THE

TRAGIC NATURE OF HUMAN EXISTENCE

SandraL.Bloom,M.D.

T HE S AD S TORY OF O EDIPUS THE K ING

Tragedyisnotexactlythesamethingasbadthingshappeningtogood people,orjustoverwhelmingbadthingshappeningtoanybody,ortolots ofpeople.Itsmorecomplexthanthatanditscomplexityhelpstoshed lightonwhytragicoccurrencesaresooftenthecauseofindividualand organizationalarrestofgrowthandchange.Itsreallyamentalmodel issue.TheOedipusMythisoneofthefoundingstoriesofWestern civilization.MostpeoplehaveheardofOedipusbecauseofFreudsideas surroundingpsychosexualdevelopmentandtheOedipalComplex.But evenmorethanthat,thestoryofOedipusprovidesagoodillustrationof childhoodadversity,multigenerationaltrauma,badluck,andfateandwe suspectthatmanyofourreaderswillneverhaveheardthefullstoryof thisunluckyman[1].Hereshowthestorygoes: CadmuswasthelegendaryfounderofthecityofThebes.Becausein Thebanmythicalhistory,victorysooftenentaileddisasterforthevictors, aCadmeanvictorywasproverbialinGreek,referringtoavictorythat damagesthevictorsasmuchasthevanquished[Vietnam?Iraq?). CadmusgrandsonwasnamedLaius,andhewasanastypieceofwork. Asaresultofyetanotherofaseeminglyendlesscycleoffamilyfeuds, LaiushadtofleeThebesandhewastakeninbyPelops,KingofPisa.Not beingaparticularlygratefulguest,Laiuscarriedoff(euphemismfor sexualassault)Pelopsson,Chrysippus,wholatercommittedsuicide (presumablyanancientGreekexampleofsexualabuseanditspossible consequences).Whateverthecase,thegodApollothroughtheDelphic oraclewarnedLaiusthat,aspunishmentforhisbehavior,ifhefathered ason,thatsonwouldkillhim.Butdespitehisperfidy,Laiusrecoveredhis kingdomandmarriedthebeautifulJocasta(rememberthatname)buthe remainedhauntedbythepredictionoftheoracle.Accordingly,whena sonwasborn,Laiushadthebabysfeetpinnedtogetherwithaspike(yes, letsrememberthatshowOedipusstartedlife)andthengavethebabyto aservanttoabandononMountCithaeronwhereitwasexpectedthatthe babywouldbeeatenbywildanimals.

Insteadtheservantgavethebabytoashepherdwhobroughthimto Polybus,kingofCorinth,andMerope,hisqueen.Thesetwo,being childless,broughthimupastheirownson,naminghimOedipus(swollen feet)fromthedeformityofhisfeet.WhenOedipuswasgrownup,after beingtauntedwithbeingnotruesonofPolybus,hewenttoDelphito enquireabouthisparentage.TheDelphicoracletoldhimonlythathe wouldkillhisfatherandmarryhismother.Oedipusimmediatelyassumed thattheoraclewasreferringtohisadoptiveparents,sodecidingneverto returntoCorinthbecausehelovedthepeopleheknewashisparents (abandonedbyhisbiologicalparents,nowheisforcedtoabandonthe parentshelovedinordertoprotectthem).Nowhomelessandindespair, hebegantowanderinthedirectionofThebes.Ashewaswalkingalong theroad,bychanceheencounteredastrangerandhisservantsataplace wherethreeroadsmet.UnbeknownsttoOedipus,thiswasLaiuswhowas onthewaytoseetheoracleagainbecausehehadreceivedomensthat hissonwouldreturntokillhim.Inastandoff,Oedipusrefusedtogiveway whenorderedtobythekingandLaiuseitherrolledachariotwheelover Oedipusfootorhithimwithhiswhip.Inanger,OedipuskilledLaiusand hisattendants,thusunwittinglyandunknowinglyservingasthe instrumentofFate. OedipuswentontoThebes,whichwasatthattimebeingterrorizedby theSphinx,amonsterwhodestroyedthosewhocouldnotanswerthe riddlesheposed.Creon,brotheroftherecentlywidowedJocastaand regentofThebesofferedthekingdomandJocastaaswifetowhoever shouldfreethecityoftheSphinx.Oedipusguessedtheanswertothe riddleandtheSphinxkilledherself.ThegratefulcitizensofThebes appointedOedipustobetheirKingandinfairytalefashion,hemarried thestillbeautifulJocasta,havingnoideathatshewashisbiological mother.Thingswentwellforthecoupleforawhile.Theyhadtwolovely daughtersandtwohandsomesons.ButthereisnoescapingFate.Thebes becamedevastatedbyplagueandfamineandtheDelphicOracle proclaimedthattheonlywaytosavethecitywastoexpelthekillerof Laius.Noonehadputtwoandtwotogetherafteralltheseyears,sono oneknewthatKingOedipuswastheguiltyparty,notevenOedipus. But,wantingtosavethecity,KingOedipusdecidedtoinvestigatethe decadesoldmurderofhispredecessor,KingLaius.Inhisinvestigationof Laiusdeath,Oedipusdiscoveredthatthemanhehadkilledinthequarrel onthewaytoThebeswasLaiusandworseyetthatLaiuswashis biologicalfatherandhisbelovedJocasta,hismother.Apollospunishment ofLaiushadbeenplayedoutthroughhim.Inhorroranddespair,Jocasta hangedherselfandOedipusblindedhimselfwithapieceofherjewelry. Hewasthendeposed,andsentintoexile,andlivedouthislifemiserably

