Poetry as a method of cognition and a therapeutic tool.

Location: Chiang Mai, The Dawn rehab

One effective way to identify if someone might be struggling with mental health issues or a general feeling of unwellness is to ask three simple questions: "When was the last time you really laughed from your heart?" "When did you last sing?" "When did you last dance?"

These activities are fundamental to our humanity, connecting us with each other and enhancing our enjoyment of life from multiple perspectives.

On a biological level, laughter, singing, and dancing trigger the production of beneficialhormones. Sociologically, these activities fulfill our need for social connection. They remind us that we are part of a community that significantly influences our well-being.

At The Dawn rehabilitation community, artistic forms and expressions of creativity are crucial for enhancing overall well-being and aiding recovery. For members of the community who struggle with traditional forms of verbal therapy or are treatment-resistant, alternative modes of communication are essential. These methods not only help them feel part of the community but also foster free creative expression, allowing individuals to explore their creative potential. We seek to identify the creative spark in each of our members. We host regular gatherings to sing songs together at Karaoke sessions, organize monthly gala dinners, and sing together with therapists and clients alike. On a more personal level, in one-on-one therapy sessions, therapists explore the therapeutic potential of poetry, incorporating it alongside traditional life story narratives.

Poetry is also a profound form of verbal creativity that resonates deeply with the human soul. It draws on the sublime and beautiful within us, merging the prophetic (mysticism) with ecstasy (catharsis), and offering a holistic worldview far beyond mere rhymes and comparisons. Why shouldn't poetry be considered part of wise mind therapy?

The Russian philosopher A. Saez, who is the author of the book “Memoirs of a Psychoanalyst (Homo-Cynicus)”(see footnote) describes a therapeutic method he calls “treatment by worldview” (or, in German, Weltanschauung Therapie), which explores the role of poetry in human life and mental health.

He writes in his blog:

"Is it possible to influence fate with the help of poetry? The question is long overdue. What true (non-pathological) needs does the soul of each of us possess, what abilities do we have to achieve them, and what can be done now, before humanity has slid into the abyss of indifference, selfishness, economic and social inequality, wars and other calamities?"

Studied through poetics, poetry explores the impact of artistic creativity on people's lives and destinies. This discipline encompasses cognitive methods that go beyond metaphors,hyperboles, paradoxes, grotesques, tragedies, and epics. It delves into the rational and irrational, consciousness and the unconscious, the natural and the divine, and the dimensions of space and time.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a renowned Dutch psychiatrist and the author of "The Body Keeps the Score" emphasizes the importance of synchronizing with others. He states that the human brain seeks harmony with others, and activities like moving or singing together help traumatized brains sync up with others.

He explains:

“Being in tune with other members of our species via the VVC (Vaso-Vagal Complex) is enormously rewarding. What begins as the attuned play of mother and child continues with the rhythmicity of a good basketball game, the synchrony of tango dancing, and the harmony of choral singing… all of which foster a deep sense of pleasure and connection.”

He also notes:

“All rely on interpersonal rhythms, visceral awareness, and vocal and facial communication,which help shift people out of fight/flight states, reorganize their perception of danger, and increase their capacity to manage relationships.”

And where do these dangerous states come from in a person? Neurobiologists refer to the structure of the brain to explain their origins. The source of primitive, unconscious adaptive mechanisms is the ancient and old cortex of the hemispheres, responsible for satisfying hunger,sexual drive, and protecting offspring. The new cortex (neocortex) is responsible for more complex reactions and ways of interacting with the social environment. This includes cognitive activity, speech, attention, memory, sensations, and assumptions from which a stable picture of the world is built. And it is on this basis that the regulation of behavior and other types of activities takes place.

Such regulation occurs with the help of the orbitofrontal cortex, which is responsible for making decisions based on the analysis of possible punishments or rewards. But there are situations when neither the old nor the new cortex can offer a way out of a difficult situation. During trials on volunteers, some continue to perform familiar actions despite punishments or do not respond to rewards.

But in all cases, the resolution of a difficult situation is facilitated by empathy (affection, care,mutual understanding, closer contact). And this is a universally recognized, scientifically proven, and practically confirmed fact.

At The Dawn, we incorporate compassionate, empathy filled activities such as singing, moving,and playing music together into our recovery plans. Recently, a client with a long history of substance misuse, benefited from a unique, custom-made recovery program that included creating and recording a song. One client, after completing his program with The Dawn’s renowned therapist (who choses to remain anonymous), now finds authentic joy in his music and singing. This new creative outlet nourishes his soul alongside standard NA meetings. He shares his singing videos with family members, bringing smiles to their faces and spreading joy, love, and creativity, which bring order to his new, healthy life.

Incorporating these elements into therapeutic practices not only enriches the recovery experience but also nurtures a deeper sense of connection and fulfillment. What kind of transcendence, escape from the ordinary, insight, catharsis, and rethinking of life, meanings,and purposes can be achieved through such creative expression? What new plans and life projects might be inspired and brought to fruition? These are the questions we seek to answer as we integrate creativity into the healing journey, offering a path to profound personal growth and transformation.

Here is Peter Dergee's comments on the experience of receiving the client at his studio:

Preparing for his recording session, then coming to the studio, his understandable apprehension upon arrival and sitting before the microphone and preparing to record. And yet, by the end he was feeling triumphant and he created a very satisfying result that fed his confidence fully.

To my mind, this was a form of therapy that, in some ways, he was not even aware of, which may be the best therapy of all. Our goal is clear: to provide an opportunity to experience a personal connection and success through hands-on involvement with music and specifically, the creation and recording of a song. I know, from personal experience, that this can create a very healthy sense of well-being. It happens for me almost daily.

Footnote:

///Alexander Saez "Memoirs of a Psychoanalyst (Homo-Cynicus)", Moscow, 2020, EKSMO, 2020, pp 640, is an action-packed novel that delves into the intricacies of the human psyche through a series of psychoanalytic sessions and discussions of their results by a seasoned psychoanalyst and a disillusioned patient, exploring themes of existential angst, self-discovery,and the complexities of human emotions.