*INNER WORK ESSENTIALS - TEACHING INTENTIONS & STATEMENT OF DIRECTION* 1) Provide the student with an informed and representative overview of multiple complementary therapeutic modalities to support their self-healing process; with special encouragement placed upon the auto-therapeutic application of holistic healing modalities for particular problems at particular stages in their journey. 2) Nourish the intellectual and spiritual maturation of the student by familiarising them with the most exciting, challenging and credible concepts in developmental psychology, consciousness studies and transpersonal metaphysics; with central emphasis being placed upon comparative analysis of multiple complex theories. 3) Encourage an empowered and more authentic sense of individual self-expression as a combined outcome of the two previous intentions, plus the application of holistic lifestyle principles, self-educational practises, and foundational healthy habits. *EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES (what you'll get from these videos)* *On completion of this series, the student should expect to be:* 1) Auto-therapeutic. The student will feel generally competent in their ability to select and self-administer the most suitable therapeutic modality on a full-spectrum basis: ranging from the somatic resolution of central childhood wounds to the everyday self-regulation of symptomatic stress responses such as anxiety and addiction. 2) Closer towards baseline integral consciousness (Wilber). Through their combined efforts of rigorous self-inquiry and critical engagement with recommended reading material, the student will have significantly developed their intellectual and spiritual maturity to a noticeable degree, in likely correlation with their depth of engagement. 3) Holistically Empowered. The student will enjoy a meaningful expansion of their physical, emotional, sexual, and creative expression as a result of their healing and expansion work. In short, they will be healthier, happier and feel more complete. 4) Self-educational. The student will have felt organically inspired to move beyond free video content and create a self-structured learning arc which takes maximum advantage of at least several dozen inner working books mentioned within the course. The student will consequently enjoy lifelong learning habits including: critical research skills, long-term focus, and the ability to know when to stop studying.
Thank you so much for talking about addiction. I have a TH-cam channel where I talk about my old drug addiction and just addiction in general, mostly because I'm trying to help others with their own addictions. I haven't posted a video in awhile. But you've got me inspired to maybe start up the channel again. So thank you! Blessings to you always ❤️ don't ever stop making your videos please. They help so much!
I heard an Andrew Huberman quote for the first time yesterday: "Addiction is a progressive narrowing of the things that bring you pleasure. Happiness is a progressive expansion of the things that bring you pleasure." This narrowing and expanding is something I am thinking more about as I try to live a healthier, less addicted life.
I'm an ex heroin addict and alcoholic who now is a self realized meditator. Another addiction? Probably. But I do receive answers and interaction with God and the angels more so now that my mind is clear. Micheal beckwith said " religious people spend their Sundays trying to stay out of hell. Spiritual people have been there." So true
I met a guy who told me about how his dad who just passed away had done every crazy ass drug and fried his brain quite a bit yet he was a passionate and generous music teacher teaching all around the world to all types of communities. At 70 years old he walked 70 miles into nature and died there of a heart attack.
I have a little over 3 years of recovery myself. I think I found you because of my interest in Jung as he was my gateway beyond the god of the atom. It truly is validating to be met with this wonderful energy here! Way to be. Thank you!
So with you here! Totally resonate. Numbed myself for quite a while with alcohol and substances. Just to relax while being with other humans, to feel connection and peace or a higher state of being.... because I actually felt so terribly uncomfortable amongst people. In Astrology some of the more spiritual houses are also the most challenging. They can be symbols for things like addiction, loss, trauma and so on but also for transcendence, enlightenment, sanctuaries, ritual ... very helpful for me to learn about this. Great work thanks! Also very helpful ;)
Super common patterns of numbing and self-limiting to feel like we can 'fit in' socially - I totally get it. Glad to hear that you've healed through some / all of these challenges so far, pleasure to share these videos!
These videos are solid. Great content and presentation is focused solely on oral communication. Not over stimulating, not too much going on at once. The Audio is great and content is easy to digest, not too much and not too little.
Thank you! I’ve tried my best to be intentionally calm in these videos and make sure it’s one-take without editing to focus on language and knowledge transfer, like you said. Appreciate this comment a lot, brother.
The best aspect of your speech is the very fact that you don't simply come to conclusions. You don't give answers but you help the viewer to think and come to their own realizations like a good therapist.
