PSYCHOTHERAPIST REACTS to Ren- Hi Ren

[@2TRUTH4SAUCE2]

It's one of the most amazing pieces of art I've ever seen in my 44 years of existence. It hits me hard every time I listen to it.

[@periurban]

Me too!

[@Beasty2023]

i keep going back and listening to this song, its just something about it draws me back

[@darcieturner5423]

I've been obsessed ever since I heard it xo

[@IratePuffin]

If you haven’t yet, you def need to check out his trilogy too. “The tale of Jenny and Screech(FULL)” on his channel. It’s amazing too.

[@MichaelCorleoneLFC]

Agreed. It's like NF on steroids. Unbelievable

[@G.G.Dutton-eb3wi]

Beautiful reaction. I found Ren after spending a year in bed after my husband of 21 years passed over. Rens music and story inspired me to live again. Now I'm up with the birds painting and sculpting again and have 23 chapters in on a novel I didn't know was in me. Thank you.

[@kintsugittv2537]

The funny part is (no diss toward you) is that he went through all of this because of health professionals, psychologists etc. He was mistreated for 8 years or so, and physically and mentally got worse. Due to this mistreatment, not only did he get worse, but his record label Sony dropped him after health professionals diagnosed him with Schizophrenia. Turns out almost a decade later, he did not have mental issues, he had Lyme Disease and he is currently being treated for it. He's been through hell. From transplants to hallucinations.

[@jeffstumpf9129]

It’s understandable that the doctors missed Ren’s diagnosis. Lymn’s Disease was still new and not yet understood. It's physiological, not psychological. The pig-masked butcher represents how Ren felt wronged by Medicine. What I find interesting is how psychology borrows a lot of long-standing religious understandings to describe itself.

[@Mhantrax]

As a therapist, I am deeply disappointed with the mental health paradigm in our medical, "industry. I don't blame the specific doctors and therapists, I blame the training, the dogmatic approach to treatment of labeling and treating symptoms only and the big money groups. We all know who they are. This, it is up to each one of us to truly take a look at our work. Have we really helped a person? I don't find many of my clients are thrilled with, "reducing depression symptoms by 50% within six months as evidenced by..." No, as humans they want connection, belonging, attachment and meaning. And it is rare that I see these things even addressed. More to the point, though, they missed the diagnosis BECAUSE they think only in diagnoses. Diagnoses are a trap. It sabotages our ability to see each individual as a whole person. Metabolic health, brain health, gut health, all are a part of the entire package. Yet we see some energy level changes or psychosis and immediately throw a bipolar or schizophrenia label on them and now you are stuck. Most practitioners are completely incapable of shedding that paradigm and exploring the infinite factors at play. My cynical self says it is because we want to portray ourselves as a professional, that we know stuff. That we are experts and through this we help people. To any young or old professionals out there:. Every individual who walks through your door is the expert. You have knowledge, you have experience, but you are not the expert of that person. They are. Your job is to help them grasp it. Mental health isn't just some random thing that appears out of the ether. It isn't just because our brain was born that way. There are infinite factors at play and your job is to help them become self empowered, to know they have power within themselves. Telling them they are sick with a disease and that they now have to take pills for the rest of their life, that there is nothing they can do...even just texting them, "coping skills," isn't enough. They need a deeper existence. Walk with them, be a supporting partner, help them find a starting point. That's what helps. If you choose to continue to see human beings as a cluster of symptoms, then you may well be a destructor, not a healer.

[@3A--Axel]

@@Mhantrax 1000% AGREE !

[@LiannaBabeli]

@@Mhantrax Absolutely and the misdiagnosis of trauma response or other disorders instead of Lyme Disease caused him permanent brain damage and significant chronic nervous system issues that gave him MCAS and causing him chronic pain. This video is entirely about his feelings between his illness and the mental issues it caused in him. The struggle itself forcing issues on his ability to just exist. He is in much better shape now than he was 6 years ago, but he has a long way to go. He is currently in Calgary, Canada, receiving treatment for his conditions. Please give him much love and find all of his amazing music. His bandmates, the Big Push, are also amazing musicians (amazing people) and they still talk and work with him, even though the band is technically disbanded.

[@jo-annb1575]

@@jeffstumpf9129 Lymes disease is not new they have been diagnosing it here on Nantucket for almost 30 years.

[@saltydroog854]

Aside from the obviously touching story being told...There is a tragedy that is hidden inside of it. Ren WAS misdiagnosed. Ren WAS neglected by a system that really didn't care about him. Throughout this song the "Dark Ren" is the protagonist, and we get that moment of triumph when Light Ren over comes him at the end. But the hidden tragedy is that Dark Ren was kinda sorta right about the doctors, and his simple "Civilian mind" being optimistic, about "Take another pill" and you'll be fine. It's a lesson of not just coping with your darkness, and learning to overcome it, but recognizing that it's just as important a part of you as any, and you need to learn to know HOW to listen to it.

