The I Ching and Schizophrenia

[bruce_g]

First I asked the fourth question and got Hexagram 1, The Creative with a moving line on 3 changing into Hexagram 10, Treading (Conduct).

This confused me right away. The Creative seems to be the most powerful and positive hexagram. It represents the Sage or God. And I thought, what does that have to do with mental illness?

Kate (the Wanderer)

Hi Kate,

Thank you as well.

I’m going to touch on your first (#4) reading, because it presents a very important and often overlooked aspect of hex. 1. It’s pretty usual for people to see 1 in an entirely (good) positive way, especially if they are using Wilhelm. Positive (as in the hot wire in an electrical circuit) it is, but positive needs to be grounded before it has a place to go. Line 3 is a bit like an overload in the circuit, the creative energy has nowhere to go – so it creates disturbance, dissidence or anxiety. The effect of this anxiety is reflected in hex. 10. So now, where is this disturbed energy going to tread? 10 is reactionary, so it becomes necessary to discern high and low; again asking the question: where will this energy go? You can see the tension there, and how it relates to your question: Which hexagrams most describe mental illness?

Bruce

 

[bruce_g]

Btw, Kate, check out the Fan Yao of 1.3, which is 10.3. The tiger bites the man - misfortune. The only time this is justified is when fighting for a supreme cause. Any other time, it's reckless.

The energy needs grounding. For me, I find such grounding in simple things, small things, sometimes menial things. Or, an artistic project or participation can give expression, which defuses excessive creative energy, gives it somewhere constructive to go. Discerning high and low.

 

[peacecat]

I’m going to touch on your first (#4) reading, because it presents a very important and often overlooked aspect of hex. 1. It’s pretty usual for people to see 1 in an entirely (good) positive way, especially if they are using Wilhelm. Positive (as in the hot wire in an electrical circuit) it is, but positive needs to be grounded before it has a place to go.
Bruce

Hello Bruce,

Yes, the idea that the Creative, if ungrounded, is a two edged sword. Too much yang can lead to an imbalance just as too much yin can, hence the Creative's need for the Receptive and visa-versa. In the beginning of my schizophrenia I was overloaded with input and found it hard to tread without stepping on the tiger's tail. As to conduct, that was hard to figure out too. But it's interesting to think of the Creative as the place that generates everything, both the good and the bad. It's a place of great power. I think the reason most people see the Creative as positive is that the I Ching promotes the utopian, the idea that heaven is all good, the superior man is all good and an enlightened society is possible whereas in reality everything is mixed, as the I Ching shows, too in the 64 hexagrams.
But the goal is still heaven I think and in heaven there is perfect balance. Perhaps that's why Treading is so important. In order to find balance, you have to know how to conduct yourself and how to diffuse energy that has become too great.

Kate

 

[bruce_g]

But the goal is still heaven I think and in heaven there is perfect balance. Perhaps that's why Treading is so important. In order to find balance, you have to know how to conduct yourself and how to diffuse energy that has become too great.

Kate

Hi Kate,

You say "in heaven there is.." I'm not sure I understand this. Do you mean heaven as a place? A principle? An energy? And, in any of these cases, how is heaven a goal?

I think of heaven as being one of two legs or wings or eyes. And I'm not understanding "in heaven", because heaven is in us.

 

[peacecat]

Btw, Kate, check out the Fan Yao of 1.3, which is 10.3. The tiger bites the man - misfortune. The only time this is justified is when fighting for a supreme cause. Any other time, it's reckless.

The energy needs grounding. For me, I find such grounding in simple things, small things, sometimes menial things. Or, an artistic project or participation can give expression, which defuses excessive creative energy, gives it somewhere constructive to go. Discerning high and low.

What is Fan Yao?

10.3 does seem to be the proper place initially for a schizophrenic--a bit blind and a bit lame and therefore a bit reckless.

