“The Opening”
Due to learning with trauma and learning struggles, I had a troubled heart, possibly because of my own anger and shame as well as it being intergenerational…till age 42, To Him Be ALL THE GLORY !
From my childhood, I had heard so many negative comments that I felt like…I couldn’t do anything right, I was stupid, and “nobody liked me”- this “learning with trauma” had me to develop “Vainglory” by living daily with strife, that, in my later years, I was almost to the point spiritual death. As you can imagine, growing up with a learning disability [labeled severely learning disabled in 1982], these comments of the untruths became my inner thoughts and I believed them. Until mid-adult years, I discovered the veil of being imperfect was ego… [prides] illusion and not what God had intended for His child, me. I thought Jesus was already in my heart; yet, looking back, I had not entirely invited Him fully inside my heart and mind, until the “dark night of the soul” situation happened in my life; I had simply not surrendered my heart and let Him completely into my mind, becoming born-again which means gaining “God’s Spirit” (becoming full) and a Christ-like mind (becoming complete). Note: God, in His Will and His timing, uncovered the TRUTH. His light had to look into and uncover my problems and emotions, then unto some issues and sin of my childhood and beyond. I had learned the importance of prayer, meditation, movement, daily revelation, intention, and affirmations with scripture reading; basically, I felt like a door had opened and the veil over my heart was released. Similarly, this brought myself, by Faith and His Mercy, into unity [Grace] then into His Light [Glory] and Victory through Jesus Christ unto Him [upon Faith In Hope]. In the Light, we uncovered, with understanding His Word and Mercy, the darkness to become blameless, pure, and righteous. In turn, becoming closer to God helped me to discover replacing anger with simple strength and shame with simple empathy! In a few years later, approximately the last five years, He has been transforming hatred to courage and grief to compassion, resentment/deceit to trust and guilt into love, peace and justice due to my faith and His mercy, TRUTH: Knowledge-Wisdom, Righteouness-Humility! Therefore, He is my everything; I had been in a situation of pain, struggle, re-evaluation, self-discovery, and now I Rejoice In The GRACE, STRENGTH, FAITH, JOY and LOVE of JESUS-VICTORY of UNDERSTANDING & BLISS!!
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster [even learning with trauma]. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.I had these symptoms daily mostly in school and later on an autoimmune disease [cured now]
MY ELBERT: EVERYONE LEARNS BETTER EMBRACING REVOLUTIONARY TEACHING IS The first Specialized Online Coaching Curriculum. I’ve spent the last 25 years perfecting an alternative, holistic approach to correcting learning differences, including, but not limited to, Dyslexia and Neurodevelopmental differences (view the “why” behind My Elbert below …view program HERE).
After twenty-five years of being in education, I provide tutoring, consulting, and coaching on dyslexia and other neurodevelopmental differences. Over the last 15 years, I’ve observed an increasing amount of affective, behavioral, sensorial, cognitive, physical, mental, and spiritual difficulties and differences due to learning with trauma along with an increased number of children being medicated, misdiagnosed, or going undiagnosed; Therefore, I have developed a neuropedagogy that includes my observations and evaluations that looks at the “whole person” using empirical science, my neurodivergent thinking, and (w)holistic wisdom. Where learning is concerned, the “whole person” is important because people are different and so many learn and think differently. My neuropedagogy allows neuroscience, psychology, psychopathology, (w)holism, Evangelical theology, and education to come into an authentic practice. It really looks at how we all process information differently in space and interconnected time; in brief, we are all wired with dissimilarity for which each neural pathway is connected differently to process the same information that we all can receive. My current practice is a holistic approach to discovery of inner-being, spiritual-growth, and aims to learn how to stimulate new zones of the brain, and increase self-directed neuroplasticity, and atonement to create connections (neuropathways) for learning to be successful. Furthermore, it is targeted at naturally stimulating the brains of all types of learners, not only those with students who have learning disabilities.
The Problem: We are seeing children/adults digress with gulf-sized disconnect and low self-esteem. Each child/adult is multidimensional and ALL our systems and senses need to function equalized, activated, and balanced for learning to take place. The triune brain which is the neomammalian complex (RAS- aka neocortex), midbrain (pons- aka limbic system), and forebrain (thymus aka reptilian) is working on a downward function, which makes learning and thinking chaotic in the mind. People are using their mental and emotional bodies to learn, not their etherical body (etheric).