[847,872].Hisdaughters,AntigoneandIsmene,andsonsEteoclesand Polynicesallcametodisastrousends[12]. TheOedipusstoryunfailinglyillustratesthetragedythatishuman existence.Evenasthesonofaking,Oedipusgetsaverybadstartinlife abandonedtodie,withspikesdriventhroughhisfeet(presumably alreadyatoddlerandwalking),thepartofthisstorythattypicallyisthe mostignoredandthemosthorrificisthisancientstoryofchildabuse. Theoriginalperpetratorisnevertrulysociallycondemnedforhiscrimes forhissexualassaultofaninnocentboyorfortheabuseandintended murderofhisownsonandevenhisdeathdoesnotserveanysenseof justicewewouldrecognize.Thegodsmakehimpay,butlargelythrough wife,hisson,andhisgrandchildren.Oedipustooktheburdenofthis multigenerationalviolenceonhimself,andtorehisowneyesout.Hisfate washisdestinyandhecoulddonothingbutpunishhimselfforthe twinnedsinsofkillinghisfatherandmarryinghismother. TheOedipalstoryringsanoteoftruthtousbecauseitisnotunlikethe storiesoftheyoungpeoplewhocomeintoresidentialtreatmentand juvenilejusticesettings,whohavehurtothersandaredoingviolenceto themselves.Theyhavemistakenthetraumaoftheirlivesfortheirdestiny andinsteadoflearningwhatitmeanstobesafeintheworld,tomanage emotions,toworkthroughloss,andenvisionadifferentlifeahead,they keepmovingdeeperanddeeperintothemuck.Aswegettoknowtheir stories,therootsofdestructionreachfarbackintimeandifwedo nothingtohelp,thecontagiouseffectsofinterpersonalviolencecontinue spreadingthroughthegenerationsastheydidforOedipusandforthe childrenthatfollowedhim. ThisisNOThowweAmericanslikestoriestoworkoutatall.Behind AmericanthoughttodaythereliesastrongJudeoChristianheritage whichisbasedontheconceptofjusticeandthevisionofajustworld[3]. Wearenotcomfortablewithtragedy.Inourversionoftheworld,the GoodGuyswinandtheBadGuyslose.Godisjustandifyoujustplayby therulesyouwillbesafe.Andifthingshaventgonerightforyou,its becauseyouscrewedupsomehow.Welargelyanderroneouslychoose tobelieveinajustworld,whereeachpersongetswhatheorshe deserves,aworldofinevitableprogressinwhichthejustarejustly rewardedandtheguiltyarepunished.Sicknessistheproblemofthe individual,probablygeneticallyandbiologicallybasedandtheconcern onlyofthemedicalandpsychiatricexpertsassignedtoameliorateitor simplytolerateit.Povertyisthefaultoftheimpoverished.Crime warrantspunishment.Withinoursegregated,individualized,demystified, andfragmentedlivesweavoidresonatingwiththesufferingofothers, wearenotourbrotherskeepers.Wepretendwehavesolveda

problemoncewehavefoundsomeonetoblameforit.Lockthemupand throwawaythekey;morelawandorder;morejailtimethosearethe socialprescriptionsofthelastfewdecadesandforlongbeforethat. Theprofoundexistentialandethicalproblemforpeoplewhoworkin humanservicesisthatwhenwedeeplylisten,thestoriesofourclients livesreadmuchmoreliketheOedipusstorythananoldcowboyWestern orRushLimbaughsviewofreality.InOedipusstory,wheredoweput theblame?Wheredoesitallstart?Whosefaultisitanyway?AndifLaius wastoblame,whyisitthatOedipusandhisentirelyinnocentchildren, aretheoneswhotakethefall? AncientGreeceisoneofthebirthplacesofdemocracyandthebedrock civilizationforWesternthought.TheGreeksdidnotseetheworldinthe samewayastheancientHebrewsormodernAmericans.Deathisand alwayshasbeenhumankindsgreatestmysteryandourawarenessofour ownmortalityourgreatestburden.Borninutterhelplessness,we strugglefrombirthuntildeathwithourdesiretobeincontrol,tonever againexperiencetheterrorassociatedwithbeinghelplessand vulnerable.FortheancientGreeks,humanlifewascontrolledbyforces thathumandesigncouldnotcontrolandwhichwerefrequently capriciousandbeyondrationalexplanation.Theyperceivedthatwe wouldalwaysstrugglebutthatthestrugglewashopelessthat ultimatelywecannotcontrolourlivesandthatweallendinthesame place.Forthem,yourfatewasyourfateandyoucouldnotoutrunthis naturallawthatgovernedtheuniverse.Itisfromthisrecognitionthatthe Greekscreateddramaandparticularly,thetragicdrama.AsGeorge Steinerhassaid,tragicdramamuststartfromthefactofcatastrophe.
Tragediesendbadly.Thetragicpersonageisbrokenbyforceswhichcanneitherbefully understoodnorovercomebyrationalprudenceTragicdramatellsusthatthespheres ofreason,order,andjusticeareterriblylimitedandthatnoprogressinourscienceor technicalresourceswillenlargetheirrelevance.Thereisnouseaskingforrational explanationormercy.Thingsareastheyare,unrelentingandabsurd.Wearepunished farinexcessofourguilt(p.8)[3].

