Wonderful, Veronika. Thank you for this post; I found so much valuable information in it! I enjoyed every new aspect of it. Since I am more used to classical psychology, I crave the kind of information you provide. I will revisit all your posts to enhance my understanding. This <3: "Instead of setting our eyes on ‘enlightenment’ as a goal, the primary objective is the integration of any aspects, or parts of the ‘inner population’, which are frozen in trauma and cause trouble and suffering in our inner and outer worlds." It's so true!
This is similar, but from the ego's point of view. Erik Erikson’s Ego Stages of Psychosocial Development (stages of life) says that an unhealthy personality and sense of self can develop when one fails to adequately finish a stage, which in turn reduces one's capacity to adequately complete the following stages.
However, these stages can be successfully resolved later on.
"This is what Jean Gebser means by integral consciousness. It also means that we can only grow into elder-Consciousness when we manage to integrate the experiences from our younger phases of life. This applies in particular to such events which left a negative impression on our organism at the time."
Thank you so very much, Katerina. This is the result of many writes and rewrites, aiming to condense this complex topic into a way of understanding that not only makes perfect sense, but is also achievable (at least in theory) at any time of life.
I have only dabbled in psychology, got put off studying it by certain compulsory classes... but have read a lot of work by certain psychologists with whom I resonate. Erikson's stages are a great and correct observation, of course. However, psychology (and psychotherapy) offer limited solutions (so far) in terms of how to truly process and integrate trauma.
I think the main issue is the erroneous belief that human development is a linear process (from embryo to elder via various stages). That's where Gebser's structure bring a whole new dimension into the conversation. We never leave our past behind. And we can't ever compensate for it either. This belief is the cause of so much trouble, individually and collectively.
In my experience, every step in that direction is immensely worthwhile. I think that's what Jean Gebser recognised (I discovered him soon after I received my inspiration for the Noctarine). He's helped me understand the subtle differences between 'linear growth' and 'holistic growth'.
Thank you so much for your most valuable feedback and recognition of what I'm aiming to do. 💗🙏
You are absolutely correct! As the first generation to live in freedom and capitalism in my country after the communist regime, I struggled to process my own, collective, and parents' trauma. It took us a long time to embrace psychology as a society. Even now, in Romania, where I am from, it is still taboo to seek therapy.
The field is still in its early days, and I am fortunate to have a strong desire for reading and understanding rather than only seeking therapy. I also have a strong desire to understand and experience spirituality, especially in light of the collective trauma we've faced here, where it was foretold.
I've always maintained an open mind, even after discovering that the therapy that yielded some results was a combination of transactional analysis and psychoanalysis, along with dreams, extensive reading of Eastern literature, and attending classes in Eastern knowledge. The inner desire to be open to diversity and to delve deeper led me to this point.
I understand that psychology may seem limited, and in some ways it is. Psychology can guide you to a certain extent, but it may not go far enough, particularly if you hold the belief that there are absolute truths. I do not believe in absolute truths. Everything is nuanced, and nothing in this world can promise to cover all our questions, cover all your needs.
I had to read this post twice because you used a lot of new terms for me. Your knowledge warms my heart in ways I had hoped for.
It appears that someone has finally grasped the nonlinear nature of trauma and growth. In my circumstances, I feel as if I've lost parts of myself that I'll never be able to reclaim, no matter what resources I have; they've vanished and are irreplaceable. However, I have other parts that I could nurture and grow, so I appreciate your efforts in explaining, crafting, and refining these wise writings.I'll do my best to comprehend them!
thank you so much for sharing this part of your journey, Katerina! I can totally relate. In my parents' generation therapy was definitely taboo. It meant you were 'crazy' and on the threshold to entering a mental institution...
I am totally with you in this whole exploration. I'm not claiming to 'know the truth', but I'm also not taking anybody else's 'truth' as absolute or given. My journey has taken me into a search via subjective experience ~ never mind what any experts of science and academia say ~ and to my surprise I found kindred spirits who had been discarded by 'the establishment' as nutters (Goethe, Raoul Francé, Fantappiè to name a few).
