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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Trans-Human on January 8, 2009, at 19:01:19
The Wider Truth in juxtaposition to the Scientific Reductionist Paradigm -
Psychiatric Drugs are perpetuated primarily because of the Orthodox Bio-Chemical paradigm & scientific reductionist perspective; which pathologises any experience of "altered states" & relegates all mental illness in terms relative to adherence to physical reality, or that anything which differs from the consensus reality is illness - which must be treated with a physical treatment. I could explore/explain this further; & as to why this is the case; as it has a long history which goes goes back many hundreds of years. It would take a great many posts to get to the heart of it - but that is the reason why in a nutshell.
"Joseph Campbell observed that the schizophrenic is drowning in the same waters in which the mystic swims with delight. Edgar Cayce made the same observation.
The philosophy generally needed in more holistic approaches to mental illness is consistent with a long tradition of thought called the "perennial philosophy." As with all versions of the perennial philosophy, it is a perspective which is more expansive and comprehensive.
The terms "dementia praecox" and "schizophrenia" are of relatively recent origin when one takes the larger view. Throughout the ages, peoples of all cultures have recognized insanity. It is the interpretation of the various forms of psychosis which sets the modern viewpoint apart as distinctive.
To appreciate this distinctiveness, we must take into consideration the world view (and even the cosmic view or cosmology) of other cultures, both ancient and modern. At the crux of this distinction lies our beliefs about the origin of our species, the nature of reality, and the meaning of life. In other words, what constitutes reality?
Modern medical science (including psychiatry) is derived from and based upon a materialistic view of reality. That which is real is physical, or at least can be measured in a physical manner. From a materialistic viewpoint, reality is substantial.
This is no small point when we are determining someone's sanity. In fact, the clinical assessment procedures used to determine sanity are heavily weighted toward a materialistic interpretation of reality. As has been noted, to be "out of touch" with material reality is by psychiatric definition, to be psychotic.
Readings on schizophrenia acknowledge that persons experiencing psychotic symptoms are out of touch with material reality and find it difficult to maintain the activities of daily living. Therefore, schizophrenia can be considered to be an illness. Yet, some also note that such individuals are closer to the "universal" or divine consciousness than most sane individuals.
To explain the mystical aspects of schizophrenia, Some people often rely on terminology from the perennial philosophy of other cultures and times (such as Hinduism, yoga, etc.). Thus, readings on schizophrenia sometimes make references to kundalini, karma, possession and so forth.
The various therapies recommended by some "alternatives" for this illness were not only directed toward nervous system regeneration and coordination, but also tended to help the afflicted persons to be more focused in material reality. Much emphasis was placed on simple, physical activities to assist these individuals to be more incarnate in their bodies and to attend to the physical world."
For the alternatives you need to be familiar with the lifetime works of Carl Jung (Who concluded that even those suffering with the most severe of mental illness can be cured & completely healed through purely psychological means). Also the pioneering work of John Weir Perry & the Diabasis project. His work is worth exploring in the book "The Far side of Madness". There is also the work of Loren Mosher & the Soteria project. There are other pioneering professionals who have made great advancements in the field of genuine recovery & cure of the mentally ill. Carl Jung, John Weir Perry & Loren Mosher; all had an over 85% full recovery rate for people classed as "severely mentally ill" That's 85% of people who went on to achieve a totally med free & complete recovery without relapse.
Also worth checking out is the book Dante's Cure by Daniel Doorman - http://www.dantescure.com/
A story which charts the curing & complete recovery of a catatonic schizophrenic through entirely med free & psychological means.
. . . here your will is upright, free, and whole,
and you would be in error not to heed
whatever your own impulse prompts you to:
lord of yourself I crown and mitre you.
Dante, The PurgatorioCatherine, nineteen years old and suffering from severe schizophrenia, sat in a mental hospitalmute, catatonic, and hearing voices. Her psychiatrist, Dr. Daniel Dorman, was convinced that his patients psychotic behavior was rooted not merely in chemical imbalances but rather in the dramatic circumstances of her family history. He was therefore determined to avoid the mind-numbing medications that had been so detrimental to Catherines well being. Dorman fought adamant opposition and criticism from his peers and superiors for a chance to guide Catherine out of madness.
