Mental Illness

[Guest guest]

Having read Tim's and Bruce's opinions on the cause of mental illness, I find

myself in general agreement with Tim.

 

Speaking as a former sufferer of panic attacks, clinical depression and

psychosis, who has been medication-free for 11 years, I don't believe that

mental illnesses are caused by imbalances in brain chemistry. As Tim has

stated, the chemical imbalances are a result (though not necessarily permanent),

not a cause. These afflictions are spiritual. At bottom, virtually all mental

illnesses reflect a lack of self-love and trust.

 

When asked what is the question most central to one's well-being, Einstein

replied, "Is the universe a friendly place?". Through abuse in childhood,

whether emotional, physical, sexual or religious, the mentally ill have become

ill precisely because they believe that it is not a friendly place. Many have

internalized parental shame, wrongly believing (at least subconsciously) that

they are defective and unacceptable. They often become overachievers and

perfectionists.

 

As therapist Terrence Real has shown, while abused women are more likely to

directly exhibit overt depression, covertly depressed men (the numbers of whom

are at epidemic levels) often attempt to escape from expressing the pain of

overt depression through grandiosity (the "out-of control" ego that Tim talks

about) or addiction (to chemicals, sex or work). Twelve step programs that

encourage one to let go of one's ego and replace "pathological doubt" and fear

with trust in a higher power can help the afflicted remember that he/she is

safe, accepted and loved unconditionally.

 

Unfortunately, persons exhibiting mental distress (including psychosis) are

often stigmatized and treated with powerful drugs when they are actually

experiencing what Christina and Stanislav Grof have termed a "spiritual

emergency" (perhaps Kundalini related). These people need to know that their

suffering has a profound and holy purpose, and is anything but shameful. This

knowledge can impart strength to work through the pain.

 

Although susceptibility to some mental illnesses may be genetic, resulting in a

sensitive psyche, the illness will not develop unless there is psychological

trauma. Children harmed in this way are more likely to become abusers of their

own children. The inherited pattern won't be stopped until the sufferer

undergoes the necessary therapy (which can certainly include drugs as an initial

or interim measure) and is able to confront painful memories, release trapped

emotions, and grieve. Prozac can certainly provide relief (by correcting the

serotonin imbalance that Bruce talks about), but it doesn't heal the spirit, and

it short-circuits the growth process.

 

To become truly well, the sufferer must come to love him/herself, and have

compassion for his/her own suffering. For many, self-love requires an

experience of divine love - a gift of grace from the creative force that most

people call God. Through understanding that childhood abuse was not in any way

deserved, the sufferer is able to embrace the frightened and lonely inner child.

This brings deep healing. Though we are all responsible for our actions, there

is never any blame to be assigned during the healing journey - all parents do

the best they can in light of their own circumstances.

 

The rewards of the spiritual growth process, termed by mythologist Joseph

Campbell "the hero's journey", include understanding, forgiveness, compassion,

joy and spiritual empowerment. One is finally freed to reach out with love to

others. Self-esteem that derives from the knowledge of who we really are

(daughters and sons of God), as opposed to our ego image we mistakenly (but

understandably) bought into, is crucial to mental health.

 

The past and present tyrants of the world were and are indeed mentally ill. The

childhood abuse that Hitler suffered would likely be enough to drive any of us

mad. I would venture that Milosevic's childhood was similarly traumatic.

 

With love,

 

Rob

 

 

http://www.go.com

 

 

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[Guest guest]

I think that Rob gave a concise assessment of mental illness that includes

the basic tenant that the root cause is always spiritual. Trying to

determine whether it is an out of control ego or a chemical imbalance is

much like which came first the chicken or the egg. We seem to have such a

tendency to want the clarity of seeing life as either black or white when

shades of gray is usually most appropriate. The view point of looking at

mental illness from the spectrum of childhood trauma can come up short as

there are numerous people living in deep pain and acting out through their

perceptions of pain who did not necessarily suffer through traumatic

childhood experiences. It is in this limited view point of something must

have happened in early childhood that psychiatry can often fail as there are

the memories of other lifetimes (in other words karmic impressions or

samskaras) that will set up the mental dynamics for the soul's journey

towards wholeness. I believe that until spirituality is taken from the

arena of religion and put into its proper place with medical and mental

science we will not be able to truly handle mental illness in an effective

manner.

