When Martin Isaias, a Native American man, suffers a near mental breakdown, his doctors diagnose him with schizophrenia and a bi-polar disorder. His doctors prescribe medication and therapy. Martin’s family is deeply traditional in the spiritual beliefs of their people. They see Martin’s visions and voices as a sign that Martin has been chosen to walk a path as a healer.
Caught between two worlds, Martin must confront both worlds alone. His tribe’s deep spiritual traditions and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of western medicine. Both worlds are convinced they have Martin’s and the community's best interest at heart. As Martin navigates therapy, medication, along with strong bouts of profound spiritual clarity, he must battle skepticism from both sides. His only question he really wants answered, Is he mentally ill, experiencing an awakening, or something more, a gift from beyond ordinary understanding? Martin’s journal is the journey of self-discovery, identity, and healing.
Dancing with Demons on a Razor’s Edge is a poignant exploration of mental illness, indigenous identity, and the blurry lines between madness and mysticism. In a world that demands definitions, Martin must find his own truth, even if it lies in the in-between.
