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"The Wisdom of Mental Illness is a invaluable guide to understanding and healing from mental illness and the Western world's technology driven lifestyle....This is the best primer on shamanic healing I have read, and I have consumed many books on the subject."- Review on Amazon.

This book explores how the ancient path of shamanism can help us to understand the nature of mental illness, recasting psychological breakdown as a potentially transformational experience. What we label as pathological could actually be an initiation into a better relationship with ourselves and the world.

Written for those who are experiencing or who have experienced mental illness, or whose loved ones are going through such episodes, or who are mental wellbeing practitioners, this is a guide to the potentially transformational experience of that which we label mental illness. It explores the ancient concept of the "shamanic sickness", whereby the prospective shaman underwent many years of mental distress as part of their initiation, and looks at what this can teach us about mental health. It argues that, in some cases, what we seek to medicate could actually be a calling to a path of service and healing.

The book also explores our cultural biases around mental illness. What we define as pathological, many cultures see as a sign of being inspired and in touch with greater powers. It looks at our uneasy relationship with altered states of consciousness and how these might hold the key to healing many symptoms of mental illness. This includes the very latest research, including clinical trials, on psychedelic medicines and the extraordinary potential they are showing in treating mental illness and enhancing mental health. It also looks at the evidence of how unusual states of consciousness have helped us evolve as humans, and the shamanic origins of many of these states.

Finally it looks at how we, as species, have come out of balance in our relationship to nature and the devastating affect this is having on our mental health. By learning from ancient indigenous cultures who have remained in balance with the natural world, this book looks at solutions to heal this modern imbalance and find a way forward for the Earth and ourselves.

AVAILABLE ONLINE HERE https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Mental-Illness-Shamanism-Renewal/dp/1786785293 and here https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Mental-Illness-Shamanism-Renewal/dp/1786785293/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2LK0QBIWBGFLJ&keywords=jez+hughes&qid=1655917387&sprefix=%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-2 AND IN MOST GOOD BOOKSHOPS

ENDORSEMENTS:

‘Jez Hughes’ brilliant and comprehensive new book helped me understand many of the observations I made while documenting tribal and indigenous cultures worldwide. Most of the visionaries and healers (aka shaman) I met had experienced a ‘shamanic sickness’ that often included a feeling that they were dying or being dismembered during their initiation.   Hughes methodically explains, and backs up with current neuroscientific research, that the sense of self, or individual identity (Ego) is being lost. In an individualistic culture like ours this results in a fearful loss of reality (i.e. Psychosis).  However, when occurring in traditional cultures that understand and support the process, the softening Ego boundaries can lead to a profound feeling of connectedness to everyone and everything and result in more empathy, compassion and sense of purpose. 

Hughes clearly explains what traditional support looks like and asks us to imagine if this understanding--this Wisdom--was not only brought to those considered ‘mentally ill’, but to all of us living in cultures consumed with the Ego demands of individual wealth, status and power.’-

PHIL BORGES, AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR OF CRAZYWISE 

‘It is with perfect timing in an unprecedented pandemic of mental health concerns that Jez Hughes’ latest book arrives. His book is an essential read as he invites the reader to critically review the past in order to create a healthier future within Western communities. 

With an accessible depth and breadth of historical research into mental health and shamanistic sickness, his honest reflexive auto-ethnography, his phenomenological case studies and philosophical questions surrounding clinical psychiatry, pharmacology and psychedelic assisted therapy, Jez takes you on a revisioning of the shamanic paradigm towards a revivification of how and what humans really need to thrive and live a holistically balanced life. 

Jez presents a robust and authoritative argument for Western society to reconnect to the history of shamanic ritual, practices and cultures. Through challenging the suppressive and often manipulative attitudes and practice that have evolved concerning mental health treatment, you are awakened to new insights towards contemporary mental health issues. I found this book exciting, thought provoking, encouraging and forward thinking. I personally endorse this book and his wisdom in the shamanic ways to healing mental dissonance and trauma in the 21st Century. 

His critical message is we must learn from our spiritual ancestors and shamanic history to respect those with mental health difficulties. I highly recommend and urge all students of life or University students of education, social and human sciences courses, especially psychology, psychiatry, sociology or social work to read this book.’ 

DR CAROL LLOYD, PHD JUNGIAN STUDIES, MASAP SOMATIC AND EXPRESSIVE ARTS PSYCHOTHERAPY. SENIOR LECTURER IN COUNSELLING AND CHILDHOOD STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER

A grounded, well-argued and finely-illustrated account of the need to update our current paradigms of mental health to more holistic and compassionate approaches, that have the courage to stand next to the pain and support its journey of growth. A very significant contribution for depth, relational and spiritual approaches to mental health. 

MARIA PAPASPYROU- PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND CO-DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY. CO-EDOTOR OF ‘PSYCHEDELICS AND THE PSYCHOTHERAPY’ AND ‘PSYCHEDELIC MYSTERIES OF THE FEMININE’

‘A unique read, written by a unique individual with candour and deep humility, Jez takes us through the journey of psychedelics from indigenous and Shamanic roots, through to the modern day gold rush for mental health treatment practices. A challenging topic, yet a welcome read where these two worlds will inevitably collide. For those of us deeply committed to honouring all peoples and multiple perspectivism Jez has given us a heartfelt and whistle stop ‘trip’ through his professional ‘hands on’ and personal ‘feet in the soil’ knowing, through direct lived experience.’

JAMES CLIFTON- PSYCHOTHERAPIST. LEAD FACILITATOR & CORE FACULTY AT SYNTHESIS INSTITUTE - ‘A GLOBAL LEADER OF THE MODERN PSYCHEDELIC MOVEMENT, ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING

‘As the Coronavirus epidemic continues to iMpact the mental health of millions of people around the world, our fast paced modern society still has no effective means to get to the root of this illness. What Jez Hughes argues, in his game-changing book, "The Wisdom of Mental Illness" is that rather than seeing mental illness as a symptom of a breakdown, we should embrace the way of the Shaman and see it through an animistic lens - an opportunity for a spiritual breakthrough.

This book is a call to action . A vital & necessary reading for anyone wishing to break free from limited beliefs and mental health problems, and wish to adopt new tools, and a whole new way of life that places connection to ancestors, nature, spirits, community and land at the centre of their own universe.’ 

MARC J FRANCIS, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILM MAKER AND DIRECTOR OF THE ‘WALK WITH ME’ ABOUT ZEN BUDDHIST MASTER THICH NHAT HANH

‘At a time when mental health issues are considered endemic, Jez’s book asks some essential questions about how we approach these challenges. It also offers some important answers, drawing on indigenous wisdom and a widening perspective of the process of growth and transformation that people undergo, to highlight some of the gifts to be found in what our society shames and rejects. 

It is a much needed call to transform the stigma of mental health challenges and find a framework to support positive outcomes for the individual and the wider community, that has the potential to bring so much to our society. It reminds us that our mental health doesn’t happen in isolation and that our impact on and relationship with the natural world are intimately intertwined with our mental wellbeing. It invites us on this path of reconnection that is so needed for individuals and our society at this extraordinary time.’

HOWARD JOHNS- RENEWABLE ENERGIES ENGINEER, SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AND AUTHOR OF ‘ENERGY REVOLUTION’