One of our regular offerings for the Caravan of Unity bridging events between today, #EPday2020events, and the World Peace events series throughout September is this story series based on the theme of ‘Awakening’;
A Day in the life of Julian of Norwich; fortnightly story series hosted by ISISIALLTHINGS
Julian of Norwich was a 14th Century mystic and visionary who understood the power of mindfulness and contemplation on our higher nature and sense of gratitude for life itself. She became fully awakened when she had an NDE (near death experience) at 30 and was shown the totally unconditional love of the Source of all that is. The 16 visions she received sustained her spiritual inner world for over 40 years in self- isolation through many plagues, during which time she was inspired to write a book, “Divine Revelations of Love”.
Our host for this series, Denise, says;
I feel it is paramount in these challenging and fear based times, that we look to what sustained her fierce tenacity now that we find ourselves in long-term quarantine and economic downturn for many years to come. To focus on our inner light is of paramount importance to sustain us.
Shocking as it may seem that she willingly chose this self-isolation, there were many benefits to the Anchorite life in medieval times which we will see, as I narrate her story as if I were Julian herself. My book “Rising from the Ashes of Jehovah’s Witnesses” on Lulu.com https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Freespirit369
Email: isisallthings369@gmail.com
Facebook: Isisi Allthings
Twitter: @IAllthings
Instagram: @isisiallthings
Part 1 “Morning Rituals”
What was it like to wake up in 1413 in a medieval stone church cell as a Catholic Anchorite and begin the cold light of dawn with prayer and thoughts of gratitude? Find out how A Day in the Life of Julian of Norwich might have felt.
Follow the blog to keep updated on this story series, Part 2 will be shared on 26th May.
Honouring the Rethinking Madness Movement in Brazil
Written by Ligia Splendore, Transpersonal Psychologist in Sao Paolo;
The Rethinking Madness Movement in Brazil was inspired by the #Emerging Proud Campaign idealized by Katie Mottram. We launched the movement in the first annual event which took place on May 11th and 12th of 2017 in the city of Sao Paulo.
This initiative was only possible because of the perseverance of three people, Sean Blackwell (Canadian who lives in Brazil and is a Holotropic Breathwork facilitator), Ligia Splendore (Brazilian, Sean’s wife and a Transpersonal Psychologist) and Maria Cristina Barros (Brazilian and a Transpersonal Psychologist).
Our first event was also supported by a few associations, primarily ProSER – Health, Spirituality and Religiosity Program. ProSER is part of the University of Sao Paulo Institute of Psychiatry, which was also the location of our first event. ProSER has continued its support of our annual event until today.
It is important to point out that Sean had a spiritual emergency for which he was hospitalized in 1996, at the age of 30. In 2007 he decided to create the YouTube channel, bipolarORwakingUP to share his experience and complete recovery. After receiving thousands of emails from people all over the world, we became very intrigued as to why so many people undergoing difficult spiritual experiences were diagnosed with bipolar disorder and put on medication, usually for life. We have been researching and teaching about the spiritual dimension and healing potential of bipolar disorder ever since.
Sean published his book, “Am I Bipolar or Waking Up?” in 2011, where he tells his story in details. He created more than 60 videos graphically illustrating topics such as spiritual emergency, transpersonal psychology, and the spiritual evolution of consciousness, always demonstrating how these themes relate to transcending the bipolar condition.
In 2009, we launched the social network, Alma Bipolar (Bipolar Soul), intending to raise awareness, as well as helping people to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences which goes beyond their diagnosis.
While working on this subject independently for a decade, we got to know other people and groups which were also interested in understanding these experiences more broadly. Sean helped to connect some people in the Netherlands and to organize the CRAZYWISE Conference in Rotterdam, which has been happening annually since 2014. The name CRAZYWISE was inspired by a documentary produced by Phil Borges which was shown in every country that held the first #Emerging Proud Day – May 12th, 2017.
In the midst of connecting with different initiatives, we discovered that Katie Mottram’s #EmergingProud Campaign had a purpose that was very much aligned with our social network, Alma Bipolar (Bipolar Soul). So, in 2017, these two movements merged into a new initiative, Repensando Loucura (Rethinking Madness).
Since the first Rethinking Madness event in Brazil, we have been developing a series of actions, always maintaining a safe space to talk about our spiritual/anomalous experiences. Although these experiences can be overwhelming, what may cause a lot of suffering, we validate how they can also hold enormous potential for transformation when integrated in a healthy way.
