I'll say a counter to your magical Thinking is bad. What do you think is the placebo effect ? Mind over matter changing our states because ? Many more but yeah you sounding as closed off as you blaming other people that diagnosed bipolar wrong Id say mainly from ingrained bias from academia echo chambers etc Look for yourself on it things might get weird and trust your insticts
Modern diagnosing psychiatry is a billion dollar industry. Just imagine what would happen if bipolar states are recognized correctly as an interim or next step in mental development. The industry would vanish. That's why they are afraid of change. It took clinical psychology 50 years to accept the concept of intention within conscious thought, and it will probably take some time for the consensus on bipolar states to shift towards the obvious positive outlook. Also, awesome Kundalini spiral at 6:02 haha.
What about happiness? I think evolution in oneself is important, but the idea of having a spiritual awakening every time or pychosis is not a pleasant idea. I have no desire to be normal. I am not normal. I think each individual is different. I think the idea of going through one pyschotic episode after another ... Wow, what if they never stopped. You are telling me this is great...... hmmmmm. To say a person just hasn't cleared out all their "trash" may be true. But for you to imply a person should should just "enjoy" their episodes; and keep going through them until they stop. hmmmm. Just like a diet... a person is not going to be thin overnight. It is a lifetime change with struggles along the way.
Wow. Thanks for watching Laurie! You're a critic, but a thoughtful one. I can't remember what I said in this video exactly, but I am steering away from the 'working people through psychosis' model now. Not that I don't think it's effective. In a protective setting, it is. But people are simply not ready for that idea. I have a healing program on my website. I'll be working with people in Europe in the fall, exploring the potential of that approach. Most of them are medicated and will remain that way. If the work is effective, I'll think I'll have something pretty special...But, I need to test it out first....
Couldn't agree more Laurie. I've been watching these, and I can see how it can explain psychosis from a spiritual perspective, but he does not mention happiness hardly at all, which should be the goal. Too much personal experiences and opinions and not enough advice on how to achieve happiness...
Happiness is a state of being that can improve while and after one has experienced acute psychosis. Depending on the psychosis itself, it is not an unpleasant idea either, if one understands the positive outcomes that can be achieved. One episode is enough for some to completely alter thier world view. From agnostic to spiritual and quiting all addictions like tobacco. It can truely transform a person to a new level of conciousness and from it change everything. However, if a person doesn't grow from the experience and make the changes the spiritual side requests during the awakening, they may suffer from continued cognitive disonance. If after coming down from the experience they continue to follow the ego's selfish desires, they may regress to a lower level of consciousness. That said the episodes may continue because the person has failed to learn and grow from the first.
Tim Flagler Since I have had many physcotic episodes, yes I have improved. However when I experience anxiety, I go to my calm self. I am stiill growing. However, I remember how I feel without medicine, I feel it is a tool. I have to work I have a family. While I continue real life....well I shall continue meds.
I'm glad to hear you are doing better. With regards to Bipolar there seems to be a wide range of potential outcomes possible. As such I think it's better to model our treatment of the "disorder" from the view of a continuem as the video here shows. Rather than putting everyone into the same bipolar boxed view whereby all in it should be medicated for life. Another view is that some if not many may in fact need no medication at all. As you said it's a tool, and tools are used when needed. Hopefully not just given for life because...it's the easiest option rather than dealing with the core issues that may have caused the psychosis.
In time, given that i dont slip up, im am sure i will be a better version of myself then i ever was, before i first became sick 5 years ago. Everybody just really seems happy to see me reawakening from my depressive slumber. And new people i meet seem to enjoy me and to them, i dont seem insane at all. If the doctors had it their way, i'd still be medicated and jobless.
I think, this time 2 years ago, i would have been deep in psychosis, on the verge of "realizing" i was christ, covered in my own filth and totally deranged. This time a year ago, i was broke, still filthy, friendless and hopelessly depressed to the point where i wasnt sure i was gonna make it out alive. Today, im working, clean, there are new girls in my life that seem to be showing interest, more friends, my music has transformed and now i have a 11 month old nephew that makes me so happy.
I've just been diagnosed with bipolar by my doctor. last weekend I went through an anxiety mania state. also a month ago in October I had rock bottom from depression that I had struggled with for 12 years. thank you for confirming my own thoughts on what is happening to me.
btw, for others reading this comment, I am referring to a guy who opens fake YT accounts just to leave comments on my video and give me lots of 'thumbs down'.
Well, he did say that he had "*real* bi-polar disorder" in his now deleted comments. I guess some people are infuriated by Sean's message, which, while laying hope, also reinstate responsibility to the suffering individual. Some people take it as blaming them for their affliction which couldn't be more far removed from the spirit of his vids.
Let me know when you get to the game plan of riding the wave of a spiritual awakening...the how not to drown technique..lol. You are going to get wet that is for sure but no reason to break on the rocks...maybe just try again. I suppose I should write something up, eh? Those rocks hurt!!!!
I think that doctors aren't trying to make people *normal* whatever that is, they are trying to get people functional, so that they can hold down a job, or to be able to have functional enriching relationships, without sinking into deep depressions or psychosis/mania, every year, or every few months, depending on the individuals personal cycles. :)
Thank you for giving us that clear explanation of the different consciousnesses and how they operate. Makes dealing with what I interpret as a "difficult person" much easier than just dismissing them as "evil". Before the awakening, I was a very curious child, and often wondered why people had certain thoughts and beliefs, or why they would intentionally go out and engage in reckless or offensive behavior without a second thought. This curiosity turned into an anxiety, because I interpreted this lack of constraint from other people as a possible danger to be constantly alert for, which turned me into sort of a mild control freak for social interactions. Fast forward many years down the road and after two armed robberies, I was gripped in a fear state, and the psychosis began. Tried medicating with marijuana, and for a while it worked, but I eventually leaned on it as a crutch, sinking me deeper into an ocean of hopelessness. Would I ever beat this and get back to "me"? These videos have been helping to clarify the phenomena i've been experiencing, as well as swim back to the surface. Thanks Andy.