IntheGreekworld,partofbeingahumanbeingwascomingtogripswith thissenseoftragicconsciousness,lookingexistentialterrorintheface andstaringitdown.InaninterestingconnectionbetweentheGreeksand ourmodernworld,psychiatristJonathanShay(seeChapter9),afteryears ofworkingwithVietnamVeterans,cametobelievethattheGreekshad actuallyinventedtragicdramaasatherapeuticmethodtohelpyoung combatveterans,scarredwithwhatwenowrecognizeasPTSD,tobe abletocomebackandhealsothattheywereabletoparticipateina democraticcommunity.Herecognizedthatinordertoparticipatein combat,soldiershadtoovercomesocialmoralityornomosinordertokill

whatsoldiersmustdoinwararetransgressionsinsociety.TheGreek philosopherAristotlesawtheaterasamethodforproducingcatharsis andenablingreturningsoldierstobereintegratedintothecommunity. Bycatharsis,Aristotleusedthreemeaningsofthewordthatwerecurrent inhisday:1)religiouspurificationofaritualtaintandexpiationofa religioussin;2)medicinalpurgationofsomethingunhealthy,poisonous, orimpure;3)mentalclarification,removingobstaclestounderstanding, thepsychologicalequivalentofproducingclearwaterfrommuddywater. Hebelievedthatallthreewerenecessaryfordifferentbattlescarred individualsandthattheexperienceoftragicdramacouldprovidethem. AsShaywrote, MyconjectureisthatthedistinctivecharacterofAtheniantheaterarosefromthe politicalneedtopurify,purge,andreclarifycivicunderstandingtoitsreturningsoldiers, sotheycouldagainfulfilltherolesofcitizensofademocracy.TheancientAthenians hadadistinctivetherapyofpurification,healing,andreintegrationofreturningsoldiers thatwasundertakenasawholepoliticalcommunity.Theaterwasthiscommunity's primarymeansofreintegratingthereturningveteranintothesocialsphereas Citizen(p.3)[4]. ItisinterestingtonotethatinordertotreatreturningWorldWarII veterans,MaxwellJonesalsoturnedtotheusesofdramaasaprimary methodofsuccessfultreatmentwithintherapeuticcommunities.Some ofthemostsuccessfulprogramstotreatVietnamveteranssufferingfrom chronicPTSDwereprogramsthatusedritualandthecreativearts.Inthe developmentoftheSanctuaryModel,psychodramagroups,threetimesa week,werefortwentyyearsacrucialpartofourtreatmentofadult survivorsofchildhoodabuse[5].Andtoday,manyofourparticipating programsaroundNewYorkCityareworkingwithCreativeAlternativesof NewYork,implementingdramatherapytohelptraumatizedclientsto heal[6]. FortheGreeks,everytragicheroandbyextensioneveryhumanbeing hasaHamartiaoratragicflawanditiswovenintohisorhercharacter. Thehamartiaissomequalityuponwhichcivilization,humanfreedom, andhumanwellbeingdependqualitiessuchascourage,wisdom, intelligence,piety,resoluteness,integrity,andconcernforothersthat areliableincertainunforeseeablesituationstoleadtodisaster[875].
Theforceoftragedyisthenthatthehighestvirtues,thequalitiesthataremost necessaryforanywellledlifethemselvescandefeattheachievementoftheir appropriateend,eudaimonia,awellled,happyhumanlife[7].Fortheancient

Greeks,therootsourceofWesternculture,therewasnosuchthingas autonomousart.Therewas,instead,aunityofculturalpractices religiousworship,tragicandcomictheater,architecture,sculpture, painting,poetics,dance,andmusicwereintegrated.FortheGreeks,art

wasalwayssimultaneouslypersonalandpolitical,expressiveand therapeutic[8].

I S B IOLOGY D ESTINY ? O UR T RAGIC F LAW

Butintheinterveningcenturies,wehavelostourawarenessofthetrue natureofhumanexistence,oftragicconsciousness,ofthetragicsense oflife[9].Dowedoallhumanshaveatragicflaw?Exposureto overwhelmingtraumaticeventsandhumanevolutionareintimately entwined.Inherbook,BloodRites,BarbaraEhrenreichhaspointedout that,Theoriginaltrauma,meaningofcourse,notasingleeventbutalongstanding conditionwasthetraumaofbeinghuntedbyanimalsandeaten[10].Viewingour distantpastfromthisperspective,itisawonderthatourspecieseven survived,givenourlackofadequatedefenseorprotectiveadaptations. Todoso,wedevelopedsomeveryspecialadaptiveskills.Welearnedto bondtogetherandfighttogether,notonlyforfoodbutalsoformutual defense.Wedevelopeduniqueformsofcommunicationinorderto conveyinformationovertimeandoverspacesymbolsandthen language.Ourbrainsenlarged,becomingcapableofmakingthousands ofassociationstoanyevent.Ourmemoriesbecamemoretenaciousthan thoseofourmammalianancestors,compellingustoholdonto informationthroughoutalifetime,particularlymemoriesinducedbyfear. Ouremotionalsystems,hardwiredtoourautonomicnervoussystemas aninheritancefromourmammalrelatives,becameevenmoreintimately connectedtoourmemories,ourneedtoattachtoothersofourkind,and ourcomplexnetworkofthoughtsandideas. Althoughultimatelythisgrowingcomplexitygaveussuperiorityover otherspecies,thereweresomedistinctiveproblems.Likeourmodern computers,thesophisticatedfunctioningofourcomplexbrains demandedahighdegreeofsystemintegrationandcertainoptimal conditionsforproperoperation.Ourbigbrainsmayhavebeenthe reasonwestartedkillingotheranimalsforfoodbecausethebrain consumesproportionately,suchahighlevelofenergy[11]. Traumaticexperienceproducesaphysiologicaloverloadthatthebrain andbodyareunabletoadequatelymanageiftheyaretocontinue functioningnormally.Ourprimarydefensetocopewiththisphysiological overloadisthemechanismwediscussedearliercalleddissociation. Althoughalifesavingcopingskillintheshortrun,dissociationproduces fragmentationofvitalmentalfunctions,andtheresultisdiminished integrationandthereforeimpairedperformance.Becausewehave foresight,wecananticipateproblemsahead;forthesamereasonwecan anticipatetheendofourownlivesandofeverythingwehaveever

