The topic of peace is one that can be a source of controversy, but it is also an important one that we should all consider.
The Healing Power of Dissociation
The topic of peace is one that can be a source of controversy, but it is also an important one that we should all consider.
We encounter a paradox in our lives growing as children through adolescence into adulthood, where we recognize the importance of developing our ego stance in order to live within social constraints and cultural boundaries and to develop our own cognitive and character traits. Yet, for our mental health as young adults and later in life it is important to engage in practices that loosen our ego identification with the world and allow us to recharge our energetic core through flow states.
The question is how do we achieve this? In order to answer this question, we must first understand what peace means. Peace is the absence of conflict or violence between individuals or groups (Wikipedia). Peace comes from letting go by releasing attachment to things or people such as possessions, relationships, past experiences, etc. If you let go then you will no longer be attached which leads to peace (Blomster & Blomster).
Now that we have understood what peace means, let us move on to what happens when we let go, which leads us back to our definition of peace as an absence of conflict or violence between individuals or groups (Wikipedia). Letting go involves releasing attachment to things or people such as possessions,
Flow states are those moments in which we can let go of our ego, and allow for a fluid orientation with our surroundings. For example, when we engage in certain activities such as martial arts or athletics, there comes a time when your training becomes integrated with your participatory practice in such a way that the more you let go of the thinking part of your mind and let your body flow with the experience of what you have learned—the more on-point you are with your movements and your ability to anticipate the sequence of events to follow. There is an aspect of dissociation at play when one enters a flow state that allows for this integrative experience. We need to create moments in this type of flow zone in order to maintain strong energy, and physical and mental health as we age.
Ketamine infusion therapy is a safe and effective way to treat mental health concerns.
Ketamine infusion is a simple, short-term treatment for depression and anxiety. It can be given at outpatient clinics or as inpatient treatment. The most common reason for ketamine infusions is depression.
Ketamine infusion therapy can be very effective in helping people with depression because of the dissociative effects that it creates regarding our ego stance. This means that when we are under the influence of Ketamine, we lose the sense of who we are and what we are feeling. In this way, Ketamine helps us deal with our mental health issues by allowing us to experience them in a more realistic way.
Studies have shown that dissociation during an infusion leads to more robust antidepressant effects in patients who report experiencing dissociation during an infusion compared to patients who do not experience dissociation during an infusion.
Breaking down the barriers that our ego so carefully constructs is dependent on many factors. One factor is, of course, the Ketamine dosage administered per session, which is why levels are titrated over the course of one’s treatment plan. Another factor is one’s state of mind and openness to experience when beginning a session. It is beneficial to understand the different types of dissolution one may encounter during Ketamine infusion therapy to be mentally prepared.
Know that if you ever encounter an unpleasant sensation or revelation during your session, the best practice to fall back on is to breathe deeply and let yourself be curious about what you are seeing, feeling, or sensing. Let go of trying to stay in the driver’s seat and see where your journey takes you with childlike curiosity.
It is important for patients to be aware that there are many different ways in which they can experience dissolutions during a session; some will feel peacefulness while others will feel anxiety or fearfulness. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you notice any unusual sensations occurring throughout your experience! It is also important not to feel shame or embarrassment as this can inhibit one from seeking help in the first place!
There are four types, or stages, of ego dissolution, that one may encounter at varying times during the infusion treatment, or throughout the course of one’s treatment plan.
- In the first stages of a DreamWork session, clients often experience a sense of comfort, relaxation, and warmth. This is a process known as empathic experience, which is when the client’s awareness of their body and energy moves from an ego state to a more centered state. Clients often describe themselves as feeling at peace with their bodies and experiencing empathy, compassion, and love. They may also feel a sense of euphoria or lightness.
A DreamWork session can be described as dreamlike, with vivid colors and a sense of euphoria. Clients often report feeling light and peaceful after their sessions.
The next phase of dissociation is the Out-of-Body Experience (OBE), which is a separation of mind from body with significantly reduced ego defenses. These experiences often lead to emotionally charged images of significant people or places in one’s life (past, present, or future), sometimes mythologically significant or stemming from the deeper reaches of the psyche.
- The OBE is often associated with an out-of-body experience where one feels as though they are floating above their physical body and observing it. In this state, one may feel as though they are being touched by something or someone else, or that they have lost control over their body. They may also feel as though they have been teleported to another place or time period.
- After an NDE, many people report having difficulty remembering what happened during the experience. This can be frustrating, as it can seem like their experience was just a dream or a movie they watched. However, this is not the case.
The experience of NDE is not limited to just one person. It is a shared experience of complete ego dissolution, complete loss of identity (psychological death), and experience of full disembodiment (physical death) as one may experience being a single point of consciousness in the universal fold. Or there may be a reliving of one’s actions from a moral stance, a judgment of self to the extent that one remains in complete unity with all things.
- The fourth and final phase of dissociation is called the “Ego-Dissolving Transcendental Experience” (EDT). This is a complete melting away of boundaries between one’s body and the environment, leading to a complete transcendence of matter and spacetime. In this ecstatic state of being, some individuals experience a sense of union with the universe, with nature, or with a larger collective consciousness. The EDT generally leads to feelings of sacred awareness of our connection with the universe, or feelings of union with the divine.
The ability of our ego to ‘let go’ is a measure of mental health and a marker of resilience. The healing power of dissociation stems from integrating our energetic mind-body and soul.
DreamWork is an integrative approach to healing that utilizes ketamine infusion therapy (KI) to facilitate the integration process. KI has been used for decades as an effective treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, chronic pain conditions, insomnia, addiction issues, and more. DreamWork works with you in a safe environment to help you heal on all levels – physically, mentally, and spiritually. We offer this therapy by appointment only at our clinic located downtown [city name]. Book an appointment today!