[@your_neko]

Isn't that amazing that "the true self" is always the side who doesn't mock the therapy? Great perspective, my dude, thanks for helping me understand the song more. Let me try to refine it. Light Ren didn't overcome Dark Ren, he "stands beside". It was a support, a step in the "eternal dance", as Ren called it. "Civilian mind" attempted to erase part of Ren's personality, and Ren recognizes it as a source of his problems. The final speech and the whole song seems to be aligned with Dark Ren, so I believe you are correct that he's a protagonist.

[@MsElfdee]

as a recently retired psychiatric nurse therapist , a wounded healer, i weep every time i hear this - for many reasons - including the guilt of my profession. the environment its filmed in hits us who work on the shop floor with the most damage of society. Ren's music is amazing, he's story. its real and authentic. not something the media stream can make money from. even though there are so many need to hear it. I used music therapy, this would be in my tool box.

[@achebwahs1111]

Every time I hear this I bawl my eyes out. Not tears of sadness. Tears of relief. It's not that my life experience mirrors all that is Ren's, but there are parts of the dance that we share. Enough to find solice with a soul who dares to be bold. Expressing what we fear we cannot. Without exaggeration, This will make change in this world. Too powerful to suppress and it's done. The Universe will look after the rest. Love me, love we, hi Ren

[@halloweellahere7602]

Deep comment dude 👍

[@JP-mc1zk]

Wow 👍

[@cosmicdebris5260]

Everything Ren produces I can listen to over and over! I have been lucky enough to know of him for the last several years it has been a blessing🌿💔

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Very well done Song here…So cool!😊

[@joshrobertson929]

I discovered him yesterday, and I can already say that he is a generational talent. He’s going to explode in the next few months, im calling it!

[@jessicaasakevich2264]

Same. Been telling everyone who'd listen about Ren for 5 years now, and I'm thrilled to see people finally catching up. He's such a phenomenal talent, and deserves every bit of the success that is coming his way.

[@rosie_tee]

@@jessicaasakevich2264 same... love it that people are finally catching up. Been ranting about him too long. ❤🌹 #renegades

[@andyh6849]

I only just found Ren and particularly this song yesterday... I've been completely neglecting my own mental health since my daughter passed a year last August .. i've been listening to this song and his other stuff non stop really.. it's giving me a push in the right direction, and i realise i need to work on this, and i need to work out where i am and where i need to get to... The song is a masterpiece and Ren is a master poet

[@hannakall3311]

❤️

[@jonherron7418]

Hug for you brother

[@DeX9O2]

From one father to another my heart breaks for you. May you have steady feet in this dance of life, brother.

[@Billy-ev2ig]

What was her cause of death

[@WHADATBOYNAMEIS]

good luck brother. u are loved.

[@davideastham]

This is a one take, recorded live from what I understand. This guy is musical genius. This song is pure art and goes deep into your mind and soul.

[@MichaelCorleoneLFC]

It's the rawness....it's why we love Kurt Cobain and all them 90s angst singers There's something about one take performances

[@ratmackay]

@Joe Lindley you can literally see the mic attached to the gown at his neck and see him start to take it off at the end of the video.

[@sh4dowmansc]

@Joe Lindley pretty much all his videos are taken live in one take. He prefers to use the acoustics of the room to add to the rawness of the songs. I can pretty much guarantee that this was recorded live. Check out some of his other videos, also worth looking at the big push and the videos he does with Sam Tompkins

[@WebWheeler]

@Joe Lindley i don't know for sure either but from what I understand, the video was done in 4 takes, audio is from one of the 4. I believe he mentioned this on his Twitch. The audio is a single live take from his lavalier mic you can see on the gown, the video is assembled from footage from all 4 takes.

[@halloweellahere7602]

@@WebWheeler hi there. This means it was done in one take. If the audio and footage were just done in the one take then edited to show the different sides, it's just the one take. Doesn't even need the visial. If the audio is just one continuous, it was done in one take :)

[@zed4225]

Shout out to Eminem and Plan B, both of which I love. 52yr old Mum here of a 16year old, who's stuck in an Eminem rut. I asked him to share this with his friends, he said it's not their thing, I said it's not about that son, it's about the message. This song transcends genres and age groups. Share it

[@CumulusSkies]

My 19 yr old son basically said the same thing. I don’t understand that at all. Especially when Hi Ren makes me cry every time I see/hear it. Ren’s song is so relatable, so poignant, so truthful, so vulnerable.

[@Razzy316]

Lol you can't possibly understand the mental state of a teenage boy. Every single thing you do is a status symbol and taking the risk of sharing a song so completely different than what they're used to is a risk for them. Ren is a grown man singing about grown man stuff your son doesn't have the life experience to appreciate that yet. Let him mature through his own struggles and remind him of songs like this when he's in his mid 20s. I'll bet you he sees them in a different light then

[@Ontheroxxwithsalt]

@@Razzy316Really. If my teenage child could relate to this I'd be questioning what I'd done wrong!