known.Ourcapacityfordissociationgrewoutofanothervitalneed springingfromourtraumaticpast.Ourcentralnervoussystemisvery vulnerabletotheeffectsofstress.Overwhelmingstressisphysiologically andcognitivelydisorganizing.Dissociationhelpstoprotectandbufferthe centralnervoussystemfromthisphysiologicalandemotional hyperarousal. Ouremotionsalertusthatsomethingisoutofkilter,notright,notwhat wewant.Theyareoursensitivementalradar.Weperceivethe experienceofourfeelingsthroughourmindsbutbecauseeveryseparate emotionevokesaspecificpatternofresponseintheautonomicnervous system,everyemotionradiatesaneffectthroughouteveryorganinour body.Everylanguage,infact,hasdozensofexpressionsforemotions thatareexpressedinphysicaltermsalumpinthethroat,abroken heart,bowelsinanuproar,asickeningfeelingallareexamplesof thisdeepknowledge.Butbecauseouremotionsaresointimately connectedtoourvitalorgans,itisentirelypossibletodieoffrightordie ofabrokenheart.Additionally,prolongedemotionalarousalhasnegative consequencesforvitalorgansystemsintheformofstressrelated illnesses[12]. Sinceoneofthemainpurposesofouremotionsistoalertustothe occurrence,significance,andnatureofeventsandexperiencesthatare partofourreality,anydisorder,anydisruptionofestablishedmeaningor belief,willevokeapowerfulemotionalresponse.Thisresponsewillnot stopuntilthedisparitiesareresolved,untilwehavereorderedourreality [13].Ourfeelingswillnotletusrestuntilourinnerconflictshavebeen resolved. Underconditionsofextremestress,victimsoftraumaexperience speechlessterror.Thislossoflanguagefunctionisfrequentlyprofound andextremelyimportant.Thetraumaticexperienceandallassociations toitcannotbeincorporatedintoacognitiveschema,partlybecausethe brainsystemthataccomplishesthistaskisshutdownundertheimpact ofextremestress.Thevictimexperiencesandremembersthetraumain nonverbal,visual,auditory,kinesthetic,visceral,andfeelingmodalities, butisnotabletothinkaboutitorprocesstheexperienceinanyway. Ourcognitiveprocessesaredependentonlanguagefunctionandwithout wordswecannotthink.Traumaproducesadisconnectionsyndrome,a functionalsplitbrainpreparationinwhichthetwohemispheresappear tofunctionautonomously,atleastasitconcernsthetraumatic experience. Thetraumatizedpersonbecomespossessed,hauntedbythetheaterin hismind.Hecannotcontroltheintrusiveimages,feelings,sensations. Theycomeintoconsciousnessunbidden,terrifyinglyvivid,producinga

viciouscycleofhelplessselfrevictimization.Butherewearefacedwitha dilemmathevictimoftraumaistrappedwithinthesilenceof unwitnessedmemory.Toheal,hemustspeak,hemustfeel,andhearing thewords,hemustincorporatetheexperienceintosomekindof cognitiveschemathatallowshimtomakemeaningandfinallyputthe experiencebehindhimsohecangoon.Butthebiologicalresponsesto traumainhibitandprohibitsuchspeech.Thebrainisdisconnectedfrom itselfandperceivesanyattempttoreconnectasadangerousthreatto survival.Sointrusivesensoryexperiencesandnegativefeelings predominate,behaviorbecomesincreasinglyseparatedfromthesocial meaningsystem.Thepersondisconnectsfromotherpeopleasthey activelyavoidlisteningorparticipatinginadialoguewiththevictim. Trappedintime,whiletheworldmovesonaroundhim,heisneither alivenordead.Hecannotescapethetrapalone,thebiological reverberationshavesetupasnarewhichgrabsathimandrefusestolet go.So,hedoestheonlythinglefttodohespeaksintheonlyvoicehe hasinthelanguageofthenonverbalbrain.Heacts. Anyeffortshetooktoprotecthimselforothersatthetimeofthetrauma wereafailure,andyetimagesofwhathecouldhavedonefailed enactmentcontinuetoobsesshim.RobertLiftonhastalkedabout failedenactment,inwhichsomebeginning,abortiveimageforms towardenactmentinamorepositivewaythatisneverpossibleto achieve...aschemaforenactmentthatisnevercompleted(p.9)[14].This failedenactmentisassociatedwithprofoundfeelingsofhelplessness, whichisafundamentalcharacteristicofanytraumaticexperience.Pierre Janetbelievedthattraumatizationresultedfromfailuretotakeaction againstapotentialthreat.Theresultinghelplessnessgaveriseto "vehementemotions"which,inturn,interferedwithpropermemory storage.Hethoughtthatsuccessfulintegrationofmemoriesdependson successfulactionoftheorganismupontheenvironment[15].Itisthis failedenactmentthatpropelstraumaticreenactment,theprofound tendencytocompulsivelyandbehaviorallyrelivethetraumatic experienceoutsideofconsciousawareness.ItwasFreud,ofcourse,who focusedattentiononthisphenomenonthathetermedtherepetition compulsion:Hereproducesitnotasamemorybutasanaction;he repeatsitwithout,ofcourse,knowingthatheisrepeating...hecannot escapefromthiscompulsiontorepeat;andintheendweunderstandthat thisishiswayofremembering(p.150)[16]. Afterthetrauma,oneofthemostperplexingexperiencesforthe individualvictimisthattheworldgoesonasbefore,evenastheirown worldhasbeencompletelyshattered.Otherpeopleoutsideofthe traumaenvelopeappearrelativelyoblivioustothetraumaticevent [17].Forthevictim,personalrealityisnolongercongruentwithcultural