 

Linda

[Guest guest]

Thank you Rob for that beautiful and insightful message. It seems everyone's

circumstances are unique and how healing may take place can differ. For

some, medication might be helpful. For others, yoga, pranayama, and

meditation, and prayer can indeed work wonders over time. Although there is

no magic formula, appreciation of one self and having compassion for one's

own suffering can start the journey of healing. The gift of Ahimsa and

nonviolence and love is a great gift. It is the best gift. If we can give it

our selves, it opens the door for our giving it to others. God bless you

all.

 

With love

Harsha

 

 

Rob Rinne [breadcasters]

Tuesday, April 13, 1999 10:15 AM

Mental Illness

 

Rob Rinne <breadcasters

 

 

Having read Tim's and Bruce's opinions on the cause of mental illness, I

find myself in general agreement with Tim.

 

Speaking as a former sufferer of panic attacks, clinical depression and

psychosis, who has been medication-free for 11 years, I don't believe that

mental illnesses are caused by imbalances in brain chemistry. As Tim has

stated, the chemical imbalances are a result (though not necessarily

permanent), not a cause. These afflictions are spiritual. At bottom,

virtually all mental illnesses reflect a lack of self-love and trust.

 

When asked what is the question most central to one's well-being, Einstein

replied, "Is the universe a friendly place?". Through abuse in childhood,

whether emotional, physical, sexual or religious, the mentally ill have

become ill precisely because they believe that it is not a friendly place.

Many have internalized parental shame, wrongly believing (at least

subconsciously) that they are defective and unacceptable. They often become

overachievers and perfectionists.

 

As therapist Terrence Real has shown, while abused women are more likely to

directly exhibit overt depression, covertly depressed men (the numbers of

whom are at epidemic levels) often attempt to escape from expressing the

pain of overt depression through grandiosity (the "out-of control" ego that

Tim talks about) or addiction (to chemicals, sex or work). Twelve step

programs that encourage one to let go of one's ego and replace "pathological

doubt" and fear with trust in a higher power can help the afflicted remember

that he/she is safe, accepted and loved unconditionally.

 

Unfortunately, persons exhibiting mental distress (including psychosis) are

often stigmatized and treated with powerful drugs when they are actually

experiencing what Christina and Stanislav Grof have termed a "spiritual

emergency" (perhaps Kundalini related). These people need to know that

their suffering has a profound and holy purpose, and is anything but

shameful. This knowledge can impart strength to work through the pain.

 

Although susceptibility to some mental illnesses may be genetic, resulting

in a sensitive psyche, the illness will not develop unless there is

psychological trauma. Children harmed in this way are more likely to become

abusers of their own children. The inherited pattern won't be stopped until

the sufferer undergoes the necessary therapy (which can certainly include

drugs as an initial or interim measure) and is able to confront painful

memories, release trapped emotions, and grieve. Prozac can certainly

provide relief (by correcting the serotonin imbalance that Bruce talks

about), but it doesn't heal the spirit, and it short-circuits the growth

process.

 

To become truly well, the sufferer must come to love him/herself, and have

compassion for his/her own suffering. For many, self-love requires an

experience of divine love - a gift of grace from the creative force that

most people call God. Through understanding that childhood abuse was not in

any way deserved, the sufferer is able to embrace the frightened and lonely

inner child. This brings deep healing. Though we are all responsible for

our actions, there is never any blame to be assigned during the healing

journey - all parents do the best they can in light of their own

circumstances.

 

The rewards of the spiritual growth process, termed by mythologist Joseph

Campbell "the hero's journey", include understanding, forgiveness,

compassion, joy and spiritual empowerment. One is finally freed to reach

out with love to others. Self-esteem that derives from the knowledge of who

we really are (daughters and sons of God), as opposed to our ego image we

mistakenly (but understandably) bought into, is crucial to mental health.

 

The past and present tyrants of the world were and are indeed mentally ill.

The childhood abuse that Hitler suffered would likely be enough to drive any

of us mad. I would venture that Milosevic's childhood was similarly

traumatic.

 

With love,

 

Rob

 

 

http://www.go.com

 

 

__________

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[Guest guest]

Some time ago, I threw out all the arbitrary, divisive labels

Psychological, Spiritual, Biochemical, and so forth, used to describe

the nature of pain suffered by human beings (this was around the same

time I decided I could no longer work with Managed Care Companies).

All are aspects of the incredibly complex and beautiful ways Spirit

moves through the human organism. All "cure" is through Grace. Holly

[Guest guest]

Hi Bruce,

 

I have to second your thoughts about mental illness. I say

thank goodness for psychotropic medications.

