This book is dedicated to all those sensitive souls who now know that they are not alone

These writings are a combination of wholistic and Shamanic ways to understand and assist those who are sensitive by nature or acutely sensitive - Schizophrenic and those that wish to broaden their view.

I am Australian born and honour the Aboriginal people that are the custodians and guardians of this ancient land. I walk this life with a strong Celtic lineage in my blood and have deep spiritual connections to the North American Indians and the Buddha field. I walk with the cougar family and have received what serves me best from each culture. I still have many roads to travel.

About the Author

I walked through my own darkness of the soul in the early 90’s. I did not take the psychiatric path to healing; instead I followed the path of the Shaman. I have been researching, counselling and teaching others to understand the world of the sensitive/acute sensitive for more than seven years now; my book, which is collaboration between Spirit and myself, is a combination of my own tools and views, which assisted me in finding balance, along with other teachings that, inspired me to live in both worlds. I was one of the lucky ones. I am not a savoir nor am I a magician that can fix another’s sensitive nature. I am a guide to walking a balanced life between the worlds. I walk the healing path of the shaman whenever I move out of balance and this approach has centred me enough to deal with any major upheavals in my life. I still have much to learn and trust that what I do share brings tools comfort and support to those who are lost and those who are seeking to be of help whether they be loved ones or those that seek a career in the welfare, healing and caring profession.

Odette is a trained Shamanic guide and an advanced member of The College of Past Life Healing and associated Therapies UK . (Since the founder has passed away she now is custodian of all the Shamanic Teachings. She is an accredited Flower Essence Practitioner with The Flower Essence Society of Nevada California . She also works with CATF (Community Awareness Task Force) and is often employed as a relief manager for mental health to assist in bringing more awareness to Mental Health care Odette’s main goal is to see that Sensitive Services International fills a gap in the in dustry that is sorely needed. Her hometown is the Byron Shire NSW Australia

After twenty years in experimental theatre and seven years researching and working with emotionally & spiritually disturbed people, I came to the realisation that insanity is only one option in becoming aware of the abilities we have as sensitive souls. I too have been lost and on the edge of insanity but fortunately saw the wisdom behind the crisis which has directed my soul to write this book.

Everyone at one time or another has doubted his or her own sanity. That is not unusual. The difference is what we do when that happens. Some have been blessed by being able to push through and overcome it, some don't. It’s heartbreaking to see a soul we dearly love dragged away into an ambulance and taken to a place where we feel they don't belong. What other choices are there? I have heard so many people crying for another way.

I would like to share with you what I believe is the truth of people who are living another reality.

Throughout my research, counselling and personal involvement with acutely sensitive people, I have found that the cause of schizophrenia seldom originates from a brain dysfunction. I believe they are deeply, spiritually disturbed.

As mother earth becomes more dramatic in her healing changes many souls are losing their grip. This book is a guide for people who are sensitive by nature who may be walking the extreme of becoming acutely sensitive, whether that be schizophrenic, or simply too vulnerable and are finding it hard to cope.

It is also a handy manual for carers and therapists to understand the world of the acute sensitive from a more wholistic perspective. Medical doctors are wonderful in their art and should not be condemned, as they are masters of their craft. However, they are not doctors of the soul. Religion may benefit those who follow, although that may not be everyone’s chosen path.

What I ask of the reader is to drop what you think you know about mental illness and see an empty canvas where new colours may be painted.... Then after the picture is finished, stand back and look at the whole painting. Not all artists suit all tastes, however each painting tells a story, a view through the eyes of another, which the observer may identify with...this may be one of those paintings for you.

A warning to those who dislike medication, I have witnessed clients who instead of weaning themselves off prescribed medication thought they could stop on their own. This cold turkey experience sends the Acute sensitive into such a state of imbalance that in the future they are totally devoid of faith or courage and often end up back in institutions to be medicated up again and pushed out onto the street.

I suggest if you, or someone you know is on medication and feels a strong need to go off the dosage, please, please, please consult a psychiatrist or psyche nurse first. Then work out a very slow withdrawal, backed up by quality counselling and natural therapies, there is a much better chance of success and less emotional crisis.

By Larisa Bardsley BBSc (Hons) MPsych (Clinical) MAPsS Transpersonal and Clinical Psychologist

This book comes at a time where change is increasingly becoming a constant force in our society and when a new consciousness is permeating traditional thought. Odette’s book does build a bridge from the currently predominant medical model of approaching mental health to a comprehensive and practical alternative approach to working with what she terms extreme sensitivity. Odette's approach draws from her experience as a shaman and her extensive personal experience including many years of working with highly sensitive people.

In writing this introduction, I felt that was important to explore the traditional role of the shaman in healing and also to draw some parallels between the Shamanic process and how it may compare with the story of someone who receives the diagnosis of schizophrenia. As a Transpersonal psychologist, I too attempt to look beyond the current model of psychopathology that labels people with non-ordinary experiences as ill, to one that may see these experiences as part of a transformative journey.

The role of a shaman is most individual and most archaic of all religions. The Shamans role is comparable to that of Medicine men or women. These people possess powers bordering on paranormal that are outside the understanding of most modern psychology. With one foot in this world and one in the next, the shaman can travel freely between two worlds.

Shamans in ancient cultures can cure and perform miracles. She or he is the mistress or master of ecstasy. Their main function in indigenous cultures is to induce ecstasy in society.



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