[@natrixxirtan]

@@Ontheroxxwithsalt you have no control of psychosis

[@declanlee6894]

@@Razzy316 that’s exactly it. This is music for folks who’ve been here long enough to have seen some shit. What did we know about being still at 16? At that age I was well the same age as ren I really believed I could dare the darkness to do it’s worst and not get what I asked for. My mom always said life gives you the lessons you need to learn tailor made just for you and you’ll keep getting those same lessons till it takes.

[@Veeliscious]

Another YT reactor said "Ren is a Wormhole, I need to deep dive this guy" and that's exactly it - I, like thousands of his Community (for that is what his presence has created amongst his followers), see him with one performance and automatically we feel compelled to deep dive and watch everything he has produced- and each piece is so unique, a surprise, covering a multitude of genres brilliantly. He's a lyrical and performance genius (his solo piano playing is exquisite) who truly captivates his audience and draws them into his world, yet so authentic and humble. His Reach is two- pronged I feel: those who simply enjoy and appreciate his musical and performance genius; and those who resonate with parts of his story as he articulates our own pain and struggles, our own battles of Darkness and Light. Imo, he's a celestial being, an Earth Angel, a born Warrior of Light and is now stepping into his Power and breathing life and blood into his wings to shine his Light of hope, inspiration and validation through the myriad of gifts and talents he has, and with this piece in particular has created a Portal for so many others now to feel safer to step into and express and expose themselves, their perfections and imperfections, their mental health struggles and demons that is normally so stigmatised and deeply misunderstood by those who've not experienced it. I'm so glad for him this deeply personal, vulnerable masterpiece is now giving him the reach and spotlight he deserves - he's worked so hard for it -"Renlentessly" - for so long whilst still battling ill health. He really will continue to rise in the music that he leaves behind, I have no doubt

[@halloweellahere7602]

Fucking deep 😭😭😭😭😭

[@fastpitch4life11]

That’s what got me in, you see or hear, one song and next you’re in a deep dive of his stuff

[@chandrabrame4344]

Bravo! Well stated!

[@brettsons]

This but 👌🏼🙌🏼❤️

[@TheOnlyGhxst]

If you read Ren's comment in the description on the video, he actually dealt with mental illness and hearing voices/hallucinations throughout his life, and the song is his artistic rendition of what dealing with his actual illness is like. It's pure creative genius and him being so vulnerable.

[@agyflo286]

Ren was diagnosed with Lyme disease and had serious consequenses he's been dealing with

[@londonhodnet4079]

Beware of the Doctors with a handful of pills for you. He is getting treatment for Lymes, carried by ticks.

[@mynameis890]

it seems he has definitely accomplished the integration of his shadow.

[@kosarsakic1982]

@@K94406 Why would you LOL Lyme Disease?

[@zombie-xj7gc]

@@K94406 idiot

[@grimmliberty7447]

The difference between the first "oo" "oo" "oo" section and the end version? He was super tense and tight in the first, you saw the tension in his neck and posture, subconsciously, but in the second version? Loose and free flowing, you FEEL the second version... AND he ends it unresolved, last downbeat was a Full Rest, rather than minor or major cord... so you felt it and YOU filled in the last note and "oo" yourself... it prepped you for his silique... Genius! The more I watch this the more things I see that make it GREAT! Things like Major chords when Evil is speaking, giving "answers" not to be questioned... Like the discordant chords he plays when going back to the "good" voice, it shows he's not certain, but WANTS to believe. Great Reaction. Like most, you really got into it, because it got into you. check out: Ren - The Tale of Jenny & Screech (Full) it's very sad, but realistic actually. Expect a solid "Noooo!" at the end, you've been warned. And the whole Jimmy Hendrix reference, died of vomiting while drunk on barbiturates... dark. Basically, his dark voice was saying he wanted to be famous for self-destruction! Ouch.

[@lorikelly2400]

Chaos vs triumph

[@primemover1416]

In the second version, when he was loose and free flowing, the lights flickered like they did with the "evil" Ren. So does that indicate that the evil will always be there, he just has to relax and try to manage it?

[@grimmliberty7447]

@@primemover1416 I would say yes, but instead of "it managing him", he is managing it, because he relaxed. Personally, I think we are at our best when in integrate our entire being, recognizing the good and the evil we are capable of. (Carl Jung would say "integrating our shadow".)

[@KariTripp]

This gave me chills! i cried and just felt this song! what an amazing artist! Such a perfect explination of mental health

[@MC_kalCM]

Ren just arrived in Canada for treatment's. Could be up to 6mo's. He'll love your reaction. All the love that can be shown to this man..., is beyond what I can ask. Thank you kindly.

[@Beasty2023]

he did say, he knew he was going so he has enough music made to keep releasing over that time!!

