feedback Internal Practicing with Mental Health Issues

Simple answer: don’t do it.

Qigong usually is the big problem here because unstable and overstimulated qi easily rises to the head. If you allow qi to rise to the head and don’t know how to ground it, it can lead to later mental health issues such as delusions and anxiety, depression, anger, and suicide. It also allows the influence of entities when qi is circulating there and no defenses are created.

Magic is the next big problem, especially chaos magick, because playing with spirits is dangerous, a result of using one’s own energy and poor understanding of it no matter how cool someone seems on a discussion thread or YouTube video.

When we discuss energy work, it is also important to point out even basic breathe work can cause problems, hence the yoga student’s glowing face that appears healthy and spiritually active is a result of more the mix of endorphins, calisthenics, and bargain bin/wastebasket level of knowledge of energy.

Don’t allow vitality or perceived vitality to be a hallmark of good health and spiritual growth—it is often an obstacle to growth if not accompanied by wisdom and guidance that grounds rather than just allowing the energy to run around and play.

 

[Neirong]

I think in most cases people with and developing mental issues, don't even know they have mental issues.

Quite often, issues are pushed forward and treated as a sign of progress or demonstration of training method efficacy.
"My perception changed = thus magic works"
And, I am not joking right now, quite a lot of people develop themselves, a collection of mental issues and energy blockages, but believe that a blockage is powerful dense energy or mental issue is a sign of enlightenment and some great "spiritual" attainment.

I might refer again to the Dunning Kruger graph, as from my personal interactions it is rather common that the more advanced/powerful/experienced a cultivator believes he is, the more broken they are inside out.

Mental Issues are almost guaranteed to develop if a person tries to develop on his own from reading books without any qualified guidance, they can also develop if the guidance is unqualified. Like the teacher, who has issues, will actually project his own mental illness onto students (teaching/learning is not always about good stuff). Hence, why I would recommend avoiding all cults.
If you want an analogy with the physical world, breatharians like to push their body dying and withering away, as a sign of detox, purification, and going for higher energy frequencies (pick one or many).

 

[Earl Grey]

I think in most cases people with and developing mental issues, don't even know they have mental issues.

You are 100% correct. And unfortunately, the more you show concern or try to help, the more they push back and see you as an antagonist standing in the way of their spiritual test. You no longer are a person, but the universe testing them to decide if they will continue the "true path" or fall into illusions again.

 

[Roots of Virtue]

It's very often that people with mental health issues start out on wrong premises. They have either heard (and not questioned the claim) or started to believe on their own that energetic stimulation or mind training practices can be begun safely without any consideration for the foundations of internal training: wisdom and ethics. A lot of mental health issues come about because of ignorant selfishness or self-conscious desires leading to emotional reactivity that knows not how to stop. If the poisons of the heart keep replenishing on one's own volition and habitual actions, then what good could any amount of healing provide? Temporary comfort at best.

Select internal practices can be helpful for some specific types of mental health issues, but the most important work towards healing is when the individual sheds his or her root reactivity and poor life habits.

Don’t allow vitality or perceived vitality to be a hallmark of good health and spiritual growth—it is often an obstacle to growth if not accompanied by wisdom and guidance that grounds rather than just allowing the energy to run around and play.

The below linked thread is a related note to the overall discussion here:

A Reminder: Sensations Do Not Indicate Progress

One thing that I hear a lot of beginners say--especially beginners who have been practicing for a decade or more--is that they feel "stronger" or more "advanced" because of energetic sensations. The funny thing is, no matter how long you have been training in most internal systems for the...

forum.alchemical.garden

 

[moment]

Simple answer: don’t do it.

Qigong usually is the big problem here because unstable and overstimulated qi easily rises to the head. If you allow qi to rise to the head and don’t know how to ground it, it can lead to later mental health issues such as delusions and anxiety, depression, anger, and suicide. It also allows the influence of entities when qi is circulating there and no defenses are created.

Magic is the next big problem, especially chaos magick, because playing with spirits is dangerous, a result of using one’s own energy and poor understanding of it no matter how cool someone seems on a discussion thread or YouTube video.
at least two or three different ways every day
When we discuss energy work, it is also important to point out even basic breathe work can cause problems, hence the yoga student’s glowing face that appears healthy and spiritually active is a result of more the mix of endorphins, calisthenics, and bargain bin/wastebasket level of knowledge of energy.

Don’t allow vitality or perceived vitality to be a hallmark of good health and spiritual growth—it is often an obstacle to growth if not accompanied by wisdom and guidance that grounds rather than just allowing the energy to run around and play.

Grounding is the #1 most important thing you can do! It helps cover bases when we have unexpected emotional and psychological disturbance! Everyone should be grounding in at least two or three different ways every day. It is especially important in those who tend to be adventurous and aggressive.

 

[Earl Grey]

It is especially important in those who tend to be adventurous and aggressive.

That would be me!

The other thing is also protecting against the many who don’t ground who make those who do ground question themselves and wonder if grounding is bad or not working.

 

[moment]

"The other thing is also protecting against the many who don’t ground who make those who do ground question themselves and wonder if grounding is bad or not working".
An interesting and insightful reply; I agree.