Bipolar Awakenings: Rethinking Mental Illness Through Spiritual Emergence (Ep. 203)

In this episode, I sit down with Sean Blackwell, author of Bipolar Awakenings: The Quest to Heal Bipolar Disorder, for a deep dive into the intersection of bipolar disorder, spiritual emergence, and nonordinary states of consciousness. We explore Sean’s personal awakening in the 1990s, his early encounters with “spiritual emergency,” and how that experience propelled him into decades of work using transpersonal psychology, holotropic-style breathwork, and what he calls surrogate breathwork to support healing. Sean shares striking stories—from supporting family members through medication-free psychotic breaks to facilitating powerful, somatic releases—while emphasizing safety, humility, and collaboration with psychiatry. We unpack the common “spiritual delusions” seen in acute psychosis, the role of Kundalini and the chakra framework, and why Sean views bipolar episodes as potentially meaningful reorganizations of the psyche rather than purely biological malfunction. He offers grounded guidance for those newly diagnosed (including staying on medications while exploring spiritual work safely), outlines his four-pillar approach (psychiatry, psychology, peer support, spirituality), and points listeners to his free books, training resources, and videos. If you’ve ever questioned the conventional narrative on mental illness—or you’re seeking new language and tools for profound inner transformation—this conversation will challenge and inspire. Resources mentioned: Sean’s website: bipolarawakenings.com (free PDF downloads of both books, training resources, and links to YouTube/Instagram). Key influences include Dr. Stanislav Grof (holotropic breathwork, spiritual emergency) and Ken Wilber (evolution of consciousness).

Guest: Sean Blackwell
https://www.bipolarawakenings.com/

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