out - aiming for 5.45 train. She couldn’t. She’d said she’d get to Queens Park 4.15… realised there must be one close before my 4.15 to Shields West - ran last bit and caught the 4.08 (just by chance). Met on train and started to introduce ourselves. Saved time.

Impressions Happy to talk. Lots of energy. Lots of synergies. (Also setting up a charity. Also does lots of diverse bits of work.)

THEMES FEELINGS/IMPRESSIONS Assist suicide intervention trained Develops and delivers training Could be a good link into others in the field Spiritual belief Worked with LifeLink (one to one counselling, stress management and group work) and they always said ‘don’t mention spirituality’ it puts people off. Don’t want to appear connected to religion. Puts funders off. Puts boundaries up.

I don’t use the word ‘spirituality’ but I put ‘Mind body heart and soul’ on my website.

One client told me she was attracted because of that because she knew I’d be empathetic to a spiritual view of life. too abstract for some too hippy dippy limits field of interest (or attracts - can see both ways) What spirituality mean?

Being conscious. It’s a big part of me. It’s how I communicate.

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One drugs worker - great young guy, the model worker - talks about ‘connection, energy in the room’. He surprised me. Wish everyone was so open. He and I were both hesitant - “Is it ok to talk like this? We both felt the same - nervous.”

Larry, another Assist trainer and Trustee on my new charity, he’s Catholic - I had no idea. He’s great. He says Catholicism is about respect and care for each other. Not what I though

We have to protect ourselves and our beliefs sometimes. Not always safe.

Funny - what do we think we’d see.

Faith gets a bad reputation - bad apples.

Movement medicine (her spirituality) About spiritual care - mix of dance, Gesthalt, Shamanic practices, family constellation. Has its own principles like the 9 dimensions.

Catherine Wright, teacher is humanist.CATHERINE WRIGHT Mobile: 07866 382294 PHD in Philosophy Email: catherine.wright@phonecoop.coop

Sounds a nightmare for me. Maybe I should try!

Humanist sounds better How engage?

Some go to class - drop-in, once a week. There are intensive workshops… I’ve done many residentials. There’s an apprentice programme - go deeper. Finally become a teacher. I’d love to do apprenticeship - costs £2k. Workshops look at why we’re on earth, what we contribute?

They put a lot of planning and care into workshops. 30 people, one teacher, couple support. She keeps all safe.

Every system has its hierarchy. I don’t like that. Which is part of nightmare. The novice and cognoscenti. The guru. The posturing Ceremony and ritual need thought and time and teaching. Can feel ‘in’ or out if got the know-how Ritual and ceremony Loves RITUAL. Her granny 90 and son Saul, 5 years old. He used to watch musicals with great granny. Her dad did well at funeral - went out to Singin in the Rain. Great connection for Saul...recognised the music.

That was great granny.

Dress in white Start ceremony as you walk together No chit chat 4 altars: fire water air earth made by supporters (daughter); they embellish tham as they go.

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Do ‘rounds’. One may be ‘divine’ - about ancestors. They have different roles. One’s always a witness. Found it hard at first but at some point came to love it. Important to be witnessed. I might dance, laugh, scream.

In a group one dances, one witnesses. After you meditate and write - let the work settle.

Ritual makes me feel safe. I can release pain. Come away thinking “I know what I’m doing”. Some go on 72 hours of dance… the 62nd hour is the ‘community’ round.

CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF SOMEONE IN A FUNERAL Simple things create a sense of occasion; not a normal day/event Creating community Stepping up It was a big deal to do an overnighter. Did Hogmanay. I’m grateful for the love.

Death Initiates ceremony - 10 days life to death. Did in early months. Went to own death had a witness.

9 years ago. Amazing ceremony. When in teenager stage I actually felt like a teenager. Dying was the hardest - felt least ‘in it’. You lie on your deathbed… what are the things you need to say; do a ceremony around it; say to witness; wrote down. Integration and action after - what do with learning and insights. Write own eulogy - imagine what people think, what impact my life has had, what I’d be remembered for.

Felt life changing.

“I want to tell you Colin that I love you” - Saul’s dad. Got home, called him, he moved back in. Too early (in her experience of the practice).

There’s a burial ritual - dig your grave and lie in grave overnight. Part of Apprentice programme.

Feedback minute Everyone feeds back. Your minute is your minute… you can scream, just cry for a minute. I had nothing to say.

HOT REPORT PROJECT SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF: death RESEARCHER BARBARA CHALMERS Interviewee ERIN Setting Home Date/time Thu 2 Mar 8am AIMS TEST Qs that we’re all trying out on 40-64 year olds OBJECTIVES response to death CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio

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Illness affects experience and thinking about life.

Mood/set-up Impressions

Not much time.

