Re: Don't go in the water

"I realize that I had a conflict buried in my subconscious. It had to come out into the light of day. In doing so, I was bipolar. I believe this is a natural course for cleansing.Now that I'm aware of it, I wonder if it's safe to try and open up these channels again. The people in the background, telling me to stay out of the water, are all aspects of myself and the fears I've adopted through this process."

I'm not being sarcastic by any means but I believe that all of us have conflicts buried in our subconscious and what so many call "the subconscious" is in fact the eternal spirit that resides within each of us.  

I think that you would enjoy this site of one Jane Alexander (http://voices-of-recovery-schizophrenia.blogspot.com/2008/07/jane-alexander-m...) who was incarcerated for more than two years as a teenager for being bipolar and schizophrenic.  She has multiple web sites besides that one that I listed and I don't know how current she has posted because she threatened to stop posting about a year or so ago.  But, Jane was put on all sorts of meds and then about age 23 she stopped all of her meds and turned to meditation for 10 and 12 hours a day - went from one kind to another and after about five years was completely cured of her bipolar condition.  Her story is really inspirational and not only that, just plain miraculous.  She was badly abused as a child and I think that is behind many of our difficulties as adults but while growing up we rationalize it all by telling ourselves that our family situation is normal.  I have a book on my shelf by a psychiatrist who says that "93% of all children were abused while growing up."  I think he missed it by 7%!

I have practiced a from of meditation (in a regular sitting position, feet flat on the floor) for more than 30 years and it has taken me through both hell (PTSD - two divorces, death of a son) and high water, and finally to a point where I really enjoy life.  I'm an old fart so I have time and I spend a minimum of an hour a day in private meditation, turning within, and practicing grounding (a connection between my first chakra and the center of the Planet).  It isn't a "serious" time, it is just learning to find me and who I am and it is a never ending process.  And yes I often have to laugh at some of the life choices I've made - particularly in relationships, because it hurts too much to cry.

During my PTSD experience where I had horrible nightmares for days on end, I sought counseling.  I didn't find it all that great and I think that when psychiatrists put labels on people they are simply looking in the mirror and not the person they are counseling. 

Where you take your spiritual journey is your choice but I certainly wish you the best.