In this episode of Healing Mindset, host Nazish speaks with author and holotropic breathwork facilitator Sean Blackwell about bipolar disorder as a potential awakening. Instead of treating bipolar as a fixed lifelong illness, Sean frames it as a crisis of consciousness that can reorganize the psyche, surface old trauma and open the door to a different way of living.
He shares his own psychiatric hospitalization after a near death scuba accident and an intensive self development course, how he later discovered the concept of “spiritual emergency” through Stanislav Grof, and why he believes many bipolar episodes are misunderstood healing processes.
Together, they unpack trauma stored in the body, the role of holotropic breathwork, why medication can be both useful and overused, and how people can move from “what is wrong with me” to “what is waking up in me”. This is a grounded, practical look at bipolar awakening, not a promise of quick fixes.
About the guest:
Sean Blackwell is the author of “Am I Bipolar or Waking Up” and “Bipolar Awakenings. The Quest to Heal Bipolar Disorder”. He has spent nearly two decades researching bipolar disorder, spiritual emergency and trauma healing, and has worked with people from around the world through private retreats and online education. Combining transpersonal psychology, holotropic breathwork, peer support and spirituality, Sean’s work challenges the purely biochemical model of mental illness and invites a deeper, experience based understanding of psychosis and bipolar states.
Key takeaways :
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Bipolar episodes can sometimes function as “spiritual emergencies”. intense reorganizations of the psyche that surface unprocessed trauma and existential fear.
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Sean’s first episode followed a near death scuba accident and an emotional breakthrough on a self help course. His experience was labeled psychosis, yet it sharpened his senses, opened his heart and changed his life trajectory.
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Discovering Stanislav Grof’s work on spiritual emergency gave him language for what happened. a non ordinary state that looks like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder yet can be transformative.
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Through supporting his wife’s nieces, he saw that psychosis supported with empathy, safety and family understanding can resolve without a lifelong identity of “chronic mental patient”.
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For many people, bipolar disorder is less about “chemical imbalance” and more about high sensitivity plus unresolved trauma, emotional repression and sometimes drug use crossing a threshold.
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Holotropic breathwork creates a safe container for the body to release stored trauma through intensified breathing, movement and sound instead of only talking about pain.
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Sean still respects the role of psychiatric medication for short term stability and function. yet he encourages slow, supervised reduction when people feel consistently over sedated after deep healing work.
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Real awakening is not a dramatic mountaintop moment. it usually shows up as being more relaxed, open and peaceful while becoming a calmer presence for others.
Connect with the guest:
Listeners can learn more about Sean and his work here.
Please contact Sean directly through his website for current offerings and availability.
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Disclaimer. This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country or profession mentioned. All third party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.
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