title: The Wairua of Self: A Path of Love, Simplicity, and Connectedness

authors: Frishman, Lezlie

subjects: love

abstract: Love is an action of freedom until something else steps in – often fear – that insists we create a box of survival. Whether self-imposed, forced, or chosen, it is interesting to notice how we limit ourselves with love. This thesis examines love; love in its purest intent and creation as the simplest way to live. An analysis of personal experiences, illuminated by psychological, mythological, philosophical, and spiritual literature, suggests that living from a place of love can be accomplished through a dedicated journeying back to the Self. The Māori myth of Tāne-Mahuta and Hine-Tītama shows the significance of releasing shame, as well as how a tragic situation might offer a catalytic possibility that shifts a core belief about one’s self. The complications of love that are self-created through loss and grief can easily mask the barely underlying truth of love in its nakedness. Reconnecting with this underlying truth, aroha in its purest sense, is essential for healing and allows for increased connection with the Divine. Doing so is often a difficult task, as hypocrisies fueled by fear and perpetuated by blame are bountiful. When love is used as an instrument and convenience in order to defend a closely held idea, person, or way of life, one often moves further from their true Self, thus surrendering their deepest power and knowing of love. The silent assault of expectations, power, will, and control can turn love into a complication. The complications of being utterly human only serve to further obscure love. Within families, how one initially learns love is often complicated by interrupted attachment, causing rebellion and the need to look for love elsewhere. The components of Tikkun Olam, aroha, mikveh, and wairua of spirit, are intertwined and interconnected, such that the delineation between cultures and spiritual beliefs cannot be divided as oppositional forces. The denominator lives in the magnitude of love for all that has been created; beginning with the Self. In setting the foundation of self-love and allowing it to settle into the fractures and rifts of porousness, love may then be extended without attachment. When freely proffered without agenda, love will seep into every curve of the universe; thus, changing the world. Through the practice of mindfulness and loving-kindness, perception can change. It is this change in perception which can return love to its origin of simplicity. This thesis is a story of love.

text: The Wairua of Self: A Path of Love, Simplicity, and Connectedness Love is an action of freedom until something else steps in – often fear – that insists we create a box of survival. Whether self-imposed, forced, or chosen, it is interesting to notice how we limit ourselves with love. This thesis examines love; love in its purest intent and creation as the simplest way to live. An analysis of personal experiences, illuminated by psychological, mythological, philosophical, and spiritual literature, suggests that living from a place of love can be accomplished through a dedicated journeying back to the Self. The Māori myth of Tāne-Mahuta and Hine-Tītama shows the significance of releasing shame, as well as how a tragic situation might offer a catalytic possibility that shifts a core belief about one’s self. The complications of love that are self-created through loss and grief can easily mask the barely underlying truth of love in its nakedness. Reconnecting with this underlying truth, aroha in its purest sense, is essential for healing and allows for increased connection with the Divine. Doing so is often a difficult task, as hypocrisies fueled by fear and perpetuated by blame are bountiful. When love is used as an instrument and convenience in order to defend a closely held idea, person, or way of life, one often moves further from their true Self, thus surrendering their deepest power and knowing of love. The silent assault of expectations, power, will, and control can turn love into a complication. The complications of being utterly human only serve to further obscure love. Within families, how one initially learns love is often complicated by interrupted attachment, causing rebellion and the need to look for love elsewhere. The components of Tikkun Olam, aroha, mikveh, and wairua of spirit, are intertwined and interconnected, such that the delineation between cultures and spiritual beliefs cannot be divided as oppositional forces. The denominator lives in the magnitude of love for all that has been created; beginning with the Self. In setting the foundation of self-love and allowing it to settle into the fractures and rifts of porousness, love may then be extended without attachment. When freely proffered without agenda, love will seep into every curve of the universe; thus, changing the world. Through the practice of mindfulness and loving-kindness, perception can change. It is this change in perception which can return love to its origin of simplicity. This thesis is a story of love.

year: 2011

title: Exploring Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā: A mixed methods study looking at Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā within the Waikato region