Lost interest - too tired. Not good set up

THEMES FEELINGS/IMPRESSIONS One day to live … one week… one year One day - walk somewhere I love, eat stuff I love, contact people I love to say thanks, it’s been fun.

Or maybe I’d just be gutted paralysed.

Too hard to think about a week or year after that. I’m dead. Better to start with a year and bring in. upsetting for her I think GOOD IDEA Thoughts on life, death, afterlife I used to think belief was important. Now I don’t. I don’t want to spend my life thinking about god, heaven, hell. You die from who you are… from what the human being has developed in their life.

Stuff about consciousness… I’m not invested.

Death…. just think, live your life. Enjoy every moment.

DON’T LIVE IN A LULL - my new mantra from a History of the World book (“most people live life and die in a lull”). Don’t stay where you don’t want to stay. Don’t do work you don’t want to do Afterlife - nothing Finding peace to face death/if on deathbed I’d struggle if I felt I hadn’t done my best. i’d find it hard to let go.

I’d hate if I’d lived in a lull.

It’s hard every day to go “what is meaningful”.

Best thing… picking my relationship - that wasn’t me. I’m not smart enough. Bringing mum here to live and looking after her. I’d never have known the (power?) of the learning. Used to be caught up in self-indulgent bullshit. Been replaced with a force… feel really, really proud of how I’ve dealt with mum. Treated her like a valuable human being. This relationship taught me that. I’m never slapdash or impatient with her.

Like to be like David Bowie on deathbed - let’s start another project.

HOT REPORT PROJECT SPIRITUALITY & BELIEF: DEATH and PEACE RESEARCHER BARBARA CHALMERS Interviewee Brother Finbar Setting Phone from studio Date/time Thu 2 Mar , 2.40pm AIMS Identify his relationship to death and how he interacts with others around this topic.

OBJECTIVES See what role story plays

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CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio Pluscarden Abbey, 61, Benedictine monk Mood/set-up 3rd time we’ve arranged to call so he’s apologetic! Just up from siesta.

Impressions Warm and friendly. Seems to enjoy the connection - as I do.

THEMES FEELINGS/IMPRESSIONS When people looking to find peace, what do they do?

Some come because of diagnosis. Not long ago, one came to say goodbye. They would meet with their main contact person - whoever they’ve known over the years eg someone was just in recently to see Father Martin - they had lunch. He was sorted. Had strong faith. Came to say goodbye.

Other people might be frightened - to go through goodbyes too much for them. All individual.

When people come apart from normal life it can give a perspective they don’t get at home… peace and quiet… find out for self … often leave thinking “things are not as bad as I thought” - see problem from a distance. Step out of normal routine… a change.

Depends: some come and stay - don’t come to services; some come and stay and come to everything… like the chanting. Gregorian chant induces alpha waves - helps find peace. Like Zen meditation.

My sister used Complen record in labour suite - sound of chant. Physiological response is proven.

Chant as a meditation would induce REM without sleep.

Triggers He feels calming as he talks. I can imagine how helpful it must feel for someone who has faith. value of being heard change perspective someone not invested DISTANCE Physiological - proof Power of listening When people are frightened, Finbar would just listen. At first he felt out of his depth. One person might be talking about their neighbours, the next sexually abused as a child.Asked if he should do training in counselling. Told he’s not a psychotherapist. He’s not here for that. Just listen. If someone needs counselling, get it at home. It’s guilding the lily. They provide a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen. It’s a safe place. Nothing goes any further. It’s less clinical and isolating than being in a survery. We meet in parlour - 3-4 rooms and there’s a room in the Ladies retreat. Or we might go out for a walk. There’s a lot to be said for not being face to face.

LISTENING Unfinished business Wouldn’t say ‘do this’. Easier to illustrate with own experience… “I’ve found that when I did that…” or “I heard a story about someone who…” Wouldn’t lay down the law.

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Regrets, confession We don’t officially hear. Priest does. I’m just another person they can talk to. A priest wouldn’t divulge. Can be a bit threatening - authority… if had bad experience with a priest. Can be a sense of judgement. Some are lenient. “Take a nice walk on your own without family and let your head clear”. They might give them prayers to say.

OWN STORY OTHERS’ stories PRAYERS or mantras to say Techniques for peace Advice Wouldn’t advise unless very concrete - only one answer - then point out. If someone stole £100, give it back - restitution- or if can’t, give something - £10 to Oxfam Restitution - putting things right. Pay it forward...

STORIES I might use stories from the bible or from own experience “I’ve kicked the ball about a wee bit”.

There’s a book Desert Fathers - anecdoes from the year 400. Psychologically spot on. They didn’t have the language to call it x y z. I’ll send link or extract … there are several books.

Moral tales - like the bible Last rites These prepare you for the journey. The Atticum, Via - on the way. The priest gives: - blessings - take communion (if conscious) - give strength - might hear confession. If not capable, Priest gives grace of Absolution - everything’s OK. If they are too confused this helps them, gives comfort to them and family who are around.