[@mariafrandsen5824]

I just read Rens post. ❤

[@ouisr.1739]

Ren is the greatest musical artist of our generation, he's a modern day Van Gogh, but he still here and it's amazing.

[@13cottonmouth]

Absolutely, well said.

[@MrArtisticals]

Any generation!

[@kylerphillips-m6z]

He was 19 when he wrote this song and he has mental issues. That’s why I know about him and he’s my favourite singer. I really love him.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bogrot69]

After years of struggling with anger and addiction I learned that it wasn't up to me to control every aspect of my life. That some things were meant to be and in some cases I just needed to let things play out. Things changed drastically for me after learning this lesson. I saw others going through it and wished that everyone could learn this as well. Some just weren't ready. This song hit me hard the first time I heard it; It's message can be life changing when heard by the right person.

[@kellykreitsch1412]

I’m watching this reaction after CNN put out a “diss” to this song saying it promotes suicide. Music is therapy to so many in so many different ways. This song has given so much hope to people who felt hopeless and made so many feel like that aren’t alone in their thoughts

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thanks for your comments, appreciate you 😊

[@goaty1964]

Don't take mental health advice from CNN is the takeaway..

[@Yougottalaugh-p9u]

14th review I have watched, never grow tired of listening to different breakdowns of this piece of genius. People listen to the trilogy Jenny, Screech, Violet in that order.

[@kp-iv2mp]

I have bipolar. I’ve dealt with psychosis during mania. Scariest thing to go thru. The paranoia is god awful. I appreciate this video so much! This is groundbreaking.

[@Sifu_Steve]

There is definitely an irony that he talks about the futility of following his therapist's advice to 'cope' but ultimately realises that he has to embrace his darkness and 'stand beside it in the fire'. And here we have a therapist interpreting that last verse as "I'm not going to listen to my dark side, I don't need you to live my life". That is the complete opposite of the message. He didn't stand up to it, he embraced it and learned to dance with it.

[@Gearmeshkutt]

The song speaks a truth that we all recognize. We all dance this dance. We all have those shadows we dwell in when the pendulum swings to the dark in our lives. We have all fought with self doubt. I think the quality of your life depends on how well you dance rather than how many things your put in it. I am so grateful for Ren and that he spoke this truth in such a way that it resonated with so many. A true artist.

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

FACTS!!!😊

[@rikmang]

A true tale of dealing with psychosis. He a grasp on it, then get slammed with Lyme disease. The inner doubt and death anxiety welcomes the other voice back.. Then pushes through again, Him standing at the end shows he didn't let the the psychosis and Lyme disease defeat him. Amazing

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

@@rikmang very nice take! Thank you for this😊

[@kennethmichael5404]

I suffer, therefore I am....but I will not relent...and I will learn to ride the waves. This song will be cathartic for some people...that's why it's so very powerful. This is an artistic masterpiece and should be recognized as such.

[@adrianmcgachie]

I still resonate with the image that every time the "pendulum" swings stronger towards the light, it also casts a dark shadow back, too.

[@andycopland3179]

I had psychosis after coming out an induced coma and I seen a guy with a pig face tap on my window with a gun. I had a girl hold my hand on my bed (I was actually handcuffed for my own safety) so this brings back some shit for me. Thankfully it was VERY short lived. It really gave mean insight to how crazy the brain can be.

[@HOPEof95]

Im so happy you've reacted to this. Thanks to the person who requested this

[@thetalantonx]

Right?! I've been waiting for this reaction.

[@papa1601]

haha, I requested it in a random video of his YT when I randomly found this channel. He answered me saying he posted on Patreon, thankfully it's free now

[@thetalantonx]

Ever since I heard this song for the first time, I've been wanting to hear your reaction and insights about it. Thanks for a great reaction as usual.

[@beesfoot]

I've watched many reaction videos for this song, but I'm soooooo impressed that at 6.45' into the video you essentially completely encapsulate his closing monologue, and the idea to try and not fight it so vigorously. You know your stuff!

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thank you so much for the feedback, amongst all the “hate” I appreciate you😊❤️

[@svengalisounds4471]

Came across this track on Friday night and been down a Ren rabbit hole since….incredible

[@PatrioticBlues]

Ren absolutely blew my mind with this work of art. It's a masterpiece! You should check out the full version of The Tale of Jenny and Screech.

[@mattmcnamee1113]

I must listen to this song about 15 times a day on Spotify, I was very much like Ren, at the age of 17-18 I was at the same point as he was and it took me many years to get my head out of it, it's such an amazing, heartfelt song. It makes me look back and be very thankful for where I am because at the time I didn't think I'd even make it to 20 year old, but I did as he states, I learned to calm myself and steady the dance that is mental health and it got alot easier to the point I no longer have that feeling but at the time it felt impossible, this song will resonate with so many people and he honestly deserve every success in life because this song is a true masterpiece as a representation of how so many feel

[@sketchtherapy1218]

To a hammer every problem looks like a nail, he had Lyme Disease but the Shrinks for many years didn't consider that they were absolutely wrong about everything.

