Hey there, Reader

Summer is slowly starting on this side of the earth — and I'd love to connect with you. So much is brewing, and I'm very curious how you are doing (feel free to reply this email to let me know). First of all, yes, I am still a bit in my post-partum phase as author of Wisdom of Psychosis. I am so happy to share that the book has now been shipped to 12-13 countries in the world.

If you're reading it, you read it, or you want to read — or even just want to show it some love — I would be so grateful if you could shelve it on Goodreads and leave a review if you feel called to. It makes a real difference. Every word counts.

Furthermore, here's what's alive right now in my life:

• Latest podcast episode — Simon's story
• Light reflection on AIM conference
• Yoga and Vedic Studies
• Working with Altered States
• Substack

Latest Podcast 'Desperately Brave' — Simon's Story

In this episode I sit down with Simon — musician, singer, violin 🎻 maker, and Waldorf teacher — who reached out to me after reading about Wisdom of Psychosis on LinkedIn. He flew from Vienna to The Netherlands, we met in person and recorded his interesting story: indeed, the Story of Psychosis is Changing! Simon takes us through his journey: from early dissociation at 13, to a dark night of the soul at 23, to finding his calling as a classical musician through — and because of — psychosis. His story weaves together ancestral healing, the music of Mahler, a GP who protected his individuality, and a moment at the Berlin Philharmonic that changed everything. This is a conversation about what psychosis actually is (or can be) when you stop being afraid of it. No-one is saying that this is an easy path. It's about initiation. About the wisdom that can only be found in the dark. Listen/ follow the podcast here from Monday probably.

AIM conference

I was invited to the AIM conference — one of the Dutch Integrative Medicine conferences — with my book, to (re-)connect with old and new colleagues. These conferences are always inspirational and rich ways to connect with the network. Super grateful that they hold space for me and also grateful I had a chance to have a little chat with Jim van Os, who I mention in my book a several times... to be continued!

Yoga & Vedic Studies

You probably know that I've been studying yoga since I was 17-18 years old. My yoga path went through some curves — up and down, like any path — and after a period of losing direction (and one of my main teachers), I needed a pause to recalibrate. To make a deeper dive now into my studies, into the Vedas. I now see why I loose direction sometimes, thats my necessary katabasis, or descent and the natural return after hitting rock bottom (we need the bottom to press up again, right!) hitting the bottom and something in me decided to come back. I would love to see the creation of a study group with others on a similar path, an easy going group. I'm just dropping it here, for serious students to respond to it.

Working with Altered States

One thing that is being rolled out soon: weekly therapeutic group sessions, in person in The Hague (first — I see this rolling out elsewhere and online too). These are ongoing therapeutic sessions in 8-week sequences to join first, followed by a professional program — for all who care —that teaches you to guide this 8-week sequence too.

Trauma- and altered state informed (remember, we are all on the spectrum of altering). You will learn all about these states of being, and especially how to work with yourself or someone who is stuck in one, what to do in crisis etc. Gentle therapeutic yoga, yoga psychology, IFS, the nervous system, compassion based work and so much more. Just keep an eye on this email and Substack — this is where I will share more soon, when we start.

Substack

Yes, maybe you saw this already — with my book I started a Substack, first to share the content that didn't make it into the book, and now it's already much more than that. I share articles and in-depth information and inspiration there (free and paid), and I've been leaving short notes multiple times a day. A thought about sensitivity. A quote from the book. Something I noticed in the work this week. Not essays, just small offerings between the longer pieces. If you want to follow along, you'll find them here. And if something lands — I read every reply. This is my main connection center.

That's it for today — a second email is on its way soon. Keep your eyes open. It's about finding your way in. A quiz, a map, about a directory of people who can walk with you through the dark... And hopefully I hear from you, if you are interested in some of my ideas. More on that soon.

I'm genuinely glad you're here. Thank you for being part of this unfolding,

With love, Anneke