As much the story of a young doctor finding his own path in a controversial new world of antipsychotic drugs, where patients advocates have nowhere to turn, Dantes Cure is the true account of a therapeutic process that took place six days a week, for seven years. Thanks to Dormans devotion, persistence, and self-understanding of his role as a therapist aware of his own limitations, Catherine was able to set out on a life of her own. She is now a psychiatric nurse in southern California living free of medication; she speaks out on behalf of patient rights and humanity in the medical profession. Dorman re-creates Catherines early life and the onset of her illness in striking detail, covering her treatment prior to his meeting her as a resident at UCLA Hospital, through her recovery and work as a nurse and activist.
Dantes Cure offers a story of courage and hope. It reveals how madness is inherent to the human condition and therefore ought to be treated as such. To restore patients trust in their power to recover, rather than robbing them of their agency in the name of medical knowledge, is the true moral of this remarkable journey out of madness.
These are black & white facts. Facts which are flatly ignored & denied by the majority of the medical profession & by most people. I don't expect you to accept any of this either - most don't.
Sources -
http://spiritualrecoveries.blogspot.com/2006/05/dr-john-weir-perry-diabasis.html
http://spiritualrecoveries.blogspot.com/2006/05/dr-john-weir-perry-far-side-of-madness.html
Posted by Sigismund on January 8, 2009, at 23:55:52
In reply to The Wider Truth, posted by Trans-Human on January 8, 2009, at 19:01:19
Posted by Sigismund on January 9, 2009, at 0:04:26
In reply to The Wider Truth, posted by Trans-Human on January 8, 2009, at 19:01:19
The Enlightenment world view with subject split from object has been spectacularly successful for manipulating reality.
I'm not sure there is any to be said in its favour.
I loved these book on the subject (more but perhaps less)
"Black Mass" by John Gray, and also by him
"Straw Dogs"And that quote about the Native Americans comes from "One River".
Posted by Trans-Human on January 10, 2009, at 7:59:58
In reply to Re: The Wider Truth, posted by Sigismund on January 9, 2009, at 0:04:26
Thank you. Very interesting.
Posted by Lao Tzu on January 12, 2009, at 8:04:53
In reply to The Wider Truth, posted by Trans-Human on January 8, 2009, at 19:01:19
Interesting. I am schizophrenic. The question I have for you is how can one labeled as "mad" find any common ground when he constantly being pulled by physical reality on one side and at the same time being pulled by another "realm" on the other side. He is constantly in a tug of war, and perhaps he reacts to this as a war when, in fact, there is no true war. He fights what he fears, and so chaos ensues. He must learn to accept who he is at the true core of his being and all we be well again. There will finally be harmony between the physical and spiritual aspects of one's being. I have heard that in schizophrenia, there is a surging, constant level of psychospiritual energy which can be overwhelming to one's physcial mind. It is perhaps another plane of existence which we have no true definition, and because we have no real understanding of it, we tend to label it as mere delusion and hallucination. We call it illness because it is rapture and something akin to a dream world, where no physical laws abide. Truly ethereal in nature.
We call it illness because its energy overwhelms the physical circuits in our minds causing what we would term as chaos, whereas on that other "plane" things are just as they are. There is no duality or conflict as on the plane of physical reality. When the two "planes" of existence interact, are we not hearing a voice shouting out to all of us that we must work more diligently to find better solutions to our problems and to live more peacefully together? Through the afflicted, do we merely react in fear, or do we challenge ourselves to understand exactly what is happening in our time? Is it possibly a challenge to step ahead into the evolution of humanity?
Posted by Lao Tzu on January 12, 2009, at 8:17:17
In reply to Re: The Wider Truth, posted by Lao Tzu on January 12, 2009, at 8:04:53
That is why I think that medication, nutrients, meditation, love, knowledge and wisdom, religion, exercise, sex, etc. etc. are helpful and wholly necessary when used carefully in the right proportions. They propel us to be better human beings, to evolve, to use good judgment, and act in good will toward each other. It may, in fact, be a wake-up call from a Creator who we know very little about.
Posted by Trans-Human on January 12, 2009, at 8:39:41
In reply to Re: The Wider Truth, posted by Lao Tzu on January 12, 2009, at 8:17:17
Very interesting & intelligent Observations Lao Tzu. I agree with your perspectives on this.
Without getting into complex explanations. I suffered certain trauma very early on in my life; which caused me to "Open up" & look deeply for answers to things. I was out of balance; between the "spiritual" & the physical. I believe I came into this life with much to process, learn & work through. I didn't want to do the work; earlier on in my life, & "fell out" with my spiritual side. This imbalance caused me to attract "negativity" into my life; mainly unconsciously; to address the balance & try to ground me in the physical. I took to using street drugs - on one level to ease certain emotional, spiritual & mental pain. This exasperated/caused psychosis. I opened myself up; unwittingly; to some very negative energies.
