In this powerful and paradigm-shifting episode of Awaken Your Power, Keri speaks with Sean Blackwell, author of Bipolar Awakenings and creator of the Bipolar Awakenings project. Sean’s work courageously challenges the dominant psychiatric narrative, offering a radically different lens on bipolar disorder, psychosis, and what many might call “mental illness.”
Drawing from his own dramatic hospitalization in 1996, nearly 20 years of research, and extensive work with clients around the world, Sean explores the intersection of spiritual awakening, trauma, and non-ordinary states of consciousness. He argues that what is often labeled as pathology may in fact be a spiritual emergency—a potent, disorienting, but potentially transformative process arising from the body’s own intelligence.
Together, Keri and Sean dive into the risks of over-pathologizing, the cultural discomfort with breakdowns, the somatic nature of Kundalini energy, and how integrating these states requires nuance, courage, and a complete overhaul of how we hold human experience.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health, trauma healing, spirituality, or challenging the status quo around what it means to “wake up.”
In This Episode We Explore:
-
Sean’s unexpected hospitalization following a powerful Kundalini awakening
-
Why he believes his episode was a breakthrough, not a breakdown
-
How the psychiatric system oversimplifies complex spiritual processes
-
Why the “chemical imbalance” narrative lacks scientific support
-
The difference between spiritual emergency and mental illness
-
How trauma, intergenerational wounds, and somatic blockages fuel bipolar symptoms
-
The role of Kundalini as a force for psychological reorganization
-
Dangers and benefits of meditation retreats and intense spiritual practices
-
Why our culture silences truth-telling during non-ordinary states
-
Sean’s innovative use of surrogate breathwork in healing sessions
-
The evolutionary potential in embracing—not suppressing—these experiences
-
Why the world doesn’t need “normal” people, but natural people
-
What real healing demands: courage, expression, and deep self-inquiry
Key Quotes
-
“What psychiatry calls mania or psychosis may actually be a spiritual emergency—a powerful awakening that’s too much to integrate all at once.”
-
“The chemical imbalance story simply isn’t supported by science.”
-
“Breakdowns are breakthroughs trying to happen.”
-
“Normalcy is what got us into this cultural mess. The world needs more natural people.”
-
“In non-ordinary states, people often speak truths their families have avoided for decades.”
About Sean Blackwell
Sean Blackwell is the author of Bipolar Awakenings: The Quest to Heal Bipolar Disorder and creator of the Bipolar Awakenings YouTube channel. For nearly two decades, he has studied the somatic, energetic, and spiritual dimensions of bipolar disorder and psychosis. Through private retreats and breathwork-based healing processes, Sean supports individuals navigating extreme states and spiritual crises. His work blends transpersonal psychology, trauma healing, and a deep respect for the body’s innate intelligence.
Learn more at: bipolarawakenings.com
Resources Mentioned
-
Sean’s books, training programs, and videos: bipolarawakenings.com
-
Sean’s YouTube channel: “Bipolar Awakenings”
-
Holotropic Breathwork (Stanislav Grof)
-
Keri’s website: kerimangis.com
Connect with Keri
For more conversations that challenge the status quo and awaken deeper self-authority, subscribe to Awaken Your Power on your favorite podcast platform.
Find more writing, courses, and resources at kerimangis.com.