During the first event, we conducted a survey with all participants and used the results, which followed below, as a basis to build the Rethinking Madness website. Other countries that participated in the first #EmergingProud Campaign pointed toward the same needs:
INCREASED SAFE SPACES FOR LISTENING / SHARING / PEER SUPPORT
CHANGE IN LANGUAGE USED: EDUCATION TO NORMALISE DISTRESS
IMPORTANCE OF AUTHENTIC STORY SHARING AND EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION
INCLUSION OF PEER SUPPORT: LIVED EXPERIENCE IS VITAL IN SUPPORTING THE PROCESS
BRIDGE-BUILDING WITH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: TO EDUCATE IN THIS ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE
VALUE OF HOLISTIC METHODS OF HEALING, AS WELL AS AN INTEGRAL VISION BRINGING THE BEST OF EACH AREA (PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY AND PEER SUPPORT)
COLLABORATION TO REDUCE ISOLATION OF VISION; LOCALLY + INTERNATIONALLY
The conclusion was that the need for change is consistent at a global and transcultural level. Outcomes from each country were consistent and quite simple considering the complex topic.
Here is the Repensando a Loucura website where we have been making available all the information about these subjects in Brazil and abroad:
After the first event, we started a closed Facebook group, which now has 530 members, where people have been sharing their own experiences in a very free and open way, as well as different resources that helped them to overcome their crises. In the first two years, we did a series of live videos within this group, sharing a lot about Transpersonal Psychology, Spirituality and Wellbeing.
Our peer support community has been holding regular meetings for about four years. Besides creating opportunities where we can interact in a more enjoyable way, like having a picnic in the park, going to concerts or exhibitions, visiting Buddhist Temples, and even having year-end get-together, we also organize more structured monthly meetings.
In our meetings we use all kinds of arts to express and talk about our spiritual experiences: mandala drawing, poetry, dance and theater. We encourage the participants to share activities they feel helped them to deal with their crises, like yoga and meditation. We also bring opportunities to work in non-ordinary states of consciousness (for example, through shamanism or breathwork), so that we can explore the different aspects of the spiritual realm.
2017 monthly meetings
2018 monthly meetings
2019 monthly meetings
2018 and 2019 end of year parties…
The main purpose of the Rethinking Madness Movement is to bring validation to the entire spectrum of our experiences, showing that they are an intrinsic part of human subjectivity. While we work in our self-knowledge and self-development, we evolve as human beings and species.
As a way to inspire more people to see that our evolution of consciousness is only possible when each of us does our part by bringing your own expressions to the world, we had been developing a variety of products, such as a guide inspired on the ISEN guidelines, bookmarks and a booklet with poetry, mandala drawing cards and books written by the experiencers.
All of this is being made possible because of the support of a small group of people in Brazil, all volunteers, some of whom have been with us since the beginning of our Bipolar Soul social network. We have also been supported by some international references in the field, such as, American Transpersonal Psychologist Dr. David Lukoff who participated through video conference in two of our annual events. Oryx Cohen, a peer support activist in the U.S., who in addition to participating by video in our last event, also took part in one of our monthly meetings:
It seems that the time for a paradigm shift is becoming increasingly urgent because the current global crisis calls for solutions to mental health issues beyond pathologization. Finding new ways to understand the depth of our spiritual experiences demands a radical change in our model of consciousness, a new paradigm and a new model of understanding human experiences.
For that it is essential to seek a more open dialogue which should include: Psychiatry, Psychology, Spirituality as well as Peer Support Groups – the experiencers. Introducing this Integral Vision into the mental health model is the first step for us to have an impact on helping people who are facing deep emotional distress and feeling so alienated and misunderstood.
So, besides raising awareness, Rethinking Madness aim is to bring new approaches that can help us understand and deal with these experiences in a more helpful and safe way. One approach that is worth mentioning and was also presented in our last event by video conference is Open Dialogue, developed by Jaakko Seikkula and Markku Sutela in Western Lapland in the 1980s. It includes meetings involving the patient together with his or her family members and extended social network. Once again, giving more voice to the experiencers, as Katie Mottram #EmergingProud campaign proposes, is mandatory for this global change to take place.
Another approach based on this Integral Vision initiative is Sean’s latest project, The Bipolar Awakenings Healing Retreat, which is designed to help people, who are currently medicated, work through their unconscious bio-energetic material. Sean’s retreat is unique in that it is solely focused on releasing the trauma and other emotional blockages, that are at the root of many mental disorders.
The Rethinking Madness (Repensando Loucura) annual event in 2019 was a confirmation that there is a growing number of people looking for opportunities to take the next step in trying new approaches that could help them explore their “disorders” safely, or that could at least give their dignity back by letting them speak up about what is important for them.
After 13 years, we plan to continue, presenting our initiatives at conferences in Brazil and abroad, always innovating, exploring different approaches and therapeutic techniques, and most importantly, giving voice to the experiencers through movements such as, Rethinking Madness, #EmergingProud, as well as the Caravan of Unity to whom the #EmergingProud movement will join forces from this year.