authors: Teinakore, Samantha

subjects: Te Whare Tapa Whā

abstract: Background: Te Whare Tapa Whā is a well-recognised Māori model of health and wellbeing which is embraced within the health system in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Although it can be applied in different specialties, the impacts generated from this model were first noticed in mental health, as this model was created by Mason Durie who is a psychiatrist. Research has shown this model provided an opportunity for Māori to have a voice in their health.
Objective: This study aims were to explore mental health nurses’ perceptions of the Māori Health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā, and how their beliefs and values may impact them implementing this model into their care.
Methods: A mixed methods approach was utilised for this study. Phase one was about gathering quantitative data, collecting statistical data through surveys. The first phase helped with the formulate interview schedule, which was the beginning of the next phase. Phase two was semi structured interviews which helped with the gathering of qualitative data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Participants: Mental health nurses within the Waikato region were the participants for this research study. A survey was distributed to mental health nurses in the Waikato area and 53 responded. After the survey, semi structured one on one interviews were conducted with the researcher. Total of 8 interviews; (n = 6) Māori mental health nurses and (n = 2) Non-Māori mental health nurses.
Results: The survey showed that more than half the nurses had a positive perspective on Te Whare Tapa Whā and felt it was good for nursing care. They were able to identify barriers to implementation. There were mixed responses on feeling supported to use Te Whare Tapa Whā in the workplace. Four over-arching themes were identified from the interviews . These were; Māori, clinical practice, organisation level and individual factors.
Conclusion: Overall, all mental health nurses had a positive perception of Te Whare Tapa Whā and the impacts it can have on nursing care. Most identified barriers which can impact whether they can actually use it in practice. Māori and non-Māori nurses had different depths of knowledge, cultural worldviews and clinical practice experiences, creating complexities with implementation. These beliefs, perceptions and experiences were highlighted in this study.

text: Exploring Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā: A mixed methods study looking at Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā within the Waikato region Background: Te Whare Tapa Whā is a well-recognised Māori model of health and wellbeing which is embraced within the health system in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Although it can be applied in different specialties, the impacts generated from this model were first noticed in mental health, as this model was created by Mason Durie who is a psychiatrist. Research has shown this model provided an opportunity for Māori to have a voice in their health.
Objective: This study aims were to explore mental health nurses’ perceptions of the Māori Health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā, and how their beliefs and values may impact them implementing this model into their care.
Methods: A mixed methods approach was utilised for this study. Phase one was about gathering quantitative data, collecting statistical data through surveys. The first phase helped with the formulate interview schedule, which was the beginning of the next phase. Phase two was semi structured interviews which helped with the gathering of qualitative data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Participants: Mental health nurses within the Waikato region were the participants for this research study. A survey was distributed to mental health nurses in the Waikato area and 53 responded. After the survey, semi structured one on one interviews were conducted with the researcher. Total of 8 interviews; (n = 6) Māori mental health nurses and (n = 2) Non-Māori mental health nurses.
Results: The survey showed that more than half the nurses had a positive perspective on Te Whare Tapa Whā and felt it was good for nursing care. They were able to identify barriers to implementation. There were mixed responses on feeling supported to use Te Whare Tapa Whā in the workplace. Four over-arching themes were identified from the interviews . These were; Māori, clinical practice, organisation level and individual factors.
Conclusion: Overall, all mental health nurses had a positive perception of Te Whare Tapa Whā and the impacts it can have on nursing care. Most identified barriers which can impact whether they can actually use it in practice. Māori and non-Māori nurses had different depths of knowledge, cultural worldviews and clinical practice experiences, creating complexities with implementation. These beliefs, perceptions and experiences were highlighted in this study.

year: 2023

title: Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fishes from Taihu Lake, China

authors: Chi, Qiao-Qiao

subjects: fish

abstract: The Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb contents were determined in Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, Carassius auratus Linnaeus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Aristichthys nobilis, which were caught from Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, a large, shallow and eutrophic lake of China. The results showed that: (1) the Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd contents in the edible parts of the four fish species were much lower than Chinese Food Health Criterion (1994), but the Zn contents were higher than the Criterion; (2) Cd contents were the highest in the liver of fish, Pb contents were almost the same in all organs of fish, Cr contents mainly enriched in the skin and gonads, Zn contents were the highest in the gonad (♀), and Cu contents were the highest in the liver; (3) the total metal accumulation was the greatest in the liver and the lowest in the muscle. The total metal accumulation was the highest in C. auratus L. This investigation indicated that fish products in Taihu Lake were still safe for human consumption, but the amount consumed should be controlled under the Chinese Food Health Criterion to avoid excessive intake of Zn.

text: Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fishes from Taihu Lake, China The Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb contents were determined in Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, Carassius auratus Linnaeus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Aristichthys nobilis, which were caught from Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, a large, shallow and eutrophic lake of China. The results showed that: (1) the Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd contents in the edible parts of the four fish species were much lower than Chinese Food Health Criterion (1994), but the Zn contents were higher than the Criterion; (2) Cd contents were the highest in the liver of fish, Pb contents were almost the same in all organs of fish, Cr contents mainly enriched in the skin and gonads, Zn contents were the highest in the gonad (♀), and Cu contents were the highest in the liver; (3) the total metal accumulation was the greatest in the liver and the lowest in the muscle. The total metal accumulation was the highest in C. auratus L. This investigation indicated that fish products in Taihu Lake were still safe for human consumption, but the amount consumed should be controlled under the Chinese Food Health Criterion to avoid excessive intake of Zn.

year: 2007