The Myth of Normal -- Introduction

I am putting a bookmark on my Navdha Bhakti journey. I want to listen to the talks and do a bit more reading before I resume the series. The content is profound, and I am unable to express its depth yet. Whenever I try, the apt words escape me.

So, instead of stopping my writing sojourn, I am starting a new series. I am reading a book and want to share my understanding as I read.

“We may not be responsible for the way the world creates our mind, but we can learn to take responsibility for the mind with which we create our world” – Gabor Mate.

The book is: The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate. A little about Gabor Mate, and then we can dive into the book. Born in Budapest in January 1944, Gabor worked as a medical doctor in Vancouver, Canada. He has worked in family practices and specializes in childhood development and trauma. His focus later shifted to addiction and trauma, which inspired him to dive deeper and understand the role trauma plays in our lives.

He says, ‘Trauma is the invisible force that shapes our lives. It shapes the way we live, the way we love, and the way we make sense of the world. It is the root of our deepest wounds.’

He is a prolific speaker and author, having written many international bestsellers, such as Scattered Minds, When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress, and Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers.

He is the recipient of the Civic Merit Award of the City of Vancouver, "for his extensive work on addiction treatment and his contributions to understanding mental health and youth related to addiction, stress, and childhood development"

Drawing on experiences from his own life and from interactions with the multitude of patients he has healed, he has poured his wisdom and lessons into his book - The Myth of Normal, Illness, Health and Healing in a Toxic Culture.