I don't agree that modern societies are necessarily more advanced...the collective ego has grown through colonization, monopolization, and technological empire and we need to return to indigenous sources of knowledge for grounding. But I do agree that "normal" is imposed on us to suppress our spiritual growth and sovereignty, so it's important not to follow the rules.
if the point of life is to keep growing. then what happens when you reach power of now. you said there was one more level. but that that level is very very spiritual. what then? :|
Really good video! MY cause of being mentally ill, aside from being bullied and beaten by others in the past, and nobody helped EVER is that I detest routine (sleep - work - fun - for some, exercise). For me, the main reason for illness is despite treating people the way I would have been loved to be treated they still hurt me a lot physically and emotionally. I myself shut down myself from others, except close family and internet friends. I help my family to let out guesthouses for tourists for money, and this way, do not have to work too much, and doing much routine. Except when they go away, I have to clean after them and OC, speaking and helping with their problems while they are here. Sadly, any creative things (learning to dub, character impersonations, voicing, learning different singing techniques etc.) became routine, and you gotta find something new. Well, there is no escape from routine and lots of people are finding me too hard as a case, and send me away, incl. psychologists, because they do not take the threat of suicidal behaviour (which I can now control mostly) and erratic behaviour (hating routine and NOW escaping from any social situations nowadays).
Thanks for this video Sean. Reading your book already made me feel normal again. The book brought me back to the period in my life without diagnose. And your book gave me the perspective that my *disorder* could be healed. And it is happening since I read your book and saw your video's. Now I am aiming for *moving beyond normal*, inspired by your new video. And I have 2 channels; so an extra thumb up to make the balance more fair. Grtz Fred (The Netherlands EU).
Sean, sparks of synchronicity are firing everywhere in my life these past few years. Just the resources you alone have provided on YT and your book, opened a myriad of doors of fascinating subjects. Found about transpersonal work from you, Stanislav Grof, David Lukoff and more. I can't stop thinking about such things. And when I don't, it finds me. Like how I googled for 'Neurons to Nirvana' a few days ago, and see Stanislav is doing a workshop here in Seattle, I attended the lecture only.
Mania is the feeling of perfectly okay, stimulated which is what I wished I had. But no, there are some strains of bipolar disorder that causes catatonia and I was close to dying from lack of food and sleep. there are strains of bipolar disorder which doesn't really require medication if the person can function, but you should be aware that some mental illnesses need medication if the person is literally disabled.
aw thanks. I have found a support group but it's for other issues besides mental health. I have been able to cope with my bipolar disorder after many years, so finding a therapist for my mental health is something I do need to attend to, but not at the moment. I understand what it's like and I'm sure within time you will get better.
Very useful and well-presented. As a yoga therapist I work with a number of people who have been "diagnosed" as depressed whereas I consider them to be having a normal response to a highly sick society or challenging personal circumstance. For me it is a sign of a spiritual crisis or awakening, which needs support at that level, and ideally without the complication of drugs.
I see your point, and i think most doctors are well intentioned. But as an exagerated example. What if becoming 'fuctional' means functioning as a good little Nazi....a functioning person in a dysfunctional society. Now, I don't think our society is THAT insane, but I do think we have a lot to learn. Especially for someone like you Ouroboro, I´d LOVE to see you vibrating on a much higher level than just 'functioning'. The world needs you humming along at light speed!
There are certainly a lot of problems in our societies. It's interesting also to note that more people in big cities have mental health issues than in the country. Spending time in nature is very important! As for humming along at light speed.... haha! :)
It was an awesome time there, and spoke a bit with him, and hope to meet him again. And dude, the Northwest is thriving with transpersonal, holotropic work and much more. I hope you consider visiting and do some work, I'd like to meet. Also, after the lecture I walked out into the night to be greeted by a Penumbra Eclipse Moon over the Spaceneedle. I feel I've always been surfing on the penumbra side of life, now a bit of clarity is coming along for the ride. Thanks Sean!
There are certainly a lot of problems in our societies. It's interesting also to note that more people in big cities have mental health issues than in the country. Spending time in nature is very important! As for humming along at light speed.... haha! :)
Nice analogy. I think the balance can come by using spiritual practices to take us deeper into the 'healing space', but some meds so we don't drown! I think there is some potential in using light meds like that. Just enough to take the edge off...soften the rocks a little.
You need to hear this: I introduced this to a good friend who leans more towards modern 'healing models' and she asked only 7 minutes into seeing this one clip, "Is this only for those diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder?"... "b/c anyone can benefit from this." Again, you need to know that everyone- skeptics alike- are hearing you and we are here to help make difference. I believe teachers; social workers; etc are offering their assistance -you have one of each here now watching your short clips... hopefully you'll get this and accept our willingness to help.
Thanks Andy! I'm well aware that the Pacific Northwest is a real hotbed of the transpersonal. From S.F. to Vancouver, there are lots of open minded people ready to see this 'disorder' from a fresh perspective. I´ll get there one day! P.S. I used to live in Vancouver...many moons ago!
