TODAY'S CONSIDERATIONS
Some of the other key points from the book INSTABILITY / INSANITY: What the Non-dual Teachings Can (and Cannot) Address and some additional considerations:
TO SUMMARIZE SO FAR
Instability / insanity induced by duality-based splitting: the non-dual teachings can address this condition
Instability / insanity induced by psychological splitting: the non-dual teachings can be a part of the process required to address this condition, but cannot address it entirely
Instability / insanity induced by cultural influences: if the readiness has manifested within the seeker, then most assuredly the non-dual teachings can assist with addressing this condition.
Instability / insanity induced by personality disorders: the non-dual teachings can help to address this condition, depending on the their severity
Instability / insanity induced by a failure to psychically integrate and instead the tendency to psychically disintegrate: the non-dual teachings can help to address this personality-based condition, depending on the degree to which disintegration has occurred
Instability / insanity induced by adults who model constant mood swings and instability and being temperamental and inconsistent so that they are always unpredictable: the non-dual teachings can only play a small part in addressing this condition
Instability / insanity induced by fixating in "The Parent" role or "The Child" role rather than interacting from the stance of the mature adult: the non-dual teachings can play a part in addressing this condition
Instability / insanity induced by emotional intoxication: the non-dual teachings can only play a small part in addressing this condition
Instability / insanity induced by religious / spiritual intoxication: the non-dual teachings can play a small part in addressing this condition
Instability / insanity induced by inner causes: the non-dual teachings can play a part in addressing this condition
Instability / insanity induced by depression and mania: the first line of treatment in this case should be offered by professionals who are trained and experienced with treating these two conditions
Instability / insanity induced by a need for full realization: the non-dual teachings can address this condition
Instability / insanity induced by chemical imbalances, physiological factors, and biological factors (including biorhythmic shifts and both male and female menopause): because there is no disconnect between the body and mind, and because the mind of the seat of personality, and because personality is the seat of discord and misery, the non-dual teachings can play a part - but the smaller part - in addressing this condition
Instability / insanity induced by a need for full realization: of course the teachings can address this condition
and
Instability / insanity induced by seeking someone or something to cause you to be happy, which the teachings can address
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Not all emotions and feelings and behaviors that some might deem "negative" are caused by the agendas of personality; nor are they a result of non-Realization.
As Advaitin Louise Sterling points out, there are times when the cause of certain emotions, feelings or behaviors "may be hormonal – in which case the feelings are not a choice – simply the internal weather."
Consider these "symptoms" that can be caused by non-Realization and personality but that can also be caused by physiological issues:
Mood Swings, Sudden Tears
Person's with mood problems are like human roller coasters. One minute they are up, the next minute they down. They never seems to be able to get off the ride. Their mood swings are intense, sudden and out of control. Chronic and severe mood swings are a psychological disorder, a health problem just as real as a physical ailment. In fact, sometimes they can be the result of a physical problem, like a premenstrual syndrome. And just like a physical problem, they can be treated. Professionals should be sought for advice and treatment.
Fatigue
"Fatigue is second only to pain as the most common symptom doctors see in patients," says David S. Bell, M.D., a chronic fatigue researcher at Harvard Medical School and the Cambridge Hospital in Massachusetts. "One-fourth of all Americans will have long episodes of lethargy and tiredness." Particularly common in women undergoing the menopausal transition, chronic fatigue can have a drastic impact on daily life, putting a strain on relationships, work productivity, and quality of life.
Fatigue, one of the most common menopause symptoms, is defined as an ongoing and persistent feeling of weakness, tiredness, and lowered energy level. This should be distinguished from drowsiness, which implies an actual urge to sleep. Fatigue involves lack of energy rather than sleepiness. If the fatigue comes on suddenly, it could be a sign of crashing fatigue. Other characteristics may include apathy, irritability, and decreased attention.
Sleep Disorders
If you are waking throughout the night, tossing and turning, and generally suffering with insomnia, many problems are potential causes. In many cases, obesity is a contributing factor.
In both males and females, the sleep disorder might be connected to the onset of male menopause or female menopause. (Yes, both sexes suffer from menopause and both can benefit from hormonal therapy.) When you begin going through menopause, you may find that your sleep is less and less restful, when you sleep at all.
In the past, doctors believed that interrupted sleep was a consequence of night sweats, but recent studies indicate that you can also have problems with sleep that are not connected to hot flashes (such sweating and flashes being related more often to the body being too alkaline).
Typically, the frequency of insomnia doubles from the amount you may have had before you entered premature menopause, and research also indicates that people can begin experiencing restless sleep as many as five to seven years before entering menopause. Again, though, in these cases, the problem is determining if the insomnia has its roots in changes in your hormone levels or in some other cause or causes.
Difficulty Concentrating, Disorientation, Mental Confusion
During early menopause, both males and females can be troubled to find that they have difficulty remembering things, can experience mental blocks or can have trouble concentrating. Not getting enough sleep, or having sleep disrupted, can contribute to memory and concentration problems.
Depression
Feelings of sadness can be normal, appropriate and even necessary during "setbacks" or "losses" throughout the relative existence. Or you may feel blue or unhappy for short periods of time without reason or warning, which also can be normal and ordinary. But if such feelings persist or impair your daily life, you may have a depressive disorder.
Severity, duration and the presence of other symptoms are the factors that distinguish ordinary sadness from a depressive disorder. This is called depression or irritability, which is a significant change in mood for an extended period of time associated with loss of interest in usual activities, including sleep and eating disorders, and including withdrawal from family and friends.
Depression can happen to anyone of any age. It afflicts millions if not billions around the globe each year, and up to one in five women in so-called "developed countries" will suffer from clinical depression at some point. Women are two to three times more likely than men to suffer from depression, and many women first experience symptoms of depression during their 20s and 30s.
Anxiety, Feeling Ill at Ease
Anxiety can be a vague or intense feeling caused by physical or psychological conditions. Anxiety can produce feelings of agitation and loss of emotional control that may be associated with panic attacks and physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and palpitations.
The frequency of anxiety can range from a one-time event to recurring episodes. Early diagnosis may aid early recovery, prevent the disorder from becoming worse and possibly prevent the disorder from developing into depression.
Irritability
Irritability can result in a significant change in mood for an extended period of time associated with loss of interest in usual activities, with sleep and eating disorders, and with withdrawal from family and friends.
"Occasional irritability is a normal part of being human," says Paul Horton, M.D., a psychiatrist in Meriden, Connecticut. "But irritability also can go hand in hand with almost any illness. Very often, people who are falling ill will become irritable but don't know why."
If your irritability persists more than a week and is adversely affecting your job performance and relationships with your family, friends and co-workers, it is recommended that you seek professional help.
Panic Disorder, Feelings of Dread, Apprehension, Doom
A significant and debilitating emotional state characterized by overwhelming fear and anxiety. These feelings can be vague or intense and can be caused by physical or psychological conditions. The frequency can range from a one-time event to recurring episodes. If your life is totally disrupted by this symptom, professional help should be sought.
To be continued.
Please enter into the silence of contemplation.
[NOTE: The four most recent posts are below. You may access all of the posts in this series and in the previous series and several thousand other posts as well by clicking on the links in the "Recent Posts and Archives" section.]
In addition to the five non-duality books made available without charge by Andy Gugar, Jr. (see “FREEBIES” above), you can now access nearly 2,900 posts for any topics of interest to you.