OMG/. I AM A SPIRITUAL WRITER AND SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE SAYING I'VE BEEN SAYING... I'VE WRITTEN AN ARTICLE ON SOME OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING... AWSOME
I'm in recovery ...I will be 23 years sober this October and I have worked hard to share my shadow before God and another as in the 12 steps. I most definitely believe the alcoholic /addict has a spiritual thirst for wholeness. More power to your journey Jordon ✨
This video gave me chills. I am five years recovered from alcohol and drug abuse, although have struggled with many other addictions since - including a difficult relationship with food, money, tv. The thing that I remember the most from my periods of drug use was a scrambling for something that felt like…**more.** there was a lot of taking psychedelics to get right to the visionary experience of god. Difficult to be in a rural landscape and not understand how everyone else can be so engaged in the church. I’ve not actually worked a 12 step program. I just…stopped drinking. Recently a relative called me a dry drunk, and that I was “white knuckling my sobriety,” to much outrage from me as I have turned my life around so much. Your video has given me pause to think about this and the idea that perhaps I have further healing to do in regards to trauma, and becoming less rigid in my life as a whole. Thank you. Will definitely check out your other videos.
Hello again Jordan. The timing of this video in my life is quite magical. I have addiction issues with alcohol, and this is my third day sober (in several years) and although I don't drink all day and function quite well, I just can't get through an evening without. But watching this, I realize I have a spiritual addiction too that I never quite recognized. Your ideas about an addictive mind are fascinating and so is the clarity with which you convey them. I wonder why some of us have such addictive personalities and some of us don't. Congratulations on your 3 years of sobriety! At the moment it feels like climbing Mount Everest to me:)
You'll really enjoy reading 'A Thirst For Wholeness' I believe - very much literalises the alcohol/spiritual pathway. Otherwise, keep going. The turning point for my 'addictive mind' was making increased efforts to turn my intensity towards healing & creativity - it's amazing how decreased our desire to 'numb out' becomes when we gradually build a new life worth living and savouring - wishing you the best with your continued sobriety. First 60 days are always the hardest.
@@jordanthornton Thank you. It's that same desire for healing and creativity and a different way to live that got me through the night. I will stay focused on that.
...my experience of my alcoholism is that I have a physical mental and 'spiritual' disease as well as, or alongside of other mental health 'disorders" but I would have the disease of alcoholism regardless of traumatic experience or mental health disorders. I do feel 'recovered' from other mental health disorders through the practice and application of the 12 steps also with the steps as a base line for other work adjacent. Also of note in my experience, the fact that I feel I have experienced significant spiritual experience without needing to have a religious experience. I am very greatful and very aware that to maintain 'spiritual fitness' its a daily schedule aligned to the 12 step principles of recovery. Peace of mind is gold, may I never take it for granted...what a journey. Feel so greatful for your inner work essentials, thankyou so much and thankyou for sharing so much of your own personal experience. Gold ❤
Namaste Jordan, I too am nearly 3 years serene and free from chronic alcoholism via 8 months rehab residential and now actually in a 12 step recovery 👏 dependant upon conscious contact with my Higher Power every day. It's miraculous and very very peaceful. I just wanted to say that I have met many many recovered and recovering 12 step addicts and alcoholics who have found daily connection to a Higher Power and who have no childhood developmental trauma or any other significant psychological trauma based illness diagnosis. Yes, Dr Jung's work is definitely significant ...very significant. It is my experience that his influence/ pointings gave us step 2 of 12 step..." came to believe..." the work of william james has been very influential in my recovery also ....profound gold here Jordan, thankyou again ❤
I have been managing my own addictions for some time now, and I have said before, that people say drugs kill you, but that drugs actually saved my life At the time, using drugs was a better option than the hell in my mind That of course wasnt the whole story. But it was for sure a true part of it. Thank you for your acknowledgement of that.
I agree with you about drugs or alcohol pulling people out of the dark, I got an addiction at 40 years old after sitting in my robe for 3 1/2 years and I don’t care what anybody says it saved me.
Very interesting thoughts on "turning a temporary state into a permanent trait". I don't read nearly as many books as you, but I feel I have intuitively been aiming for this for many years as a resolution to my problems...(like many of the topics you discuss). I realised early on in my healing journey that one of the things I was really resisting and reacting to is the idea of working a full time job I am not fulfilled by and then having to book vacations to escape my life all the time (or drink or do drugs), or just constantly feeling like I need to escape my life. I didn't want to live like this, I wanted to create a life that may be more modest, but it consistently fulfils me so I don't need to escape it all the time (like many 'normal' people do). As you know, it doesn't happen right away... its taken me years to build a stable, safe environment where I can actually work on the skills that fulfil me. I call it my foundation. I now have the foundation and am working on professionalising my hobby (art)... so that I can live a life I enjoy and don't have to escape from. It doesn't mean everything is fun and easy all the time... i have many challenges and obstacles, but finally I am seeing progress and finally my vision that seemed so impossible to achieve in the beginning is starting to be visible and practical for me! And I don't even like going on vacations now - i feel it disrupts my flow haha!