If there is anything difficult to comprehend, please ask! I may not have explained it clearly enough (or possibly not fully understood it myself). Thank you for this conversation, Katerina!! 💗🙏
Veronika, Your writing is beautiful, clear, artistic and very imaginative. I enjoy reading it. Part of my understanding comes from my lack of vocabulary and not knowing the meaning of many new words. It helps me enrich my English; it's just a matter of time.
Your thoughts on generational therapy in your part of the world are appreciated. :)
I understand that you are not claiming to know the absolute truth; I can discern from your writing that you have chosen paths not often traveled by others and have encountered many kindred spirits along the way, as I have discovered in your references a wealth of great information. Thank you for sharing your journey! <3
Oooh so good Veronika. Entelechy- growing in consciousness- unfolding. Yes to it all. Will read it a few more times. Gebser’s categories of IHC overlap Plotkin’s Wheel that fascinates me. In the west there is no magic and myth now. Thus we never fully develop spiritually. There will be no elders left soon. AI helping that happen. Bless you for this enfolding! You are a true elder! What comes after part 18/18? We need you 🙏❤️
Thank you so much, Jamie! I'm not familiar with Plotkin's Wheel, but have read some of his work on connecting with the outer wilderness, and found it very inspiring. The principles must be the same for engaging with the inner wilderness of Synchronosophy.
After chapter 18 we'll have another Café Session (next week) where we can talk about what comes next... Thank you for your presence in this unfolding/enfolding journey 💜 🙏
I can understand people's knee-jerk reaction to PTG, but I simply think of the alternative. Would you rather not "grow out" of the trauma? It would seem that by "moving on" a trauma survivor is "accepting" therefore is "okay" with what happened to them, and of course, that's not true. Forgiveness, it seems, fails along in a similar way.
Many people also identify with their scars, gain attention by them, and therefore don't want to necessarily "make peace" with it because they can't see how they would be without it. What a complicated topic you've dived into, Veronika! Which makes me curious, and sorry, if you've already addressed this, but what do you think about the recent and popular use of psychedelics for PTSD?
From my perspective, the rejection of PTG speaks of a lack of understanding of the process of healing. Some 'experts' assume that PTG is 'spontaneous' and some people are just lucky when it happens, so they don't want the 'unlucky ones' to feel additional pressure.
I know that PTG can be hard work.
Actual growth is always spontaneous (you don't pull at the saplings to make the trees grow faster) but we can and must create conditions where growth can happen. This is like feeding the soil and preparing a favourable environment.
Identification with our trauma is always a dangerous thing. It's like identifying with an illness. Acceptance is necessary and healing. Identification can be self-destructive. A complicated and complex topic, yes. I wouldn't have jumped into this willingly either, Lani. I think life has pushed me in 😰 and then it was either sink or swim. Luckily I learned to swim 😊
I don't have any experience with psychedelics or any drugs (including pharmaceutical ones) at all. So I haven't thought or written about it.
My feeling is, it's another way of trying to escape from oneself. Outsourcing responsibility. I know many people who have used or are using psychedelics and claim whatever... I haven't yet met one person who convincingly comes across (to me) as having dealt with their stuff.
Same with psychopharma-drugs. I know plenty of people who have been put on this shit when all they needed was a good mentor...
But of course there are huge differences between different forms of PTSD and what people have gone through, so I can't make blanket statements about anything. My expertise is in so-called 'invisible trauma' as described in Synchronosophy. And I fully believe that if those people who have the capacity to deal with their trauma and nurture their own PTG, the world would already become a much better place, because our own work gives us the capacity to help those who can't do it by themselves. (that's my base-line theory)
I am reaching out to you on this glorious blooming Spring day wanting you to know, I so appreciate your scholarly craft and composition of words, truly a joy to read and a remedy with the rituals of self investigation, lovely!
A heroic adventure indeed this becoming human, together we are experiencing growing pains, and how wonderful it is that you dear lady provide a distilled, unified comprehensive remedy.
Your wisdom and purpose and your gift given freely, shines through this stellar article, thank you Veronica.