"This line stands in both the nuclear trigrams, Li, eye, and Sun, leg. But since it is not correct--being weak in a strong place--its seeing and treading are defective. Furthermore,the place is in the very mouth of Tui, the lower trigram, hence the idea that the tiger bites. As a weak line it occupies a strong place and rests upon a firm line. Since it is at the high point of joyousness (Tui), it is light-minded and fails to retreat despite the danger of the situation. This suggests that it treads on the tail of the tiger and is injured." (Wilhelm, p.438)

Most people would not connect schizophrenia with joyousness but truly there are some joyous moments in delusional thinking, but the thoughts being delusions are not appropriate..."weak in a strong place" and leads to danger and injury. The image of the Fool in the Tarot cards just about to walk off a cliff.

10: "The situation is really difficult. That which is strongest and that which is weakest are close together."

This mingling of strong and weak is a good definition of schizophrenia. The Creative is at work but is treaded on by the weak, causing a disturbance and eventually injury. The only way to mitigate the situation is by following the proper conduct, that is, through therapy, self-help groups, helping others and most likely taking medication.
In short, the schizophrenic must take care of him/her self. This is proper conduct that leads to restoring some semblence of health.

 

[bruce_g]

What is Fan Yao?

10.3 does seem to be the proper place initially for a schizophrenic--a bit blind and a bit lame and therefore a bit reckless.

"This line stands in both the nuclear trigrams, Li, eye, and Sun, leg. But since it is not correct--being weak in a strong place--its seeing and treading are defective. Furthermore,the place is in the very mouth of Tui, the lower trigram, hence the idea that the tiger bites. As a weak line it occupies a strong place and rests upon a firm line. Since it is at the high point of joyousness (Tui), it is light-minded and fails to retreat despite the danger of the situation. This suggests that it treads on the tail of the tiger and is injured." (Wilhelm, p.438)

Most people would not connect schizophrenia with joyousness but truly there are some joyous moments in delusional thinking, but the thoughts being delusions are not appropriate..."weak in a strong place" and leads to danger and injury. The image of the Fool in the Tarot cards just about to walk off a cliff.

10: "The situation is really difficult. That which is strongest and that which is weakest are close together."

This mingling of strong and weak is a good definition of schizophrenia. The Creative is at work but is treaded on by the weak, causing a disturbance and eventually injury. The only way to mitigate the situation is by following the proper conduct, that is, through therapy, self-help groups, helping others and most likely taking medication.
In short, the schizophrenic must take care of him/her self. This is proper conduct that leads to restoring some semblence of health.

Love this.

Fan Yao is a term that Bradford (I think?) came up with. I'm sure he can explain it better than I. A change line in the primary hex. is then referenced in the relating hex. i.e. The Fan Yao of 1.3 is 10.3. I don't use this feature often but do find it useful sometimes. The change line and Fan Yao are like mirrors to one another. Sometimes the association is tight and sometimes loose. In this case it appears tightly connected, as you have just pointed out so well.

 

[peacecat]

Hi Kate,

You say "in heaven there is.." I'm not sure I understand this. Do you mean heaven as a place? A principle? An energy? And, in any of these cases, how is heaven a goal?

I think of heaven as being one of two legs or wings or eyes. And I'm not understanding "in heaven", because heaven is in us.

In Stephen Karcher's fully revised edition of the I Ching he has a Concordance. Here is what the Concordance says of Heaven: "T'ien: highest; sky, firmament, heavens; power above the human as opposed to earth, TI, below; the Symbol of the trigram Force, CH'IEN. The ideogram: great and the one above. See also: Below Heaven and Heaven and Earth."

I guess heaven could be all those things, a place, a principle and an energy. The goal is to become a superior person and follow the will of heaven. The goal is to be in perfect balance, in the Tao. This is how it seems to me in the I Ching but, remember, I am just a beginner. I don't even know if I believe in Heaven but the I Ching certainly does. And I can see how progressing towards heaven could be the fullfillment of every individual life. Yes, I can see that "heaven" is within and without, all over the place but sometimes hard to find. The I Ching seems to be a guide towards rediscovering it again and again. Very cool.

