In our modern societies, mental health issues are “on the rise” and more and more people are labeled dysfunctional! Autism, ADHD, Bipolar, Asperger’s, hallucination, hypersensitivity… these are all symptoms of special abilities. Instead of recognising these behaviours as indicators of a heightened sensitivity, people are made believe that there is “something wrong” with them. They are put into mental health care, medicated and generally “shut down” and marginalised.
In my view, mainstream education, health and other social systems have become too standardized. Everyone who doesn’t fit into the narrow framework is left out – or worse. Thus, we miss out on essential treasures: we don’t take time to listen to the wisdom of our elders, our young ones, the ones with special abilities. Instead we try and press everybody into rigid standards – creating more and more exhaustion and overwhelm and “dysfunctions”.
Sitting and listening to the stories of the “outcasts”, valuing EVERY member of our community and respect the input and gifts each and everyone brings, is a prerequisite for a functioning and balanced society. Oracles, hermits, shamans, druids, witches, sorcerers, artists, all the weird and wonderful are contributing important aspects to the bigger whole. As said before: they are the gatekeepers and bridgers to other realities. They bring balance and vision and can help the “workers” and the rest of their communities to put things into perspective. In troubled times we need them desperately to look beyond the veil.
Here is a great video clip that illustrates some of the issues mentioned above - and an example of a natural indigenous approach to deal with it...