To: K-list
Recieved: 2002/07/15 13:40
Subject: Re: [K-list] mental "illness": non-irritating approaches
From: Hbarrett47

Hi Laura -- I'm a psychologist by training whose spontaneous k-awakening set
off psychological processes and mood-swings that my conventional education
did little to prepare me for. I think there are many answers and much wisdom
in your post. You are basically saying that you need to assume
responsibility for and fully accept the cyclic nature that you are given at
the moment, that there is richness to be found there among the risks, that it
is naturally a female cycle as opposed to a patriarchically-induced one, and
that no one can know better than you what is best for your psyche.

I think this kind of self-acceptance is hard-won and, being scarcely there
myself, I, too, was disturbed by the El Collie post. El was adamant about
the presence of emotional and physical suffering during spiritual
transformation. I think those of us who know this to be true from experience
must learn how to create our own sanctuaries during the dangerous times. We
should be able to say to our loved ones that we are descending or are already
down in the darkness and would they please keep an eye on us or protect us
from intruders or whatever we need. For me this kind of non-resistance makes
the dark days easier to weather -- I already know that they will soon pass
(so, too, alas, will the bliss!).

Most writers don't address these issues except superficially. Bernadette
Roberts' books on the loss of the self have been very helpful to me because
she describes her experience so fully (albeit from a Christian point of
view). Michael Washburn's The Ego and the Dynamic Ground is excellent and
underscores the tumult, paranoia, and depression that occurs when the Ground
of Being begins taking over the personhood. But, interestingly enough, I
recently got great comfort from a re-reading of Virginia Woolf's diaries.
Her suicide notwithstanding, I think she was hugely successful at negotiating
the transpersonal territories, the social and familial worlds and the demands
of her artistic and personal demons. She wisely used her husband as a
lifeline at times. I find her life very inspiring and have no doubt she was
k-active.

I look forward to others' recommendations, too! Holly

http://www.kundalini-gateway.org
http://www.domin8rex.com/serpent/spirit/kindex.htm

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