The Solution: When using the etherical body, ALL our faculties, systems, and senses will function equalized, activated, and balanced. The triune brain needs to be working in an upward function (no longer perform in a protective function). With a functional upward system, the child [or adult] can trust themselves and their gifts and learning uniquenesses through spiritual mindset with self-directed neuroplasticity through ABC’s and atonement meaning God awareness (eventually unity) through PYAM Daily. They’re offered the freedom arising from conditions within the brain, senses, or sense organs and not directly caused not by external stimuli but the knowing with-in themselves which is patience for understanding and trusting in their subjective, divergent mind.
Yes, I do believe the disconnect for students, families, and schools. It’s in the Spiritual Development…
The disconnect happens in these domains: (intellectual)- what is right, (moral) what is good, and (imaginative) what is best; meaning, His Divine Will for us in design, plan, and purpose for yourself and meekness towards others! Affirmation (Blessing of Thanksgiving, heart): Do not be conformed to this world ([modern],this age) [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable [right, moral] and perfect Will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:2 AMPC
What is a Subjective Mind? Subjective mind, which wants to comprehend the world by self-realization, consciousness and is open to different interpretations of same objects viewed through different lenses. [Retrieved from https://medium.com/all-things-philosophical/subjective-and-objective-63465fa88fd4].
The cerebral cortex is thought to be the seat of conscious processing in the brain. Rather than being inactivated, specific cells in the cortex show higher spontaneous activity during general anesthesia than when awake, and this activity is synchronized across those cortical cells. [Retrieved from https://neurosciencenews.com/unconscious-brain-activity-20571/].
What Is Conscience? Billy Graham’s Daily Devotion, Nov 09, 2021 Having a good conscience . . . –1 Peter 3:16 God has put within each one of us something that cries aloud against us, whenever we do that which we know to be wrong. Conscience is the detective that watches the direction of our steps and decries every conscious transgression. Conscience is the built-in power of our minds to pass moral judgments on ourselves, approving or disapproving our feelings, actions, thoughts, and plans, and telling us, if what we have done is assessed as wrong, that we deserve to suffer for it. Conscience has in it two elements: an awareness of certain things as being right or wrong, and an ability to apply laws and rules to specific situations. Conscience insists on judging us, and insist on judging us by the highest standard we know. So we sometimes call it God’s voice in the soul, and in a sense it is. [Retrieved from https://sway.office.com/6BhnVi2YHh09O1v8].
What is Conscience/Righteousness- Intellectual-Moral aka “The Perfect” (Pure Heart)? The moral feeling, by which we mean a sense of the difference between right and wrong, would seem to be a part of the native furnishing of the mind. Conscience is a vigilant eye before which each imagination, thought, and act, is held up for either censure or approval. I believe there is no greater argument for the existence of God in the world today than conscience. There is no greater proof of the existence of a moral law and Lawgiver in the universe than this little light of the soul. It is God’s voice to the inner man. Conscience is our wisest counselor and teacher, our most faithful and most patient friend. [Retrieved from https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/R/righteousness.html].
What is Self-Realization/Blamelessness- Imaginative-Moral aka “The Simple” (Clean Mind)? How can we achieve this state of Being for ourselves? Self Realization is a term that is becoming increasingly more widely used. In many ways it is an obscure term, and its meaning is not immediately apparent. For many it is a term that means the same as ‘Enlightenment’ – a word which is similarly something difficult to determine. However, the term ‘Self Realization’ is more useful as it actually refers to a very specific stage in the journey of awakening that Ramana Maharshi and others described. [Retrieved from https://andreaoneness.com/self-realization/].
According to Erik Erikson, during the first years of school, every child must resolve the conflicts between a positive self-image and feelings of inferiority. If children succeed in school, they will develop positive feelings about themselves and believe that they can succeed in life [Retrieved from http://www.ldonline.org/article/19296/].
Likewise, this study aims to investigate the emotional perspective of having Dyslexia, a specific learning difficulty that not only affects literacy but many aspects of an individual’s life, from childhood into adulthood [Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290213848_Dyslexia_Investigating_Self Harm_and_Suicidal_ThoughtsAttempts_as_a_Coping_Strategy].
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in [full] knowledge and depth of insight [clear perception], so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure [pure heart] and blameless [clean mind] for the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
What is neurodiversity?