The time for change is now! With the global coronavirus pandemic in 2020, spirituality is finally being integrated as one of the main aspects of human evolution, helping us to comprehend that all the phenomena in the human psyche are an inherent part of our consciousness.
A video depiction of the Rethinking Madness Brazilian movement over the last year ❤
The Brazilian team have made HUGE efforts to inspire change over the last few years, and the #EmergingProud community is SO grateful for this and the ongoing collaborations… Viva Re-thinking Madness! ❤
Today, 12th May 2020, sees the 4th annual International #EmergingProud day commemorated virtually around the globe. This year, however, is all about honouring the history of the movement; a nod of gratitude to all of the dedication from those who have pledged to Emerge Proud for the cause, and those who have hosted or taken part in activities which have given the campaign its solid roots.
From this year onwards, these roots will be growing further outwards and intertwining with the solid foundations of other visionary movements, in order that in collaboration we can create an even stronger network of nutrient exchange, mutual support and envision the emerging world on the other side of this pandemic- induced ‘falling apart’ we are currently amidst …
This blog will contain;
A reminder of the free live online events happening TODAY!
An overview of the project
A look at the happenings to date; the magical history of the movement
Information about where we’re headed; what’s next?
Another reminder of the free live online events happening TODAY!
A video message from me, Katie, Founder of the #EmergingProud movement
Let’s start at the beginning; What’s it all about?
#EmergingProud is a not-for-profit, Grassroots Social Movement
Aimed at: Re- framing ‘madness’ as a possible catalyst for positive transformation
How could it be more timely to honour this sentiment?
Our ethos:
#Emerging Proud is ultimately a campaign about providing hope; that breaking down does not mean we are broken; it means that we can be amidst a difficult journey to ‘breakthrough’. In the same way that the caterpillar completely dissolves before emerging as a butterfly from its chrysalis, the human ‘emergence’ process can look exactly the same. #Emerging Proud aims to add to the voices aiming to create a society in which it feels safer to speak out about our extreme experiences without fear of being told there is something wrong with us, or that we are “crazy”.
#Emerging Proud acknowledges, in equal measure, both the extreme crisis and positive transformation potential contained in the ‘emergence’ process; what we consider important, is to shift the focus away from something being ‘wrong’, to the growth potential, deep meaning and wisdom that chaos and crisis can contain.
Our history – what has happened so far?
In October 2016 I was given the guidance during a meditation to start a new Human Rights Campaign to normalise mental distress. I took logic out of the equation and just went with my intuition; the rest is history… well, His STORY, Her STORY, many people’s STORIES all over the world.
Between Oct 2016 and May 2017 a website was set up, a blog was started, stories were collected from people who resonated with the ethos of the campaign and wanted to provide hope to others who may be going through a difficult transformation. Interviews were conducted online and the #EmergingProud film was made with no funding, just through people with shared passions coming together to share their personal journeys, art, music and dedicated time… it was a film made with love birthed through pain ❤
On the 12th May 2017, 17 film screening and discussion launch events were facilitated throughout 12 countries with the focus on Open Spaces to discuss the question;
“Rethinking Madness: How can we create a society in which it’s safe to talk about our ‘madness’?”
We are HUGELY eternally grateful to all of the Organisers and Attendees in all of these locations whose efforts have created such a solid foundation for the movement ❤
Overview: Main focus points of action needs highlighted at an International level
INCREASED SAFE SPACES FOR LISTENING / SHARING / PEER SUPPORT
CHANGE IN LANGUAGE USED: EDUCATION TO NORMALISE DISTRESS
AUTHENTIC STORY SHARING AND EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION
PEER SUPPORT: LIVED EXPERIENCE IS VITAL IN SUPPORTING THE PROCESS
BRIDGE -BUILDING WITH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: TO EDUCATE IN THIS ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE
VALUE OF HOLISTIC METHODS OF HEALING
COLLABORATION TO REDUCE ISOLATION OF VISION; LOCALLY + INTERNATIONALLY
Bongo, Uganda, Africa, said: “Sharing stories of experiencers is not a new thing with HEARTSOUNDS members as it’s what service users have in common…however, on the International #EmergingProud day, participants realized that they were experiencing similar challenges with other Mental Health Participants globally.”
A decrease in feelings of isolation for people experiencing extreme spiritual experiences is vital and this is one outcome the Campaign aims to achieve.
More history to honour!