PS .. one of the biggest challenges to achieving this vision is learning about yourself enough to know what will satisfy you, as its very unique for everyone and many survivors of childhood abuse are unaware of their own desires and strengths because of the people pleasing and sacrificing that happened to them as a result of the abuse. So be patient and be there for yourself, always.
Your Psychology videos are so incredibly thoughtful. 3 minutes and I hit the subscribe button. I've never heard this perspective before although I agree with you.
Excellent! I went from substances to religion to magic to indifference (almost) in my journey, so I get what you're saying and had wondered the same thing about the spirituality of people who tend to lean on altered states of consciousness. Thank you!
Hey Jordan, my wife and I have been watching your videos and as you were explaining addiction to different ways of spiritual seeking my wife turned and said "wow its like he's talking about you!" Which was nice to hear 😄 😉 but of course I immediately saw the truth in it. I have had unhealthy shame all my life about being shy and finding it hard to talk to people. I have tried absolutely everything and now realise why it hasn't helped. What would you recommend I do next to really heal from this? We love your channel BTW and just want to support your growth. If there is anything we can do to help (other than liking/subbing) please let us know. Thank you so much Jordan 🙏
Hey, thank you for commenting and letting me know about the wholesome-yet-confronting moment with you and your wife - I love to hear it hahah In regards to your question about shame work, I have a video on this topic which provides far more information than I could in one comment: but long story short story = inner child healing + daily and varied embodiment practice (from a self-loving place). I massively appreciate your shared support and desire to offer more, but I already feel rewarded knowing that these videos are landing deeply with people like yourselves! Comment connections are always welcome :)
Your depiction of addiction is this video is fascinating; particularly plateauing after each "peak" experience. What if the peak experience is unsustainable / unattainable, or is unwise to plateau at? I guess finding God in each experience could be what grounds it? Thank you, as always.
Functioning addicts can be equally destructive and creative. Quite often drugs for blocking of inhibitions and drugs used to enhance focus can create a level of focus that prevents inner criticism and conditioned responses to whatever you working thus giving space for instinct and intuition to help form a piece of work be it art or science. However, it comes at a price often maybe physical health or emotional health, relationships and the deeper you move into addiction can sometimes over power the ability to be creative. Creativity can also become tainted by the drug and become a muse for the user that makes them doubt their ability to create without. I think it's quite personal how you respond to drugs and how they affect you performance, there's a spectrum of addiction. It's rare when it becomes unmanageable that truly nice things arise from it. However, I do think some beautiful things have arise from people putting themselves into altered states. It's a myth that it gives you creativity, I think it a fast track to being in a meditative state and can be achieved through much more healthier means. However, a lot of the desire of the addict is to find release from trauma and in certain situations and times people have seen no other option in order to realise and speak their own truth.
Thank you for this honest video Jordan. I'm 5 years sober from drink and drugs and some of your perspectives here were really interesting. I'm curious to know your thoughts on Gabor Mate's perspective on addiction?
I think the addict has experienced trauma and due to the trauma they have “died to self” due to the pain. In turn they have started to feel the “all” and start picking up on the pain of others. You are triggered by this and to survive one has to numb up. When I was a child my mother said when we went to the mall I would go to the bathroom but I never actually used the bathroom. What was happening was when I walked through the crowd, I could FEEL everyone’s emotions. It was like my nerves were hanging out and brushing up against everyone. I had to go get in a bathroom stall to escape the overwhelming overstimulation. I grew up to be a alcoholic. I can’t watch painful movies or have many friends because of this.
It's a genuinely profitable way to look at cravings and addiction, a very much needed change of perspective. It feels to me that it elicits something similar to the discussion of mental disorders as a "breaking of the forth wall" to other realms of existence. Like some people say that we can't yet be sure if a hallucination isn't simply a dislocation of perceptual bounderies, as in physical to metaphysical (or something of sorts). But something bugs me. 🤔 I can understand the transposition from mind-altering drugs to spiritual seeking, it's a pretty obvious correlation. But since I'm coming from a perspective of experiencing a different kind of addiction, I'm finding it hard to connect the dots to this religious factor. If you consider the narrative addiction, maybe it's possible to stretch, but not with the food addiction. That one feels to me as a type of accessory addiction, like something that builds upon other issues, no mind-altering events generally. Also it feels more material, somewhat autophagic even. Would there be different types, or natures, of addiction?