People with dyslexia and other forms of neurodiversity have sound and language processing problems. They will struggle to connect letters to sounds and, mainly difficulties identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words; as well, those with visual processing difficulties struggle to understand visual information such as letters, shapes, or objects and problems processing the graphic symbols (mainly, problems with convergence). Other difficulties related to the absorption and processing of sounds [sounds especially can be omitted from words by the student], students with dyslexia most commonly omit letter sounds, words, phrases in the middle position, then the end, and least commonly the beginning. When they omit, they might do sound confusions such as repetition(s), substitution(s), addition(s) or delete altogether, on the other hand; transversal(s) and reversal(s) are more common in students with a visual processing difficulties. P.S. I suggest -have them remember: if it doesn’t look or sound right reread or rewrite till your “brain feels better” [trust your brain-you are smart, you can do it, and you are love]. Ask me how I can help you by tutoring, coaching, consulting and/or training!
What is neurodivergency?
I consult to help others discover their own/someone else’s learning uniquenesses, interest, and how to use their gifts and strengths. Those with a neurodifference usually have a neurodivergency; meaning, they often have intuitive and insightful, well-developed social awareness and emotions while possessing a lexicon of words to help with the synonymous “why’s of dyslexia”. They also have deep and holistic, list-form type thinking including: problem-solving and building/constructing abilities, competitive drive, computer skills, and gaming strategies. They seek their own endeavors of creative, imaginative, visual, artistic, and visionary skills while taking on inventing and innovating pursuits. I can also tell you that they may excel at thinking of “outside the box” solutions, seeing a problem from many sides, and patterns/spatial relationships along with the ability to think in 3 dimensions-using our strong evaluation skills and imagination (capable of observing patterns of: color, shape, size, dimension, rhythm, meter, tone, and chant). They have an innate ability for caring for people, animals, and nature [Note: sometimes due to circumstances they go against their own nature in this respect]. Lastly, I prepare students with unique learning and neurodifferences to connect to the world with enrichment classes through my program MY ELBERT.
What is neruopedagogy?
My current practice is a holistic, alternative approach to being and aims to learn how to stimulate new zones of the brain, and increase self-directed neuroplasticity, and create connections (neuropathways) for learning to be successful. Furthermore, it is targeted at naturally stimulating the brains of all types of learners, not only those with students who have learning differences. You need to know that my neuropedagogy is based on the following: my own inductive reasoning, logic of evaluation, outside-of-the box type problem-solving skills, detective sense contributed to my own gift of neurodivergency, gift of knowledge and wisdom (discernment), countless hours of student observations (Montessori), (w)holism, neuroscientific, neuropsychology, educational research (Orton-Gillingham and “Science of Reading”), and spiritual/religious studies (Nouthetic Counseling) along with my perpetual care for the “whole person”. We can identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem, and connection (unity) with God; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health and “wellness”.
κοπιάω (Strong’s #2872 — Verb — kopiao — kop-ee-ah’-o ) (a) “to grow tired with toil,” Matthew 11:28; John 4:6; revelation 2:3 , also means (b) “to bestow labor, work with toil,” Romans 16:6; Galatians 4:11; in John 4:38 , AV, “bestowed (no) labor,” RV, “have (not) labored,” and, in the same verse, AV and RV, “labored.” See LABOR , TOIL , WEARY.
What is discernment meekness? (Divine Love)
*ARAS– (Woe To Meekness) understand and fear of the Lord [“…with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, living as becomes you] with complete lowliness [in heart]: of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. Ephesians 4:2 AMPC Note: Meeknessis an attribute of human nature and behavior that has been defined as an amalgam of righteousness, inner humility, and patience. Meekness is essentially an attitude or quality of heart whereby a person is willing to accept and submit without resistance to the will and desire of someone else. [Retrieved from https://www.regent.edu/journal/inner-resources-for-leaders/spiritual-meekness-a-virtue-for-christian-leaders/]. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.] Matthew 11:29 AMPC Lowliness of heart and mind are indispensable in our approach to our Heavenly Father and our hope of receiving revelation and sanctification. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). AND [Jesus] said to His disciples, Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come, but woe to him by or through whom they come! Luke 17:1 AMPC Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 AMPC
Bascially: Discernment of Meekness- Gentleness,
rids deceit, acting in resentment
by releasing unto trust believing in the Love with trust, lovingkindeness, complete joy (see Mercy)
What is discernment of justice? (Dinvine Honor)
Definition of discernment. 1 : the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning. 2 : an act of perceiving or discerning something. SEE GRAPH BELOW CALLED GOD’S PERCEPTION.
The maintenance or administration of what is just, especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments The administration of law, especially the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity The quality of being just, impartial or fair, and when to seek forgivness of others
Bascially: Discernment of Justice- Greatness,
rids guilt (despair), acting in disrespect or deceit
by despising releasing unto believing in the Love of peace-loving, complete faithfulness (see Grace)
: .