The dedicated Brazilian team who have been involved since the very beginning have provided their own personal history and update for you, so watch out for the next blog coming later today to read all about their Rethinking Madness Movement and how it’s all coming together…
Later in 2017 also saw one of our original Proud Emergees, Anne-Kirstine Klitmark from Denmark, submit her Masters Thesis containing research on the stories in the campaign;
#EmergingProud continues to be featured in various academic research studies worldwide, and it’s thanks to each and every person who has dared to stand proud and make this possible… Together you are helping moves towards better understanding and much- needed change.
2018 International events
Volunteers #Emerged Proud and shared their personal stories across 14 countries
Over 600 people attended these global events
In 2018 the focus was on the impact of personal story- sharing, and we collaborated with The Outsiders who invented ‘SoMe’; a mechanism for facilitating 1-1 conversations about specific social, community or environmental issues. The concept used the things that work well in online social media to bring people together in face-to-face discussion. At an event there are three SoMe spaces: The Wall, The Chat Room and The Message Board. The ‘trending topic’ of the day was;
‘Reframing mental distress as a possible transformation process’
Volunteers who resonated with having experienced their own crisis as a catalyst for a meaningful life transformation engaged in conversations with interested strangers with the aim to change perceptions that being diagnosed with a mental illness can actually lead to the start of a new, more positive and authentic life…
The KindaProud stories of Hope and Transformation series was birthed in May 2019, and to date, 64 inspirationally brave Contributors have shared their personal stories in publications by #EmergingProud Press over these 4 titles;
Proceeds from book sales go towards distributing FREE books to those in need. We are delighted that, thanks to your purchases, so far over 480 FREE Pocket Books have delivered HOPE to people all over the world; please keep supporting our not-for-profit venture by buying the books in order that we can continue to help others, thank you ❤
Our planned titles for 2020 are;
Eye Inspire; #EmergingProud through Eye Sight Loss
Muslims #EmergingProud through Mental Distress
#EmergingProud through Psychosis and Schizophrenia
So WHAT’s NEXT?
It’s been a busy 4 months for us, planning our biggest collaboration to date. It’s time for #EmergingProud to join forces with a bigger movement for social change…
1-21 SEPTEMBER 2020 | ONLINE AND IN-PERSON | TOGETHER ACROSS EUROPE, in collaboration with UNITY EARTH’s CARAVAN
Join us to create one of the largest collective actions for peace in human history
What travels in our caravan is the energy of peace and the spirit of unity, finding expression through the actions and events of our Europe-wide and gobal network of members, friends and co-creators during the first three weeks of September 2020 and culminating in the global celebration of World Peace Day on September 21st. This will be a perpetual movement, which we aim to grow annually.
At this time of unprecedented global challenge and change, we will take collective action for a regeneration for humanity that is rooted in the values of peace, unity and transnational solidarity!
Follow Co-Creating Europe’s Facebook page HERE to get the latest news on the Caravan’s progress
A reminder about what FREE online events you can join in on, TODAY!
1.) 7.30am PT / 3.30pm UK / 4.30pm CET
DEACTIVATE YOUR STRESS; FREE LIVE ONLINE HAVENING SESSION HOSTED BY JOINHER
Amy’s GROOVE sessions will be a monthly event – watch the bog to find out the date of her next shimmy sesh!
I look forward to connecting online today – In Solidarity, Unity and Peace, Katie ❤
Additional offerings;
Also starting today;
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JULIAN OF NORWICH, fortnightly story series hosted by ISISIALLTHINGS – watch out for the blog coming later today!
Akasha Yoga session hosted by Jordana; DATE TO BE CONFIRMED, THIS SAT IS CANCELLED DUE TO SICKNESS
Akasha is in the throat chakra, which holds space for the elements of earth, water, fire, and air, uniting them in their diversity into the one space of ether. Yoga is Union. In Akasha Yoga we unite the feminine with the masculine, accepting and loving unconditionally our shadow by shedding the light of our soul on it. When we can embrace both our darkness and our light we become whole human beings, transcending the war of duality and uniting in peace and Oneness from within and throughout.
What you will need;
Please make sure you have a warm, peaceful space with a good internet connection, a yoga mat, a blanket and cushion, some water and only practice as far as your body will allow. This session is about being loving and kind with yourself, no pushing beyond your limits.
Meditations of Light Series, a fortnightly message
Hosted by Denise (ISISI ALL THINGS) and Sandy Veneziani.
Sign up to Denise and Sandy’s channel Peaceful Minds, HERE
And finally, a little message from me to you…
The Caravan of Unity is open to ALL – please join in HERE
Keep watching the blog to follow #EmergingProud’s transition into the Caravan of Unity,
My deepest gratitude for all of your much- appreciated support on our travels together to date, Katie ❤
Tuesday 12th May will see our 4th annual #EmergingProud day celebrations – do join for this years FREE LIVE ONLINE SESSIONS – scroll down to find out how to sign up for each one.