Helps letting go.

RITUALS FOR LETTING GO, finding peace Power in the person who’s saying they know how this works - confidence Experience of death I have been with 4-5 brethern when they died - I was charged with the sick for a while. It’s a very profound experience. Total privilege. I think they look at me and then the next thing they see is God’s face.

I sat with Brother Andrew - he was 92 and he was scared to speak about death. He wasn’t well educated - superstitious - born at turn of century. Doctor said he had organ failure. Noone had told him. I was sitting with him. I was thinking all the time I needed to get on with my work - in the garden. “So Andrew, maybe you’re going to God. Maybe it’s time” “you think so? I can see the door but I can’t get in.” An hour or so later he said “It’s OK. I can see the light.” He was taken into hospital and died in the morning.

permission-giving helps us die or let go Feelings about death Brother Andrew experience changed my own thoughts. I was scared of death before that. I had seen plenty dead people in Ireland at wakes but hadn’t been with someone at the point of death.

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I think God prepares everyone. You might be frightened now. You get preparation. Ready.

Of course I don’t know what I’ll feel like when death is here. After Bro Andrew died I thought it was so calm and so peaceful I wasn’t frightened any more. Sea change on own in the middle of the night. It enforced the belief I had. I felt ready to go.

Death given life READY TO GO Thoughts about existence To be happy here and more importantly, happy in the next life. I tend not to think about it.

I guess for folk it’s ‘why am I here… where am I going?’

People ask why I became a monk. I strongly felt that this is what God wanted me to do. He wants mindfulness… don’t live in the past or future - live in the present. Stay in the moment - don’t need to ask questions.

Wow - confidence!

TOP TIPS!

HOT REPORT

PROJECT SPIRITUALITY RESEARCHER BARBARA CHALMERS Interviewee John Birrell Setting Phone, STUDIO Date/time Mon , 10am AIMS HIS ROLE AS A HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN OBJECTIVES CONSENT Yes RECORD No Bio John is retired. He is well connected to Scottish Government and produced a report in partnership with Citizens Advice on funeral poverty. He was a minister and for 20 years before retirement, a hospital chaplain. He is a member of the Good Life hub and set up Scottish Government NHS bereavement hub.

Mood/set-up I’d forgotten he was phoning - just back after busy birthday weekend. Started with pleasantries about grandchildren (he has 3 in Perth and 1 in Houston, Ayrshire.) Explained about our spirituality project.

Impressions THEMES FEELINGS/IMPRESSIONS Triggers for spiritual support As a hospital chaplain, he was often asked to support people the night before surgery, at the point of diagnosis or when someone was dying.

Responsible role. He’s a very kind, solid man. I think you’d be glad of his steady hand.

Spiritual care Is just about listing … offer an ear.

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Sound

Questions for service users Service users: people who have agreed to talk to us who have experienced stress, identify with mental ill health and may be clients of service providers we connect with.

INTRO: Hello, my name is [ ] and I’m studying for a Masters in Design Innovation at GSA. I’d like to talk to you to inform thinking for a group project. Your comments will be anonymised and findings fed into a final report we will present to the School. If you’d like a copy of the report, please give me your email after the interview. I’ll ask you to sign this Consent Form [show] at the end. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to and you can stop the interview at any time.

We’re interested in understanding what people do to find peace in life. I’ll ask you a few questions around this topic.

(STRESS) Who or what do you turn to for help at a time of stress?

Talk to partner, therapeutic counsellor, take a bath, go a walk, sleep, try to remove the stress, might read - look for literature around things that might support me; eat (treats), drink coffee - probably used to drink alcohol. Now, I’m tired and a bit unsatisfied with my day and that’s when I might do those things when it would be better to lie in the bath and read.

(Could probe… what else might you do?

Do you have a sense that some of these things are ‘good’ and some ‘bad’? If yes, when might you go to the ‘good’ and when the ‘bad’ When I won’t face what the problem is, I’m not that present. It depends on the level of stress and how much you want to get away from it.

If you have sought help, at what point did you realise you needed help?

When I can’t resolve the thing myself (or by talking to my partner) - feel caught in it, don’t feel good about it, feel distressed, need to talk around it, see another perspective, I might arrange to see my therapist.

Thinking of an example of that, did you get the help you wanted?

Not always sure. The biggest thing that helps me is intention, focus and purpose… direction, sense of purpose. When I feel really bad, really lost it’s because I’ve no sense of purpose. Right now I’m doing something I love doing (painting) and it has meaning… mentally I feel really good. I also did a Jo Dispenza thing… to change your personality, change your personal reality … stop judging externally… I hadn’t realised how undermining that was internally. Got a wee mantra for myself… ‘change’ ‘change’.. I sang it to myself to the song ‘Shame’

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If yes, in what way did it help?