I see what you're saying, and it's an interesting question when it comes to specific additions. It's very difficult to make blanket statements - although the research does suggest that trauma is the common ground (obviously). Here's a few examples of exploratory questioning which could be useful for you: - What do you feel is 'behind' food addiction? - What is the desire to be 'filled up' really about? - To what degree is food consumption 'mind-altering'? - If food is 'mind-altering', what is the typical state-shift? - What is the 'food-sensation-state?' Could religious parallels be drawn? To my understanding, the felt sense of spiritual revelation (or anything nirvanic) must also be considered - it's exploring this sensation of wholeness, simultaneously present in the head, heart and sexual centres which 'light up / lighten / fill up' all together. I would stay there is still a link between religious impulse and food addiction, but trauma is still the primary factor!
@@jordanthornton Yes, I can perhaps find some approximation of this mechanism of overeating, in my case, with what I've recently discovered to be a necessity to shut something up. This necessity to shut up what needs to be outspoken might function on a subtler level as a "mind-altering neuropathway". Or I'm outstretching it too much. >< After 12 hours in a bus today, I guess it wouldn't be too hard to scramble it. lol Oh, and thanks for the guiding questions. I'm gonna meditate on them. : )
This video made me think about everything we do. Is it possible that what we are passionate about might be serving us the way addictions do? I am also wondering, wanting to see beautiful things to soothe ourselves like the urge to go see the sunset every day. Is that also serve us in the same way as addictions do?
Great insight, yes. The inversion of peak and valley. Perhaps the peak before the plateau and the valley becomes the stable bedrock… but valleys likewise have rivers (Grand Canyon being notable example) - a rich metaphor to work with….
I was an addict for 4 years and through concern for my physical health got motivated and stopped using. Now 7 years later i am still clean. But am now at a fase that all those traumas of my youth has surfaced including sexual abuse when i was 5 years by 12 year old brother. As i was very close with my brother before i remembered the incident 5 years ago, i am now in a very confused state regarding my relation with him and my family. Is this what they call a traumatic bond between siblings? And does your programmes offer help with something like this? I am since a few weeks now listening to your videos and it is very interesting.
This is a great success story so far, thanks for being here and sharing some of this. Well done for being stronger than the pain from before, and likewise healing the deeper traumas. This kind of work is indeed an aspect of what I could offer in mentorship and the shadow work library course, but you'll still get plenty from the free videos as I see you're already enjoying. Be well for now, brother. Don't forget to get the books, they'll help.
Sounds like some Reichian bioenergetics woo but probably. Addicts have either less ability to dull out using bodily copes like normies dissociating through tech so they level up their defenses with aids. Maybe this is a bit romanticized but it's possible that they are more passionate even if that doesntanifest constructively.
![Emotional Armour: Is Our Rigidity Killing Us Slowly? How to Let Go of Traumatic Heaviness [16/52]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HATfWUq72KE/mqdefault.jpg)
![Emotional Armour: Is Our Rigidity Killing Us Slowly? How to Let Go of Traumatic Heaviness [16/52]](/img/tr.png)
*INNER WORK ESSENTIALS - TEACHING INTENTIONS & STATEMENT OF DIRECTION*
1) Provide the student with an informed and representative overview of multiple complementary therapeutic modalities to support their self-healing process; with special encouragement placed upon the auto-therapeutic application of holistic healing modalities for particular problems at particular stages in their journey.
2) Nourish the intellectual and spiritual maturation of the student by familiarising them with the most exciting, challenging and credible concepts in developmental psychology, consciousness studies and transpersonal metaphysics; with central emphasis being placed upon comparative analysis of multiple complex theories.
3) Encourage an empowered and more authentic sense of individual self-expression as a combined outcome of the two previous intentions, plus the application of holistic lifestyle principles, self-educational practises, and foundational healthy habits.
*EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES (what you'll get from these videos)*
*On completion of this series, the student should expect to be:*
1) Auto-therapeutic. The student will feel generally competent in their ability to select and self-administer the most suitable therapeutic modality on a full-spectrum basis: ranging from the somatic resolution of central childhood wounds to the everyday self-regulation of symptomatic stress responses such as anxiety and addiction.
2) Closer towards baseline integral consciousness (Wilber). Through their combined efforts of rigorous self-inquiry and critical engagement with recommended reading material, the student will have significantly developed their intellectual and spiritual maturity to a noticeable degree, in likely correlation with their depth of engagement.
