What is Suffering?

TRIP proposes that suffering is Nature Family Grief (NFG) - a deep-seated state of pain or angst resulting from humanity's distancing from the natural world and, consequently, one another. This grief encompasses ancestral, childhood, and adulthood challenges, reflecting the broader systemic issues brought about by modernization, industrialization, colonization, and urbanization (MICU).

Acknowledging NFG is the first step to healing the rift created by MICU allowing us to clearly see the trends of illusionism, melancholism, patriarchism, ethnocentrism, anthropocentrism, and dualism (I.M.P.E.A.D.) plaguing modernity. These trends perpetuate a harmful cycle of over-prioritizing human needs and under-address human-influenced destruction to beyond humans and the natural world.

No part of the whole can truly flourish if another part is struggling yet we are fail to acknowledge the NFG that has stricken all parts of the whole, hence we continue to endlessly suffer.

How Suffering is Experienced

Suffering is the multifaceted natural consequence of Nature Family Grief (NFG) — an under-acknowledged state of sadness felt by humanity, activated by the industrialization era that still exists in modernity.

Pre-Modernity: In pre-modern times, all life forms coexisted in a state of kinship, creating and sustaining a balanced and interconnected web of life. Relationships among humans, animals, plants, and the environment were maintained with respect, honor, and reciprocity. This ensured the well-being of the entire ecosystem and was reflected in:

Intrapersonal peace within individuals.
Interpersonal harmony among humans.
Transpersonal kinship with the beyond-human world.

Modernity: The era of modernity, characterized by modernization, industrialization, colonization, and urbanization (MICU), disrupted this kinship. Human needs were prioritized, and the needs of the beyond-human world were ignored. This shift led to multigenerational consequences of "holeness," resulting in poor spiritual, psychophysiological, hermeneutical, emotional, relational, and existential health. This deterioration affected:

Intrapersonal peace within individuals.
Interpersonal relationships among humans.
Transpersonal connections with the beyond-human world.

Post-Modernity: In post-modernity, a radical movement is needed to interrupt the destructive patterns of modernity. TRIP answers that call to action by aiming to reconcile humans as a part of one Nature Family in a process of re-indigenization (rebelonging to relationship as kin). This counterculture approach transforms suffering by:

Restoring intrapersonal peace within individuals.
Enhancing interpersonal harmony among humans.
Re-establishing transpersonal kinship with the beyond-human world.

Through these efforts, TRIP transforms pain into purpose, fostering a renewed co-existence akin to pre-modern times. This transformation not only benefits current generations but also paves the way for future generations of humans and beyond.

How Suffering is Transformed

Integral and Transpersonal Family Therapy (ITFT) is a radical therapeutic approach acknowledge NFG and its myriad intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal health consequences.

ITFT encompasses the results of Dr. D's 2022 study on Wholeness-Based Eudaimonia, integrating the six live experiences of wholeness.

By blending traditional ancestral wisdom with contemporary therapeutic methods, ITFT offers a unique path to wholeness, enabling individuals, families, groups, and communities to transform pain into purpose and re-establish true multigenerational and multispecies healing.

The Tool to Transform Suffering

We use the practice-based theory of Wholeness-Based Eudaimonia (WE) from Dr. Deepa's research on the lived experiences of wholeness with adults with life challenges.

The results of the WE study suggest six interlinked ways to transform suffering into co-flourishing, thereby acknowledging NFG and reconciling as an integral member of the Nature Family.

WE concludes that humans are a part of, not apart from, the whole. This essence of wholeness encourages us to adapt and evolve from our angst, as does the rest of our Nature Family kin, rather than strictly pathologize and numb the pain from suffering.

Are you experiencing Nature Family Grief?

If the following examples reflect your lived experiences, then the answer is YES.

PLCs

Prior Life Challenges

PLCs are experiences in ancestry preceding one's birth. These experiences deeply impact the context into which one arrives and exists.

Lived Experiences of PLCs:

> Disengagement: A sense of separation from the natural world and its myriad lifeforms leading to sadness especially when hearing of destruction to ecosystems, forests and plant life, oceans, planet, atmosphere, wildlife and pets, and so on.

> Diaspora: The dispersion of people from their homeland, often due to persecution, war, or economic hardship, leading to loss of cultural roots and identity.

> Slavery: The forced labor and brutal treatment of enslaved people, which resulted in immense suffering and loss of cultural identity.

> Indentured Servitude: The exploitation and harsh conditions faced by individuals who were bound by contracts to work for a set period, often in oppressive environments.

> Holocausts: The systematic genocide of six million Jews and millions of other marginalized groups during World War II, leaving enduring trauma and loss.

> Massacres: Events where large numbers of people were violently killed, often targeted due to their ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs, resulting in collective grief and trauma.

These challenges contribute to intergenerational grief and has been known to have lasting adverse consequences on descendants. Addressing these ancestral wounds is crucial for achieving wholeness-based eudaimonia and breaking the cycles that impact current and future generations.

ELCs

Early Life Challenges

ELCs are experiences from childhood. These generate spiritual, mental-physiological, interpretational, emotional, relational, and existential consequences.

Lived Experiences of ELCs:

> Abuse: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse that inflicts severe trauma and undermines a child’s sense of safety and self-worth.

> Neglect: Lack of adequate care, emotional support, and basic needs, leading to feelings of abandonment and insecurity.

> Family Dysfunction: Exposure to domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, or chronic conflict within the family environment.

> Bullying: Persistent harassment and intimidation from peers, causing long-term psychological harm.

> Unresolved Grief: The death of a loved one, divorce, or separation that creates profound grief and adjustment difficulties.

LLCs

Later Life Challenges

LLCs are experiences in adulthood, which can impact intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal well-being, wellness, and wholeness.

Lived Experiences of LLCs:

> Career Stress: Job loss, career transitions, workplace conflicts, and burnout that affect self-esteem and financial stability.

> Relationship Issues: Marital conflicts, divorce, and difficulties in maintaining healthy relationships, leading to loneliness and emotional distress.

> Hospitalizations: Chronic illness, disability, or serious medical conditions that disrupt daily life and create ongoing physical and emotional challenges.

> Financial Hardship: Economic struggles, debt, and financial instability that cause stress and anxiety.

> Unresolved Grief: The death of loved ones, miscarriages, and other significant losses that result in profound grief and adjustment challenges. This grief extends to historical adversity involving unacknowledged pain from MICU.

Address Suffering with the TRIP Trifecta

Chapter

A textbook and workbook designed to guide the process of transforming pain or suffering into purpose or co-flourishing as One Nature Family. These works accompany Coursework modules and Cohort sessions.

Coursework

An online asynchronous course designed to guide the process of transformation via lectures, worksheets, meditations, and discussions. This course follows the Chapters and prepares one for Cohort sessions.

Cohort

An online synchronous group designed to commune in the process of transformation. These sessions concurrently follow the Coursework module and Chapter week-by-week.

Testimonials

"TRIP saved my life."

"Schmoore"

"Finally! A therapy that helps me feel heard and seen as a BIPOC. The cohorts helped me feel like a part of a community working together to heal."

"Jaya"

"I have never incorporated ancestral suffering as a part of my suffering. Thank you for helping me heal myself and my ancestors. TRIP is truly multigenerational."

"Silvie"