“Ephphatha, Prayer”: Long Version: Includes ARAS w/ PHB and ASN (Always Surely Need) In Unity With The Trinity HERE
Dr. Charles Stanley states, “It is simply [with meekness] dwelling in God’s s presence without any visual or verbal distractions. He encourages believers to just sit in a dark and quiet room with the Lord.” “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” “We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.” Charles Stanley, preacher of His Word- The Gospels. [Retrieved from https://quotestats.com/topic/charles-stanley-quotes/]. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (power-joy-pons), and with all thy soul (energy-bliss-thymus), and with all thy mind (power-joy-pons) and strength (body-delight-ras-gut). Mathew 22:37-39
What is the best way to support those with Neurodevelopmental disorders or Neurodiversity in later onset?
I find the best support includes understanding the impact that a negative social environment, aka learning with trauma, has on those who have a neurodiversity, or as I prefer to say “neurodifferent”. My program, My Elbert, was developed to help those who feel weak and weary due to being neurodifferent including those working with them. Mainly, I help others to succeed and employ a positive attitude towards learning and learning environment. Instead of allowing shame and anger to overwhelm the learner, I focus on bringing in positive emotions and teaching methods for instance observing when they are needing calm delight. As well, help the learner with their learning difference and change their brain with self-directed neuroplasticity [flexibility and adaptability] and atonement. I support students with mixed: My Elbert enrichment along with literacy intervention, and tutoring online classes. These classes/sessions stem from a hybrid of elements and methods from Montessori- life domains and development with observation, Nouthetic Counseling- theology, evangelism, behavioral sciences , and Orton-Gillingham methods- practice of reading in research. I developed this program due to my own experience and being labeled severely learning disabled. As well as, I would like to share I little about myself, I have a Neurodiversity in Auditory, Visual and Vestibular as well a Neurodivergency which had made me weak and weary over the span of my life. Basically, I struggled with anger/shame due to LD (view My Story Of Dyslexia: HERE and ask about my RESUME!)
According to Mark Briscoe, Jesus experienced anger and grief. His anger was a righteous anger for it had selfless reasons. He experienced grief when Lazarus died but not for Lazarus but for the people who loved Lazarus. He knew he would raise Lazarus. But looking at the people who wept he was grieved. And you find the shortest verse in the Bible. “Jesus wept.” He didnt feel shame or guilt for they imply He would have sinned.
Paul says that God has written a certain knowledge of His laws on every human heart [Rom. 2:14-15], and experience confirms this. But conscience can be misinformed, or conditioned to regard evil as good, or become seared and dull through repeated sin [1 Tim. 4:2]. The judgments of conscience are only to be received as God’s voice when they match God’s own truth and law in Scripture. The conscience must be educated to judge scripturally.
Superstition or scruple may lead a person to count as sinful an action that according to God’s word is not sinful. But for such a “weak” conscience [Rom. 14:1-2; 1 Cor. 8:7, 12;] to go against itself and do what it mistakenly judges to be wrong would be sin [Rom. 14:23]. Those whose conscience is “weak” should never be pressed to do what destroys their good conscience. What is judged as being “good” or “bad, “right” or wrong” and not the attitude of as “trying my best” which is given in grace. Check out where we process “good or bad”: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6940253740784373760/.
I am studying, through MABTS Biblical Counseling Fundamentals Training Certificate, to learn how to best give Godly counsel by helping schools, students, families, teachers/tutors, anyone who feel weak and weary with a Neurodiversity by using literacy (Poetry, Journalling, Bible Study, Calming Techniques) to become closer to God by having Him look upon their heart too! Read more here.
Oh yes!- the answer is self-directed neuroplasticity (mind-our own will and His “taking on a “Christ-like” mind) and atonement (His Sacred Heart and divine nature, attributes which makes up His essence-“The Leb”). I believe people in anger nature tend to stay in fight, flight. They can be taught when it no longer works for them and/or needs to have an understanding of themselves and “the light”. Likewise, those with shame nature tend to stay in freeze and need help, guidance, and understanding of “life”; as well, those in flee which is both anger and shame who need counsel, for it’s the deepest and hardest to regulate and connect need both “light and life
LEARN MORE ABOUT My ELBERT INTEREST SURVEY HERE
Yes, I do believe the disconnect is for families, students, schools, everyone involved actually is in Spiritual Development. The exact disconnect happens in these domains such as: (intellectual) what is right, (moral) what is good, and (imaginative) what is best which His Divine Purpose & Plan for us
Tricia Cook, M.Ed., AOG, AMS Montessorian, Emotional Intensity Advocate & Reading Specialist
Learn More HERE