Integral/Holistic view & approach to schizophrenia

[Being]

David Lukoff, PhD: The Call of the Wounded Healer -

http://www.shadesofawakening.com/mon....g8cZ1FfP.dpbs

Dr. Lukoff is a Professor on the Spiritually-oriented Psychology Program of Sofia University and a licensed psychologist in California. His areas of expertise include treatment of schizophrenia, transpersonal psychotherapy, spiritual issues in clinical practice, and case study methodology. He incorporates many transpersonal approaches in his clinical work including meditation, compassion training, and guided imagery as well as leading groups on spirituality He is author of 80 articles and chapters on spiritual issues and mental health; co-author of the DSM-IV category Religious or Spiritual Problem; founding board member of the Institute for Spirituality and Psychology and co-president for the Association for Transpersonal Psychology; and maintains the Spiritual Competency Resource Center at www.spiritualcompetency.com - See more at:

http://www.shadesofawakening.com/mon....g8cZ1FfP.dpuf

[Gem]

A collection of short videos from Melbourne University in which people who experience(ed) 'symptoms of mental illness' explain things in their own words.

http://recoverylibrary.unimelb.edu.au/videos

[Being]

The story of individual metamorphosis is no longer an isolated event, but an integral part of global transformation on a collective level. For many, though, the impact of awakening is an ambivalent experience accompanied by shadow of doubt at being unable to withstand, at times, this overpowering process.​..

An artist and healer by nature, Igor has been sharing his revelations into the essence of Being since 2002. His approach is based on spontaneous and intuitive insight which allows him to empathize with uniqueness of each individual conditioning. He embraces life in its most terrifying contrasts through direct experience of Love, Life and Death, if only to appreciate more fully the predicament of human condition.​​

​The guidance offered is in the form of heart-to-heart exchanges, reflections and silent transmissions through various means of communication, to those who need greater perspective, finer tuning or reassurance on the transformative stages of human evolution.

www.igorkufayev-vamadeva.com/

“… Not all awakenings are acts of Grace. As paradoxical as that may sound, that is my view on that. Not all awakenings are the acts of Grace, and that is why awakenings need to be viewed now through a proper approach. You know that kind of adolescent phase in spirituality in the West, it’s over. Now we ought to create a platform, a ground where not only spiritual teachings are being fostered and traditions being transmitted, and the form is being given, but we need to address it. We also need to not disregard those who have been or became casualties of that process. Very few people speak about it.

You know that actually those people who have undergone the profound impact of awakening are often the most in need of care. This is another side, because as long as we are in that “healthy” state psychologically, nothing is threatened there—the world is being perceived as it is. But for the one who is in the midst of that process, reality is shattered, and if there is not enough guidance—if there is no support of these beings—that process could not necessarily culminate where it should. Not all these books and manuals that Kundalini Yoga and the world of the celestial realm, this sweet new age music—and it’s like the Shakti is rising and boom—in the sahasrara, and the manna falls down... it’s not always like that.

Actually before that, there’s a lot of nasty stuff going on, a lot of stuff that we need to face. And we need not be ashamed and afraid to address that, to speak about that. There needs to be a network to care, to help these people because guess what? Often these people become the ground where new Consciousness can actually rest. If we believe that we are moving to a new paradigm, how can new Consciousness take root in this world if it is rotten throughout, if all of our values are of a dying civilization?

So these people are literally being sacrificed in that process; it is a mass sacrificial process because Consciousness—whether we like it or not—likes sacrifices. I will give you the Upanishadic myth, that in order that Prajapati, that primordial being was all One, but out of that inner whatever that was swelling there—that desire to become many—it sacrificed its wholeness so that the multiplicity can exist and can be experienced. In the same way, that sacrifice is being replicated in this very body; this sacrifice is not like some kind of abstract sacrifice, it is a factual sacrifice.”

– Igor Kufayev –

[Being]

A Great Taboo, But a very valid area of research -

Madness and the Family (Part One): The History and Research of Family Dynamics and Psychosis -

http://www.madinamerica.com/2015/12/...and-psychosis/

[i, monster]

Hello, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia three years ago after a psychotic break. I have been on medication for a long time, but I am just beginning to complement my therapy and medication with alternative sources of healing such as meditation, mindfulness and lots of reading on spiritual matters.

