The Pacific Heart

Psychiatry, Spirituality and Culture

To Mask or Not to Mask When Masking is Not Mandatory

A federal judge overturned mask mandates, as the DOJ appeals. It's important to pay attention to our feelings, not just science or mandates. And not give way to megalomania.

Mindfulness in Silicon Valley: Is Work Becoming Religion?

Silicon Valley appears to have created an elite within corporate America, one which has developed its own religion, co-opting mindfulness. There is a cost to "techtopia."

“Everything Everywhere”: Multiverses, Metaverses and You

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" is a spectacle for our times - about choices and where they lead us. What does it tell us about psychology, mental health, and the metaverse?

Asian American Elders Report Low Support, Life Satisfaction

California health survey data from 2018 indicate Asian American elders have lower life satisfaction and levels of socio-cultural support. What have the last few years done?

Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” and the Myth of Self-Regulation

Ryusuke Hamaguchi's latest film, "Drive My Car," is a masterpiece in depicting relatedness, loss, and the effects we have on each other. It explodes the myth of self-regulation.

Jesus, The Three Wise Men, and Universal Human Transmissions

The gifts of the Magi, the Three Wise Men, have messages for our common humanity. They are part of what I call "Universal Human Transmissions".

The Facebook Papers, Congress, and Society

Commentary: Facebook is in the news again. Here's a summary of some key findings and actions being considered by Congress.

Bad Art Friend: Discontent With Parasociality

The New York Times pitted Dawn Dorland and Sonya Larson in a complicated dispute. What lessons might we gain for communal and relational health?

Teletherapy Versus In-Person: Subjective Views and Verdicts

Eighteen months into the pandemic, what have we learned about teletherapy versus in-person therapy?

The Context-Sensitive Self: Anxiety vs. Sociopathy

Context-sensitivity is the self as seen by others. Being overly context-sensitive yields anxiety, but too little context-sensitivity is potentially antisocial or even sociopathic.

Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka: 4 Olympic-level Lessons

Simon Biles and Naomi Osaka made mental health history this week. Here's why.

Asian American Mental Health: Worsened During the Pandemic

A comprehensive report details the currentmental health challenges facing Asian Americans.

Belonging, Compassion, Survival: The Great Post-COVID Tasks

As we tenuously emerge from the pandemic, have our joyful reunions, and mourn our losses, cultivating belonging and compassion are our greatest tasks.

Cave Syndrome: Viral and Social Toxins, and the Inner Life

What is COVID-related "cave syndrome"? What factors lead people to self-isolate or withdraw, and what can help them return to full social involvement?

What Is the True Self? A Buddhist Psychiatrist's View

Two recent articles have explored the idea of the false vs. true self. How do Buddhists view the self?

Grief, Anguish, and Healing After the Atlanta Spa Murders

The Asian American community is in anguish over the recent mass murder and a year of anti-Asian hate, which have unburied deep traumas. What paths can lead to healing?

One Year In: COVID’s Messages for Psychotherapy and Society

This last year has been a bottleneck event for the evolution of psychotherapy, and the evolution of society more generally. What is the wisdom of COVID?

Analyzing the Recent Surge in Anti-Asian American Violence

There has been a sharp uptick in violent crime against Asians, especially in the last few weeks. What are some reasons and remedies?

Don’t Decry Cancel Culture—Decry Cultural Rigidity

Bemoaning cancel culture has become a conservative talking point and a meme of academics uncomfortable with cultural change. The dismissal is abusive.

How to Cope with Election and Post-Election Emotions

A guided meditation and the tools of mindful self-compassion can help address difficult emotions generated by oppression.

Authenticity, Compassion and Overcoming Propaganda

Rhetoric and propaganda by political leaders amplifies polarization and dehumanization. This leads to the danger of cruelty and violence.

Affirming Identity, Relationship, & Compassion During COVID

Health, community, and society in the time of COVID-19.

Psychiatrist as Fly-On-The-Wall at Trump's Axios Interview

After watching Jonathan Swan's interview with President Trump, I have a few thoughts as a psychiatrist about the relational qualities and thought processes on display.

How to Deal With the Cultural Overwhelm We Are Experiencing

Cultural overwhelm and political propaganda are the preludes for the losses that people sense.

Dismissing Microaggressions Is Insensitive and Even Racist

It also seems tied to our individualistic culture in the throes of change.

Is “White Privilege” the Best Way to Talk About Racism?

How helpful is the dialogue around "privilege?" Does it trigger too much defensiveness? Is it the right kind of confrontation and provocation? Does it even match reality?