This will be the final #EP day annual event; as from 2021 #EmergingProud will merge with Co-Creating Europe’s Caravan of Unity – the biggest movement for peace in human history. The future is all about uniting…
Until then, join us on Tuesday for some embodied self- care, meditation and dancing!
Here is what is happening, and how you can join in!
Session 1.) 7.30am PT, US / 3.30pm UK / 4.30pm CET
DEACTIVATE YOUR STRESS; FREE LIVE ONLINE HAVENING SESSION HOSTED BY JOINHER
Join us for a 45 minute collective group havening session to connect people from all over the world. Havening is a psycho-sensory approach to self soothe in the moment, reducing any stressful or anxious response and allow your body and mind to glide safely into a state of personal balance. We are inviting you to take some time to just be and place the focus of your attention on who you would like to become after all of this has passed, will you be Emerging Proud?
Please see the live blogs at http://www.emergingproud.com throughout the day on 12th May for what has happened so far, stories and more of the good stuff!
Additional offering;
Akasha Yoga session hosted by Jordana; DATE TO BE CONFIRMED, THIS SAT IS CANCELLED DUE TO SICKNESS
Akasha is in the throat chakra, which holds space for the elements of earth, water, fire, and air, uniting them in their diversity into the one space of ether. Yoga is Union. In Akasha Yoga we unite the feminine with the masculine, accepting and loving unconditionally our shadow by shedding the light of our soul on it. When we can embrace both our darkness and our light we become whole human beings, transcending the war of duality and uniting in peace and Oneness from within and throughout.
Each class is a fusion of Hatha and Kundalini Yoga, mantra, pranayama breathing exercises, spiritual philosophy, meditation, and relaxation. There is an emphasis on the bandhas, the locks that tone our core strength and raise our healing energy, as well as the chakras, our energetic anatomy that keep us balanced in nature with the five elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Akasha Yoga helps to relieve dis-ease, pain, tension, stress, anxiety, depression and more. Classes focus on balance, strength, flexibility, and openness, while honouring each student’s potential as well as their limitations. Intention and effort are valued over level in our classes, making them available to anyone who wants to practice.
Please do join us for a session of inner and outer connection….
What you will need;
Please make sure you have a warm, peaceful space with a good internet connection, a yoga mat, a blanket and cushion, some water and only practice as far as your body will allow. This session is about being loving and kind with yourself, no pushing beyond your limits.
Follow the blog at http://www.emergingproud.com to discover more regular offerings between 12th May and the launch of the Caravan of Unity on 1st September 2020
To find out more about the progress of the Caravan of Unity, follow Co-Creating Europe’s Facebook page HERE
We look forward to connecting with you in virtual space ❤
To follow the progress of the Caravan of Unity please follow Co-Creating Europe’s Facebook page HERE
We have a schedule of FREE ONLINE events to offer you on the day courtesy of some of our wonderful #EmergingProud community members.
One such offering creating a bridge from #EmergingProud day up until the official launch of the Caravan of Unity in Sept with a fortnightly series is;
Meditations of Light Series
Hosted by Denise (ISISI ALL THINGS) and Sandy Veneziani.
About your Hosts;
Sandy and Denise ‘Isisi’ have known each other since they were twelve years old and were both raised from that age in the fundamentalist christian religion, Jehovah’s Witnesses, by their single mothers. By their thirties each of them had managed to find their way out of the strict rules and regulations of the sect, to start a new life of freedom.
Independently and in different countries they each found a new pathway to becoming more aware. By a strange coincidence their paths joined again when they decided to move Norfolk in the UK a few years ago. Aligning now on their spiritual self-development outside of organised religion, they are launching their own conscious counselling and healing businesses under the banner “Peaceful Minds” and this series, “Meditations of Light” is designed to create a safe holding space for others to join in with the raising of consciousness.
This is much needed in these times of COVID19. Each meditation is created with the various challenges we all face in mind and as a beacon of hope to those who need support, upliftment and companionship on the journey back to inner peace.
Sandy Veneziani is an accredited psycho-therapeutic counsellor and hypnotherapist who offers regression and counselling methods for healing of present and past issues. It can be useful to understand your repeating patterns which hold you back from reaching out for your fuller potential and present peace of mind. Isisi Allthings is a Holistic Mentor, Author of a book about overcoming a traumatic and abusive religious upbringing and also a Reiki Master Healer. Her current work is a supportive free listening service during COVID19 for her clients so please book yourself in for a free session to talk, using our email below. email: peacefulmindsandsouls@gmail.com Website “All Is Well”
The first offering in the meditation series
“Overcoming Fear” meditation
This meditation will help you to gain mastery over any fear or anxiety and return you to your true centre and grounded presence, which is your true nature.