I am personally undertaking studies in witchcraft so that I may heal myself and build my concentration and focus back up again.

I actually come from a very Jungian background and do a lot of reading about his work. This is why I have decided to nurture the soul as well. I am also an artist and focus a lot on the spiritual aspect of alchemy in my work, such as my symbolic autobiography I am going to turn into a comic at some point.

I haven't read through this whole thread yet, but I am eager to hear what everyone has to say, so I will be going back and reading it.

[Being]

Originally Posted by i, monster

Hello, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia three years ago after a psychotic break. I have been on medication for a long time, but I am just beginning to complement my therapy and medication with alternative sources of healing such as meditation, mindfulness and lots of reading on spiritual matters.

I am personally undertaking studies in witchcraft so that I may heal myself and build my concentration and focus back up again.

I actually come from a very Jungian background and do a lot of reading about his work. This is why I have decided to nurture the soul as well. I am also an artist and focus a lot on the spiritual aspect of alchemy in my work, such as my symbolic autobiography I am going to turn into a comic at some point.

I haven't read through this whole thread yet, but I am eager to hear what everyone has to say, so I will be going back and reading it.

Hi. All sounds fascinating. Thank you for sharing. i have a lot of similar interests.

Do be very careful around medication. i stopped the medication multiple times, with some very bad results & have come to an acceptance of needing it. Maybe that won't always be the case? & some people do get successfully medication free. But there is also a very valid case to be argued for medication in schizophrenia treatment, & for some people i think it is vital. Just needs a lot of care & consideration.

[Being]

An interesting list of resources -

Spiritual emergency: one way of interpreting activity of the psyche that is often labeled psychotic -

http://beyondmeds.com/2012/08/19/spiritual-emergency/

[i, monster]

Originally Posted by Being

Hi. All sounds fascinating. Thank you for sharing. i have a lot of similar interests.

Do be very careful around medication. i stopped the medication multiple times, with some very bad results & have come to an acceptance of needing it. Maybe that won't always be the case? & some people do get successfully medication free. But there is also a very valid case to be argued for medication in schizophrenia treatment, & for some people i think it is vital. Just needs a lot of care & consideration.

Yes. Indeed. I don't plan on stopping my medication any time soon.

[Being]

More comprehensive & humane understandings & approaches to schizophrenia/psychosis -

View of self as mind, body, soul & spirit within environment - biological, psychological, social & spiritual/transpersonal paradigm - Integral/Holistic -

Intimations (a small selection) -

Symbols of Transformation by Carl Jung
Unshrinking Psychosis by by John Watkin
The Exploration of the Inner World by Boisen, Anton T
Recovering Sanity: A Compassionate Approach to Understanding and Treating Psychosis by Edward Podvoll
Soul Centered Healing by Tom Zinser
The Psychology of the Esoteric by Osho
Worlds Beyond Death by Grant H Pealer
Journey of Souls - by Michael Newton
Exploring the Eternal Soul - by Andy Tomlinson
The New Regression Therapy - by Greg McHugh
Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment - by Rudolf Steiner

______________________________

Soteria -

http://www.moshersoteria.com/
http://www.soterianetwork.org.uk/

Open Dialogue -

http://opendialogueapproach.co.uk/
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2015/...work-back-map/
http://www.mindfreedom.org/kb/mental...-open-dialogue

Diabasis/i-ward -

http://michaelcornwall.com/tag/diabasis-house/

Windhorse -

http://www.windhorseimh.org/

The Retreat/Quaker -

http://www.theretreatyork.org.uk/

From the RCP -

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/By%20a%...0Psychosis.pdf

ISPS -

http://www.isps.org/
http://www.ispsuk.org/

ISPS is an international organization promoting psychotherapy and psychological treatments for persons with psychosis (a term which includes persons diagnosed with "schizophrenia"). We are committed to advancing education, training and knowledge of mental health professionals in the treatment and prevention of psychotic mental disorders. We seek to achieve the best possible outcomes for service user/survivors by engaging in meaningful partnership with health professionals, service user/survivors, families and carers.

Crazy Wise Project -

http://crazywisefilm.com/

The list goes on..........

[Being]

A very interesting presentation -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAxY6gW2AK0