3) Holistically Empowered. The student will enjoy a meaningful expansion of their physical, emotional, sexual, and creative expression as a result of their healing and expansion work. In short, they will be healthier, happier and feel more complete.
4) Self-educational. The student will have felt organically inspired to move beyond free video content and create a self-structured learning arc which takes maximum advantage of at least several dozen inner working books mentioned within the course. The student will consequently enjoy lifelong learning habits including: critical research skills, long-term focus, and the ability to know when to stop studying.
Thank you so much for talking about addiction. I have a TH-cam channel where I talk about my old drug addiction and just addiction in general, mostly because I'm trying to help others with their own addictions. I haven't posted a video in awhile. But you've got me inspired to maybe start up the channel again. So thank you! Blessings to you always ❤️ don't ever stop making your videos please. They help so much!
@@Fromaddicttoentrepreneur Do it - keep teaching, always need more voices in the space!
I heard an Andrew Huberman quote for the first time yesterday: "Addiction is a progressive narrowing of the things that bring you pleasure. Happiness is a progressive expansion of the things that bring you pleasure." This narrowing and expanding is something I am thinking more about as I try to live a healthier, less addicted life.
That’s an excellent perspective, thank you for taking the time to share 🌲
I'm an ex heroin addict and alcoholic who now is a self realized meditator. Another addiction? Probably. But I do receive answers and interaction with God and the angels more so now that my mind is clear.
Micheal beckwith said " religious people spend their Sundays trying to stay out of hell. Spiritual people have been there." So true
I met a guy who told me about how his dad who just passed away had done every crazy ass drug and fried his brain quite a bit yet he was a passionate and generous music teacher teaching all around the world to all types of communities. At 70 years old he walked 70 miles into nature and died there of a heart attack.
Bizarre. But that’s an incredible ending right there - thank you for sharing, very symbolic
I have a little over 3 years of recovery myself. I think I found you because of my interest in Jung as he was my gateway beyond the god of the atom. It truly is validating to be met with this wonderful energy here! Way to be. Thank you!
Jung is certainly a kingpin in the space - great to connect and resonate, sending my best for your ongoing work!
So with you here! Totally resonate.
Numbed myself for quite a while with alcohol and substances. Just to relax while being with other humans, to feel connection and peace or a higher state of being.... because I actually felt so terribly uncomfortable amongst people.
In Astrology some of the more spiritual houses are also the most challenging. They can be symbols for things like addiction, loss, trauma and so on but also for transcendence, enlightenment, sanctuaries, ritual ... very helpful for me to learn about this.
Great work thanks! Also very helpful ;)
Super common patterns of numbing and self-limiting to feel like we can 'fit in' socially - I totally get it. Glad to hear that you've healed through some / all of these challenges so far, pleasure to share these videos!
These videos are solid. Great content and presentation is focused solely on oral communication. Not over stimulating, not too much going on at once. The Audio is great and content is easy to digest, not too much and not too little.
Thank you! I’ve tried my best to be intentionally calm in these videos and make sure it’s one-take without editing to focus on language and knowledge transfer, like you said. Appreciate this comment a lot, brother.
The best aspect of your speech is the very fact that you don't simply come to conclusions. You don't give answers but you help the viewer to think and come to their own realizations like a good therapist.
Always prioritise encouraging original thinking, thanks for noticing this!
Thank you for this honest perspective. It allows one to step out of present and delay the unpleasant healing needed. Just thank you.
OMG/. I AM A SPIRITUAL WRITER AND SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE SAYING I'VE BEEN SAYING... I'VE WRITTEN AN ARTICLE ON SOME OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING... AWSOME
Many ways to approach the truth, great to hear these words resonate!
I'm in recovery ...I will be 23 years sober this October and I have worked hard to share my shadow before God and another as in the 12 steps. I most definitely believe the alcoholic /addict has a spiritual thirst for wholeness. More power to your journey Jordon ✨
This video gave me chills. I am five years recovered from alcohol and drug abuse, although have struggled with many other addictions since - including a difficult relationship with food, money, tv. The thing that I remember the most from my periods of drug use was a scrambling for something that felt like…**more.** there was a lot of taking psychedelics to get right to the visionary experience of god. Difficult to be in a rural landscape and not understand how everyone else can be so engaged in the church.
I’ve not actually worked a 12 step program. I just…stopped drinking. Recently a relative called me a dry drunk, and that I was “white knuckling my sobriety,” to much outrage from me as I have turned my life around so much. Your video has given me pause to think about this and the idea that perhaps I have further healing to do in regards to trauma, and becoming less rigid in my life as a whole.