[@music2seeconcertphotograph457]

Suffering myself from double depression, depersonalization, anxiety disorder and a chronical pain disorder (e.g. 20+ days with headaches / month) for decades by now I feel so connected to Ren and this masterful piece of art he created and gave us. I wish I could hear the hope side stronger or at all. But he gives hope to hear hope some day.

[@reallythough4591]

He was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and bedridden at 17. 5 years later, they found out it was Lyme disease. The psychoactive drug treatments caused psychosis. This is him telling his story coming out the other side. Awed

[@Euqoram]

I actually really love that in the end after you see the dark Ren take over for a bit, and then you see light Ren come out, that no, neither is gone, he's merged them together and learned to live with both in balance. He's still singing sweetly but now things are a little more frantic, the lights are flashing, and he looks a little more frayed, but he seems happier and a little more relaxed.

[@JohnPaul-hm2ys]

Great breakdown. I have been following this video from all styles of reactors and each one has a great perspective. I was an educator (university level) and a counselor and used to use music & lyrics in my group process groups. I wish presentation like this had been available then, the words aren't subliminal like they were in the 90's. I could have stoked so much discussion.

[@fourcornersofbrighton]

This song reminds me of a quip that I've heard before that is simple, yet so true. An old Indian tells his young grandson "I have two wolves inside me and they battle daily." The grandson asks "which one will win?" The answer: "The one that I feed"

[@tasaman]

Thank god this man Ren has the ability to reach so many listeners. This song was my first introduction to his music. His immense talent and struggle show through so well. After watching the video I came here to see if you had reaction video for it and I was not disappointed.

[@davidgessin-mccully3919]

This was a great song thanks for the pick and the reaction 🔥🔥

[@scottishemmaa2457]

Great request Josh! The first time I heard this track I thought, ‘Tom’s got to hear this’!!! Great reaction as always Tom! Amazing track!

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thanks emma!😊

[@seancarnahan6131]

Notice the man that rolls him in, has long black gloves comkala a butcher's apron, And a pig mask on hes being led to slaughter

[@Tricknologyinc]

You said the other side is gone. You missed the line "Ferocious persistent, Immortal like you, We're a coin of two different sides" punctuated with a grimacing acceptance. This duality IS the healthy life process! It only became "unhealthy" when BOTH SIDES escalated to seek to annihilate each other. BOTH SIDES are children wanting to over simplify and monopolize the navigation with no introspection or regulation. The two sides MIRROR EACH OTHER and compliment by working in two different bands of the cognitive spectrum. It's system engineering 101. It's a constant examination of all possible sides to weigh the truths and fallacies of the environment, and maintain a position on the watershed, the high ground, to have the power of self determination and will, and to defend functionality, while keeping channels of discovery open and clear. The other side isn't "destruction". That is the hyperbole of defending that function's self regulating half of the rational cycles. Ren's compositions are extremely dense and efficient. Every word & phrase is as critical to receiving the message as every ingredient of nutrition or medication or exercise. It's ALL therapy.

[@chrisburwood6720]

Are you guys all from the USA ? Ren is probably the most inspirational, true, open, talented, genius of mind that you will ever see, pure talent at its best. Speaks his mind. Literally. Nearly everything he has done over the years will connect to someone or a part of everyone. Immense. He took busking on the streets of Brighton to another level. Amazing guy.

[@airi138]

yes

[@airi138]

i was sitting at the kitchen table with my mother explaining this ren wormhole i’ve been down since i heard violets tale last year and it just now occurred me how coincidental that my daughters name is Brighton Wren Beachy. 😂

[@Numberidge]

Been a subscriber since your very first video, and man you are absolutely amazing! You aren’t trying to breakdown the lyrics or bars like other reactors can already do so well! You are bringing your expertise as a therapist to understand the person behind the lyrics. Absolutely love you, and I’m SO glad you decided to start this channel. It’s a true pleasure 🤍 much love man

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thank you Cole!😊

[@riulin96]

ahhhhh after watching you discovering NF it's a great thing to watch you now discovering Ren.

[@davidricks7128]

Ren is therapy for so many from one song he helps so many people open up in ways therapists struggle to do in person

[@Beasty2023]

This is real talent right here! Love it. Ren is so good. Also did anyone notice how he plays the guitar in a lower note when one side of him is talking then it changes when the other side talks

[@freakyp711]

I just heard this a few weeks ago. Such a powerful expression of us dealing with ourselves.

[@stormingjales]

Thanks so much for the reaction! This song and some others like "insomnia", "depression" and "penitense" are so good. He's amazing.

[@lauriwest435]

Leaves you speechless doesn't it? Commercial break came at the right time, lol GREAT reaction!!