It stopped the negativity… released me from a lot of thought processes - oh there I go again ‘change’ - it freed me up. Even yesterday a guy was annoying me and usually I’d put energy in that.

I came to feel I didn’t want my energy wasted on any of that.

If no, what would have made it better?

What do you do day-to-day to keep yourself well?

Do my half hour morning pages. If I don’t do them I don’t feel like I miss them (like I don’t do on SatSun) but I think I would - can’t quantify. Then I do 15 min meditation. At the moment it’s all positive - generating excitement and visualisation around what I want for myself, what I want in my life. Also now doing a ‘healthy diary’ - diet and goals. I thought it was important to write down goals. I don’t normally do. Make it more real - diet is not just about dinner time and it takes a lot of energy and effort. It’s interesting that the thing you usually reach for for comfort makes you feel worse. It can be easy to get on a cycle of something that’s good but once you fall off it can be hard to get back on. I don’t want to be there any more. I like feeling rested. It’s positive for me to have a generous amount of sleep. I like getting stuff done in the day - being intuitive about that - it makes me happy.

The nights out are good but now more in my life it’s alright to be quiet and be here doing my thing.

I don’t think I’d feel very well if I wasn’t doing that. The quality isn’t in the thing you think - like I think “I’d miss the social” - when the best time is up a hill with no stimulants.

If you have ever felt in crisis, what did you do to help yourself?

Yes - I sought therapeutic help.

Has this helped? (Was there a quick fix and did it have any lasting effect) Felt absolutely lost when I started art school. Really helped. It was external to my world… it didn’t belong in it and that was a positive thing. Absolutely pivotal point in my life. Having her as a qualified, proper counsellor at the art school… absolutely. Also I met friends outside school. That helped. I found School challenging.

What might have helped more?

Couldn’t imagine how I’d get it… can’t think.

(PEACE) How do you usually find peace and calm in life?

Couldn’t really say. Probably do a bit of hermitting… possibly read, look at things that inspire me.

Definitely don’t do people cos that’s too stressful. Watch something - maybe that’s more shut off.

Walking - nature is always good for that.

What helps you feel in control?

Taking care of myself. Diet makes me feel in control - I can affect change (over my health condition).

I don’t like feeling out of control - too much socialising, it’s gone on too long. Making choice, being in a place of choice. Knowing I can leave right now. Solitary retreats (I’ve been doing for 15 years) are really empowering in that way, feeling in control. It’s an interesting question ‘being in control’ - I’m not looking to control outcomes, just want to be intuitively in control… focus - what emerges

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for you, rather than I’m trying to control an outcome.

What gives you a sense of meaning or purpose?

Learning. My relationship. Treating people well… that’s a very big fundamental one for me - that really really matters. I’m enjoying the creative production - it’s given me something. I think some sort of connection with self - not spiritual, well I do mean that but - like the morning pages, talking to myself. The other thing is being productive… making money gives me meaning.

What’s your ideal way to really feel at peace with yourself and the world?

Probably to get a good balance between my hermit side and my social side and to get a good balance between moving in the world as a being and moving in the world as a doer. I can’t just be and I don’t just want to do.

What gives you a sense of connection in life?

Relationships… smiling at a person in the street to my deepest closest relationships… with my mum recently We asked people what sort of things move or touch them in a deep way and got a wide range of answers. Do any of these feel familiar to you…

Being in a special place (if yes, probe: can I ask what might be a special place for you?)

Yes - my home; the Sheiling, the retreat hut; by the water - loch, stream, sea The power of nature… being at the sea, in the wind, up a hill, in the wild (if yes, probe: can you offer any details?)

Yes - I do like walking in uninhabited places; swimming - something about the act of swimming; it does something that I wouldn’t be able to quantify - I know it’s doing a physical process but it’s so much more that I couldn’t tell you. I experience quite a lot of pain doing it, getting up, dressing and undressing and I don’t think I’ve been as disciplined with anything before. Taking care of my (elderly) mum maybe ties in. It feels positive.

Being part of something (if yes, probe: can I ask what that might be?)

Yes - being part of women’s group. Knowing other people are thinking about you. For the little I have that in my life I think it’s important.

Feeling loved (if yes, probe: can I ask who what that might be?)

Yes - my partnership has been massive in life changing.

Space and time to think or reflect (if yes, probe: can you give me an example of where/when and what you might be reflecting on?)

Yes - absolutely massive. MASSIVE. One of the biggest thing our society is the lack of honouring that people needs this and you need it when you need it.

A faith or belief system or set of guiding principles. (if yes, probe: would you mind sharing what your belief is?)

Yes - that you’re intuitive, that life’s generous. We talk about life beating you down but I think life’s the opposite of that. I don’t want to do business the way society wants it. My philosophy is… I don’t know how to put it into words… you can create what you want for yourself. It’s really important to know your life’s in choice because most people think they aren’t in choice. These things might not be ‘spiritual’ but they keep you mentally healthy.

