An Alternative to Hospitalization: Inner Fire

https://vimeo.com/341787371

The video above with founder/director Beatrice Birch reveals the philosophy behind Inner Fire. It's an alternative to hospitalization. Inner Fire is not a religious or spiritual institution but has drawn inspiration from Rudolf Steiner’s thinking. It welcomes people in spiritual emergency.

Inner Fire

Hospitalization for mental disturbances most frequently involves being cooped up in a hospital with not much to do except take psychiatric medications, watch TV,  and attend some group therapy.  Not right for you?  Incomplete?

Inner Fire is a residential retreat in southern Vermont thattakes a very different approach. This facility is in a rural environment.  Residents have lots of opportunities to interact with naturevia gardening, hiking, tending chickens, and exploring the forest withguides.  Their schedules are quitefull with activities including yoga, art and movement therapies.  There are no TVs and residents are notallowed to use computers or e-gadgets. There are games like ping-pong, books, and people to talk to.  There is food to be gathered from thegarden, prepared, and served. There are projects that bring people into cooperative work withsatisfying ends.

Engage Others

The idea is to help a person engage as a member of a livingcommunity.  The personal work withguides is to help a person be embodied and attain health through exercise innature and wholesome food.  Opendialogue in circle each day draws residents and staff into honest, authenticcommunication.

It is said that Inner Fire assists a person to live fromtheir soul.  The program isdesigned to acquaint individuals to that deep level of themselves…and to pursuetheir next steps in life from the soul level.

Psychiatric Medications

 Inner Firetakes a cautious approach to psychiatric medication.  When people want to take them that is OK.  When residents, called “Seekers,” don’twant to take meds, that is also supported.  Qualified medical supervision is available especially whensomeone is in the process of withdrawing from psychiatric medications.

Kelly Brogan, MD,has also interviewed Beatrice and that interview goesinto different aspects of the program of Inner Fire.

-------Author, Emma Bragdon, PhD, is the Founder/Director of IMHU.org. It offers online and live presentations on effective alternatives to psychiatric medication for those seeking healing and optimal wellness. Emma is especially interested in offering support for those in spiritual emergency. More than 26 presentations at IMHU are available here.