“The psychotic drowns in the same waters in which the mystic swims with delight.”
Joseph campbell
Words like interconnection, oneness, and non-duality all point to an underlying unity, an ocean of consciousness, in which we swim. And yet, we are individuals with a fixed point of consciousness, experiencing the Great Mystery through a narrow lens. This tension is the paradox at the heart of a spiritual awakening; how do we experience union as an individual?
I’m fascinated by how self-realisation relates to mental illness. Common ailments, such as depression, can’t be exempt from liberation traditions because they’re psychological constructs. Pathways that contextualise these ailments in structures ripe with potential for enlightenment, or nirvana, are of particular interest. Yoga is the choice for this exploration, because it’s grounded in self-realisation, mystical union, and the cessation of suffering, not… happiness.
That’s a direct challenge to dominating ideologies such as materialism and scientism. It challenges the notion of ailments as permanent or fixed. It turns our ambition of what’s possible upside down, suggesting that suffering is a pathway to awakening. Mental illness absorbed by this understanding is something to take incredibly seriously, because it suggests common recovery goals significantly downplay human potential.
Self-awareness is mostly considered a positive trait. More awareness equals more emotional intelligence, more clarity on life’s goals and values, more insight into behaviors or traits that limit potential, more understanding of how words and actions affect others.
But can you have too much self-awareness? Is it ever optimal to be less self-aware?
This time last year my aunt died. Two years ago my nan died. It feels strange to write, but these were the first deaths I grieved in a way that feels… healthy.
Journaling is a powerful tool for self-development and spiritual growth. Aside from meditation, it’s how I connect with myself, my ambitions, dreams… my shadow. While writing down thoughts and hoping for the best is worthwhile, learning how to journal effectively makes a huge difference.