You say heaven is inside us, could you clarify that?

Kate

 

[bruce_g]

I guess heaven could be all those things, a place, a principle and an energy. The goal is to become a superior person and follow the will of heaven. The goal is to be in perfect balance, in the Tao. This is how it seems to me in the I Ching but, remember, I am just a beginner. I don't even know if I believe in Heaven but the I Ching certainly does. And I can see how progressing towards heaven could be the fullfillment of every individual life. Yes, I can see that "heaven" is within and without, all over the place but sometimes hard to find. The I Ching seems to be a guide towards rediscovering it again and again. Very cool.

You say heaven is inside us, could you clarify that?

Kate

Ok, I see better what you mean for "goal".

The image I received to explain 'heaven in us' is a watch. In an old watch there are the springs (heaven) and gears (earth). In a new watch, a microprocessor is the creative (heaven), and the gross bodily movements do the work (earth). One thinks or causes, the other does or moves.

Heaven as a place, I've lost that concept somewhere along the line.

 

[rosada]

Intrigued by this discussion of "Heaven" and the fact that we are looking at hexagram 16 now over on the memorization thread. 16 suggests music is a form of communication between earth and heaven. What's that all about?

 

[bruce_g]

Kate, having a little more time to think about this..

Heaven as a spiritual principle is perhaps closer to what you were asking? For that, I’d still have to speak in metaphor. Maybe get dang poetic about it, too. But it would be metaphor. Maybe others can get their head around heaven or the creative, but I can’t without the use of metaphor.

So, whether the metaphor is mechanical, as say a watch, or it is spiritual, as say in spirits, guides, Bodhisattvas, angels, gods or goddesses, it is still expressed as a metaphor.

Just in case you own such a watch, the one which appeared had a green shiny face, part was either cut away or you could see through it, where the spring and gears were working in the background. This could have just been my own memory, or a pattern, as LiSe said on the 29 thread, or perhaps an actual watch somewhere. dunno. But either way, wasn’t it the creative or heaven which caused its appearance? If it happened only in my own head, isn’t that still hex 1? Heaven is within. And what if my premonition was wrong? Would that make it any less hex1? hmm… there’s where we can get into trouble. Believing the appearance of something doesn’t make it so. So whether real or not, hex 1 still goes about pouring out its energy.

That's why grounding creative energy is so important. Heaven by itself is insanity; and to make matters worse, is impotent.

 

[peacecat]

Intrigued by this discussion of "Heaven" and the fact that we are looking at hexagram 16 now over on the memorization thread. 16 suggests music is a form of communication between earth and heaven. What's that all about?

Hi Rosada,

The Wilhelm translation is pretty clear about how music is seen as a bridge between earth and heaven. Religion and music tend to go together. "Religious feeling for the Creator of the world was united with the most sacred of human feelings, that of reverence for the ancestors." But who is this Creator of the world exactly? Is this Creator also the creator of heaven? Or is the Creator heaven itself? Sorry, I'm getting myself confused...

 

[peacecat]

Ok, I see better what you mean for "goal".

The image I received to explain 'heaven in us' is a watch. In an old watch there are the springs (heaven) and gears (earth). In a new watch, a microprocessor is the creative (heaven), and the gross bodily movements do the work (earth). One thinks or causes, the other does or moves.

Heaven as a place, I've lost that concept somewhere along the line.

Hey Bruce, where did you receive this image of heaven/earth as a watch, in a dream?

The Creative and the Receptive, springs and gears, thinking and moving...Heaven and Earth.

If Heaven and Earth are the watch, then what is a metaphor for time? And, also, is there anything greater than Heaven or is Heaven supposed to be a metaphor for the cosmic universe? Right now it's all a bit jumbled up in my mind. The imagery of the I Ching is only just now starting to sink in but I feel like the Fool (Guess what I got today when I consulted the I Ching--Youthful Folly, moving line on 1 into Decrease--I am a not so young fool but I'm eager to learn...).

 

[peacecat]

So whether real or not, hex 1 still goes about pouring out its energy.

