A spiritual emergency is a period of intense and extended disturbance to a person’s ordinary sense of self and reality, which can involve psychotic-like symptoms such as mania, ego-dissolution, a heightened sense of meaning, hallucinations and a confusion of inner and outer worlds.
These experiences can be treated as symptoms of chronic brain disorders requiring psychotropic medication. However, they ar
e better understood as attempts by the psyche to seek greater wholeness.If properly handled, they can be transitions to greater maturity, flourishing and wisdom.This talk was given at the Rebel Wisdom Festival in late May 2020.
If you’re exploring therapeutic support alongside experiences like these, our guide to online therapy platforms covers common questions and community perspectives worth considering.