Thank you. Will definitely check out your other videos.
Thank you for sharing some of your story here, and I’m wishing you the best in your next steps 🌲
Interesting video - loving the series!
Thank you - appreciate you taking the time to comment!
You articulated this so well.
BLESSED BE THE ALGORITHMS❣☺🔥
Hello again Jordan. The timing of this video in my life is quite magical. I have addiction issues with alcohol, and this is my third day sober (in several years) and although I don't drink all day and function quite well, I just can't get through an evening without. But watching this, I realize I have a spiritual addiction too that I never quite recognized. Your ideas about an addictive mind are fascinating and so is the clarity with which you convey them. I wonder why some of us have such addictive personalities and some of us don't. Congratulations on your 3 years of sobriety! At the moment it feels like climbing Mount Everest to me:)
You'll really enjoy reading 'A Thirst For Wholeness' I believe - very much literalises the alcohol/spiritual pathway. Otherwise, keep going. The turning point for my 'addictive mind' was making increased efforts to turn my intensity towards healing & creativity - it's amazing how decreased our desire to 'numb out' becomes when we gradually build a new life worth living and savouring - wishing you the best with your continued sobriety. First 60 days are always the hardest.
@@jordanthornton Thank you. It's that same desire for healing and creativity and a different way to live that got me through the night. I will stay focused on that.
...my experience of my alcoholism is that I have a physical mental and 'spiritual' disease as well as, or alongside of other mental health 'disorders" but I would have the disease of alcoholism regardless of traumatic experience or mental health disorders. I do feel 'recovered' from other mental health disorders through the practice and application of the 12 steps also with the steps as a base line for other work adjacent. Also of note in my experience, the fact that I feel I have experienced significant spiritual experience without needing to have a religious experience. I am very greatful and very aware that to maintain 'spiritual fitness' its a daily schedule aligned to the 12 step principles of recovery. Peace of mind is gold, may I never take it for granted...what a journey. Feel so greatful for your inner work essentials, thankyou so much and thankyou for sharing so much of your own personal experience. Gold ❤
Thank you for sharing a little of your story here - and I’m exceptionally pleased to be sharing these videos with you and appreciate your kind words 🌲
Had to watch the video three times. Thank you so much for exploring this topic
Glad it was THAT helpful, Theo 🌲
Wow !! What a good question!!
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment - wishing you the best in your week ahead.
Namaste Jordan, I too am nearly 3 years serene and free from chronic alcoholism via 8 months rehab residential and now actually in a 12 step recovery 👏 dependant upon conscious contact with my Higher Power every day. It's miraculous and very very peaceful. I just wanted to say that I have met many many recovered and recovering 12 step addicts and alcoholics who have found daily connection to a Higher Power and who have no childhood developmental trauma or any other significant psychological trauma based illness diagnosis. Yes, Dr Jung's work is definitely significant ...very significant. It is my experience that his influence/ pointings gave us step 2 of 12 step..." came to believe..." the work of william james has been very influential in my recovery also ....profound gold here Jordan, thankyou again ❤
Incredible work, Dee. This is wonderful to read and I’m sending all my best for your path ahead 🌲
Helpful. Thankful for this context!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you!
I have been managing my own addictions for some time now, and I have said before, that people say drugs kill you, but that drugs actually saved my life
At the time, using drugs was a better option than the hell in my mind
That of course wasnt the whole story.
But it was for sure a true part of it.
Thank you for your acknowledgement of that.
Well done on getting where you are, and wishing you true steadiness in the weeks ahead - be well, and keep going 🌲
I agree with you about drugs or alcohol pulling people out of the dark, I got an addiction at 40 years old after sitting in my robe for 3 1/2 years and I don’t care what anybody says it saved me.
Very interesting thoughts on "turning a temporary state into a permanent trait". I don't read nearly as many books as you, but I feel I have intuitively been aiming for this for many years as a resolution to my problems...(like many of the topics you discuss). I realised early on in my healing journey that one of the things I was really resisting and reacting to is the idea of working a full time job I am not fulfilled by and then having to book vacations to escape my life all the time (or drink or do drugs), or just constantly feeling like I need to escape my life. I didn't want to live like this, I wanted to create a life that may be more modest, but it consistently fulfils me so I don't need to escape it all the time (like many 'normal' people do). As you know, it doesn't happen right away... its taken me years to build a stable, safe environment where I can actually work on the skills that fulfil me. I call it my foundation. I now have the foundation and am working on professionalising my hobby (art)... so that I can live a life I enjoy and don't have to escape from. It doesn't mean everything is fun and easy all the time... i have many challenges and obstacles, but finally I am seeing progress and finally my vision that seemed so impossible to achieve in the beginning is starting to be visible and practical for me! And I don't even like going on vacations now - i feel it disrupts my flow haha!