That's why grounding creative energy is so important. Heaven by itself is insanity; and to make matters worse, is impotent.

My computer froze on me but I got to write down some of the message I was working on.

I was talking about self-help support groups acting as the Receptive to balance out the Creative: But I think the main point of self-help groups is to end the tendency of illness and addiction to move towards isolation. The Creative in isolation IS insanity and it does the same thing over and over again. But when the Receptive is added, the insanity lessens and people begin to heal. New perspectives open up. It's like this community, it grows and feeds and balances through insight and new understanding. So the Creative gets guided.

Do you think it's a mistake to equate the Creative with Heaven? Isn't Heaven really the yin and the yang balancing together and not one (the Yang) lording it over the other (the Yin)? I guess I find this power imbalance between Heaven and Earth unsettling. Isn't earth just as valuable as heaven and isn't the union of the two the real "Heaven"?

 

[bruce_g]

Hey Bruce, where did you receive this image of heaven/earth as a watch, in a dream?

The Creative and the Receptive, springs and gears, thinking and moving...Heaven and Earth.

If Heaven and Earth are the watch, then what is a metaphor for time? And, also, is there anything greater than Heaven or is Heaven supposed to be a metaphor for the cosmic universe? Right now it's all a bit jumbled up in my mind. The imagery of the I Ching is only just now starting to sink in but I feel like the Fool (Guess what I got today when I consulted the I Ching--Youthful Folly, moving line on 1 into Decrease--I am a not so young fool but I'm eager to learn...).

Trust me, you don't want to know where it came to me! Let's just say, I'm a guy and do my "thinking" standing up.

Heaven can refer to the physical cosmic universe, but it isn't limited to that. Heaven, in the Creative sense, is the active force or principle. Again, using the electricity metaphor, it is the hot wire as opposed to the grounding wire. An electrical socket has heaven and earth contained in itself. It's self contained, and it offshoots from a bigger generator, and probably a bigger one yet. In universal proportions, who knows how far the chained links go? It's pretty big though. God is supposed to live out there somewhere. Too huge to grasp that, but in little things it can be seen.

Is heaven greater than earth? I don't believe so, at least not in the practical sense. It takes both to manifest something. A child is born of man and woman. Or, a thought (seed) is heaven. Receiving the thought and doing something with it (womb) is earth. Prayer is heaven, faith is earth. All these are metaphors, and so they are justifiably arguable. These are only examples of how I see it.

Time can be considered an element of hex 60: a division of something infinite.

And, we're both young fools, gray hair notwithstanding.

 

[bruce_g]

I was talking about self-help support groups acting as the Receptive to balance out the Creative: But I think the main point of self-help groups is to end the tendency of illness and addiction to move towards isolation. The Creative in isolation IS insanity and it does the same thing over and over again. But when the Receptive is added, the insanity lessens and people begin to heal. New perspectives open up. It's like this community, it grows and feeds and balances through insight and new understanding. So the Creative gets guided.

 

[peacecat]

Hello Everyone,

New question with an interesting response:

What is the best treatment for schizophrenia?

Response: #40, Deliverance with moving lines on 2 and 4 changing into #2, The Receptive.

For this post I'm going to stick with Wilhem's translation. "The Sequence--Things cannot be permanently amid obstructions. Hence there follows the hexagram of DELIVERANCE. Deliverance means release from tension." (584)

"The Judgement--Deliverance. The Southwest furthers." (585) "The southwest is the place of the trigram K'un, the Receptive....When deliverance has only just come, a certain protection is needed, a quiet nurturing under the maternal care of the Receptive." (585-86) Hence The Receptive is already an integral part of the healing process.

