Bipolar Recovery Coaching: Learn to live an extraordinary life without the "chronic illness" consciousness.
Bipolar Recovery Coaching and Alternative Bipolar Treatments.
Addicted to Thinking
Addicted to Thinking
"We believe that if we were not thinking, we would be unconscious. But this could not be farther from the truth!
In truth, the mind is asleep when it is thinking. It is actually awake only when thoughts stop. The thoughts we attempt to amuse ourselves with, if not actually experienced as dull and boring, are rarely more than fleeting worries, jumbled plans, repetitive to-do lists, or unfulfilled fantasies. An honest look at your typical day of thinking will reveal the plain truth: most of your thoughts are not the least bit satisfying.
The faculty of Knowing is separate from the faculty of Thinking. You don't have to “think” about moving your feet when you walk. You don't have to think about how to drive your car. You don't have to think about how to love someone. Thoughts are tools. Limited tools, to be used for specific, limited jobs. We were never meant to live by our thoughts. When thoughts are given the authority to rule our lives, they will always mislead us."
-From the upcoming book: Addicted to Thinking
Self Vs. Mind: The Cold War Within
Every one of us is fighting a private battle, whether we realize it or not. We all want to be happy, to be free and to be loved. But the mind often seems to be working against us. A great teacher named Lester Levinson once said that our Happiness equates to our capacity to Love - and our unhappiness equates to our NEED to be loved. Why is this?
The ability to truly love, means loving with the Heart - not with the mind. The mind divides. The Heart sees only unity and Oneness. The mind only loves certain "special" people, but has no regard for the rest. The heart only loves, unconditionally. There is in truth, no "special love."
When we are free from the thinking mind, all that remains is the awareness of Love. Then there is no need to seek love outside us, because we realize that we ARE Love! There is an endless supply within and we are ALL of it. It can never run out. It does not reside within another person or thing. We don't need to find it, buy it, consume it, or meet "the One." All doors are open.
You are just fine right where you are.
All our endless searching, questioning, desiring, learning, reading, studying... only feeds the mind - the intellect. And the simple truth of our own Being eludes us. No matter how many books we read, the truth only comes when we Let Go. Every time we let go, we become more alive to the Present Moment. And that is the only place we will ever find the real Self.
"If you could keep quiet, clear of memories and expectations, you would be able to discern the beautiful pattern of events. It is your restlessness that causes chaos."
- Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Two of the best ways of learning to live in the Here and Now - and realize a more joyful state of inner peace, are Tapping, and Meditation.
For me, the only real question is "Who Am I?"
And the only real answer is "I AM." This is not the answer that the mind will give you. "I AM" is an inner knowing - a state of silent awareness. It is not a concept, an idea, a self-image or any other mental thought. If you ask yourself "Who am I?" and if you get an answer in your mind -- than you can be sure that that is NOT the answer!
Meditation leads us to deeper states of consciousness that are beyond the thinking mind. But in order to even get anywhere close to that, we sometimes have to work through a thick layer of mental and emotional sludge that we have avoided, repressed, and struggled with for our whole lives. Can meditation deal with that? Yes it can. But that can be a scary prospect, and requires a lot of discipline and persistent practice.
The perfect companion to a meditation practice, is Meridian Tapping. Tapping is the ideal tool for clearing the mind and emotions, in order to clear the way to knowing the real Self.
“You need not and you cannot become what you are already. Only cease imagining yourself to be the particular. What comes and goes has no Being. Realize that you are the eternal source and accept all as your own. Such acceptance is true love.”
-Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Intuitive Tapping: Using Meridian Tapping (EFT) as a Path of Awakening to the True Self
There are endless ways to use Meridian Tapping to deal with emotional traumas, unwanted patterns, and negative thoughts. But most people don't go far enough with tapping and don't realize it's full potential as a tool for transformation. The most common complaint that people tell me is that they don't know what words to say when they tap on their own. Well, the fact is, most of the time, when I'm guiding a client through a tapping session, I don't know what I'm going to say until the words come out of my mouth. I just try to let go and trust my intuition. And most of the time, people tell me it's "spot on." That's what I love about intuition! It doesn't require critical thinking.