So much valuable insight Veronika. I especially appreciate how your approach encourages “gentle nurturing rather than any kind of rigorous practice.” I’ve found working in the chronic illness community that this becomes a crucial and almost intuitive part of integrating their our experiences of physical pain/discomfort. The grasping, goal oriented, hierarchical approach of “this not that” only creates more tension in the body, so instead, I hear over and over patients choosing to talk to their experience like a loving parent. Thus, nurturing the frozen, younger aspects of self back into the whole. ❤️
Thank you, Kimberly! Yes, nurturing, and approaching yourself like a loving parent is the key to wholeness/ healing. It makes absolutely no sense to 'beat ourselves into shape' if the aim is to LOVE OURSELVES. This loving approach to ourselves can be the hardest, especially for those of us who have been traumatised as young children and never experienced what it's like to have a loving parent. The stories I've been reading and hearing from people about their childhoods can be truly horrendous. Unbelievably excruciating. No wonder so many of us are frozen. So yes, gentle nurturing as a patient practice of self-love is the only way to gain the trust of those inner frozen young ones. 💜 🙏
In my experience as well this is near capital T Truth.
“Every time you notice an emotional overreaction within your inner world ~ also known as inner turbulence ~ you can instantly tell with near absolute certainty that the ‘unreasonable emotional response’ comes from an inner creature frozen in trauma.”
The emotional response simply wouldn’t (couldn’t) exist otherwise. Those frozen creatures simply need awareness to thaw. In a similar way, we can only admire positive traits in others if those same qualities are either already existing or latent within ourselves.
And from an anthropocentric perspective, look out! Your statement is triggering in and of itself. 😮
perhaps I'm unreasonably cautious with my statements...
on the other hand, if it's triggering it's a good sign! (or as Josh always says "you bring out the worst in people" 😰) sorry about that. I can blame it on capital T Truth 🤭
Dear Veronika, if your book was on paper I would have highlighted so many sentences and folded down the corners of every page in this chapter. I need to keep rereading.
“Growth in Consciousness is a continuous process unfolding and enfolding.” I saw a beautiful timelapse video of a pink Dahlia growing and it revealed a small contraction before each expansion, which looked like breathing.
“They are paralysed, waiting for an opportunity to join in with the dance of life, and make their vital contributions to your life.” I feel so much compassion for our inner creatures and love how each of the Keepers (and outer companions) seem to be the community needed to coax them into the dance and the magic carpet ride.
How wonderful and encouraging, Shelly! That's so good to know.
In fact it is very useful to receive feedback on what is particularly meaningful to you.
It helps me to know how to proceed in the most useful and meaningful manner from here...
Yes!! The model of the Noctarine is giving us a great team of inner and outer supporters, to unfold and enfold the more tricky situations in life. I'm so happy to see the images your creative mind is coming up with.
YAY! This is exactly how we can transform our lives (of course you knew that already...)
You're welcome! (and let's continue this conversation in the next 'Café Session') 💜 🙏
I found the ideas contained in this essay inspiring. It does not say trauma is good or necessary for "personal growth," as some say, but rather one does not have to be frozen in that state forever. That we can learn what trauma tells us about ourselves, a way out, through a slow progression of understanding.
That's great, Perry. Thank you for picking up on this essential piece. I agree, trauma is neither good nor necessary for personal growth.
In chapter 16 I included Peter Levine's quote on this topic: “According to several Buddhist and Taoist traditions, sex, meditation, death, and trauma share a common potential. These are the great portals—catalysts for profound surrender and awakening.”
In other words, trauma CAN BE A PORTAL for inner growth (aka awakening). But it's not the only one. Nobody needs trauma for "personal growth".
On the other hand, if someone has already experienced trauma, then it makes sense to use this opportunity for so-called 'personal growth'. To then dismiss the topic of post-traumatic growth as an 'unreasonable and unnecessary challenge' is like denying the trauma survivor a unique opportunity (in my understanding) to transform a profoundly painful personal experience into a truly life-changing catalyst.
Wonderful, Veronika. Thank you for this post; I found so much valuable information in it! I enjoyed every new aspect of it. Since I am more used to classical psychology, I crave the kind of information you provide. I will revisit all your posts to enhance my understanding. This <3: "Instead of setting our eyes on ‘enlightenment’ as a goal, the primary objective is the integration of any aspects, or parts of the ‘inner population’, which are frozen in trauma and cause trouble and suffering in our inner and outer worlds." It's so true!