Line 2 is one of the rulers of the hexagram. "a) One kills three foxes in the field / And receives a yellow arrow. / Perseverance brings good fortune. b) The good fortune of the perseverance of the nine in the second place is due to its attaining the middle way." (587)

"The obstacles in public life are the desiging foxes who try to influence the ruler through flattery. They must be removed before there can be any deliverance. But the struggle must not be carried out with the wrong weapons. The yellow color points to measure and mean in proceeding against the enemy; the arrow signifies the straight course. If one devotes himself wholeheartedly to the task of deliverance, he develops so much inner strength from his rectitude that it acts as a weapon against all that is false and low." (156) I read the designing foxes as being the voices who through their flattery create delusions of grandeur if not dealt with...The means of dealing with them is through following "the middle way" and avoiding extremes.

LIne 4: "Deliver yourself from your great toe. / Then the companion comes, / And him you can trust." (156) The great toe represents "inferior people" who "attach themselves to a superior man, and through force of daily habit they may grow very close to him and become indispensable." (157)--but one must free oneself from the inferior element in order to be delivered. Then healthy support comes.

Carol K. Anthony in her book THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE I CHING often refers to two major elements: the superior man and the inferior man. She identifies the inferior man with mental illness. Ms. Anthony writes: "As long as the inferior man rules within us, an inner conflict, or 'war,' is set off within our personality; our superior man is held captive by our inferior man. Until we restore order, our personality remains fundamentally split....The work of self-development is to resolve all internal rifts, restoring the personality to wholeness, or oneness, in harmony with the Tao. The causes of illness that have their roots in internal conflict, gradually abate and become eradicated; the person is restored to health and well-being." (30-1)

The Receptive. Bruce and I were discussing how The Creative out of balance could create schizophrenia and that there was a need for the Receptive to help restore balance. I asked, is the Creative greater than the Receptive? And he answered No.
Here's a quote from Wilhelm's translation; "The attribute of the hexagram is devotion; its image is the earth. It is the perfect complement of THE CREATIVE--the complement, not the opposite, for the Receptive does not combat the Creative but completes it....But strictly speaking there is no real dualism here, because there is a clearly defined hierarchic relationship between the two principles. In itself the Receptive is just as important as the Creative, but the attribute of devotion defines the place occupied by this primal power in relation to the Creative. For the Receptive must be activated and led by the Creative; then it is productive of good. Only when it abandons this position and tries to stand as an equal side by side with the Creative, does it become evil. The result then is opposition to and struggle against the Creative, which is productive of evil to both." (10-11)

So not only can the Creative get out of balance and cause illness but the Receptive when trying to lead can cause illness too. They must work together for a healing to take place. When the Creative is too forceful, then the Receptive must be more yielding and nurturing. I also see the Receptive as a model for how a schizophrenic in the midst of psychosis should act, that is with docility and gentleness but also strength. The schizophrenic must place God above him or herself and seek out help. Some of my voices, which have always been a mixture of good and bad, demanded that I get therapy and go to support groups and actively help other people and this is how I proceeded. By being receptive I found a way to cope with the voices, I found a way out of the worst of the illness and learned more about patience and perseverance while deepening my faith in a higher power. This devotion to the Creative (God) guided me to a better place. I had to learn that the ultimate Creative force was benevolent and healing and that the voices and delusions were beneath this force, still part of the Creative but not in control.

Kate

 

[bruce_g]

Kate, I've never heard a more beautiful summation.

 

[hollis]

three foxes, big toe

Was "three foxes" an idiom? back in 10th century BC? just curious.

Line 4, in 40, has been coming up in readings two three times lately, so, interesting to see it here, Kate, in your reading of wellness.

LiSe says in her notes:

"Line 4. A difficult one, still searching for a better translation. In one of my Chinese texts the last character is not 'true' but 'study'. 'Release and-yet big-toe (or thumb) friend (or money) arrive split-off true'. Split-off can be apart or special, and arrive can be culminate, the top. Anybody who has a good idea, please mail to me!"

makes sense to me, all of it.

 

[peacecat]

Kate, I've never heard a more beautiful summation.

Thanks so much Bruce.

 

[peacecat]

Line 4, in 40, has been coming up in readings two three times lately, so, interesting to see it here, Kate, in your reading of wellness.
.