Sign up to Denise and Sandy’s channel Peaceful Minds, HERE
This FREE session will take place on 12th May at 11am PT, 7pm UK time, 8pm CET- find out how to sign up for your free place below
Groove is a dynamically interactive and creative group dance experience. With great music your facilitator will Unite everyone in a simple movement or rhythm but you get to dance it in your own Unique way, while exploring a variety of different styles and genres. You will experience everything from slow, delicious meditative grooves to heart thumping and strength building cardio beats. The perfect recipe to nurture your mind, body, heart and soul.
No fancy equipment, coordination or dance experience is required. Just come as you are! You really can’t get it wrong 🙂
What to expect:
This FREE session will take place on 12th May at 11am PT, 7pm UK time, 8pm CET
Gentle warm up
Full on groove session
cool down and stillness/ meditation at the end
What to bring: Your laptop or phone with camera to connect via Zoom! (Feel free to have your camera off if you prefer to dance in private) Comfy clothes, water and a yoga mat if you want lay down for stillness.
This is such a fun way to move your body, tap into your creativity and express who you are on the dance floor. To find out more about Groove please go to:
We look forward to Grooving with you! Amy and Katie ❤
About your Groove Facilitator;
Amy is a certified Groove Facilitator and passionate about all things dance. She is founder and director of the social enterprise Soulshine, an organisation that delivers holistic wellbeing workshops, courses and events. She was also the rep for the Kinda Proud Pocket Book of Hope, #EmergingProud through disordered eating, body image and low self-esteem.
She is a certified Eating Psychology Coach and works with women on a one-to-one basis, through online courses and small groups to support and cultivate a more body positive, holistic and intuitive relationship with body and food. Her coaching and programme “Intuitively Nourished” empowers women to tap into their unique wisdom and make peace with their bodies.
“I am so passionate about supporting people to come home to themselves. Being kinder to our bodies is a huge part of that and what better way to make peace with our bodies than through dance” – Amy
#EmergingProud 2020 will be a year to celebrate what has gone on so far in the movement, and to mark our merging with Co-Creating Europe’s #CaravanofUnity
Join us on the 12th May at 3.30PM for a 45 minute collective group havening session to connect people from all over the world. Havening is a psychosensory approach to self soothe in the moment, reducing any stressful or anxious response and allow your body and mind to glide safely into a state of personal balance. We are inviting you to take some time to just be and place the focus of your attention on who you would like to become after all of this has passed, will you be Emerging Proud?
Sometimes when we follow our joy instead of thinking about what is logically possible it leads to trusting our intuition and honing other senses more than we had previously realised their capacity. Amanda has discovered that following her joy of photography has led her to not only realising a smaller dream, but recognising that her biggest dream is now a possibility…
My name is Amanda and I was registered as a visually impaired person when I was 22 years old.
My sight has always been pretty bad since I was little but, when I was 14, I went for a routine eye exam and was told my vision had got a lot worse. They couldn’t really see a reason why but I was told then that I would never be able to drive and just got on with my life. At that time of my life, I discovered rock music and Green Day and that really helped a lot.
My parents and my family have been absolutely amazing throughout my life. I got through normal school, with my fantastic friends helping me to read the board and helping me copy notes and stuff. I always had a bit of a lazy eye, but in my teenage life it seemed to get a lot worse and that is when my mum first got in contact with Moorfield’s eye hospital as she was worried there was something seriously wrong with my eyes.
That was probably when I was about 17 and since then I have been visiting Moorfield’s who have been so helpful. It has taken a while to get a diagnosis as my condition does not tick all the boxes of certain things but I have been diagnosed with cone dysfunction because of having a condition called Biedet Bardel Syndrome. (BBS)
At 20, I had an operation to help me with my lazy eye and it seems to have helped a lot. That was my first operation in my life and I was really scared at the time. At the time I was in the middle of my course at University and again, I managed to get through it by having great friends and a great social life at Herts Uni. I absolutely loved being a student and will never forget my time I spent there and the people I met.
I managed to get through my degree at Uni, which I absolutely loved, but I had a friend who was really good at photography and I thought I would give it a go.
When I finished my studies, I had to register with another optician and that was the first time anyone had ever said to me that I was a visually impaired person. The optician asked me to go through my GP to get referred back to Moorfeild’s Eye hospital.
Since then, I have had a lot of tests and eye exams to determine what is actually wrong. They thought that I had a condition called Achromatopsia but I have been given the diagnosis of having cone dysfunction. It is so great to have a diagnosis as it has taken a long time to find this out, but I am so grateful to my parents and Moorfield’s eye hospital for all their help with this.
