Dear Readers:

People long for deep emotional contact and, to varying degrees, may sense that it is on the decline. What may be less clear to them, however, is what exactly deep, undisturbed emotional contact looks like. How often do we have the opportunity to witness pure impulses of love and health? Case studies in this issue of the Journal bring us face to face with the profound emotional health of newborns, when the natural conditions of birth are not restricted. Seeing these infants respond to their mothers with trust and contentment, we become clear about what contact is. These expressions of unfettered life help us define and frame wellness, giving us context with which to better understand and defend against disturbances of contact and the emotional plague.

An editorial by Howard Chavis, M.D. highlights emotional contact, which is the essential core of a healthy life. He notes the remarkable ability of newborns, described in Dr. Chasapi’s case studies, to make and sustain energetic emotional contact immediately after birth. Contrast this with present-day psychiatry which have become mechanistic, and with AI, which, despite whatever advances it may offer, will never provide natural emotional energetic contact, the core of medical orgone therapy.

In his editorial, Howard Chavis, M.D. highlights emotional contact, which is the essential core of a healthy life. He notes the remarkable ability of newborns, described in Dr. Chasapi’s case studies, to make and sustain energetic emotional contact immediately after birth. Contrast this with present-day psychiatry which has become mechanistic, and with AI, which, despite whatever advances it may offer, will never provide natural emotional energetic contact.

Virginia Whitener, Ph.D. recounts a time when a patient left an urgent voicemail, yelling “Call me! I need perspective!” Dr. Whitener explains that through her therapy she was heartened by her patient’s ability to recognize when her perception might be off. In this exchange, we also see the patient’s trust in Dr. Whitener, which comes through in her emotional message and in her confidence that Dr. Whitener will (and did) respond to her and restore her clarity of thinking.

Theodata Chasapi, M.D. recounts three homebirths and shares glimpses of the profound contact between mothers and newborns in the moments immediately after birth. These homebirths contrast starkly with the clinical and frightening experiences routinely suffered by newborns in hospitals. Revealed here is the astounding capacity of the newborn to make, and even initiate contact with the mother. These portraits of deep emotional contact and the tender beginnings of life underscore the importance of nurturing and protecting healthy expression whenever we are lucky enough to encounter it.

Christopher Burritt, D.O., in Part V of “A Family Deals with Its Emotions, A Mother’s Work,” helps a mother work through her feelings of anger and frustration: “Why is it weird for a mother to be home with her children? Why is it weird for me to take care of things at home and not also work somewhere else? I get it ALL the time!” she shouted.

In her series “Another Face of the Emotional Plague,” Virginia Whitener, Ph.D. considers two nefarious characters from Rossini’s opera The Barber of Seville. In contrast to emotional plague characters who dissemble, the characters of Bartolo and Don Basilio scheme openly and with full awareness that their intentions are malevolent. An exploration of these characters and their interactions with others sheds light on the inner-workings of the emotional plague and the means by which it can draw others in, even those who initially stand in opposition to it.

Janice Natale, M.A. shares her experience of reading a Dr. Konia blog, particularly his explanation of functional thinking, and how it helped her make sense of the confusion generated by media sites and ongoing political commentary. Recently, Natale’s awareness of functional thinking led to a deeper understanding of the early economic policies of Benjamin Netanyahu, which served as a rational, and successful, response to Israel’s economic malaise.

In “Standing Up to the Emotional Plague” Dr. Whitener looks at the way the emotional plague was rationalized and became institutionalized as the Nazis implemented their malignant murderous campaign against European Jews. She contrasts this dark period in history with the subsequent creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The foundation of the Israeli State and its continued presence in the region today serves to check advances of the emotional plague.

In part IV of “No Exams Required,” Alexis Packer highlights recent examples of the anti-authoritarian transformation in the realm of higher education. In vignettes from New York’s New School, New York University, and UNC Chapel Hill, Packer chronicles growing disrespect for earned authority, confusion over standards, and the belief of some students that the university must provide for their emotional and biological needs.

Nana Hatzi, a teacher at a primary school in Northern Greece, recounts the story of a six-year-old boy who, having bloodied his knee on the playground, found himself surrounded by well-meaning teachers who told him there was no reason to cry. Hatzi offered to stay with the boy and gently allowed Nick to express his fear and sadness. After a few moments of crying, Nick relaxed, expressed his relief, and went back to play.

In “Functional Thinking in Everyday Life,” Dale Rosin, D.O. reflects on the process of clearing the stream that runs through his property in Pennsylvania. While forcibly unblocking the stream after heavy rain would effectively clear the debris, the sudden rush of water also damaged the stream’s banks. Later, Dr. Rosin tried patiently removing the blockage one twig at a time, allowing the stream’s natural flow to do the rest. This brief piece and the commentary offered by Peter Crist, M.D. highlight the application of functional thinking—working with, rather than against nature. Just as Dr. Rosin worked with the stream’s natural energy, the medical orgonomist addresses a patient’s blocks slowly, allowing for the gradual restoration of the patient’s own natural energy and movement.

If you do not already subscribe to the Journal, this is your opportunity to do so. In addition, when you subscribe or renew, the ACO will provide you with a free one-year electronic subscription that can be given to anyone you choose. Call (732) 821-1144 or email aco@orgonomy.org  or subscribe today at the ACO Store.

The Journal of Orgonomy

Innovative, Intelligent, Insightful.