Monday, May 20, 2012
Interview by Lon Woodbury
Randy Russell was the guest on L.A. Talk Radio by Lon Woodbury. He was asked to talk about the subject, “Who Am I? Our Trip of Self-Discovery.” This is an essential question in the lives of everyone, young and old alike, and answering it satisfactorily can make the difference between a purposeful and an unintentional life.
About Randy Russell
Since 1974, Russell has been helping young people to find their talents. Both he and his family began a mentoring program for university student at that time. His preferred therapeutic method when working with families is to use Native American traditions associated with the training and initiation into the adult years by wise mothers and fathers, mentors and “Elders”. At his therapeutic boarding school, Inner Pathworks, he assists a teenager who requires a way to discover himself or herself. He also helps adolescents who are puzzled about their university major or life course, or who are aggravated, baffled, or depressed about their future.
Exploring The Existential Topic: “Who Am I? Our Journey of Self-Discovery”
Woodbury began the interview by asking his guest whether he considered the “Who am I” question a spiritual or humanistic topic. Russell responded by saying that it depended on two factors: personal background and perspective on life. He discussed various brain theories and how they influenced the question. He talked about theories like the four quadrants theory, the left and right brain theory, heartmath’s heart intelligence theory, and Eastern mindfulness. He also discussed the difference between male and female thinking and between Eastern and Western thinking. Russell believed that addressing that existential question relied on what aspects of the brain were most energetic or dominant.
Miscommunication between parents and children could arise because a parent and child may be interpreting their identity and world based on how they used their brain.
Russell pointed out that the question “who am I” may arise at three critical times in an individual’s life. The first time is during the pre-teen years. The second time is during the teen years when trying to decide what to do with their lives. Finally, the third time is when they become parents themselves and have children of their own. If the question is not addressed successfully, a young adult will not know what to do with their time. However, if it is answered, then it will bring about the satisfaction of a purposeful life. Unfortunately, in Western culture there is an absence of initiation rites and almost nothing to assist a young person answer this concern. Consequently, Russell’s work, primarily focuses on using wilderness treatment and Native American customs, to help young people find a sense of life-orientation.
Final Thoughts on “Who Am I? Our Voyage of Self-Discovery”
Russell said that Joseph Campbell’s work “the hero’s journey” described the essential steps of personal change. He shared stories about his own upbringing in the Native American tradition and how it influenced his decision to develop a mentoring program for young people. Today, Russell conducts workshops and programs where young people evaluate their gifts, talents, and preferences and gain self-awareness about their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Find out more about Struggling Teens. Lon Woodbury has recorded the entire interview on his weekly Lon Woodbury show for people to listen to at any time.