My first camera that I bought was a tiny little point and shoot camera that was pink and I loved it! I took it on my holidays and my outings and just played around with it really. That started my love for taking photos.
The first time I knew I really wanted to try and succeed as a photographer was in 2011. I entered a photo into the Herts Open Arts Exhibition and won the under 30’s art prize for my shot of a Heron that I took. It gave me the confidence and drive to really want to exhibit my photos.
After that, I saved up and bought my first proper camera. It wasn’t a DLSR but it was a bridge camera and it was a lot more technical and a lot better than my little pink one!
Since then I went to college to learn the basics of photography and go out as much as possible taking photos of things. As you can imagine, I can’t really see too much of the subject that I am taking, especially if I am outdoors in the sunshine, but I take loads of shots and then come home and have a look on my monitor at home to see if I have any good ones. My camera is also pretty noisy so I know when it has taken a shot which helps a lot.
One of my traits, which I am sure is just as bad as good sometimes, is that I am a very stubborn person and I wanted to prove that, despite my bad eyesight, I could do anything that I wanted with my life. I have never given up, despite having to work really hard for what I want, even if people think it is a bit mad!
I was registered as a visually impaired person as I really cannot deal with bright light and have really bad photophobia. I am really lucky as Moorfield’s Eye hospital managed to find me some really dark tinted contact lenses so I can deal with the glare inside and I have to wear category 4 sunglasses outside to deal with the sunshine outside. I would not be able to deal with the outside world otherwise.
I am really lucky I have enough sight to get on with what I want to do in my life, and also that I was born into a world where there is a lot of technology to help when I need it!
I know that sounds completely bizarre to a lot of people that I am a partially sighted person and a photographer at the same time! It is what I truly love doing. I believe I understand the camera quite a bit because I can relate to it like my eyes. For example, with exposure I can understand that because it is a bit like my eyesight not dealing with bright light, as photography is all about understanding lighting and how it affects an image.
I have been really lucky, through being a member of my local arts group, that I have been able to exhibit my photos in my local town and have sold a few. It gives me such happiness to know that someone loved a photo that I have taken so much that they have bought it.
In 2020, the arts group I belong to asked me to have my own gallery of work up and I was so excited to have my first proper gallery. Unfortunately, due to the Corona Virus, it has been postponed as the gallery is shut. I hope to have many more exhibits in the future.
I have had my sad days, where I really doubt myself and wonder why I am trying to achieve this but it makes me even more determined to prove all the naysayers wrong. One day I want to have my own gallery in London with all my work hanging up and then I can say that I finally made it!
My thanks go out to all my friends and family for always helping me out with my journey so far. Without them, I just wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have so far.
Thanks so much for reading my story. If you would like to have a look at my photography, I have my photos up online at www.flickr.com/mandyclarkie
Here are a couple…
Blue hour at the Tower, copyright Amanda Ramsay
St Paul’s Catherdral, copyright Amanda Ramsay
Do you have an ‘Eye Inspire’ story of #Emerging Proud through Eye Sight Loss you’d like to share?
Do you remember Jordana from the #EmergingProud film in 2017?
Here’s an update about where she’s at now, and what she’s got to offer us all for honouring #EmergingProud! (scroll down for details on that)
How can we transform the stigma and taboo around so called ‘mental illness’? Why is it that other ‘dis-eases’ receive compassion and ‘mental illness’ results in marginalization? I’ve been asking myself these questions lately and would love to hear your feedback on them too!!!
Find out a bit more about Jordana’s story, and what she has to say…
Jordana’s story;
During the eight year span of my spiritual emergencies and diagnosis of bipolar with cyclicle psychotic episodes, not only did the prescribed medicines disconnect me from Spirit and turn me into the walking dead, but the prejudice from society alienated me from my community, making my recovery all the more challenging. Here in Spain mental illness is still seeded deep in the closet of shame. Yes, people go to therapy, but more for coping with anxiety, stress, or depression… ailments that are currently somewhat tolerated. But a full blown mental illness diagnosis, from what I’ve seen, is only treated here with forced medication and shame, which in my case, completely surpressed my body, mind and soul’s innate knowing that Jordana was just waking up. I had awakened to a higher consciousness of energetic paradigms, realms, and dimensions that weren’t tangibly rooted in the three dimensional world, and therefore defined as psychotic. The openings were filled with extremes of lightness and dark. And the world wasn’t ready to see God consciousness in everything from a leaf, to the garbage, to a murderer, like I suddenly did. Or my radical acceptance and unconditional love for the narcissist, and the knowing that my extreme empathy wasn’t the better and had actually been part of the creation of it. Let alone open to me channeling messages from Akasha, the divine feminine aspect of God, as I tried to show people that heaven was actually here on Earth. And what about “ALL IS ONE”, the tagline my spiritual community used and then rejected me for when I had direct experience with it.
