Month: December 2020

Mental Illness or Spiritual Awakening? With the rise of the New Age, more and more people are sharing their experiences of Spiritual Awakening. But is it Spiritual Awakening or can it be classified as Mental Illness in traditional medical terms? And who gets to decide the difference between the two? Can some cases of Mental Illness be viewed as a form of Spiritual Awakening? And even further, can all cases of Mental Illness if treated differently be cured? Blurry Lines The lines are blurry. In today’s Modern Society, people that hear voices and have hallucinations are considered ‘mentally ill’ according to Western Medicine. There are a slew of diagnoses from Bipolar to Schizophrenic type disorders with one thing in common: Modern medicine does not understand the underlying cause for the so-called ‘Mental Illness’ and does not have a cure for it either. There are reasons for this. One of the reasons is the fact that the very definition of what constitutes a mental illness is a bit rocky, and the underlying factors that contribute to these problems are even less defined. Subjective Social Norms Wikipedia even states that “the causes of mental disorders are often unclear.” Mental health disorders are understood to be a mixture of a person’s behaviour, perception, and thought. When these thoughts do not align with the status quo, it is often said that the person struggles with a mental disorder. Wikipedia also states that “cultural and religious, as well as social norms, should be taken into account when making a diagnosis.” Mental health disorder may be considered two different things in two different countries. The line between what can be considered a mental disorder and what cannot is blurred. Furthermore, many people are beginning to learn that mental health disorders actually look a lot like a spiritual awakening. If dealt with in the same way, mental health disorders can be a source of great self-improvement. Cultures that are more spiritual in nature may be less inclined to label an issue as a mental illness. Instead, they would recognize the same symptoms as a spiritual gift or challenge. So it is not surprising we don't have a cure for a disease that is not well defined, nor understood. Or perhaps the answer is that we are looking at the wrong places, or asking the wrong questions. What if other societies, so called “Indegenous” people have a different approach and understanding that is far more effective? And the lines between a Spiritual Awakening and Mental Illness are blurry due to the fact that the very definition of the so called Mental Illness is subjective and depending on the point of view? Perhaps the cure we have been looking for lies in the very definition or point of view? And what if some other cultures already have the answers we have been looking for? Different Cultural Perceptions of Mental Illness and Spiritual Awakening Indigenous Interpretations In many indigenous cultures around the world, “mental health disorders” have been managed in entirely different ways than we deal with them in the west. In fact, some Indigenous cultures - such as some of the contacted tribes in the regions of Amazonia - actually revere and respect individuals who psychiatrists would consider insane. This is because these cultures do not consider mental health disorders to exist. They recognize these same symptoms as spiritual gifts. For example, many shamanic cultures choose their shamans - their spiritual leaders - based on their ability to see into non-physical realms. The ability to develop and hone extra-sensory perception, to communicate with entities that others cannot communicate with, and to be able to confidently interact with non-physical stimuli are important traits for these spiritual leaders to possess. In the west, an individual endowed with these abilities is often labeled as schizophrenic. Instead of being encouraged to hone and work with these abilities, they are often prescribed medication and encouraged to repress or entirely forget about their abilities. Herein lies the stark contrast between the Western, allopathic approach to certain mental illnesses and a more holistic, traditional approach that can be found in certain cultures. Symptoms of Spiritual Awakenings & Mental Illness When one looks at the symptoms of a spiritual awakening and compares them to the symptoms of what we commonly call a mental illness, they might be shocked to see how the two separate issues are actually quite similar. There are a number of physical and psychological symptoms that can accompany people struggling through either a spiritual awakening or a mental illness. Symptoms of Spiritual Awakening Symptoms of a spiritual awaken mark an individual’s progress on their spiritual path. Many people experience a number of symptoms at certain stages during their spiritual progress, as they continually move toward the ultimate goal of enlightenment. Ultimately, symptoms of a spiritual nature can be referred to as ‘awakening symptoms’ at any stage of an individual’s spiritual path, even after the initial awakening. Unfortunately, one of the difficulties of spiritual awakening symptoms is that they can strike even if you’re not prepared for them or aware of them. For example, individuals with no prior spiritual experience or understanding are just as likely to experience spiritual awakening symptoms as those who study spirituality. This is one of the leading factors that can contribute to spiritual awakening symptoms being misdiagnosed as mental health disorders. Here are some of the most common symptoms of spiritual awakening. Feeling a disconnection between your sense of self and the external reality A deep craving for meaning and purpose Spontaneously asking deep questions about life and the universe Realizing that much of what society tells you is a lie Feeling lost, alone, and isolated from other people Seeing through the deceptions and illusions of our world Noticing the sadness and unhappiness in other people Physical issues such as chills, ringing in the ears, or lethargy Suddenly deciding to quit your job or leave society Changes in sleep pattern, insomnia Feeling that your conversations with others are shallow and lack meaning Becoming aware of old, unhealthy habits or trying to build new, healthy habits Becoming more sensitive to sights, sounds, emotions, and other people’s energy A strong desire to improve the world Sudden food intolerances that you’ve never dealt with, sudden inability to consume meat or fish Heightened dream recall, more intense dreams Changes in sex drive Changes in immunity and physical health Anxiety, emotional instability, social discomfort Improved intuition Improved synchronicity Feeling an ability to communicate, or at least becoming aware of extra-sensory input and energies Increased desire to hone your abilities to engage with the non-physical Recognizing the unity shared between all beings Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders Many of the symptoms of mental health disorders are, in fact, the same as the symptoms one might experience during a spiritual awakening. The main difference is how they are labeled or categorized. As you can see, it’s pretty easy for a doctor to label a spiritual awakening as a mental health disorder if