Black Beryl Spirit Possession and Chinese Medicine Anti-Psychiatry, with Brandt Stickley
Jan 1, 2026
Brandt Stickley, an Associate Professor specializing in classical Chinese medicine, shares his unique approach to addressing mental health through spirit-based healing. He dives into the concept of 'Chinese medicine anti-psychiatry,' emphasizing the role of acupuncture in exorcising spirits. Topics include the dynamics of personal and mass possession, the historical tension between qi and spirit entities, and practical strategies for engaging with spirits nonviolently. Brandt also discusses the importance of meditation and ethical considerations in spiritual practices.
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Yin and Yang As Processes
- He reframes yin and yang as dynamic processes (expansion/contraction) rather than static qualities.
- This process view supports attending to nascent states before they condense into pathology.
Spirits As Energetic Agents
- Brandt treats 'spirits' as energetic agents with varying agency that feed on human emotion and can influence people.
- He locates spirit effects in bodily sensations and sees them as actionable targets in treatment.
Micro–Macro Resonance Of Energetic Gestures
- Brandt maps spirit phenomena across scales from individual afflictions to collective social patterns.
- He uses the metaphor of gesture moving through different media to explain resonance across micro and macro levels.