[@SurelyLocksHolme]

Woaaah. That just unlocked a realization for me❣️ Cause I’ve been going down a path of breaking free of toxic relationships and how it’s affected my self esteem, etc. I try to think logically and try to be open minded, having dealt with a lot of extremists. Having dealt with narcissistic people and psychological abuse, for example, and I’ve been learning to not even bother trying to argue or get someone to understand me when they are set on what they want to believe or just don’t care and are trying to bring us down. So the connection I just made was, just like how you gotta drop the conversation with someone who has a wall up and set in their ways, (or like for me dealing with a drunk parent who won’t be rational) I have to step away or end the phone call when it gets like that. Especially knowing they likely won’t even remember the conversation the next day. So that can go with addictions and illnesses. Anyways, this wasn’t meant to be looking for sympathy/pity or the like…I was excited to make the connection that just like you have to cut off connection with abusive people, for example or not engage with it, it doesn’t help to try to talk it out. Like with OCD, it doesn’t follow logic. I deal with this (along with many other things) and as much as I can know the truth, it doesn’t change how it can make me feel. Of course there’s ways to learn to recover but I’m saying in the moment our minds are fighting within, I just need to let it go. I don’t have to understand it all or fight it necessarily..just let it pass by like a leaf in the wind. Don’t need to catch it 😁. That’s just some thoughts I had on it ☺️. Thank you for sharing this!❣️🌟🙌🏼

[@jcrow62]

The way he looked up at the yodel man that was my reaction too. Like what is happening. Why am I here? How is this so good? I felt like I was starting a voyage and I had no idea the destination. This is an all time great and I hope many many people see it. It has helped me to relate to my family.

[@Lightmane]

2:40 I've watched this many times now, and I'm just now seeing that he also set up the camera at this angle to show the 2 different shadows to his left and right. The shadow to his right is darker than the one to his left. Can't believe it took me this long to see that.

[@artemisiaabsinthium3261]

when the Real One returned after the madness of darkness and spoke: yes, you are cool, you are great. did you speak out? now listen. I had a similar moment with my borderline personality disorder. and the revelation that one cannot rush from one extreme to another. that moments of crisis and darkness must simply be waited out. wait it out, preserving as much of your resource as possible, so that after the crisis you don’t find yourself at the bottom. that there is no need to demonize or romanticize any of your sides. I have complex features, vulnerabilities, weak points, but that’s not all. I also have strengths that are stronger than ordinary people. I just need to recognize all this in myself and study it in order to continue living as a whole person. If you silence some part of yourself, turn a blind eye to it, ignore it and do not solve the problem, then one day it will become wild enough and get you.

[@angelam4795]

This is a conversation you should have with yourself. Like the Native American tail of 2 wolves. Which 1 do you feed more? Everyone has a good and bad side. It's up to you who wins.

[@Shade.85]

So true what you said about talking back to the negative voice because it will chip at you... You hear it in Ren's work too where his positive voice is much more timid and polite. That's why -as a longtime Ren fan- the one line in Hi Ren that brutally breaks me is "Like I actually MIGHT do something great, and when I'm gone MAYBE I'll be remembered for doing something special with myself" as if he hasn't already. But how do you show a person who can't see the light that they're the one emitting it?

[@WalintHUN]

9:34 he is shining like Bob Marley, love this perfect style of mixtures!

[@robins.2749]

nah, that voice is him, positive and negative, not some kind of evil "side"

[@greghight954]

He didn’t defeat the shadow, he integrated it and became stronger

[@TheJohmac]

I've worked in mental health for 15 years. I started working in the field after getting help with my own mental and addiction struggles. Watching this reaction I am struck at how many people I talked to in the when seeking help that just didn't have a clue. This was no fault of their own, really. But they didn't take the time to listen, to understand the message I was trying to convey. Perhaps my communication skills were lacking, but I hardly think that's the case. But much like the early commentary of this video, without the full story the responses just didn't make any sense, no offense. It's like looking at the license plate on a car and trying to diagnose a misfire. And please don't misunderstand, I'm not doubting your competence as a therapist. I'm just pointing out that it takes time to know someone well enough to be helpful and the format for a reaction video just isn't conducive to that kind of analysis.

[@carolcarol3938]

Thanks for your comment. I've had my own struggles with mental health/illness and have had many instances of being/feeling not heard. What's so sad? about Ren's experience is that he was initially misdiagnosed with a psychotic disorder and bedridden at 17. 5 years later, they found out it was Lyme disease. The psychoactive drug treatments caused his psychosis. Many health systems are broken. I agree with your take on the "analysis".

[@getoffthegames89]

This song is the representation of his eternal dance, even at the beginning he’s happy singing, then at the end the happy singing has the flashing lights and he’s twisting back and forth to both sides. Showing his ability to learnt to live with himself

[@dustinwalker8152]

My favorite line in this song is, "I stood in the flames that cremated my brains and I didn't once flinch or shake, so cower at the man I've become...". Such a powerful way to relate strength and overcoming adversity. I also feel the most overlooked part of this is, "there are no real winners or losers in psychological warfare, but there are victims and there are students". Specifically the students part. One can be a victim and let it control them or one can be a student and study it, learn from it, and control it. This and O Virgin Pure by Nektarios of Aegina are the 2 most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

[@catherinemccarthy4363]

The other side hasn't gone sir. He shows that with the lighting. The shadow never leaves , but it can be turned into an ally as we intergrate our fractured self through growth and physiological healing.

