The Pacific Heart

Psychiatry, Spirituality and Culture

Ravi Chandra M.D., D.F.A.P.A.

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, and 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?

Fighting Racism Against Asian Americans During COVID-19

Why might racist incidents particularly impact Asian Americans psychologically?

A Dream Deferred: Langston Hughes, Then and Now

Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem" is relevant today. Consider its words, and understand the times we live in.

Coping with Loneliness and Isolation During COVID-19

Have you felt more intense loneliness during the COVID-19 crisis? Here are some tips and insights to help you get through.

COVID-19 as Metaphor: The Immuniversity, Not War

Many have been using the war metaphor for coronavirus. That takes us away from a deeper understanding of the illness and the world.

Why People Who Ghosted You May Get Back in Touch

Have you experienced PRGS? Mild, Moderate or Severe? Tell your story in the comments section.

The Politics of Blaming China: Asian Americans Will Suffer

Both President Trump and Joe Biden's campaigns launched attack ads tying the other candidate to China. The politics of blame will endanger Asian Americans.

Dr. Satsuki Ina on Migrant Detention, Racism and COVID19

Dr. Satsuki Ina's life work has been in understanding the traumatic psychological effects of Japanese American incarceration in WWII. She's now an activist on migrant detention.

COVID19: From Uncertainty and Vulnerability to Compassion

We're dealing with difficult emotions born from uncertainty, vulnerability, and precarity. How can we work with these, and perhaps even generate compassion?

Calling COVID-19 a “Chinese Virus” or “Kung Flu” Is Racist

Terms like "Chinese Virus" and "The Kung Flu" spread racism and xenophobia, adding another level of threat and vulnerability for Asian Americans.

Coronavirus Anxiety: Should I See My Therapist Face-to-Face?

Coronavirus precautions and anxiety are driving many therapists to telehealth. What are the pros and cons? Are telehealth and self-quarantine warranted? What is social distancing?

How Political Leaders Strategically Manipulate Us

How do political leaders manipulate emotion and identity to achieve their aims? A leading expert in political psychology weighs in, and also opines on the presidential primaries.

Cathy Park Hong’s Minor Feelings and Asian American Erasure

Cathy Park Hong's "Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning" explores the erasure and devaluation of Asian American women and her own artistic and political growth.

Bong Joon Ho at the Oscars: Gratitude and Common Humanity

Bong Joon Ho gave a remarkable speech of generosity, gratitude, and common humanity at the Oscars this year. Here's a recap of the important lessons for all of us.

The Drama of the Abused Family

As a psychologist, I see the parallels between our national predicament and the drama of the abused family. How might we break free?

A self-reinforcing pyramid of cult power - the base keeps the party in line, and Trump and media keep them all on message

The Cult of Trump

A new book by cult and mind control expert Steven Hassan.

Narcissism: A Central Danger for the American Psyche

Narcissism poses dangers to all relationships, and when it is advanced in authority leads to the abuse of power. The country's founders were aware of the darker dangers posed.

Homelessness in the American Psyche

A recent panel on homelessness for the Brown Club of San Francisco featured local alumni experts and offers insight into this significant predicament of society.

Bay Area Art Showcases Healing Journeys of the Feminine

Two Bay Area visual art exhibits highlight women's stories, and stories of survival.

Compassion for America in a Time of Violence

Mass shootings occur with alarming regularity. White Nationalist terrorism has motivated several. What underlies this violence? And how can self-compassion and compassion help?

"Luce": Racism, Projection, and Conditioned Existence

"Luce" is a movie that will make you uncomfortable in all the right ways about race in America.

El Paso Massacre: Nihilism, Narcissism and White Nationalism

Can we make some sense of the latest senseless tragedy? As I see it, narcissism/tribalism and nihilism underpin the ideology of White Nationalism.

Narcissism, Needs for Certainty and Closure, and Relatedness

Narcissism exists, but we are not as polarized as the media and leaders proclaim. Here are antidotes to narcissistic relational problems and our needs for closure and certainty.

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