reality.Theindividualspontaneouslyattemptstorealignthetworealities toproducereattunementbetweentheindividualandthecultural,by behavinginwaysthatareobviouslydivergentfromtheirprevious behavior.Earlyontheymayattempttotalkabouttheirexperienceand tosharetheiroverwhelmingemotionalstates.Thisneedtotalk,to confess,toreleasestoredtensionispowerfulandimportantfor continuingmentalandphysicalhealth[141].ItiswhattheGreekscalled catharsis. Thereisnoinnatemechanismresidingsolelywithintheindividualthat insuresreintegration.Theresultisthattheunfortunatesurvivorof traumaencounterstheirownblackholewithinwhichthelightof awareness,ofpeace,andofwholenessisabsorbed[18].Onopposite sidesofthisgapingchasmarethetraumatizedindividualandhisorher socialgroup.Traumaticexperienceshattersbasicpersonalandcultural assumptionsabouttheprimarywayweorderreality.Suddenlythereis nosafety,theworldnolongermakessense,otherpeoplecannotbe trusted,thefutureisnolongerpredictable,andbecauseofdissociation, thepastitselfisnolongercompletelyknown[158].Ourculturetendsto activelyinhibitvictimresponses.Aswementionedearlier,switchingthe topic,pressingourownperspectiveonthevictim,exaggeratingthe victimsresponsibilityforhisorherownvictimizationareallways listenersusetoavoidthefeelingsassociatedwithvictimization[19]. Ifweunderstandthatreenactmentbehaviorisamessage,asignal,from anotherconsciousness,aconsciousnessthatisnonverbalandyet intelligent,wecanbegintounderstandsymptomsinanentirelydifferent way.Aschemaforenactmentthatisincompletewillcontinuetopressfor completionaccordingtothecognitiveimperative.Aspeechless consciousness,attemptingcommunicationwithitssocialgroup,canonly dosothroughthemediumofotherformsofcommunication,through behaviorsthattellthestorytheyaretryingtoconvey.Iftheperson cannotintegratethetraumaticexperiencebecausetheexperienceitself resistswordsandcannotbeordered,thenthepersoncandonothing exceptturntohisorherculturalgroupforhelp.Butaswehaveseen, therearemonumentalbarrierstogettingthishelp.Thesocialgroupis likelytogodeaf,dumb,andblind,insensitivetothemessagesthe victimistryingtoconvey.Insteadjudgingandpunishingthepersonfor eventryingtosendoutthemessage. Thepricefortheindividualvictimisahighone.Theycannotmake meaningoutofthetraumaticeventwithoutaculturalcontextandthe consensualvalidationthataccompaniesit,yetthecognitiveimperative demandsaresolutionoftheconflictandarestablizationofthesenseof personalreality.Theonlyviablesolutionisfurtherdissociationandthat

endsupcreatingtrulytragicsituations,evenwhentragedyisnolonger inevitable. Asaresult,thevictimsbegintosignaltheirdistressintheonlywayleft opentothem,throughtherepetitive,oftenritualized,seeminglybizarre signal,symbolicandemotionallychargedbehaviorofthenondominant hemisphere.Onemantriestojumpoffabuilding,anotherwoman repeatedlyrunsrazorbladesacrossherbreasts,anotherbuysanassault weaponandspraysbulletsacrossacrowdedstreet.Theseculminating actsofdestructionareactsofdesperationandhelplessrage,theultimate responsetoyearsofmisunderstandingandmisinterpretationonthepart ofthevictimssocialgroup.Theplayisperformedoverandover,often developingintosuchpervasivelifethemesthatallthatisapparentis pathology.Indisplayingaperformance,traumatizedpeoplearedoing whattheyarebiologicallyevolvedtodo:engagetheirsocialgroupina healingdialogue,asharedexperienceofpain. Itisourcontentionthattheseposttraumaticeffectsarethetragicflaw fortheentirehumanspecies,theunfortunateconsequenceof emergencymeasuresaimedatpromotingsurvivalthatmayultimately annihilatethespecies.Thistheniswhatmakesthehumanconditionso tragic:thattheveryskills,abilitiesanddefensesthatkeepusaliveinthe faceoflifescatastrophesbecomethesourceofourdownfall.Our responsetotraumaintheshortrun:fight/flight,dissociation,emotional numbingandalltherest,includingculturallydefiningasharedreality, keepusaliveinthefaceofimmediatethreat.Butwhenthesesame adaptationsbecomechronicresponses,eventononthreatening situations,theybecomethesourceofcontinuingtraumaasfutilesignals tothesocialgroupgounrecognized.Thatiswhatmakesuptragedy:that ourgreateststrengthsarealsoourgreatestweaknesses.Howcanthis be?Howcouldwehavemadeitthisfarwithourhistoryofrepetitive exposuretofearsometraumaiftherewerenotsomewaytoheal,to overcomeourtragicflaw?Webelievetheanswerliesincultureand creativity.

S HARED R EALITY OR S HARED I NSANITY ?

Weareanintenselysocialspeciesandthereasonandresultofthissocial natureisthatotherpeoplehelpustomaintainourindividualreordering ofrealityandkeepusawayfromexistentialterror,henceitisatruism thatmiserylovescompany.Toachievethebenefitsofsocialconnection, wedevelopedahighlyimportantattachmentsystemwhatwehave termedtheHumanOperatingSystemtocreatelifetimebondsamong thoseofourkind.Thedevelopmentofmostofourcapacities,infact

cognitiveintelligence,emotionalintelligence,socialintelligence,and moralintelligencebecamehighlydependentonattachingtoothersof ourkindandasthathappened,ourrelationshipswitheachother,within families,withinourlargerculturesbecameintimatelyconnectedto survival.Ourprofoundandinnateneedtobondtoothersmakesthe unvarnishedinevitabilityoflossunbearableunlesswecanalterthe realityinsomeway,unlesswecantransformthetragicintosomekindof sharedmeaningonanintellectual,butmoreimportantly,an emotional/culturallevel. Collectivetraumatendstobeapowerfulstimulusforgroupdissociation. Inducingdissociationatrancestateisfareasierinfact,inagroup settingandallcultureshavesocialmechanisms,oftencloselytiedto artisticperformancethatusuallyincludesdrumminganddancing rhythmicactivitiesthataredesignedtoinducegrouptrances[20]. ResearchersattheMaxPlanckInstituteforHumanDevelopmenthave shownthatplayingmusictogetheractuallysynchronizesbrainwaves [21].Therearegoodevolutionaryreasonsforthis.Thecentralproblemfor
anyspecieswhoseprimaryadaptivetechniquesdependlargelyoncollective,ratherthan individual,action,istodevelopandmaintainsocialcoherenceandcoordinationover time(p.28)[22].Dissociationservesthistaskextremelywell,allowing