[@totodos]

i've just come across you with this video of this amazing song, and you see so geniune and gentle and kind

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thanks so much 😊❤️

[@Abaddon231]

I just realized Rens dad is a Cardiff graduate in psychology.. And so is his sister…that screams volumes on his knowledge and understanding

[@roystevenson9632]

This masterpiece needs to be part of every high school curriculum.

[@Offoda]

whats most poignent about this is understanding its a dance. there is no david vs goliath.. the struggle is eternal & the key to winning is "softening".. its important.

[@mrintomesee]

@1:04 watch that smile disappear then the look to the camera as if to say what have you just got me watching haha epic!

[@prophetpoet]

Thank you!! I requested this one a month ago! So excited to hear your thought's

[@aimeekeel]

I think this piece of art is so cathartic just to have that connection with the world that we are all humans and we go through similar human things. When there is so much hate and division downing us every single day it is so refreshing.

[@xannith9533]

Every time the storm gathers and the sun goes down, I turn to music. I thank Ren for being there this time and inspiring me to soldier on. He gives me hope to become a better person.

[@rikmang]

The standing also represents his battle with autoimmune disease, Lime dease. Battling Lime disease is no easy task.

[@ronpereira6548]

Interested in everyone's thoughts on the final "woo hoo hoo" part of the video. At the start of the song, during the first "woo hoo hoo" section, the lights stayed solid which, it seems, means the "good Ren" was singing...then, in the final "woo hoo hoo" sequence, at the end of the video, the lights are flickering which, to me, signals the "dark Ren" is singing. This is very interesting and I wonder if Ren intentionally bookmarked the song with light and darkness since, in the end, we all have light inside of us and we all have darkness. What do you all think?

[@uncivildiscord4611]

Seen horrible things, yet this song finds one of my few remaining soft spots. Well done to this rising artist

[@victoriaturvey6892]

Ren is amazing been a fan for quite a while. Definitely check out his other stuff too he is very much a story teller, poet that is not afraid to be raw and truthful of the harder aspects of life plus an amazing musician. Very, very talented. I love the trilogy of The tale of Jenny, Screech and then Violet. He has recently uploaded them all in one video. Blind eyed is really good too. Don’t think there is anything he has done as a solo artist or in a duet or in the band he is in called The big push that I don’t love.

[@ChrisLawton66]

Ren fan here. Thanks for the video. Liked and subscribed.

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thank you Chris!😊

[@James-ru4jx]

9 minutes that will help more mentally ill people cope with suffering the human condition than a century of mental health "professionals" have ever done.

[@annaberkley7575]

I have bipolar depression and this song touched me so much

[@lynette.]

He was misdiagnosed diagnosed as bipolar when he was suffering with Lymes disease for 10years.

[@mercedeswarrenash5929]

40 years of chronic illness and CPTSD are so incapsulated in this song and have given me so much hope.

[@ControversialChristian]

Great song, ove had it on my playlist cl o se to a month now. It is awesome to see your reaction to this.

[@epicmage82]

I use to struggle with a voice in my head. It was very hostile for most of my life, as I tried to ignore it. It worked about as well as ignoring someone yelling negative things at you all the time. It's going to break you down. At one point a couple of years ago, I decided to take a different approach. Empathy, and self analysis. I first had to keep in mind that that voice is me. It's a toxic defense mechanism. What caused these specific traits? What is the ultimate motivation? I realized when these negative things were coming at me, that they had truth to them. Said in an exaggerated, toxic way. It's like the most toxic way of wanting someone to be better. That gave me the idea to engage with it. To use empathy, and to really hear it out. Not to take offense at the words, but to really understand them. "I see how that makes you feel. When you respond that way, this is how I feel. I understand you feel that is weakness, but attacking doesn't improve what you want. You need to have as much patience with me as I have with you." I got on the same page, more or less, and then I worked on integrating the voice. Two sides of the same coin. Both important, and most importantly, both part of the same thing. I still deal with intrusive thoughts, but that is not even in the same real of difficulty to deal with. At least for me. It took a lot of time, and effort.I don't know if this is the best way to go about it. All I know is what worked for me. I still have to maintain things in my head. I don't think of things being a different part im my head anymore, even if just the perception. I have had it come back for short periods. It's cynical, but bot self hostile, and I just take some time to reassure everything is fine, and go through a much eaiser integration. I really dont know if this is making sense to people. It's hard to put into words, and sounds extremely strange in words.

