What is Schizophrenia?

How do you know you're not insane?

In this profound and mind-bending conversation, host Lira Ndifon sits down with author and philosopher Justin Witte to discuss his lifelong journey with a rare organic brain disorder and his book, The Shadowed Soul. Justin offers a rare, first-hand account of living with a thought disorder like schizophrenia, explaining how he uses ancient philosophy and modern science to navigate a mind that overproduces dopamine. This episode is a courageous look beyond the veil of "normalcy" to question the very nature of reality itself.

Justin challenges the core of our beliefs, arguing that in a world of paradoxes, the only thing any of us can truly know is our own consciousness—the simple awareness of "I am". He shares how he has used single-pointed concentration meditation to gain control over his mind, manage his symptoms, and find peace in a brain that was once overwhelmingly loud. This is not just a discussion about mental health; it's a guide to separating your true self from the chaos of your thoughts.

This is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt controlled by their own mind. You will discover:

• The Inner Workings of Schizophrenia: A clear, lived-experience explanation of a thought disorder versus a mood disorder, and the impact of dopamine-blocking medication.
• The Paradox of Sanity: Why most "sane" people can't question their own sanity and how we all believe things that aren't true.
• The Power of "I Am": Learn about the Vedantic concept that our true, unchanging self is pure consciousness, and that identifying with our body and mind is the source of all our problems.
• Meditation as Medicine: How Justin uses the practice of Trataka to empty his mind, abate delusions, and train his brain for profound mental control.

This conversation is an invitation to look beyond your labels and diagnoses and connect with the one thing that never changes: the witness within.

If this episode challenged you to think deeper, please show your support by liking, following, and subscribing to the Self-Reflection Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen. Every subscription helps us amplify these crucial conversations and build a community dedicated to true self-awareness.