The topic we’re exploring is Spirituality and Belief. Would you be able to say what those words mean to you?

Spirituality - it’s your own individual inspiration, sense of meaning. Belief - it’s individual. Belief is a

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complete open whatever you choose at whatever point in time suits you and your lifestyle.

Is there anything else you’d like to share that might be helpful or anything that could be done to help.

Our work practice isn’t set up to help… doesn’t suit a lot of people. Need organisations that are people-centred not GDP centred.

Areas of interest: quick fixes, regular practices (daily, weekly, occasional), lasting solutions Assumptions: “it’s easier to talk to strangers” [give them consent form to sign]

HOT REPORT NOTES

PROJECT Spirituality & Belief: Pluscarden Abbey Researcher Barbara Chalmers Interviewee Brother Finbar fabfifty5@gmail.com Date/time Wed 18 Jan Abbey, launch at campus Fri 21 Jan and Sun 22 Jan 2017 Abbey Bio Brother Finbar is probably mid 50s. He’s been a monk since an adult. His family were Irish. He lived in the Gorbals in Glasgow.

Todora is 24. She’s from Bulgaria. She moved to Glasgow to study and has been here since September. She lived in London for 5 years before that.

Setting/story Pluscarden Abbey is medieval: dates from 1500s. Brotherhood of around 20 Benedictine monks from Burgundy originally. The Abbey was abandoned for 400 years and rebuilt in 1948 … supported by Prinknash Abbey in England (pronounced Prinitch), with £100 and 4 monks, no heat, no water. (Reroofed 82 and 1960 – see bus driver Graham’s notes). Founded by Burgundians. They have no old vestments – nothing predates 1948 (apart from, say, Monks sideboard that’s 14th century, gifted and a giant pair of bronze candlesticks that were taken from an Italian monastery at some point (there are another two in Italy) that they don’t know the history of. There are ghostly remnants of paintings on gothic arch in stone that look almost pagan – sun and moon.

Foyer: display they’d like us to improve on. Window by GSA student. Wall hanging featuring Hebrew and English that local women created that shows the 4 seasons. Confession box. Only existing ‘night stairs’ that once led from dormitories to prayer room.

Mouseman of Kilburn (who did seats/wooden fittings in Houses of Parliament and Westminster) created their pews.

“In this place I will give peace” is their motto.

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Mass: they sit in order of seniority.

We met after observing mass in our project team with Irene McAra McWilliam. Brother Michael (firs person we met at our client meet on campus) introduced us. I invited Br Finbar to the campus for the launch. We visited unannounced on Sunday (my lodge/friends), observed a bit of mass and he came to chat (coming out of line of monks filing out) at end of Mass. During our project visit we watched a Mass, he showed us around and to the cloisters – their private area, letting us take pics but not come in. He didn’t mention the Refectory but I saw in the guidebook that visitors were allowed in – only men. They have two houses for retreat guests – 20 beds for women, 20 for men.

Different houses. I think the men’s accommodation is beside the Abbey. The women’s is separate – a walk away (we parked there on Sunday). The oblates we met (separate notes) told us this is not so safe these days. Hinted at nuisance, theft, maybe harassment – or just fear of it.

“Local woman has said I used to go to the dancing at Pluscarden” – village hall? Estate?

Some locals come every day. Others come from far afield. Half who visit return.

Brothers: one third Scots, rest English, Polish, New Zealand. One black. Range in age 40-80.

Mass: summoned by monk bellringer (they all take turns). Short mass weekday without pomp.

Mass on Sunday with green garments over robes, offering communion, incense filled church, candles lit, playing organ, congregation sang with monks (call and response). Gregorian chant (just monks) during week. They have 150 psalms they cycle every week. They do a 3 hour vigil at Easter – different kinds of ceremonies for different ‘feasts’ and different daily ceremonies: Vespers 5.30am, Compline 8pm, Mass 9am (centre of the day) and prayers that punctuate.

Impressions Finbar – his given name – is very sociable, very open. Surprising. As was his email address. That says it all; not at all stuffy or moralistic. I immediately felt he was a gay man and at the launch he brought his friend Brian. I imagine they might have a close or intimate relationship. I liked this, as a gay woman. It also made me think maybe that, just as the Abbey welcomes all faiths and none into the abbey, maybe they have other tolerances less expressed. Shame they don’t make that public and instead we continue to have the church’s condemnation around homosexuality. I want to ask about this but think it would have to be in a private conversation or email with Finbar. I asked how he felt about losing his hair and he said it’s just part of the journey. Partly a loss (he had long curly hair, partly liberating, sometimes cold (they get clipped again next week and it’s frosty just now). He said it’s quite fine now – bald, short “just need a hipster beard”. Surprising to hear this kind of up-to-dateness. Talked about reading the Spectator and current affairs. On email and web.