[@midnight11211]

REN is on KZbin check out his channel. Ren was misdiagnosed at 17 with bipolar he was placed in an institution and given treatment & drugs that damaged brain & put him into a state of psychosis. After 7 years he was finally correctly diagnosed with Lyme's disease. Unfortunately the damage to his brain is permanent. He lives everyday with Lyme's disease as well as psychosis. He is a remarkable young man. He is truly inspirational.

[@2nicnag2]

I have been putting off Sick Boi despite loving all of his other music I’ve heard, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 12, dx with discoid lupus in my 20’s (but looking back I had issues since I was a little kid) and have been through countless surgeries and medications and I can’t take antidepressants or anti anxiety meds because I have the opposite reaction (I never had suicidal ideation until I was a week into an antidepressant, tried a different one same thing, anti anxiety meds made me more anxious) so over the years I learned music and writing fiction are my healthiest coping mechanisms. I haven’t felt mentally ready to hear sick boi especially after chalk outlines got to me. Hi Ren was the first song I heard from him.

[@ordinaryvalley]

This song when i first heard it was such a punch in the gut that made me realize i was suffering from toxic positivity..'love and light only' syndrome :)) It truly changed my perspective...therefore my life. Thank you Ren

[@tasaman]

I could honestly see a therapist running out the door and locking it behind them scared to death.

[@Headloser]

Ren has spent many years dealing with health issues.[1] He was misdiagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder,[14] and Chronic fatigue syndrome and later was diagnosed with Lyme disease in Belgium.[ I thought you should know his background.

[@HawkeyeFan00]

Saw the video and appreciate you articulating what I was thinking but couldn’t put into words. Just subscribed. I implore you to watch Ren’s KZbin blog on Dec 9, 2022 titled Hi Ren Premiers… and read the description which provides background and context. Thanks for the time you spend making these videos. :)

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Good idea miles! Thanks for this😊

[@sawomirkrol9282]

I haven't started watching yet, but thank you very much already :) You've made my evening.

[@karenlelonek1832]

Ty, dear.👏🏻A PLEASURE to view a substantive reaction without a profusion of “f***”.👍🏻 Hi Ren’s vital content aside, this groundbreaking work of art felt more like a one act play than a song. There seems to be a high correlation between creative genius and mental illness. Glad you’re able to use this platform as a vehicle to support those struggling with mental wellness.👍🏻 3/15/23

[@Stoo-2332]

Great reaction 👍🏻 Have to say, as a therapist I was kinda looking forward to your acknowledgment of his incredible breakdown of the integration of the shadows self.. I feel he illustrates Jung's work so perfectly, in a voice for this generation.. (and ours!). I was and remain also fascinated by his explanation of how the shadow self and the self, or animus are explained and represented through story in out history, given the roles of Satan and Jesus in the Christian world. So many great references to this, such as "face to face with the beast I will rise from the east and I'll settle on the ocean floor" being a reference to the Sun/Son duality that other have explored. I'd love a real in-depth analysis of the real meaning of this song, as I've yet to see anything even close to grasping its true genius. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@freshizomusic8710]

thank you for bring some exposure to Ren... he has been underground for far too long. His album drop is gonna be explosive.

[@darcieturner5423]

This song is pure genius xo

[@DM-zi4te]

Notice how the back of his wheelchair said “Id…” on the back? He is doing all three of Freud’s theory of ego, superego and Id in all different voices. Brilliant piece of art.

[@southernzen365]

He has Lyme Disease, he was diagnosed young. He's brillant!! Like Ed Sheeran and Em had a baby

[@DonDough1]

Just started psychotherapy and have been a fan for a while. Thanks for the work you do 👍

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thanks so much😊

[@dawnvickerstaff]

The current thinking about voices is that each has a reason for being and instead of ignoring or disrespecting the voice and what they say, acknowledgment and developing understanding work better to integrate the parts. We all have 'parts'. We all say 'part of me believes or likes or wants and another part of me disbelieves, dislikes or does not want' when wrestling with decisions or simply daily life. What do we then do with these disparate parts of ourselves? Is rejecting the part we don't like actually helpful? The role of the negative is to guard us and prevent us from performing. Whether or not that is helpful takes some discovery. It takes reflection and thinking about the truth or lies revealed by the negative voice. Ren knows this intuitively and he shows it to us clearly. We need to sit back and learn what he is teaching with this incredible performance. Just think for a moment, if he had not introduced us to the negative voice, would we have this clear and powerful insight laid out so beautifully before us?

[@dehro]

Ren went through several years of misdiagnosed illness, with diagnosis such as chronic fatigue, when what he really had was Lyme disease which has left him with some crippling issues, including psychosis ... he talks about auditory and visual hallucinations in one of the comments on the original video. He's currently being treated to help him cope.

[@RealitysVoice]

Totally disagree with your prognosis of... 1) Dont talk to the voice 2) The voice is gone The pendulum demonstrates it still lives, he absorbs it, he manages it.