Monday, May 20, 2012
Interview by Lon Woodbury
Randy Russell was invited by Lon Woodbury on L.A. Talk Radio to discuss the question of Who Am I? Our Voyage of Self-Discovery. This is a pivotal question in the lives of young people, as well as older people, and can make the difference between a purposeful and an accidental life.
About Randy Russell
Russell has actually been in the business of helping young people to discover their natural gifts since 1974, when he, along with his family, began a mentoring program for university students. His primary techniques working with troubled families with an at-risk teen are the training and initiations into adulthood used by wise parents, mentors and "Elders" in the native traditions. At his educational institution, Inner Pathworks, he helps teenagers find their identity, those who are puzzled about their college major or life path, or those who are bitterly disappointed, bewildered and confused, or extremely depressed about their future.
The Existential Question: Who Am I? Our Voyage of Self-Discovery
Woodbury began the interview by asking his guest whether he considered the "Who am I" question a spiritual or humanistic topic. Russell responded by saying that it depended on two factors: personal background and perspective on life. He discussed various brain theories and how they influenced the question. He talked about theories like the four quadrants theory, the left and right brain theory, heartmath's heart intelligence theory, and Eastern mindfulness. He also discussed the difference between male and female thinking and between Eastern and Western thinking. Russell believed that addressing that existential question relied on what aspects of the brain were most energetic or dominant.
Miscommunication between parents and their adolescents can develop due to the fact that a parent and child may be interpreting their sense of identity and worldview based on how they used their brains.
The question of who am I may arise at three critical times in a person's life: when they are pre-teens, when they are teenagers looking for answers on what they will do with their lives, and when they become parents and have children of their own. If the question is not answered successfully, a young person will live a reactive life, and if is answered, then it will lead to a purposeful life. Unfortunately, in Western culture there is an absence of rites of passage that will help a young person answer this question. Russell's work, then, principally revolves around using wilderness therapy, as well as certain Native American traditions, to help young people find a sense of direction.
Final Ideas on "Who Am I? Our Trip of Self-Discovery" Question
Russell discussed Joseph Campbell's work "the hero's journey." He talked about how it detailed the essential process of personal growth. He also shared his own story about growing up with Indian mentors and how it influenced his decision to create a mentoring program for young people. Russell carries out workshops and programs where young people assess their gifts and gain self-awareness about their own styles of thinking and behaving.
Interview by Lon Woodbury
Randy Russell was invited by Lon Woodbury on L.A. Talk Radio to discuss the question of Who Am I? Our Voyage of Self-Discovery. This is a pivotal question in the lives of young people, as well as older people, and can make the difference between a purposeful and an accidental life.
About Randy Russell
Russell has actually been in the business of helping young people to discover their natural gifts since 1974, when he, along with his family, began a mentoring program for university students. His primary techniques working with troubled families with an at-risk teen are the training and initiations into adulthood used by wise parents, mentors and "Elders" in the native traditions. At his educational institution, Inner Pathworks, he helps teenagers find their identity, those who are puzzled about their college major or life path, or those who are bitterly disappointed, bewildered and confused, or extremely depressed about their future.
The Existential Question: Who Am I? Our Voyage of Self-Discovery
Woodbury began the interview by asking his guest whether he considered the "Who am I" question a spiritual or humanistic topic. Russell responded by saying that it depended on two factors: personal background and perspective on life. He discussed various brain theories and how they influenced the question. He talked about theories like the four quadrants theory, the left and right brain theory, heartmath's heart intelligence theory, and Eastern mindfulness. He also discussed the difference between male and female thinking and between Eastern and Western thinking. Russell believed that addressing that existential question relied on what aspects of the brain were most energetic or dominant.
Miscommunication between parents and their adolescents can develop due to the fact that a parent and child may be interpreting their sense of identity and worldview based on how they used their brains.
The question of who am I may arise at three critical times in a person's life: when they are pre-teens, when they are teenagers looking for answers on what they will do with their lives, and when they become parents and have children of their own. If the question is not answered successfully, a young person will live a reactive life, and if is answered, then it will lead to a purposeful life. Unfortunately, in Western culture there is an absence of rites of passage that will help a young person answer this question. Russell's work, then, principally revolves around using wilderness therapy, as well as certain Native American traditions, to help young people find a sense of direction.
Final Ideas on "Who Am I? Our Trip of Self-Discovery" Question
Russell discussed Joseph Campbell's work "the hero's journey." He talked about how it detailed the essential process of personal growth. He also shared his own story about growing up with Indian mentors and how it influenced his decision to create a mentoring program for young people. Russell carries out workshops and programs where young people assess their gifts and gain self-awareness about their own styles of thinking and behaving.
About the Author:
Find out more about Struggling Teens. Lon Woodbury has recorded the entire interview on his weekly Lon Woodbury show for people to listen to at any time.
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