they aren’t aware of how spiritual awakening works. Feeling a disconnection between yourself and the world, or dissociation, is often said to be a common symptom of a mental health disorder Realizing the lies of our society or trying to engage with the non-physical is often seen as delusions Feeling alone, isolated, or disconnected from others is often seen as a symptom of depression Suddenly deciding to quit your job is often seen as a form of emotional instability Noticing sadness and depression in other people may be seen as a form of projection, again related to depression Communicating or noticing extra-sensory things is often considered a hallucination Irrational behavior Hearing voices Suicidal thoughts, or harmful thoughts towards one self Inability to control the mind, racing thoughts The line becomes difficult to draw, especially if you’re only experiencing symptoms like this. It’s also important to remember not to brush off these symptoms: while they may be signs of a spiritual awakening, they should still be taken seriously. Remember to treat yourself with care and get the help that you need - whether it’s from a spiritual guidance counselor, a holotropic breathwork practitioner, or another mental healthcare worker. You can also talk to a energy healer or a therapist: Check out my reiki healing site here. Difficulties Labeling Mental Health Disorders & Spiritual Awakening One of the main differences that allow people to draw a distinction between mental health disorders and spiritual awakenings aren’t the symptoms, it’s how the symptoms are dealt with. In many cases, people who are unaware of spirituality are quick to check in with a doctor or a psychiatrist after they first notice their symptoms. The doctors recognize these symptoms to be indicative of a mental health disorder, prescribe them with medication or therapy, and the individual works through their mental health problem in this way. In other cases, however, people with the same symptoms may pursue another avenue, such as yoga, meditation, breathwork, healthy eating, or natural medicine. In many of these cases, these symptoms are managed in this holistic manner and actually become a benefit to the individual’s spiritual growth. There have been some astounding cases of how people have worked through conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia using natural, holistic, and spiritual techniques. Holistic Healing Methods While the established norm for treating these illnesses might be to seek therapy and take medication, that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the right way to go about treating them. In fact, if someone is going through a spiritual awakening takes medication - such as antidepressants or antipsychotics - then it is likely that their awakening will be stopped in its tracks. The thoughts, feelings, and experiences that one undergoes through during a spiritual awakening may be difficult and uncomfortable, but if they are accepted and incorporated, they can be a source of huge growth. This means that there need to be alternative, holistic methods that people can use to help them work through difficult times and spiritual awakenings. Authors of books such as “Am I Bipolar or Waking Up?” have pointed out that there is often a lot more to these conditions than what medical professionals may be aware of. Since these books have been written, more people have been considering the possibility that issues like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may actually be a source of growth. People like Dr. Stanislov Grof - the founder of holotropic breathwork - have developed techniques that can help people work through these issues without having to sacrifice their health or taking pharmaceuticals. Holotropic Breathwork Holotropic Breathwork is described as “a powerful approach to self-exploration and personal empowerment.” The method integrates knowledge and understanding from various fields, including psychology, anthropology, research into human consciousness, and Eastern mysticism. The result is a holistic approach that allows people struggling with spiritual awakenings to fully embrace their gifts. The word Holotropic means moving toward wholeness, and the whole practice encourages individuals to heal and become complete. The process itself involves quick breathing exercises, relaxing music, and self-reflection. The idea behind is that the so-called ‘psychotic episodes’ are a natural reaction of the psyche to trauma and the only way for the body and brain to recover is to re-experience the traumatic event, whether it is from a past life or a traumatic event. Herbal Therapies Many herbal therapies can be useful for helping to understand and integrate symptoms of a spiritual awakening. Some examples include: Rhodiola rosea, a powerful herb that has been used for centuries to reduce stress, enhance cognitive ability, reduce anxiety and fight depression. This herb can allow people to focus on and appreciate their spiritual symptoms. Gotu kola is an herb revered in India for its ability to help enhance spiritual focus, fight depression and anxiety, and bring about clarity. It’s a very valuable tool for anyone going through an awakening. When to take sleeping pills? Sleep is essential for the nervous system. Even though i do not advocate the use of sleeping pills on a regular basis, in certain cases when a person is undergoing an acute transformation the brain needs time to heal and reset in order to function properly. In the case where you have been going more than a few days without sleep, I would consider asking a medical professional for help. Remember there are a lot of natural homeopathic medicines, such as Belladona that are extremely effective and not addictive. Meditation Meditation is another invaluable tool for anyone hoping to overcome any difficulties - be they labeled as spiritual awakenings or mental health disorders. A regular meditation practice will allow you to develop the ability to perceive reality as it is, with no filter. It will also provide you with great mental clarity. Meditating is one of the best ways to help you understand your spiritual path and the steps that you need to take to move forward. Grounding Another way to stop your racing thoughts is getting close to nature. Any activity that brings you close to nature is beneficial: Walking on the beach, hugging a tree, walking on the grass or simply being in nature. Seek Help An important thing to remember is that if you or your loved one is experiencing such symptoms, you need to seek the help of a professional or someone you trust. Whether it be a medical professional, energy healer, shaman or a trusted individual, make sure you talk to them first and ensure that you agree on the method of healing and your views align. You could also find a combination of spiritual healing together with a more traditional wesern approach. In any case, do not be in a hurry to discount your case as hopeless or incurable ‘Mental Illness”, remember that the lines are blurry and traditional medicine does not have all the answers. For additional resources, check out my coaching services at http://www.taniareiki.com.

Month: December 2020

Mental Illness or Spiritual Awakening?

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