You can tap this way for yourself if you just allow yourself to get into the process without trying too hard. It's a lot more fun, and you will get much better results. Just identify and an issue (a specific feeling, emotion, troublesome thought or upsetting memory) and repeat your opening statement (done while tapping the karate chop point):
"Even though I have this (Feeling/Thought/Memory, etc), I choose to accept myself anyway."
Then tapping several times on each of the 8 points outlined in the basic Meridian Tapping instructions, focus on the troubling feeling or thought and just describe it, speaking the words out loud if you can, and don't worry about how negative it is.
You are not telling yourself anything harmful - because your intention is to accept the feelings, and to release them. If you don't say them to yourself while tapping, then they just remain in your mind where they will continue to wreak havoc in your life.
To get into the intuition, imagine that your focus is moving down from your head, to your heart, or to your gut. Imagine that your mind is located in your heart. Let the words come without effort - even if it sounds strange or seems to make no sense. Keep tapping around all the points, and do several rounds. Get into a rhythm as you tap and speak. Pretend it's poetry. Don't be self critical. Just keep tapping. As things start to feel a little different, tell yourself some positive things. Things you want to feel or believe. If this is hard, then just say phrases like, "I choose to accept myself. I choose to trust my intuition again. I choose to accept what I feel."
It takes practice saying positive things to yourself. If it's awkward or uncomfortable, then just keep going, and imagine that your Higher Self, Your Soul, Your "Divine Indweller" or your guide or angel is speaking for you when you say the positive statements. Trust what comes out and you will start to be amazed at the depth, the wisdom and the love that you express. That is where real healing and grace happens.
With practice it gets easier. Just don't give up on yourself. Make the commitment to your self. And try to do at least 5 minutes a day.
"When desires trouble the mind, always remind yourself of this truth: 'When ecstasy comes, everything goes."
-Paramahansa Yogananda
Learn more about iatrogenic (medically caused) illness.
“Why are so many more people disabled by mental illness than ever before? Why are those so diagnosed dying 10-25 years earlier than others? In Anatomy of an Epidemic investigative reporter Robert Whitaker cuts through flawed science, greed and outright lies to reveal that the drugs hailed as the cure for mental disorders instead worsen them over the long term. But Whitaker’s investigation also offers hope for the future: solid science backs nature’s way of healing our mental ills through time and human relationships. Whitaker tenderly interviews children and adults who bear witness to the ravages of mental illness, and testify to their newly found “aliveness” when freed from the prison of mind-numbing drugs.”
—Daniel Dorman, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine and author of Dante’s Cure: A Journey Out of Madness
“This is the most alarming book I’ve read in years. The approach is neither polemical nor ideologically slanted. Relying on medical evidence and historical documentation, Whitaker builds his case like a prosecuting attorney.”
—Carl Elliott, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Center for Bioethics, University of Minnesota and author of Better than Well: American Medicine Meets the American Dream
Bipolar Recovery Coaching and Alternative Bipolar Treatments
Bipolar Recovery Coaching is an individualized program to assist in your recovery from the devastating symptoms of Bipolar Illness.
"Before starting treatment with Ben, I was at my wits end. My life was disintegrating, and I was very close to driving away the most important people in my life....
Fortunately, in searching for an alternative approach, I found Ben's site. Shortly after starting the steps in his Alternative Bipolar Treatment Plan, I began weekly therapy and EFT coaching sessions with Ben. In the six months since, he has helped me completely change my way of being in the world. I've rediscovered what it means to enjoy my life. My days are once again relatively peaceful, and I no longer live in constant fear of lapsing into another violent episode of mania or depression. There is still work to do, but I now feel confident in my ability to stay on track.
Whether you are at your wits end because standard treatment is not helping you, or you are newly diagnosed and looking for an alternative approach, do yourself a favor and give Ben a call. I will be forever thankful that I did just that (and for what it's worth, my sessions are remote, as I couldn't find anyone supporting an alternative treatment approach locally - this has not diminished my results one bit!)"
-Natalie, Bipolar Recovery Coaching Client 2010
This program is for those who:
- Have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and don't know what type of treatment plan to follow.
- Have been taking a cocktail of psychiatric medications and are still experiencing bipolar symptoms and mood episodes.
- Are tired of the debilitating side effects of psychiatric medications and are seeking natural and complimentary treatments.
- Reject the idea that Bipolar Disorder is a chronic, life-long illness that will require drugs for the rest of their lives.