Feeling completely unsupported, I had no choice but to turn inwards, finding solace in Akasha, intuition, wisdom, and the peace in knowing that I wasn’t suffering from mental illness, but just a sudden transformation in how I perceived reality, that didn’t fit into the current social paradigm that I was living in. Moved by the extremes of the old and the new, and the highs and lows, and the world of duality that society fed me and then punished me for, I strove to find the middle path of balance within. I worked on not getting too excited by the good times, nor the bad. Seeking balance and neutrality in everything I did, from eating, to sleeping, to exercising, to working, to socializing, to my spiritual practice, to even finding balance in how I spent my time in action and more importantly, stillness. The more I vibrated with balance, the more it would come into my reality and the extremes of perfectionism at the expense of denying my shadow, slowly dissipated. This was the face of mental illness. Not some scary unknown that needed to be shoved in a closet and kept from society, but just an opportunity for my Being to come to know all of it’s aspects in full true color, to observe my evolving soul and the twists and turns that it had taken on this crazy journey called life. To radically accept my shadow, my dark side, and the parts of me that society didn’t want to see, nor did I, but maybe, just maybe if I slowly met with love and compassion, would have the courage to come out to the world and bask in the joyful transformative light of dawn.
I saw that society’s inability to love and accept me for who I was, came from my own incapacity to love myself fully and wholly, imperfections and all. Ultimately, we are all different. It’s an illusion to think that there is one norm that we all have to fit into, when no two people are alike. Maybe we need to stop buying the “normal” that society sells us and just let the shadow out of the closet and embrace our own uniqueness. Maybe from here we can find common ground in acceptance, love, and compassion for all dis-ease, which for me, is just the obstacle that pushes us all to grow and evolve to be better people, each day closer to reclaiming our true nature.
So while 3 years ago I proudly emerged out of the spiritual emergency closet, today I fully take off my mask and begin my journey to advocate for mental health in honor of my grandmother whose unheard suicidal voice motivated me this morning to write this blog. To open the doors of communication and dialogue. To normalize the crazy antics of the mind that we all experience, while only some get outed, shamed, and medically treated for. To shed light on the stigma and taboo of mental illness, by sharing lived experience of awakening and diagnosis. To show how responsibility for healing through self acceptance, unconditional love, and respect can transform reality without the need for medication and it’s unfortunate side effects. And even though I was commited to a mental hospital, given a diagnosis of mental illness, treated with meds for eight years, and supressed and shamed for all of it, I am just as worthy as any other. I am just as wise, just as intelligent, just as intuitive and just as powerful. Because if I weren’t, Spirit wouldn’t have given me this challenge in the first place. We are all waking up and each person’s path is uniquely different. Our challenge now is to see THIS as normal.
One love,
Jordana Jyoti
Life Coach, Healer, Teacher of Meditation & Yoga, Mental Health Activist
If this blogpost sparks your interest to learn more of what I’m up to these days, follow me @
Here’s a wonderful FREE offer from Jordana to all of you!
I will be hosting a live online event for #EmergingProud and the #CaravanofUnity – DATE TO BE CONFIRMED, SAT 16th IS CANCELLED DUE TO SICKNESS
Akasha is in the throat chakra, which holds space for the elements of earth, water, fire, and air, uniting them in their diversity into the one space of ether. Yoga is Union. In Akasha Yoga we unite the feminine with the masculine, accepting and loving unconditionally our shadow by shedding the light of our soul on it. When we can embrace both our darkness and our light we become whole human beings, transcending the war of duality and uniting in peace and Oneness from within and throughout.
Each class is a fusion of Hatha and Kundalini Yoga, mantra, pranayama breathing exercises, spiritual philosophy, meditation, and relaxation. There is an emphasis on the bandhas, the locks that tone our core strength and raise our healing energy, as well as the chakras, our energetic anatomy that keep us balanced in nature with the five elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Akasha Yoga helps to relieve dis-ease, pain, tension, stress, anxiety, depression and more. Classes focus on balance, strength, flexibility, and openness, while honoring each student’s potential as well as their limitations. Intention and effort are valued over level in our classes, making them available to anyone who wants to practice.
What you will need;
Please make sure you have a warm, peaceful space with a good internet connection, a yoga mat, a blanket and cushion, some water and only practice as far as your body will allow. This session is about being loving and kind with yourself, no pushing beyond your limits.
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED, THIS SAT IS CANCELLED DUE TO SICKNESS
We look forward to seeing you on our mats in virtual space ❤
Reframing Mental distress as a potential catalyst for positive change 