When it comes to understanding the psyche it’s often helpful to use many different models. These are posts that deal with the distressed psyche from a shamanic interpretation or similar.
The biggest problem in our society now for those who get diagnosed with any sort of “psychosis,” is that they are most often met by professionals that do not even believe that healing can occur, let alone deep transformative growth. Deep transformative growth, could be the norm, if those claiming to be healers actually knew what was involved in the individuation journey. Meeting the dark underbelly of the psyche as those of us who have been labeled psychotic at one time or another is a calling and an act of heroism. One that is rarely encouraged in society. I might add that it’s to the detriment of all society that we are shut down with drugs and often harmed rather than supported in a way that allows for the profound healing. Many of us are healers trying to be born, just like Malidoma Somé says here: What a Shaman Sees in A Mental Hospital
There are many ways to find healing.
the collection:
● Psychosis or Spiritual Awakening: Phil Borges at TED
● The sacred science: shamanism, plant medicine and spiritual ceremonies
● Multiple Worlds Anusuya StarBear: Madness Radio
● What a Shaman Sees in A Mental Hospital
● Introduction to the Shamanic Journey
● Shaking Medicine with Bradford Keeney
● Psychiatric drug withdrawal, kundalini and shamanic initiatory illness
● Crash course in urban shamanism
● The descent experience: metaphor for serious illness
● Psychosis, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Story as a Vehicle of Healing
● Soul in Crisis: why cultural healing must replace the “mental illness” fiction
● When we feel depressed, anxious, or distressed, are we mentally ill? Or are we spiritually confused?
● Compassion and the true meaning of empathy
● Why are the strengths and abilities of those who are sensitive called “mental illness?”
● Schizophrenic or shamanic experience?
● Spiritual aspects of psychosis and recovery
● We are all shamans in training
● An Intimate Walk through the Labyrinth of Madness and Mysticism
*it is potentially dangerous to come off medications without careful planning. Please be sure to be well educated before undertaking any sort of discontinuation of medications. If your MD agrees to help you do so, do not assume they know how to do it well even if they claim to have experience. They are generally not trained in discontinuation and may not know how to recognize withdrawal issues. A lot of withdrawal issues are misdiagnosed to be psychiatric problems. This is why it’s good to educate oneself and find a doctor who is willing to learn with you as your partner in care. Really all doctors should always be willing to do this as we are all individuals and need to be treated as such. See: Psychiatric drug withdrawal and protracted withdrawal syndrome round-up
For a multitude of ideas about how to create a life filled with safe alternatives to psychiatric drugs visit the drop-down menus at the top of this page.
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