Hi Hollis,

Here's an interpretation from someone named Sam Reifler on line 4: "Let your toes go; friends come, mutual confidence arises." "In you time of need, the time of danger, you depended somewhat on a person not entirely trustworthy or sympathetic to you. Your release from danger must also be a release from this person. As soon as you relinquish his aid someone else more suitable and reliable will be able to help you."

And another interpretation from Carol K. Anthony: "Deliver yourself from your great toe. Dependence on the big toe symbolizes clinging to the way we solved problems before we began studying with the Sage of the I Ching. For instance, we take matters into our own hands in an effort to achieve results or block events because we still distrust being led. This distrust prevents deliverance. A similar habit of mind is demonstrated by accepting evil: 'Well, whatever happens will be okay.' If we are firm in our quest for what is right, ' the companion comes whom you can trust.'" (A Guide To The I Ching, p. 186)

So either there's someone untrustworthy you're relying on too much or you yourself are not trusting in being guided. Either way it seems to imply the need to get rid of something, either a person or a way of thinking.

 

[germanking]

or block events because we still distrust being led. This distrust prevents deliverance.

Being 'led' by what/who? And what is deliverance? What are your personal thoughts on these questions?

 

[peacecat]

Being 'led' by what/who? And what is deliverance? What are your personal thoughts on these questions?

Welcome germanking,

Well, according to Carol Anthony being led by the Sage of the I Ching. To me that means being led by a higher power or God, if you will. God (the Sage) requires that we work on self-improvement to benefit ourselves and others. If we choose to follow the I Ching, it means we're choosing to be led and not relying solely on our own perspective and interpretation of events. It requires an open spirit willing to enter into the unknown. It requires a certain amount of faith.

Deliverance is being rescued at the last moment. It's where burdens are lifted and one can move forward again. My understanding of that hexagram (as with most of the others) is limited because I'm only now trying to learn them, but the Wilhelm translation seems to clarify it well.

Personally, I believe in God though I still have trouble defining that belief, so the all-inclusiveness of a "higher power" seems to work well. All through my illness I fostered this belief in God and I leaned on it when things got rough and yes, I felt as if I was being led as I feel we all are if we're open to it. Deliverance can happen dramatically, all at once, but I found for me that deliverance came in stages, gradually over time, but a belief in God helped to facilitate it for me.

:bows: Kate

 

[rosada]

Thoughts on deliverance from the "Big Toe". I have a young friend up the street who recently learned to walk on his own. It was fascinating watching how he figured it out, particularly when it came to negotiating the frount steps. At first he would simply drop to his knees, turn around and crawl down backwards. Then he got so he would crawl sideways. Next he went for the forward approach, croaching low and keeping a very close eye on where he placed his feet. Finally he stopped watching his Big Toe and went for it standing streight up. All the friends cheered and, since he was now standing upright, clasped his hands.

 

[germanking]

...learned to walk on his own. It was fascinating watching how he figured it out,

I had a similar experience. 100% true. I friend of mine just stood up and walked. He never dropped to his knees and never crawled down backwards. (He caused heart attacks everywhere he went.) Another friend of mine (an older friend), would have been much happier if he had the chance to trip the first friend.

 

[hollis]

a story of prevention

Hi Wanderer62.

I just recall a story for this thread, maybe it can help someone somewhere down the line. The I Ching CAN help avert mental illness.

I have a young friend that I became very concerned about. She was having mental breakages, thinking in circles, and writing papers not unlike the Jack Nicholson character in "The Shining". This was very disturbing, as she is a brilliant thinker. I asked the IC what I could do to help her, and got 59 line 6. I felt this meant to get her away form her family, and I also, at the time, just read it to mean to HELP her and QUICKLY, as her situation was serious. I felt she very well may have a complete break.

I took the line 6 as a call to arms, and did eveyrthing I could to help her get into a different college, and get her away from her surroundings, which were alien to her well being.


All the effort paid off, she is now in a different school, she is no longer cutting herslef, she is eating food, her papers are brilliant, and she is very happy.

