Preface

 

At other times, eyes closed, I could see molecular chains changing in front of my inner eye. I knew with certainty that everything within me was evolving, from DNA to psyche, and that my life was re-aligning itself with a new trajectory.

Understanding this evolution from as many viewpoints as possible became my passion.

In our everyday reality we only see the side of an object when it is facing our eyes. For example, if we admire a beautiful hilly landscape, our physical senses don't have access to the other side of the mountains. Some onlookers will be satisfied with the uni-dimensional view they have, whereas others will wonder what lies beyond what they can see. Some might want to know what it would feel like to be there, to climb the mountain. Further still, some may ask questions to which there is no answer.

In the case of the psyche, our inner landscape, I believe the scenario to be similar.

The psyche is still a largely unknown territory that is viewed very differently by individuals and organizations standing on different platforms. Spirituality, medicine and psychology are the main platforms from which this elusive entity is constantly under observation. More recently, some quantum physicists have joined the ranks of observers. And quite naturally, the view and feelings experienced from each viewpoint are vastly different. As a result, hypotheses presented as truths abound in every discipline and are often contradictory.

For me, one perspective has never been enough. Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to explore and understand the unknown realms of life, from the inside out. Over the years, I have studied various disciplines with many teachers and have also gone deeply within.

It is only when I had a succession of direct experiences illuminating all sides of the mountain simultaneously that my point of view became truly multi-dimensional. Yet, even though they were incredible gifts, these episodes might have been considered psychotic from a medical perspective.

The intention of this book is to provide an understanding of the psyche that encompasses aspects of transpersonal psychology, spirituality, philosophy, shamanism, psychiatry and contemporary physics. Together, they build a solid framework of references to which unusual inner experiences can be attached, thereby removing much uncertainty and anxiety.

My goal is to demonstrate that many symptoms of spiritual emergence can easily be mistaken for those of mental illness, when, on the contrary, they are the very signs of a healthy organism re-organizing itself at a higher level.

More and more people are labeled as schizophrenic, or considered to be at risk. In most countries their free choice around medication is steadily eroding. I hope that this book will play some small part in changing this paradigm.

I also hope with all my heart that the information presented here will help spiritual seekers who are looking for a direction. May it be the signpost pointing towards well-grounded higher states of consciousness characterized by emotional intelligence, physical wellbeing and spiritual fulfillment.

For this is where spiritual evolution leads us, provided its transient phenomena are integrated rather than suppressed. When mentally healthy individuals undergoing unsettling experiences are given appropriate knowledge and support, they tend to move naturally from the breakdown of an old system to a breakthrough into new levels of awareness.

However, when they are unnecessarily medicated,their evolution stops, there is no breakthrough and the stigma attached to a 'psychotic' label usually remains with them for the rest of their lives. Having said that, there is of course much to be grateful for with regards to Western medicine and psychiatry. In genuine cases of mental illness, the medical approach is of great benefit to people in crises, and pharmaceutical products often make a huge positive difference.