 

Back in the '70s when I first started thinking about this

issue, I arrogantly dismissed all the evidence indicating a

biological component. In my naiveté (sp), I thought this

was just an easy explanation of a very complicated

psychological process. Well, I had just come out of a

graduate program which emphasized humanistic psychology.

 

I can only speak from my experience which has colored my

viewpoint. Having worked a number of years in emergency

services, I think I have about seen it all when it comes to

DSM IV diagnoses. There are still some conditions which do

not respond to the medications which are available but those

are fairly atypical.

 

I know that the thinking processes are impaired to some

extent with all disorders and medication certainly seems to

alleviate this. For example in depression, there is tunnel

vision where the focus is on all of one's shortcomings.

Medication can widen those walls so that one can begin to

explore the significance of spiritual practice and study and

to confront some of the irrational belief systems.

 

I am not saying that medication is a total answer, but in an

era where few can afford counseling it sure is a major help

in one's ability to function. Having gone on some of the

back wards of state mental hospitals and having read some of

the medical records prior to the advent of the medications

we have today can be a real eye opener.

 

I also am not saying that spirituality doesn't play a role,

but I wonder if one does not have to have a certain level of

functioning before spirituality can be of use.

 

The above is based on my experiences both personal and

professional with my particular biases.

 

Love,

Judy

[Guest guest]

Dear Judy:

 

I agree with you on this. Herbs, diet, meditation, breath techniques can do

the job however, it takes commitment and time to see the results. When

someone is having severe depression or other mental aberrations generally

they are not going to be able to sustain a program of 15 herbal pills a day,

meditation for 30 minutes, exercise, proper food and positive mental

reprogramming. The truth is that many people suffering from mental illness

often can not even hold a job or get out of bed in the morning. If a

psychotropic medication can shift the imbalance first then with time a

person has the opportunity to look into other alternatives.

 

>I have to second your thoughts about mental illness. I say

>thank goodness for psychotropic medications.

>I am not saying that medication is a total answer, but in an

>era where few can afford counseling it sure is a major help

>in one's ability to function. Having gone on some of the

>back wards of state mental hospitals and having read some of

>the medical records prior to the advent of the medications

>we have today can be a real eye opener.

>I also am not saying that spirituality doesn't play a role,

>but I wonder if one does not have to have a certain level of

>functioning before spirituality can be of use.

>The above is based on my experiences both personal and

>professional with my particular biases.

 

Love,

Judy

 

Linda

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Rob, that was a wonderful post filled with insight and wisdom, thank you.

 

David

[Guest guest]

Holly N. Barrett, Ph.D. wrote:

> Some time ago, I threw out all the arbitrary, divisive labels

> Psychological, Spiritual, Biochemical, and so forth, used to describe

> the nature of pain suffered by human beings (this was around the same

> time I decided I could no longer work with Managed Care Companies).

> All are aspects of the incredibly complex and beautiful ways Spirit

> moves through the human organism. All "cure" is through Grace. Holly

 

Marcia:

 

I agree with this. All suffering is mental illness in a way.

I am not meaning to sound judgmental or anything. To

say there is a cure is to say there was a problem in the

first place.

 

"Problems" are what we have to work with. They are

our cutting edge. Each man has a choice as to whether

he will work or not. I am not being judgmental here

at all. There is no blame no matter what the choice is.

 

I am not speaking from a non compassionate place at

all. I know suffering. Suffering is the gift of life.

 

Hindu prayer for objectivity.

 

"Before the eyes can see, they must be incapable of tears;

before the ears can hear, they must have lost their

sensitiveness; before the voice can speak, the tongue

must have lost the power to wound; before the soul

can stand in the presence of the master, it must have

washed its feet in the blood of the heart. Kill out desire

for life. Kill out desire for comfort. Kill out ambition.

Work as those who are ambitious."

[Guest guest]

At 07:14 AM 4/13/99 -0700, you wrote:

>Rob Rinne <breadcasters

>

>

>Having read Tim's and Bruce's opinions on the cause of mental illness, I

find >myself in general agreement with Tim.

 

Not surprising, being that I speak from direct experience (having been a

part of the "mental health system" for over a decade), whereas bruce speaks

from secondary thought-based observation.

>Speaking as a former sufferer of panic attacks, clinical depression and

>psychosis, who has been medication-free for 11 years, I don't believe that

>mental illnesses are caused by imbalances in brain chemistry.

 

Agreed. They can RESULT in imbalances in brain chemistry, thus

perpetuating the mental illness, but the cause is not the result.