This is similar, but from the ego's point of view. Erik Erikson’s Ego Stages of Psychosocial Development (stages of life) says that an unhealthy personality and sense of self can develop when one fails to adequately finish a stage, which in turn reduces one's capacity to adequately complete the following stages.
However, these stages can be successfully resolved later on.
"This is what Jean Gebser means by integral consciousness. It also means that we can only grow into elder-Consciousness when we manage to integrate the experiences from our younger phases of life. This applies in particular to such events which left a negative impression on our organism at the time."
Wonderful, wonderful job!
Thank you so very much, Katerina. This is the result of many writes and rewrites, aiming to condense this complex topic into a way of understanding that not only makes perfect sense, but is also achievable (at least in theory) at any time of life.
I have only dabbled in psychology, got put off studying it by certain compulsory classes... but have read a lot of work by certain psychologists with whom I resonate. Erikson's stages are a great and correct observation, of course. However, psychology (and psychotherapy) offer limited solutions (so far) in terms of how to truly process and integrate trauma.
I think the main issue is the erroneous belief that human development is a linear process (from embryo to elder via various stages). That's where Gebser's structure bring a whole new dimension into the conversation. We never leave our past behind. And we can't ever compensate for it either. This belief is the cause of so much trouble, individually and collectively.
In my experience, every step in that direction is immensely worthwhile. I think that's what Jean Gebser recognised (I discovered him soon after I received my inspiration for the Noctarine). He's helped me understand the subtle differences between 'linear growth' and 'holistic growth'.
Thank you so much for your most valuable feedback and recognition of what I'm aiming to do. 💗🙏
You are absolutely correct! As the first generation to live in freedom and capitalism in my country after the communist regime, I struggled to process my own, collective, and parents' trauma. It took us a long time to embrace psychology as a society. Even now, in Romania, where I am from, it is still taboo to seek therapy.
The field is still in its early days, and I am fortunate to have a strong desire for reading and understanding rather than only seeking therapy. I also have a strong desire to understand and experience spirituality, especially in light of the collective trauma we've faced here, where it was foretold.
I've always maintained an open mind, even after discovering that the therapy that yielded some results was a combination of transactional analysis and psychoanalysis, along with dreams, extensive reading of Eastern literature, and attending classes in Eastern knowledge. The inner desire to be open to diversity and to delve deeper led me to this point.
I understand that psychology may seem limited, and in some ways it is. Psychology can guide you to a certain extent, but it may not go far enough, particularly if you hold the belief that there are absolute truths. I do not believe in absolute truths. Everything is nuanced, and nothing in this world can promise to cover all our questions, cover all your needs.
I had to read this post twice because you used a lot of new terms for me. Your knowledge warms my heart in ways I had hoped for.
It appears that someone has finally grasped the nonlinear nature of trauma and growth. In my circumstances, I feel as if I've lost parts of myself that I'll never be able to reclaim, no matter what resources I have; they've vanished and are irreplaceable. However, I have other parts that I could nurture and grow, so I appreciate your efforts in explaining, crafting, and refining these wise writings.I'll do my best to comprehend them!
Thank you, you are aiming right! 💗🙏
thank you so much for sharing this part of your journey, Katerina! I can totally relate. In my parents' generation therapy was definitely taboo. It meant you were 'crazy' and on the threshold to entering a mental institution...
I am totally with you in this whole exploration. I'm not claiming to 'know the truth', but I'm also not taking anybody else's 'truth' as absolute or given. My journey has taken me into a search via subjective experience ~ never mind what any experts of science and academia say ~ and to my surprise I found kindred spirits who had been discarded by 'the establishment' as nutters (Goethe, Raoul Francé, Fantappiè to name a few).
If there is anything difficult to comprehend, please ask! I may not have explained it clearly enough (or possibly not fully understood it myself). Thank you for this conversation, Katerina!! 💗🙏
Veronika, Your writing is beautiful, clear, artistic and very imaginative. I enjoy reading it. Part of my understanding comes from my lack of vocabulary and not knowing the meaning of many new words. It helps me enrich my English; it's just a matter of time.