participantsinasociallycontrivedtranceinductiontoenterthesame emotionalstate,thesamelevelofarousal,andthesamelevelof vulnerabilitytosuggestion.Allofthesefactorsservetoenhancegroup cohesion,decreasegroupconflict,andbemoreopentotheinstructions ofaleader.Tribaldances,music,drummingandchantingallservethis purpose,affectingnotjustourpsychebutourbrainfunctionaswell. Theresultisthatdefiningasharedculturalrealityasabufferagainst existentialterrorisacentralfunctionofanyworkablefamily,community andculture.Religious,moral,political,andeconomicideologicalsystems aredesignedtoprovideabasisforthatsenseofculturalrealityinwhich eachindividualparticipates.Themaindifferencebetweenculturally acceptedalterationsofrealitycommonlynotedinreligiousceremonies andpoliticalevents,andthecommonformsoftwistedrealitynotedas thesymptomsofpsychopathology,isthatintheformerpeopleagree togethertoignoreanddenythedistortionsandcontradictionsthatexist, whileinindividualpathologynooneelseagreeswiththeviewofreality sharedbythatindividual.Instead,thepersoniscalleddelusional,mad,or attheleasteccentric. Theresultofthisphenomenonisthathealthisassociatedwithillusions, infactaconsiderableamountofinsanity,inthesenseofbeingoutof touchwithreality,isrequisitetooptimalmentalhealth(p.21)[20]. Accordingtooneresearcherwhohasextensivelystudiedpositive

illusions,ourabilitytoredefineourrealityresultsinanincreasein productivework,improvesaspectsofourintellectualfunction,improves ourmemory,inhibitsdisturbingmemories,increasesmotivation, improvesperformance,improvescoping,andgivesusbetterphysical health[23].Accordingtosomeauthorities,peoplewhoarehighlyself conscious,knowthemselveswellandhavemorerealisticperceptionsof theworldalsotendtobemoredepressed[20].Asthephilosopher Santayanaputit,Sanityismadnessputtogooduses;wakinglifeisa dreamcontrolled(p.261)[24].

C REATIVITY AS E VOLUTIONARY N ECESSITY

Therehasalwaysbeenaborderlinebetweenthetworealities,thatofthe existingstatusquocultureandthatofthoseconsideredtobeinsane. Children,artists,prophets,visionariesandsomepsychotherapists spendtimeinthisshadowyareaandhowtheywillbegreetedintheir culturewillbedeterminedbymanyfactorsincludinghowwillingthe cultureistocometogripswithadeniedrealityandhowwellthe individualcanmanagetofitintotheculturewithoutappearingtoo threatening[20].Foraslongashumanshavebeencapableofpondering thenatureofillness,diseasehasconstitutedadisintegration,alossof intactness,abreakup,adeterioration,areductiontofragmentsorparts. OnewordfortheDevilisDiabolosthedivider,thesplitterinto fragments[25].Westernmedicinetracesitsrootstothesameancient Greeksandtheoriginaltherapists,thetherapeutes,werethosechosenas theattendantsofthecultofAsclepius,thegodofhealing.Accordingto Plato,itwasAsclepiuswhowasabletobringaboutloveand reconciliationbetweenthemostantitheticelementsinthebody(p.i)[26]. Asthestorygoes,AsclepiuswasthesonofApollowholearnedtheartof healingfromChiron,theCentaur,halfman,halfbeast.Healingthetwo Chironsidesofman,theirrationalandtherational,wastheworkof Asclepius,whopracticedthedoublesideofmedicinethescienceand theart.Butlargelyforgotteninthesedaysofmachinesandmanaged care,istheothervitalpositionthatAsclepiusheld.Hewasalsothe patronofartists.Servingthegodrequiredartisticperformanceinthe formofritual,poetry,songs,music,andperformances.Musicaland poeticcompetitionswereheldathisplaceofworshipandthetempleof AsclepiusinAthenswasimmediatelyadjacenttothegreatTheatreof Dionysus[26]. TurningtothenonWesternworld,theNativeAmericanculturesprovide uswithotherexamplesoftherelationshipbetweenhealingandthearts. AccordingtotheNavaho,tobesickistobefragmented.Tobehealedistobecome