Not removed and isolated even though he said he doesn’t usually connect this much… he’s not a ‘guestmaster’ like Brother Michael and doesn’t usually come out to talk to visitors. Finbar says current Abbot forward thinking. An abbot from Pluscarden now head of Diocese of Aberdeen… good connection for them to have senior person linked.

Themes History and art strong themes – more than spirituality. He never asked any of us about our beliefs nor gave a hint of seeking our conversion. He pointed to window from 60s created by GSA artist Sadie McLellan. He paints and has exhibited in Burrell’s house at West End – calls himself a lyrical abstractionist. Pointed to benefactor Petrus Shiach (Peter) – a benefactor; one of the Macallan’s whisky family. Brother Alan Shiach directed/involved in Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Brother Michael weaves. Another is a bookbinder. Father Ninian – no longer with us – did one of the other stained glass windows. Another used tshirts and resin to create an artwork of 12 Stations of Cross in cloisters. They go off and do workshops

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Symbols Rituals Routines Power Authority Gender Difference/sameness Denial/giving up Vows Language: latin, Hebrew, English; taxonomy, terms Know how: communion, standing sitting Suggests long tradition but actually, only since 1948 here: relative blank canvas.

Take-away ideas Match GSA studios with creative retreats at Pluscarden.

Internships for students to teach art at Pluscarden.

Students make objects for sale in shop.

Students make displays.

Tie in with other projects: Johnstones of Elgin (luxury cashmere) and Knockandhu local weaving – more authentic – tie in using stained glass for silk scarves and patterns.

HOT REPORT NOTES PROJECT Spirituality & Belief: Pluscarden Abbey Researcher Barbara Chalmers Interviewee Graham, bus driver from Forres Date/time Wed 18 Jan, 5pm Bio Graham is from the area. He’s a bus driver on contract to GSA campus for this fortnight.

Setting/story Graham was sitting in our bus talking to our driver. Also Graham. I asked generally if they were familiar with the Abbey and he responded.

Impressions Happy to tell his story. We were killing time till all students on board. I think he liked that someone wanted to listen – human; attention; connection.

Themes He is one of 5 siblings. In the 60s his dad paid £1 a slate for each of the children to write their name on a slate to reroof. (subsequently told the Abbey was reroofed In 1960 and 1982).

He’s connected to the estate too because his brother is gamekeeper at Pluscarden and lives on the estate. He gets 8,500 pheasant chicks each year for parties of 10-15 to go shooting Oct/NovFeb. (Pluscarden had been used by Marquis of Bute for shooting parties before it was resurrected

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in 1948.) Local people – like him, he’s done it – take dogs out to pick up shot birds. Start at 5.30am.

They do 7 shoots and they get 7 drams and back to ‘howff’ to eat. Dogs pick up birds. People pay to shoot. They don’t want birds – sell to butchers. There’s a cockshoot too: the locals who usually go out with dogs get a chance to shoot and the ‘bigwigs’ take the dogs. It’s said there are tunnels underneath the abbey. An elderly monk went missing 10 years ago and was never seen again.

I asked whether local folk thought they were odd… not really. Think that more about the community at Findhorn.

Take-away ideas Christianity has been there long enough and established enough authority for them to wander around in long white robes, living in seclusion, with all sorts of very particular rituals without people questioning them. Findhorn still young! In 1948, even though these monks were new to town, they were bringing a long, tried and tested recipe with them and the power of history and the church behind them.

HOT REPORT NOTES PROJECT Spirituality & Belief: Pluscarden Abbey Researcher Barbara Chalmers Interviewee Maureen, oblate and secular, solitary monastic (SSM) Date/time Sun 21 Jan, 12.30pm Bio Maureen is a friend of the Abbey. Her oblate name is Scholastica Benedicta. (St Scholastica is the name of the women’s retreat. She has been a music teacher).

Setting/story Just after mass, in the shop. Maureen with her friend Eileen. She was brought up Episcopalian.

She wanted to be a Catholic from being a girl. Her mum was unhappy. Eventually gave in because after bringing her to tears, her mum realised how serious she was about it. She converted to Catholicism. Brought to Pluscarden by her mum and uncle. Got a ticket to say she had parental consent. She lived with her grannie. She started getting these brown envelopes on a Friday – newsletters from Pluscarden. She was “completely smitten”. Her granny asked about it and she lied saying it was music. Granny said “that’s not the shape/size of music”. Found out.

Went to nunnery to be Presbyterian nun. New and old school nuns didn’t mix well. She left. Easter 1990 she joined. Asked the Father “When will I be ready to be a Catholic” and he accepted her. 2 months later she was received into church. [name] was prior at the time; he was a very fit 94 and went missing. Never found.