Your thoughts on generational therapy in your part of the world are appreciated. :)
I understand that you are not claiming to know the absolute truth; I can discern from your writing that you have chosen paths not often traveled by others and have encountered many kindred spirits along the way, as I have discovered in your references a wealth of great information. Thank you for sharing your journey! <3
Thank you Katerina, your English is pretty 'damn good' already (as my husband recently observed, and he's the native speaker in our household!)
You are correct. I've chosen 'paths less travelled by' and don't see much point in repeating 'what everyone else' is saying already...
I am most grateful for your appreciation.
Oooh so good Veronika. Entelechy- growing in consciousness- unfolding. Yes to it all. Will read it a few more times. Gebser’s categories of IHC overlap Plotkin’s Wheel that fascinates me. In the west there is no magic and myth now. Thus we never fully develop spiritually. There will be no elders left soon. AI helping that happen. Bless you for this enfolding! You are a true elder! What comes after part 18/18? We need you 🙏❤️
Thank you so much, Jamie! I'm not familiar with Plotkin's Wheel, but have read some of his work on connecting with the outer wilderness, and found it very inspiring. The principles must be the same for engaging with the inner wilderness of Synchronosophy.
After chapter 18 we'll have another Café Session (next week) where we can talk about what comes next... Thank you for your presence in this unfolding/enfolding journey 💜 🙏
I can understand people's knee-jerk reaction to PTG, but I simply think of the alternative. Would you rather not "grow out" of the trauma? It would seem that by "moving on" a trauma survivor is "accepting" therefore is "okay" with what happened to them, and of course, that's not true. Forgiveness, it seems, fails along in a similar way.
Many people also identify with their scars, gain attention by them, and therefore don't want to necessarily "make peace" with it because they can't see how they would be without it. What a complicated topic you've dived into, Veronika! Which makes me curious, and sorry, if you've already addressed this, but what do you think about the recent and popular use of psychedelics for PTSD?
From my perspective, the rejection of PTG speaks of a lack of understanding of the process of healing. Some 'experts' assume that PTG is 'spontaneous' and some people are just lucky when it happens, so they don't want the 'unlucky ones' to feel additional pressure.
I know that PTG can be hard work.
Actual growth is always spontaneous (you don't pull at the saplings to make the trees grow faster) but we can and must create conditions where growth can happen. This is like feeding the soil and preparing a favourable environment.
Identification with our trauma is always a dangerous thing. It's like identifying with an illness. Acceptance is necessary and healing. Identification can be self-destructive. A complicated and complex topic, yes. I wouldn't have jumped into this willingly either, Lani. I think life has pushed me in 😰 and then it was either sink or swim. Luckily I learned to swim 😊
I don't have any experience with psychedelics or any drugs (including pharmaceutical ones) at all. So I haven't thought or written about it.
My feeling is, it's another way of trying to escape from oneself. Outsourcing responsibility. I know many people who have used or are using psychedelics and claim whatever... I haven't yet met one person who convincingly comes across (to me) as having dealt with their stuff.
Same with psychopharma-drugs. I know plenty of people who have been put on this shit when all they needed was a good mentor...
But of course there are huge differences between different forms of PTSD and what people have gone through, so I can't make blanket statements about anything. My expertise is in so-called 'invisible trauma' as described in Synchronosophy. And I fully believe that if those people who have the capacity to deal with their trauma and nurture their own PTG, the world would already become a much better place, because our own work gives us the capacity to help those who can't do it by themselves. (that's my base-line theory)
Greetings Veronica,
I am reaching out to you on this glorious blooming Spring day wanting you to know, I so appreciate your scholarly craft and composition of words, truly a joy to read and a remedy with the rituals of self investigation, lovely!
A heroic adventure indeed this becoming human, together we are experiencing growing pains, and how wonderful it is that you dear lady provide a distilled, unified comprehensive remedy.
Your wisdom and purpose and your gift given freely, shines through this stellar article, thank you Veronica.
Peace, love and purpose, Geraldine
Thank you so much, Geraldine, for this heartwarming feedback 💗🙏
I am delighted to meet you here. Much love and all good wishes back to you 💕
Likewise Veronika!