- Are ready to take full control of their lives and their health by learning to live in a disciplined and balanced manner, giving full support to their mind and body.
- Want to continue using psychiatric meds while also exploring other means of improving your quality of life.
- Want to try a model of recovery, rather than blindly accepting that traditional approaches are the only way.
Bipolar Recovery Coaching is an individualized program to suit your unique needs, utilizing a variety of methods, stress-reduction techniques, trauma-release techniques such as EFT/Meridian Tapping, goal setting, mood tracking and more. Most of my coaching clients are not local, and we work together by phone or Skype video calls. Call for details.
Learn more about Bipolar Recovery Coaching program
Meridian Tapping: Learn the Basic Technique
EFT/Meridian Tapping Sessions by Phone (or Skype)
Schedule a Session Now!
A Trauma can be created in a matter of seconds, and with Meridian Tapping/EFT it can
heal in the same amount of time. So let go of your ideas about “deeply ingrained
trauma,”.... it's much easier to change than you ever thought possible.
Tapping Into Joy: Meridian Tapping and Mindfulness for Depression
The basic technique is simple to learn. Coming up with the right words or phrases takes a little more practice. Experiment with it and as they say, "try it on everything." It's the only way to prove to yourself that this is actually a powerful tool worth an absolute fortune.
By learning to use Meridian Tapping/EFT for yourself and your family, you will be saving yourself from pain, poor health, and even expensive medical treatments, just by activating your body's own natural healing abilities. You will have a tool that can overcome virtually any emotional or mental obstacle to your peace, happiness and success in life. It pays to be persistent!
Learn the Basic EFT/Meridian Tapping Technique
Energy Psychology and Meridian Tapping (EFT)
Learn more about Meridian Tapping and EFT
Learn to Meditate: The True Self Is Ever-New Bliss
Healing The Apparent Self
Of The Ignorance Of
The True Self Is The Ultimate
Essence Of All Healing"
-Yogiraj Siddhanath
"The 'here' is everywhere and the now -- always. Go beyond the 'I-am-the-body' idea and you will find that space and time are in you and not you in space and time. Once you have understood this, the main obstacle to realisation is removed."
-Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Realization is our true nature. It is nothing new to be gained. What is new cannot be eternal. Therefore there is no need to be doubting whether we would gain or lose the self."
-Sri Ramana Maharshi
"Learn to be calm and you will always be happy."
-Paramahansa Yogananda
Try My Meditation Audio by Clinking the Link Below:
You always have the ability to go within and to surrender to your own Higher Self - your eternal and ever present Consciousness. Here is the source of your true happiness, bliss and contentment. That which you seek in the world is already here, within you Now.
Try my guided meditation here and now. Just make yourself comfortable, stop what you're doing and take a 15 minute break to feed your soul:
Yogic Breathing Techniques to Supercharge and Balance You
Learn Pranayama techniques - Bhastrika, Ujjai, Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, Surya Bheda and more
Learn more about yoga and meditation for health, happiness and vitality.
Stay Tuned for the next Newsletter -
Don't Give Up!
Every life challenge is an opportunity to awaken. There is no situation that is hopeless. Something positive, healing and transformative is possible in all circumstances, even when we can't recognize it at the time. Sometimes we forge ourselves out of the fire of suffering and loss, and it isn't until the end that we realize what a beautiful work of art has emerged within. The glory of waking up can't be experienced if you don't first accept that you are asleep.
May we all find peace. May we all know joy. May we all be liberated from fear, and released from illusions. May we all return to the Truth of our inner Light.
Watch EFT-Meridian Tapping Instructional Videos and Connect with me on Facebook:
I value your opinions and your feedback. Please let me know if this newsletter was helpful and feel free to ask questions. I update my website regularly, so check the site for new information, and if you like what you see, let others know about it.
Wishing you health and great joy!
Ben Schwarcz
Benjamin Schwarcz, MFT is licensed psychotherapist (#mfc35606), meditation teacher, and energy coach with a private practice at 509 7th Street, Santa Rosa, CA, 95401. He can be reached at 707-326-5566.
Disclaimer:
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. As with any drug, not all supplements are safe for all individuals and there may be risks and contraindications for people with certain conditions. Always consult a professional health care provider before before trying to treat a serious condition on your own.
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