She joined Ladies Chapel – made ‘postulant’ – apprentice after 6 months (‘fast tracked’); then novitiate. Now oblate… means ‘obligation’ as lay supporters… contribute talent, money and mostly prayer; make a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Ritual : Divine Office: say all prayers of church 7 or 8 times a day (Eileen only does 4 times a day).

Monks say 150 psalms in a week; Oblates in a month; read bible in A B C blocks, 3 year cycle to read it all.

Title: she’s a ‘consecrated virgin’ but because of connotation, her father made up a title: Secular Solitary Monastic (SSM).

Can do confession any time. Eileen said she was guided to do once a month and has struggled

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sometimes to think of things to confess to. I said I didn’t like that about the church: encouraging a sense of sin and confession and forgiveness but I can see if might develop a practice of selfforgiveness. Maureen said she didn’t like her neighbour and had been aloof for months then realised, she had built all the trappings of this Christian life around her and she wasn’t being nice, so she apologised after inspiration from a pilgrimage to Bosnia.

(Said this annoying Maureen ‘just appears’ everywhere she goes, you never see her coming. We laughed about this – maybe she’s sent to try us!

Countess of Cawdor (Macbeth) in front row drawing looks at a women behind not singing well “going at her own pace” Maureen called it!

Impressions Happy to tell her story. They’d heard about the art school setting up. Her interest is in Music. Her friend studied art and photography.

“Completely smitten” an interesting term. We use for ‘falling in love’ Vow of poverty, chastity and obedience odd – because Brother Michael didn’t mention ‘chastity’ – does this only apply to women?

Prayer book guides what to say and do when. All very planned out – like daily/weekly/seasonal timetable for Abbey.

These women might be considered odd in other communities but possibly here because of Findhorn and the Abbey’s practices and visitors, it’s not so standout.

Themes Again – ordinary folk just living their life in the community but attached to this (what I think extraordinary) life.

Take-away ideas Their ask “can we have a coffee machine”. It’s cold in Abbey. Men get to go to refectory with monks after Mass. Women don’t and bring their own flask and hang around in shop because there’s no social space for them.

Abbot, now Bishop. New Abbot open to women. (Massachussets model/connection worth checking).

Doing death better

Design for Death, 2012, Final Fling/Snook [accessed 6 Mar 17] http://blog.finalfling.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/10/120831-Final-Debrief-DesignforDeath.pdf Death Killing, Alison, 2014, New Ways to Think About Death, TED Talk, [Accessed 3 Mar 17] http://www. ted.com/playlists/241/new_ways_to_think_about_death?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_ campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=playlist__2017-03-02playlist_button Where and how we die - architecture for the future and engagement exhibition.

In this short, provocative talk, architect Alison Killing looks at buildings where death and dying happen — cemeteries, hospitals, homes. The way we die is changing, and the way we build for dying ... well, maybe that should too. It's a surprisingly fascinating look at a hidden aspect of our cities, and our lives.

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What really matters at the end of life?, Miller BJ, 2015, TED Talk [Accessed 3 Mar 17] http://www.ted.com/playlists/241/new_ways_to_think_about_death?utm_source=newsletter_ daily&utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=playlist__2017-03-02playlist_ button Shifting perspect. Zen Hospice Project: when a resident dies, when wheeling body out, stop in drive.

Any residents can come share a song, story, scatter body with petals - cover body with warmth, not repugnance. Hospitals in name of sterility, assult our senses. Most we feel is numbness, anaesthetic (opposite of aesthetic). Hospitals is for acute trauma and treatable illnesses - not a place to die.

For most people it’s not death, it’s dying and suffering we’re afraid of. The former is natural - part of the deal. At the end of our lives, what do we most wish for? For many, it's simply comfort, respect, love. BJ Miller is a hospice and palliative medicine physician who thinks deeply about how to create a dignified, graceful end of life for his patients. Take the time to savor this moving talk, which asks big questions about how we think on death and honor life.

Narayan, Lux, TED Talk http://www.ted.com/talks/lux_narayan_what_i_learned_from_2_000_obituaries?utm_ source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_ content=image__2017-03-01

Menopause

WOMEN AND MENOPAUSE: Kirsty Wark documentary with Jennifer Saunders and Kaye Adams: Jennifer: “it changes everything: metabolism, skin, energy levels, hair. It’s astonishing. Post menopausal feel differently about my place in the world, how I feel about myself, general sense of sexiness and libido… an indefinable something that you don’t have anymore.”

News feature: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38905528

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TEENAGERS AND MENTAL HEALTH Pupils trained to reduce stress, BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39067388 [Accessed 24 Feb 2017] A school in one of Glasgow's most deprived areas is training parents, pupils and staff in how to cope with stress.

As part of the pilot, all S4 pupils at St Paul's High School in Pollok were assessed before the programme began.

