Re:schizphrenic as failed mystic: again with feeling/missed my point

I was on your side.

However, you have demonstrated my point. For lack of a better term, I use "mystical experience," visions, voice, knowing outside of the normal human experience. I assure you that it's much more than a hunch that most New Agers like to call "intuition." You feel it, taste it, smell it, hear in your body. It's as real a typing on a computer key board. But you can't understand it unless you have actually experienced it. And few people experience it in this culture, making it eve less understandable. You can't "get it" by reading a book. Believe me, I've tried. That's where the flaw in your understanding arises, and mine too. I have never experience schizophrenia.

I never maintained that schizophrenia was normal, or even the same as a mysical experience. I seriously hope not. I don't want to be labeled mentally ill because I meditate and have had unusual experiences. Nor do I want the countless other who I know to be categorized in that way. This is not an experience out of control, unwanted, or damaging to self or others.

I suggested that schizophrenia is part of what is a normal, be it hard to produce, human experience GONE AWRY. I don't pretend to know anything about the disorder except what I've read regarding mysticism, and people with the disorder who I've encountered in the street. I'm certain that the disorder produces far more detrimental symptoms than positive symptoms. However, I think that the disorder would receive much more respect if we could recognize some of the strengths in the experience, if there are any, and they were widely recognize. Furthermore, it might help people receive better assistance if they were approached with wonder instead of fear, lessing the stigma of the illlness. Finally, there might be something that could be added to our understanding of the human mind, ultimately enhancing the human experience. Devastating condition yes, but maybe there's hope with a slightly different approach to it.

Just curious, you seem to know a lot about the condition. Are you schizophrenic?

Replies:

The delicate balance of tolerant detachment, by Todd, 06/30/02 Re:The delicate balance of tolerant detachment, by Lindsay Smith, 07/04/02

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