>As Tim has stated, the chemical imbalances are a result (though not

>necessarily permanent), not a cause. These afflictions are spiritual. At

>bottom, virtually all mental illnesses reflect a lack of self-love and trust.

 

Yes. Such lack produces fear, depression and neurosis. These conditions,

sustained for a long period of time, alter brain chemistry. This is

psychopharmaceutical fact, not speculation on my part.

>When asked what is the question most central to one's well-being, Einstein

>replied, "Is the universe a friendly place?". Through abuse in childhood,

>whether emotional, physical, sexual or religious, the mentally ill have

become >ill precisely because they believe that it is not a friendly place.

Many have >internalized parental shame, wrongly believing (at least

subconsciously) that >they are defective and unacceptable. They often

become overachievers and >perfectionists.

 

Agreed, and one may look to various (non-Westernized) cultures which are

essentially free of the Western definitions of "mental illness" as validation.

 

>As therapist Terrence Real has shown, while abused women are more likely

to >directly exhibit overt depression, covertly depressed men (the numbers

of whom >are at epidemic levels) often attempt to escape from expressing

the pain of >overt depression through grandiosity (the "out-of control" ego

that Tim talks >about) or addiction (to chemicals, sex or work). Twelve

step programs that >encourage one to let go of one's ego and replace

"pathological doubt" and fear >with trust in a higher power can help the

afflicted remember that he/she is >safe, accepted and loved unconditionally.

 

Yes. Having been a participating member (on and off) of 12-step programs

for the past 13 years, I can validate the fact that the primary benefit of

such programs is the "turning over of one's will and life to a power

greater than themselves." This abnegation of ego is the *only* deep and

lasting cure for all of life's various ills. If it occurred on a global

scale, we would indeed be living a "heaven on Earth."

>Although susceptibility to some mental illnesses may be genetic, resulting

in >a sensitive psyche, the illness will not develop unless there is

psychological >trauma.

 

Correct. "Biological susceptibility" to mental illness is a reality, but

such illness will never materialize unless environmental factors are also

present. This is also based on personal experience, having known

(personally) many, many people who suffer from mental illness in one form

or another. Moreover, mental illness seems to "spill over" into various

and sundry categories, a fact that professionals have not been able to

explain. For example, those who are manic-depressive are often afflicted

with panic attack disorder and clinical depression as well. Panic-attack

sufferers often suffer as well from generalized anxiety, and the catch-all

problem of "borderline personality disorder."

 

There is only one "cure" for all mental illness - finding and treating the

root cause of it. And the root cause of all mental illness is ego in one

form or another - the feeling of separation and isolation from nature,

society, the universe, and the divine caused by the "me."

>Children harmed in this way are more likely to become abusers of their own

>children. The inherited pattern won't be stopped until the sufferer

undergoes >the necessary therapy (which can certainly include drugs as an

initial or >interim measure) and is able to confront painful memories,

release trapped >emotions, and grieve. Prozac can certainly provide relief

(by correcting the >serotonin imbalance that Bruce talks about), but it

doesn't heal the spirit, >and it short-circuits the growth process.

 

Only if Prozac (and other antidepressants) are used *exclusively*, without

some other form of therapy. The best therapy in my opinion is not

psychology, but nonduality.

>To become truly well, the sufferer must come to love him/herself, and have

>compassion for his/her own suffering. For many, self-love requires an

>experience of divine love - a gift of grace from the creative force that

most >people call God. Through understanding that childhood abuse was not

in any >way deserved, the sufferer is able to embrace the frightened and

lonely inner >child. This brings deep healing. Though we are all

responsible for our >actions, there is never any blame to be assigned

during the healing journey - >all parents do the best they can in light of

their own circumstances.

 

Quite correct.

 

>The rewards of the spiritual growth process, termed by mythologist Joseph

>Campbell "the hero's journey", include understanding, forgiveness,

compassion, >joy and spiritual empowerment. One is finally freed to reach

out with love to >others. Self-esteem that derives from the knowledge of

who we really are >(daughters and sons of God), as opposed to our ego image

we mistakenly (but >understandably) bought into, is crucial to mental health.

 

Yes, and I think this sums up your (very valid and true) exposition.

>The past and present tyrants of the world were and are indeed mentally

ill. >The childhood abuse that Hitler suffered would likely be enough to

drive any >of us mad. I would venture that Milosevic's childhood was

similarly >traumatic.

 

I would venture to agree.

 

With Love and OM,

 

Tim

 

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