PS .. one of the biggest challenges to achieving this vision is learning about yourself enough to know what will satisfy you, as its very unique for everyone and many survivors of childhood abuse are unaware of their own desires and strengths because of the people pleasing and sacrificing that happened to them as a result of the abuse. So be patient and be there for yourself, always.
Love your work Jordan
My pleasure!
Thank you for your video and wisdom
Truly my pleasure 🌲
Amazingly insightful. Thanks man!
My pleasure, James. Appreciate your attention and wishing you the absolute best.
Your Psychology videos are so incredibly thoughtful. 3 minutes and I hit the subscribe button. I've never heard this perspective before although I agree with you.
I appreciate the enthusiasm - thank you!
@@jordanthornton you're welcome
Excellent! I went from substances to religion to magic to indifference (almost) in my journey, so I get what you're saying and had wondered the same thing about the spirituality of people who tend to lean on altered states of consciousness. Thank you!
It’s a surprisingly common path - glad you caught the pattern, Barbara 🌲
Hey Jordan, my wife and I have been watching your videos and as you were explaining addiction to different ways of spiritual seeking my wife turned and said "wow its like he's talking about you!"
Which was nice to hear 😄 😉 but of course I immediately saw the truth in it. I have had unhealthy shame all my life about being shy and finding it hard to talk to people. I have tried absolutely everything and now realise why it hasn't helped. What would you recommend I do next to really heal from this? We love your channel BTW and just want to support your growth. If there is anything we can do to help (other than liking/subbing) please let us know. Thank you so much Jordan 🙏
Hey, thank you for commenting and letting me know about the wholesome-yet-confronting moment with you and your wife - I love to hear it hahah
In regards to your question about shame work, I have a video on this topic which provides far more information than I could in one comment: but long story short story = inner child healing + daily and varied embodiment practice (from a self-loving place).
I massively appreciate your shared support and desire to offer more, but I already feel rewarded knowing that these videos are landing deeply with people like yourselves! Comment connections are always welcome :)
@@jordanthornton
Just watched it, I have some books to buy (and alot of inner work to do). You are in our thoughts and hearts.
Denis and Sharon 🙏
@@thedentistbakery2010 Sending warm wishes back to you both!
What you say resonates having loved an addict.
Thank you for commenting Alice, I hope that this situation is better for you now - did something explored in this video resonate in particular?
This is a very good perspective and direction to think. Where does this emptiness comes from, where it seeks to go.
Taking addiction healing to a whole new level - great read and field of research.
Your depiction of addiction is this video is fascinating; particularly plateauing after each "peak" experience. What if the peak experience is unsustainable / unattainable, or is unwise to plateau at? I guess finding God in each experience could be what grounds it? Thank you, as always.
Thank you
My absolute pleasure, brother!
Functioning addicts can be equally destructive and creative. Quite often drugs for blocking of inhibitions and drugs used to enhance focus can create a level of focus that prevents inner criticism and conditioned responses to whatever you working thus giving space for instinct and intuition to help form a piece of work be it art or science. However, it comes at a price often maybe physical health or emotional health, relationships and the deeper you move into addiction can sometimes over power the ability to be creative. Creativity can also become tainted by the drug and become a muse for the user that makes them doubt their ability to create without. I think it's quite personal how you respond to drugs and how they affect you performance, there's a spectrum of addiction. It's rare when it becomes unmanageable that truly nice things arise from it. However, I do think some beautiful things have arise from people putting themselves into altered states. It's a myth that it gives you creativity, I think it a fast track to being in a meditative state and can be achieved through much more healthier means. However, a lot of the desire of the addict is to find release from trauma and in certain situations and times people have seen no other option in order to realise and speak their own truth.
Powerfully said, important reflections which I appreciate you adding to this conversation, Richard.
Thank you for this honest video Jordan. I'm 5 years sober from drink and drugs and some of your perspectives here were really interesting. I'm curious to know your thoughts on Gabor Mate's perspective on addiction?