 

[peacecat]

Hi Wanderer62.

I just recall a story for this thread, maybe it can help someone somewhere down the line. The I Ching CAN help avert mental illness...

All the effort paid off, she is now in a different school, she is no longer cutting herslef, she is eating food, her papers are brilliant, and she is very happy.

Thank you hollis, a very uplifting story. But the key element in the situation was you. You consulted the I Ching and you followed through on its advice and you helped someone in need. Bravo!

When I was spiralling into psychosis I consulted the I Ching almost compulsively but my motivation was wrong at the time. Sometimes it takes someone outside the situation to really be of help, someone who has a more balanced perspective. That's why this site is so valuable because there are people here willing to take the time to help.

Kate :bows:

 

[hollis]

yes yes

:bows:

True. And this site IS very valuable, the people willing and wanting to help. Merry Christmas!

The IC, used wisely, can assist the doctor. For instance, someone else, also very troubled. "What can I do to help" 47 line 5, which meant , to me, that her restriction was something she would have to overcome herself.

 

[Greenkid]

Schizophrenia

:bows:

True. And this site IS very valuable, the people willing and wanting to help. Merry Christmas!

The IC, used wisely, can assist the doctor. For instance, someone else, also very troubled. "What can I do to help" 47 line 5, which meant , to me, that her restriction was something she would have to overcome herself.

I wonder, if after all this time, I might put in my 2 pennyworth - In my younger days one of my relatives was diagnosed as schizophrenic - as the only person with nursing experience I was asked for my permission to perform a Frontal lobectomy which was the accepted treatment. This I refused to give as the possible effect could have been that the person (a highly intelligent person) could have ended up as a 'Cabbage' I was not prepared to wish that on anyone. For some years now I have been studying: the Power of the Mind, Nutrition, Bach Remedies, Supplements and the like and have discovered Orthomolecular Medicine. (which anyone can find on the web). In it I found that Schizophrenics had been CURED - not just treated - with mega doses of Niacin (Vitamin B3). It is believed to be a form (that is probably not the word I want) of Pellagra It also informs us that mega doses of Vitamin C. can CURE, all manner of INCURABLE conditions.
For myself I do not take prescribed medications. In 1999 I had a Pace Maker installed. I went back to work after 3 months and felt that my life was finished. During a 3 days forgetfulness I didn't take the prescribed medication then on the 4th day took them again only to find that I felt awful again and remembered that I felt OK the previous 3 days, so I stopped taking any of them. it is now 2017 I am 87 years old and have taken none of them since. I am told that I look to be in my 60's ( I DO NOT SUGGEST THAT OTHERS DO THE SAME) but I would encourage anyone or everyone, to look up Orthomolecular Medicine on the web.

 

[rosada]

Wow, thanks for this Meigga! I read somewhere that heart disease is actually a form of scurvy and animals that make their own vitamin C do not have heart attacks.

 

[iams girl]

Yes, thanks Meigga!

Yes, the idea that the Creative, if ungrounded, is a two edged sword. Too much yang can lead to an imbalance just as too much yin can, hence the Creative's need for the Receptive and visa-versa.

If I might add a bit of anatomy and physiology to this wonderful resurrected thread: Unlike solid strands, wiring in the brain is made up of several series of cells. They communicate by releasing what are called "neurotransmitters" at their ends which are then picked up by "receptors" on neighboring cells along the line. Factors such as how many neurotransmitters are released, how many find their way to the other side, and how well the receiving receptors are working determine the outcome of many mental and physical processes. One of the main theories related to the organic cause of schizophrenia is that too many "dopamine" neurotransmitters are being released which then activates too many receptors. (To me, it sounds just like the quote above about too much yang and the need for a balanced relationship with the Receptive!) Mainstream anti-psychotic medications are designed to block dopamine receptors lessening the impact of the excess dopamine and easing the symptoms. It would be interesting to know how the mega-dose niacin acts on the body system. I know it's also used to lower cholesterol...