whole,andtobecomewholeonemustbeinharmonywithfamily,friends,andnature

(p.57)[27].Intribalgroups,healingceremoniesarethemaintherapeutic activityandtheentiresocialgroupparticipates.Theceremonyoften includesareenactmentoftheinitialorpathogenictraumathatis supposedtohavecausedthelossofintegration,andafundamentalpart oftheceremonyisoftenareenactmentofthegreatmythsofthetribe [28].Theceremoniescompriseacomplexperformanceutilizingmusic, dance,art,costumes,andverbalscripts,allinagroupsettingthat typicallyinvolvestheentirecommunity.Thisceremonialactivityisused forindividualhealingbutservesabasicsocialfunctionaswell,marking offmajorevents,bothnaturalandtraumatic,fortheentiretribalgroup. Unequivocalevidencefortheartisticnatureofmandatebackatleast fortythousandyearstoCroMagnonman,andsurviveintheformofcave paintings,statues,necklaces,flutesandothermusicalinstruments[29]. Wecannotsayforsurewhensuchexpressionsofcreativitybegan, althoughthegroundworkforsuchorganizedbehaviorcanbeseeninour primatebrethren.But,actualartisticexpressionappearstooriginatewith ourprimalancestorsandpredateslanguage.Certainly,astheart historianLucieSmithhassaidThecavepaintingsinparticular,hiddenin darknessformanymillennia,andperhapsunseenpreviouslybyanybut theiroriginalcreators,giveusanewperspectiveonthestoryofhuman culturetakenasawhole.Theyseemtosupplyconfirmationofthefact thattheactivityofmakingart,promptedbywhateverimpulse,iscentral totheexistenceofthespecies.Thestoryofhumankindnowbegins unequivocallywithmensandwomensactivityasartists,anditisart whichsuppliesthestrongestthreadofcontinuityasthetale develops.(p.18)[30] Butsincewegaveuplivingintribesandhaveprogressivelymovedinto increasinglytechnologicalsocieties,peoplehavewonderedWhatisart for?Whyarehumanbeingsdrawing,staging,singing,anddancingat leastasfarbackasourancestorswholivedwithinhighlydecorated caves?Whywouldsuchcomplicatedandapparentlysuperfluous capacitiesbecomesohighlydeveloped?Whatisthesurvivalvalueof singing,dancing,andstorytelling? Thelongstandinghistoryofartisticachievementforcesustolookatart fromanevolutionaryperspective.Whatevidenceistherethatarthas anythingtodowithhumanevolution?Thearthistorian,Dissanayakehas notedthreeimportantcriteriaforattributingevolutionaryimportance andthereforeselectivesurvivalvaluetoanytraitorbehavior.Thefirst criteriaisthattheartisticexpressionisuniversal.Thereisnohuman groupexistingtodayorknowntoeverhaveexistedthatdidnotengagein creativeexpression.Inevolutionarytheoryitisgenerallyacceptedthatif

abehaviorisfoundthroughoutanentirespecies,itmusthave contributedinsomewaytoevolutionaryfitness.Thesecond characteristicisthatinmostsocietiestheartsareintegraltomany activitiesoflifeandnottobeomitted.Thisisparticularlytruethecloser wecometobeingabletofindculturesmoresimilartoourhunter gathererevolutionaryheritagethanourownmodernculture.Again,we canassumethatanevolutionarymechanismisatworkifagreatdealof effortisexpendedbyindividualsorbygroupsinperformingcertain activities.Third,theartsaresourcesofpleasureandNatureusually associatespleasurableaffectwithadvantageousbehavior[31]. Ritualswerecreatedassocialdramasthatwereinitiatedbysome breachofsocialcustom,law,orritualpropriety,precipitatingacrisis whichcouldonlyberesolvedthrougharitualdrama[32].Partofthe dramainvolvedtheindividualortheentiregroupenteringthe confessionalmodeinwhichsuppressedthoughts,deniedbehaviors, andwithheldemotionscouldbesharedwithothers[33].Inthesegroup mimeticevents,fromwhichourtheaterderived,individualthoughts, feelings,andbeliefscouldbeturnedintocoordinatedsocialefforts,with differentindividualsplayingdifferentroles,experimentingwithdifferent behaviors,butallthewhilesharingthesameglobalcognitivemodelof theirsociety[34]. Inhumanritualplay,fromchildhoodon,costumesprovideaconcrete andenactedwayofenteringadifferentrole,becominganotheranimal, mythicalbeing,orpersonintheenacteddrama.From,theearliestyears, childrenengageinfantasyplaythathelpsthemcopewithlifes challengesandmanagedistress.Theater,theuniversalplaygroundof fantasy,isthoughttohaveitsoriginsinasimilarattemptatresolutionof negativefeelingsthemourningritual.Thereligiousritualoutofwhichitis
thoughttragedygrewthedanceofmourning...wasinitselfanaction,aresponsetoa condition...ananswerintermsofgestureandactionratherthanlanguageand representsmansfirstattemptstodealcreativelywithpainandfear.Anyactionatall wasbetterthannothing(p.56)[35].

Whathavewelostbymarginalizingthishumanneedtocreate,to performthatisevidentinearlychildhoodandthenissuppressed?In communities,inschoolsitistheartsprogramsthatarecut,thetheater programsthatareconsideredtobeexpendable.Creativetherapiesare rarelyfundedbymanagedcarecompanies,whilemindalteringand usuallymindnumbingdrugsofmanykindsarefreelyavailable.Few workplacesencouragetheroutineuseofplayandthepalpableevidence oflaughterthatdenotesaplacewherepeoplearehappilyengaged.What evolutionaryscienceshowsusisthatashumanbeings,weneedtoeat, weneedtosleep,weneedtoprocreate,andweneedtocreate.In creatingenvironmentsthatstiflecreativity,thekindsofenvironmentswe

havedescribedinthisbook,arewehelpingpeopletohealorarewe drivingthemandourselvesmad?

