Spiritual Emergencies

While most spiritually transformative experiences are very uplifting, it is crucial to understand that some individuals may have difficulties.  In some cases, those difficulties are severe enough to label them as emergencies.

First, it is essential to know that there are knowledgeable, trained people who can help.  Many people in the medical and psychiatric professions may not be the most optimal counselors. Familiarity with the myriad types of spiritually transformative experiences is essential to help you make sense of your event.  Some of the potentially transformative experiences include near-death, out-of-body, after-death communications, and kundalini awakenings.  They are generally pleasant; however, not all are.  If you need help dealing with a challenging spiritual situation, you need assistance from someone who has studied these phenomena.

Studies of near-death experiences (NDE), for example, show a small percentage of them as being distressing.  Nancy Evans Bush wrote a book called Dancing Past The Dark – Distressing Near-Death Experiences that may help you if you have had a problematic NDE.  Also, the International Association for Near-Death Studies IANDS has related interest groups worldwide that can offer guidance on how to understand and assimilate an NDE.  However, while these groups can provide a sympathetic ear, you may need a more professional approach.

The  American Center For The Integration Of Spiritually Transformative Experiences (ACISTE) is a non-profit that trains individuals to counsel people.  They also provide a directory of licensed professionals and offer peer groups similar to the IANDS groups. Here are some links to helpful pages on their website. The important thing is you are not alone.

If you know of other organizations offering informed support services, please let us know.  We would be happy to include other reference materials for people who need help.  Given the sheer number of individuals involved in helping people navigate spiritually transformative challenges, we cannot have individual practitioner’s references listed.