"Our darkness is contributive in the same way that manure is essential to the rose." … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Accepting the Darkness of Self and Others
Why kindness is good for you
“Be kind. Remember, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” … [click on title for the rest of the post]
How to approach your acupuncturist
First of all, let me say that I ALWAYS agree that you need to trust YOUR reaction. My well-meaning acupuncturist, who is a god send for my family, is great with acute care but over many many months of working with him on my skin issues, which were worsening, I stumbled onto the issue of histamine intolerance and realized that the herbs were probably worsening the condition. For example two products in my remedy were cinnamon and licorice which for the general public would be really fine. But for me they are triggers - low level, so hard to identify, but triggers nonetheless. So... you have to be sure to follow what YOU feel, regardless. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Freaking out therapists: on being subject to the clinical gaze
Nothing like freaking out an otherwise really nice therapist/spiritual teacher with my story. Oh my...it's a rather sobering fact that even relatively enlightened folk want to RUN RUN RUN from the likes of me quite often...it's like they imagine I'm far worse off than I am...a vortex of horror...their fear is HUGE and some sort of judgment comes up...it's mostly sobering because I don't need them anymore these days but I know far too many folks without the sorts of emotional and intellectual resources I have been able to develop who need people to help them and what is available most often are people who are terrified of some of the terrain we've encountered. And while I don't need them at this juncture, I could have benefited deeply from guidance as a young woman. It still hurts to see how my life story...my experience freaks people out. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
We spend the 1st year teaching kids to walk & talk & the rest of their lives telling them to shut up & sit down
Neil deGrasse Tyson: Want Scientifically Literate Children? Get out of their way And I'd add: avoid drugging them if at all possible...which really amounts to the same suggestion Neil deGrasse Tyson is making. It's kind of like Pink Floyd: TEACHERS! Leave them kids alone... - http://youtu.be/AIEJjpVlZu0 - We spend the first year teaching children to... Continue Reading →
Breakdown to breakthrough says, Dr. Dan Fisher (psychiatrist who overcame a schizophrenia diagnosis)
Dan Fisher says, those of us who've experienced psychosis and other extreme states are the ones who need to be running the mental health system. Amen, that is the truth and what is now happening in the name of care and treatment is a travesty. We've got a mental illness system, not a mental health system. Why not speak to those who have truly and deeply become healthy. Yes, like Dan Fisher. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Environmental toxins and poor health: pharmaceuticals are part of the toxic stew we live in
I consider my illness and that of many with protracted psychiatric drug withdrawal syndromes to be, in large part, one of environmental toxicity...drugs and all the crap in the air and processed foods we eat...etc...leading to chronic illness, yes. Pharmaceuticals put me seriously over the edge...but this can happen to people who've not taken massive doses of prescribed neurotoxins too. I have come to know a lot about those with chronic illness through my networking online. Pharmaceuticals often make people's issues much more complicated. This is why I write so much about food and the environment. This is how we are deeply holistic and part of the ecosystem and all that which is around us. Like I like to say, everything matters. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Breathing meditation for a stressed out nervous system
This is a nice sort of beginning relaxation meditation. A note for anyone who might be in the midst of withdrawal syndrome. Don't worry if you can't do this. When I was at the height of the illness I couldn't listen to ANYTHING. A meditation, at that time, was successful when I stayed with the internal chaos for 30 seconds...that grew to a minute, two minutes and slowly over time my practice developed. There are still times when distraction is preferred over meditation. Trust your body. Do only what you can handle. Please be patient with yourself. Babysteps. Tiny little baby steps are good. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
How to move your body if you have a sedentary job or whenever you’re stuck sitting a lot
You can't have a healthy mind if you don't have a healthy body! And it's easy to do a bit of movement throughout the day. It's just a habit that needs to be developed. …. [click on title for the rest of the post]
Benzodiazepine withdrawal — “it really is that bad”
"Unless you've been through it, it's impossible to know how bad it is." What Matt Samet talks about in this video is sadly the truth. Those of us who get protracted withdrawal issues come to know an alienation and isolation that no one should know is even possible. If you are someone who has found themselves in that place I've written quite a lot about it: The isolation and sense of abandonment many people deal with when sick with protracted withdrawal illness. While it's a very painful and lonely process one can work with this in many ways and people do come out the other side of it.
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