I find Gábor to be generally sound, and I’ve read three of his books - not somebody I call upon widely but I like what he’s doing
I think the addict has experienced trauma and due to the trauma they have “died to self” due to the pain. In turn they have started to feel the “all” and start picking up on the pain of others. You are triggered by this and to survive one has to numb up. When I was a child my mother said when we went to the mall I would go to the bathroom but I never actually used the bathroom. What was happening was when I walked through the crowd, I could FEEL everyone’s emotions. It was like my nerves were hanging out and brushing up against everyone. I had to go get in a bathroom stall to escape the overwhelming overstimulation. I grew up to be a alcoholic. I can’t watch painful movies or have many friends because of this.
I’m sorry to hear this Donna, although I’m glad to hear you have been working through this process. Wishing you all the best with your next steps 🌲
It's a genuinely profitable way to look at cravings and addiction, a very much needed change of perspective. It feels to me that it elicits something similar to the discussion of mental disorders as a "breaking of the forth wall" to other realms of existence. Like some people say that we can't yet be sure if a hallucination isn't simply a dislocation of perceptual bounderies, as in physical to metaphysical (or something of sorts).
But something bugs me. 🤔 I can understand the transposition from mind-altering drugs to spiritual seeking, it's a pretty obvious correlation. But since I'm coming from a perspective of experiencing a different kind of addiction, I'm finding it hard to connect the dots to this religious factor. If you consider the narrative addiction, maybe it's possible to stretch, but not with the food addiction. That one feels to me as a type of accessory addiction, like something that builds upon other issues, no mind-altering events generally. Also it feels more material, somewhat autophagic even. Would there be different types, or natures, of addiction?
I see what you're saying, and it's an interesting question when it comes to specific additions. It's very difficult to make blanket statements - although the research does suggest that trauma is the common ground (obviously).
Here's a few examples of exploratory questioning which could be useful for you:
- What do you feel is 'behind' food addiction?
- What is the desire to be 'filled up' really about?
- To what degree is food consumption 'mind-altering'?
- If food is 'mind-altering', what is the typical state-shift?
- What is the 'food-sensation-state?' Could religious parallels be drawn?
To my understanding, the felt sense of spiritual revelation (or anything nirvanic) must also be considered - it's exploring this sensation of wholeness, simultaneously present in the head, heart and sexual centres which 'light up / lighten / fill up' all together.
I would stay there is still a link between religious impulse and food addiction, but trauma is still the primary factor!
@@jordanthornton Yes, I can perhaps find some approximation of this mechanism of overeating, in my case, with what I've recently discovered to be a necessity to shut something up. This necessity to shut up what needs to be outspoken might function on a subtler level as a "mind-altering neuropathway". Or I'm outstretching it too much. >< After 12 hours in a bus today, I guess it wouldn't be too hard to scramble it. lol
Oh, and thanks for the guiding questions. I'm gonna meditate on them. : )
This video made me think about everything we do. Is it possible that what we are passionate about might be serving us the way addictions do?
I am also wondering, wanting to see beautiful things to soothe ourselves like the urge to go see the sunset every day. Is that also serve us in the same way as addictions do?
Would this mean. That as well as turning a peak into a platue. We may also, in turn experience same/similar with the valleys?
Great insight, yes. The inversion of peak and valley. Perhaps the peak before the plateau and the valley becomes the stable bedrock… but valleys likewise have rivers (Grand Canyon being notable example) - a rich metaphor to work with….
Artists are already there. 😍👍
I was an addict for 4 years and through concern for my physical health got motivated and stopped using. Now 7 years later i am still clean. But am now at a fase that all those traumas of my youth has surfaced including sexual abuse when i was 5 years by 12 year old brother. As i was very close with my brother before i remembered the incident 5 years ago, i am now in a very confused state regarding my relation with him and my family. Is this what they call a traumatic bond between siblings? And does your programmes offer help with something like this?
I am since a few weeks now listening to your videos and it is very interesting.
This is a great success story so far, thanks for being here and sharing some of this. Well done for being stronger than the pain from before, and likewise healing the deeper traumas. This kind of work is indeed an aspect of what I could offer in mentorship and the shadow work library course, but you'll still get plenty from the free videos as I see you're already enjoying. Be well for now, brother.
Don't forget to get the books, they'll help.
Thanks a lot!.
Technology is such a sneaky addiction in our current world
😕🥺💓💚🙏
❤️
Sounds like some Reichian bioenergetics woo but probably. Addicts have either less ability to dull out using bodily copes like normies dissociating through tech so they level up their defenses with aids. Maybe this is a bit romanticized but it's possible that they are more passionate even if that doesntanifest constructively.
Interesting perspective - will have to think more on this 🌲