So much valuable insight Veronika. I especially appreciate how your approach encourages “gentle nurturing rather than any kind of rigorous practice.” I’ve found working in the chronic illness community that this becomes a crucial and almost intuitive part of integrating their our experiences of physical pain/discomfort. The grasping, goal oriented, hierarchical approach of “this not that” only creates more tension in the body, so instead, I hear over and over patients choosing to talk to their experience like a loving parent. Thus, nurturing the frozen, younger aspects of self back into the whole. ❤️
Thank you, Kimberly! Yes, nurturing, and approaching yourself like a loving parent is the key to wholeness/ healing. It makes absolutely no sense to 'beat ourselves into shape' if the aim is to LOVE OURSELVES. This loving approach to ourselves can be the hardest, especially for those of us who have been traumatised as young children and never experienced what it's like to have a loving parent. The stories I've been reading and hearing from people about their childhoods can be truly horrendous. Unbelievably excruciating. No wonder so many of us are frozen. So yes, gentle nurturing as a patient practice of self-love is the only way to gain the trust of those inner frozen young ones. 💜 🙏
In my experience as well this is near capital T Truth.
“Every time you notice an emotional overreaction within your inner world ~ also known as inner turbulence ~ you can instantly tell with near absolute certainty that the ‘unreasonable emotional response’ comes from an inner creature frozen in trauma.”
The emotional response simply wouldn’t (couldn’t) exist otherwise. Those frozen creatures simply need awareness to thaw. In a similar way, we can only admire positive traits in others if those same qualities are either already existing or latent within ourselves.
And from an anthropocentric perspective, look out! Your statement is triggering in and of itself. 😮
thank you. Thank You. THANK YOU!
perhaps I'm unreasonably cautious with my statements...
on the other hand, if it's triggering it's a good sign! (or as Josh always says "you bring out the worst in people" 😰) sorry about that. I can blame it on capital T Truth 🤭
Dear Veronika, if your book was on paper I would have highlighted so many sentences and folded down the corners of every page in this chapter. I need to keep rereading.
“Growth in Consciousness is a continuous process unfolding and enfolding.” I saw a beautiful timelapse video of a pink Dahlia growing and it revealed a small contraction before each expansion, which looked like breathing.
“They are paralysed, waiting for an opportunity to join in with the dance of life, and make their vital contributions to your life.” I feel so much compassion for our inner creatures and love how each of the Keepers (and outer companions) seem to be the community needed to coax them into the dance and the magic carpet ride.
Thank you!!
How wonderful and encouraging, Shelly! That's so good to know.
In fact it is very useful to receive feedback on what is particularly meaningful to you.
It helps me to know how to proceed in the most useful and meaningful manner from here...
Yes!! The model of the Noctarine is giving us a great team of inner and outer supporters, to unfold and enfold the more tricky situations in life. I'm so happy to see the images your creative mind is coming up with.
YAY! This is exactly how we can transform our lives (of course you knew that already...)
You're welcome! (and let's continue this conversation in the next 'Café Session') 💜 🙏
I found the ideas contained in this essay inspiring. It does not say trauma is good or necessary for "personal growth," as some say, but rather one does not have to be frozen in that state forever. That we can learn what trauma tells us about ourselves, a way out, through a slow progression of understanding.
That's great, Perry. Thank you for picking up on this essential piece. I agree, trauma is neither good nor necessary for personal growth.
In chapter 16 I included Peter Levine's quote on this topic: “According to several Buddhist and Taoist traditions, sex, meditation, death, and trauma share a common potential. These are the great portals—catalysts for profound surrender and awakening.”
In other words, trauma CAN BE A PORTAL for inner growth (aka awakening). But it's not the only one. Nobody needs trauma for "personal growth".
On the other hand, if someone has already experienced trauma, then it makes sense to use this opportunity for so-called 'personal growth'. To then dismiss the topic of post-traumatic growth as an 'unreasonable and unnecessary challenge' is like denying the trauma survivor a unique opportunity (in my understanding) to transform a profoundly painful personal experience into a truly life-changing catalyst.
Oh Wow, thank you for this wealth of wisdom. I think l will be reading this a few times … again. Thank you for the links. 🙏
Thank you, Simone! 💗🙏
So lovely to meet you here 💗
You too Veronika, looking forward to all the reading. Thank you 🙏🤗