I am now over 7 years in addiction recovery & "T-Total". I am processing many things & have worked through a lot. I am working towards a wholeness & a balance. Things have been patched up with my spiritual side. I am no longer open to "negative" influences. I have worked with some highly competent spiritual healers.
I do see the purpose of my life; is to work through & release certain emotions & to let go of certain emotional issues. That my primary purpose is to be fully "present" in the now & to be in balance with the spiritual aspects of myself; in conjunction with the physical. To bring balance into these things.
Thank you for your interesting comments.
Posted by MoparFan91 on January 13, 2009, at 12:04:25
In reply to Re: The Wider Truth, posted by Trans-Human on January 12, 2009, at 8:39:41
Have you read up on the Astral Plane, or anything concerning parallel dimensions?
A parallel dimension is a dimension that exists alongside & interpenetrates the physical dimension that we reside in daily.
The physical dimension is often also referred to as the Physical Plane.
The Astral Plane is a set of parallel dimensions. There are 7 astral dimensions. Manifestations of these parallel dimensions can be and likely are, present on the exact point of space that you are occupying at this very moment of time in this physical world or dimension.
I've speculated for a while that the auditory hallucinations that schizophrenics have could actually be sounds coming from Astral Plane. For example, the voices heard by schizophrenics could be from one of the astral beings speaking. In the Astral Plane, there are good beings, and there are bad beings (often called astral negs). In the case of visual hallucinations, they may actually be a visual manifestation of one of the astral dimensions. That is, the person who is schizophrenic may have his "astral" vision or senses activated when he has, what science calls, hallucinations. These "hallucinations" then would be unseen astral imagery that cannot be seen or heard with physical eyes or hears.
There are people who practice what's called Astral Projection, often used as another name for Out of Body Experience (OBE), in order to journey within the Astral Plane.
There is a type of experience called Sleep Paralysis where you are awake but cannot move physically. This is often a precursor state for OBE's/Astral Projection. People who experience this & don't know what's going on tend to be scared. They often see & hear things which aren't there [physically], similar to a schizophrenic. If you are in the paralysis long enough, and you don't resist it, then there's chance you will float out of your body, and you will then have an OBE.
Posted by Trans-Human on January 13, 2009, at 13:31:14
In reply to Re: The Wider Truth, posted by MoparFan91 on January 13, 2009, at 12:04:25
Hi MoparFan
Yes I have read up on many things. I do think that there are "parallel dimensions"; but remember - a parallel world is likely to be the same as in 3 dimensional, as this one is. I rather see the "Astral" in terms of the 5th density - that there are a number of densities - 1 through to 10?; which collates to the 10 dimensions of quantum mechanics, but is not quite the same.
I drew this picture a while ago to explain a rough outline of things. An image from things I have read & thought about -
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1020/higherselfhc9.jpg
For a very good description of "everything" Thomas Campbell is well worth checking out. He has written "My Big Toe" (Theory of Everything) He is highly intelligent & has worked in nuclear physics & current missile defence systems. There are a number of interviews & lectures with him on "U-Tube" - Here is one -
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=akgCb85PG-A
(Part 1 of a series of 18)
Or "Google" / "U-Tube" Thomas Campbell.
He worked with Robert Munroe for a number of years.
I agree with Thomas' observations; & if you see the interview; you will see that what he says correlates to what you have posted.
I have been "lucid Dreaming" for 20 odd years; off & on. The term can be interchangeable & the states linked in similarity with astral projection. Initially I focused on inducing them; I no longer do. They just happen sometimes. I also get Sleep Paralysis. I have had a number of very strange & interesting experiences around sleep.
Thanks for your reply.
Posted by Trans-Human on January 13, 2009, at 13:35:06
In reply to Re: The Wider Truth, posted by MoparFan91 on January 13, 2009, at 12:04:25
[quote=MoparFan91]I've speculated for a while that the auditory hallucinations that schizophrenics have could actually be sounds coming from Astral Plane. For example, the voices heard by schizophrenics could be from one of the astral beings speaking. In the Astral Plane, there are good beings, and there are bad beings (often called astral negs). In the case of visual hallucinations, they may actually be a visual manifestation of one of the astral dimensions. That is, the person who is schizophrenic may have his "astral" vision or senses activated when he has, what science calls, hallucinations. These "hallucinations" then would be unseen astral imagery that cannot be seen or heard with physical eyes or hears.[/quote]
It is a quite possible theory. Yes; in some cases I do think something like this could be happening.
This is the end of the thread.
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