About 40% showed high levels of anxiety and depression, well above the national average .

This dropped to about 20% by the end of the programme which aims to intervene early to prevent longer-term problems.

Across Scotland, one in 10 adults is currently being prescribed an antidepressant.

Almost half of all adults with mental health problems developed them before they left school.

"When we followed them up nine months later we were seeing that they were still continuing to improve, so there was a suggestion that the pupils had learned all about stress management and in the months after the class had put it into practice." DR JIM WHITE (Backs up Mental Health Social Worker - developing coping mechanisms in early life develop resilience) TRADITIONS Ancient ways of healing: VIsion Quest http://www.ancienthealingways.co.uk/ These courses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Councils, Vision Quests and Initiation Rites â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are opportunities to expand perception and deepen compassion, finding our unique gifts. They are set in a field of nonjudgment and acceptance, allowing the phenomenal power of the human heart and spirit to become visible. They seek to help us acknowledge, honor and celebrate our lives; they further the part we play in creating and visioning a future for ourselves and our planet.

Scotland vision quest http://www.naturalpathfinder.com/scotland.php Vision Quests in Scotland are usually conducted in the stunning central region of Scotland in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park region.

Or in the Hebrides - enchanting Islands on the east coast of Scotland. The islands have an abundance of beautiful habitats. Fresh water and sea lochs unsurpassable in their beauty provide a great resource for fishermen and bird life.

Considered a Gaelic heartland, as Gaelic was spoken there predominantly until fairly recently and is still used on some occasion.

Whales, dolphins, seals, puffins and otters abound here.

The Islands present an oasis of calm in a chaotic world.

A Quest of any kind is a heroic journey. It is a rite of passage that carries you to an inner place of silence and majesty and encourages you to live life more courageously and genuinely.

"I highly recommend Catriona's quests. They are truly sojourns of the heart."" ~Denise Linn For centuries, people have embarked on rites of passage in nature to gain awareness of the sacred realms and greater self-knowledge. Spiritual journeys into nature can provide greater life direction 126

and harmony. These archetypal passages, or quests into nature, are powerful acts that can change a person's life profoundly. This is why so many myths and stories around the world have the hero's quest as a central theme.

Vision & Nature Quests are powerful practices that have help people to tap into a deep wisdom that can provide profound guidance and insight. Many people around the world have benefited from immersing themselves in nature to seek wisdom, truth and beauty. This is because the Earth speaks to us all if we care to listen.

Experiencing a nature quest is a unique physical, emotional and spiritual adventure. There are many inherent benefits of a nature quest, such as getting in touch with one's inner rhythm. A quest can also provide the impetus that people need to take the first steps toward living a life in tune with their inner desires.

In nature, we are removed from societal constructs, so we do not need to wear a mask or meet the expectations of others. We can freely connect with the pure essence of who we are.

From the peace that nature offers, we can interpret the subtle movements of the animals, the slight changes in the wind, and the gentle shift in the light as the day progresses into night.

We can also come to terms with our thoughts and thought patterns. Without interruptions like ringing phones and schedules, our thoughts go further. By pushing the boundaries of our thoughts, we can journey to a point beyond.

My deep wish going into the Vision Quest was to experience myself in nature free of the distractions of daily life. I discovered a reservoir of inner strength, clarity and fearlessness that I can now easily access in my day-to-day life. Catriona's attunement to each person's unique process created an atmosphere of trust and allowed me to surrender to each unfolding moment with an increasing sense of inner peace. There is no doubt that the Vision Quest is one of the most daring, rejuvenating and transformative practices I've ever done and I am profoundly grateful for the experience. " L.T., Psychotherapist, CA When we listen to our still, inner voice, we can finally hear that our voice joins with the voice of the Earth.

Quest participants can also discover answers to long asked questions. Signs from nature can powerfully shape a person's life by providing direction or insight that we might not find on our own.

Signs from nature can speak to "what is" from a way of knowing beyond our limited human consciousness.

Vision Quests are wonderful ways to : > Find inner peace > Find answers from the heart > Connect deeply with nature and other living things > Face your fears and step into courage > Deepen your meditation practice or learn to meditate > Communicate with animal totems and spirit helpers > Contemplate your life's purpose and receive signs about your life's meaning > Be at one with god/the creator/the universe, yourself.

Menopause menopause the facts live well nhs choices http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/menopause/Pages/Menopauseoverview.aspx FILMS talking to women http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/later-life/menopause/topics Menopause and Mood: It's Not All In Your Head 127

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https://www.verywell.com/menopause-mood-swings-causes-and-coping-2322791 Low-mood-and-depression http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/low-mood-and-depression.aspx Online support Beating the Blues } CBT assessment tools Mood Juice } Linked to Innovation Ltd Group support Alcoholics Anonymous - 12 Step prog

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