M ADNESS AS A T HE L OSS OF I NTEGRATION & T HE A RT OF H EALING

Madness,initswild,untamablewords,proclaimsitsownmeaning;inits chimeras,ituttersitssecrettruth;itscriesspeakforitsconscience...The crimehiddenfromalleyesdawnslikedayinthenightofthisstrange punishment(p.27)[36]. MichaelFoucault,MadnessandCivilization:AHistoryofInsanityinthe AgeofReason Whatisartfor?Creativetransformation,inallitsvariations,allrequiring performerANDaudience,isaprimaryintegratingmechanisminan organismhighlysusceptibletotheprotective,butultimatelydestructive mechanismwecalldissociation.Humanbeingsareuniquelycapableof alteringrealityinmanydifferentways,butthisalteringcapacitycan becomesoprofoundthatweareequallycapableoflosingourway, trappedinourselfcreated,selfdeceptive,dissociatedrealitythatmay bearlittlerelationshiptothefundamentalnatureofearth,air,andother livingbeings[20]. Victimsoftraumalookmadbecausewehavelargelyputasideour abilitiestotranslatenonverbaltoverbalmessages.Victimsof interpersonalviolencedemonstrateritualandperformancegoneamok. Justasthecapacityfordissociationisbiologicallybased,sotooisthe responsetodissociationtheritualsignalorwhatweusedtocallthecry forhelpandittoohappensautomatically,hardwiredintothebrain chemistryitself.Theproblemdoesnotliewiththeirbody,whichisjust doingwhatitissupposedtodo.Theproblemresideswithintheculture whichhasfailedtoserveitssocializingfunctionfortheindividual.Itisthe corporatebodywhichhasbecomeimpaired.Itisthecorporatebodythat refusestohearthemeaningsinthemessages,thecriesforhelpand healingthatareconsistentlyignored.Wecannotaffordtoheartheir cruelsecretsortheirguiltyconfessionsbecausewewouldhaveto respond,wewouldhavetoresonatewiththeirpain,wewouldhaveto helpthemfindawayoutoftheirprison.Trappedwithinthetragic circumstancesoftheirlives,thesilencedvictimsoftraumaarebereftof thesharedexperienceoftragedy. Inearlierdays,theburdenwasnotonmuchonindividualvictimsor individualwitnesses.Collectiveculturalexperiencesprovidedforhealing ritualsinwhichtrancewasinduced,thetraumacouldberelivedandthe

painintegratedintoameaningfulwholeconsistentwithalargermythical system.Theritualwouldinvolvemusic,dance,drama,performanceand theentiresocialgroupwouldbeinvolved.Inthisway,cognitive, behavioral,andemotionalchangeandtransformationcouldoccur,social relationsandsubjectiveexperiencecouldbebroughtintoharmony[37]. Traumaandterror,painandgriefcouldbetransmutedintothejoyof performance,thecreationofbeauty,thehealingrhythmsofdanceand song,storyandpoetry;notforgotten,butchangedandchanged together;nolongerarecurrentterrifyingfantasyofthesolitaryvictim, butthenewlytransformedadditiontotheculturallysharedreality, anotherchapterintheculturemythicalsystem. Untilmoderntimes,therewasamuchcloserunionbetweenthecreative artsandculturalritualsthanareevidencedinourculturetoday.Forus, artisticexpressionhasbecomespecializedandmarginalized,even dissociated,madeintoacommoditylikeeverythingelse.Butinother culturesthesituationisquitedifferent.ForNativeAmericansandother tribalcultureseventoday,creativeexpressionthroughceremonyand danceinwhicheveryoneplaysarole,remainthefocusofcommunallife, servingcombinedpurposesofworship,healing,education,buildingof groupcohesion,confirmationofgroupidentity,aswellasentertainment. Thereisalargeaccumulatedbodyofknowledgeabouttherelationship betweencreativityandindividualhealing.Butartisnotjustanindividual endeavor.Wemustkeepinmindthelessonsofourancestorsaboutthe essentiallysocialnatureofartisticperformancecreativeexpressionmay turnouttodeterminethestateofhealthorillnessofanentiresocietyas well.

T RAGIC C ONSCIOUSNESS
September11maygodownasoneofthemosttragiceventsinmodern historynotonlybecauseofthethousandsofdeathsitcausedbutalso becauseitsoseriouslydistortedAmericanperceptionsaboutitselfand theworld.IthasknockedAmericadownintoadankanddangerousculde sac,makingitsusceptibletoapocalypticvisionsofdarknessratherthan motivatingittowardhighvisionsofhumanpossibility.(p.45)[38] JimGarrison,AmericaasEmpire:GlobalLeaderorRoguePower? September11,2001representsacollectivetraumaandasharedlossthat hashadprofoundeffectsonthewayweallliveinAmerica.Thereaction toSeptember11theIraqWarthatbeganin2003representsa collectivefailuretofullyengageinthegrievingprocessthatinevitably

followsatraumaticloss.ThetragedyoftheWorldTradeCenter bombingsandthenationalresponsetoit,arelargescaleanaloguesto whatfrequentlyhappensinthelivesofindividualchildrenandtheir individualfamilies,individualstaffmemberswithinorganizationsand withinorganizationsasawhole[3942]. Alltoooften,angerandaggressionsubstituteformourning,while shamingandblamingstandinforasharedrecognitionofhumantragedy. Aninabilitytositwiththerealityoflossandmoveonthroughthatloss inevitablymakesuslesssafeintheworld,whetherweareanindividual child,afamily,anemployee,anorganization,orawholecultureand unleashespowerfulandcontagiousnegativeemotionsthatcanreadily leadtoindividualandcollectivedisaster.Theculturejoinstogetherto distortandalterrealityinawaythatmakeslifebearableandindoingso createspositiveillusionsthatpromotehealth.Butsometimesthe culturegoestoofar,orfortoolong,distortsrealitytothepointof danger.Asaspeciesweareatthatpointofgreatdanger,denyingthe enormityofclimatechange,ofthesheeramountofcataclysmic weaponryavailable,ofoverpopulation,andtheinherentdangersof continuingtoallowwarsanywarstooccur. Thedenialoftragedyposesanunrelentingproblemforallhumanservice deliverysystemsbecausetragedyiswhatbringspeopletoourdoors. Traumaticexperiencecreatestragicdilemmasthattrapindividualtrauma survivorsintheeverlastingmomentofthetraumaticeventsand paralyzestheircapacityforselfactualization,andgrowth.Ifwecannot recognizeandrespondappropriatelytothetragicnatureoftheir experiences,weareunprotectedfromthecontagiousnatureoftragedy andtheindividualsweservewillstaytrappedandwearelikelytobe trappedwiththem.Earlierwereferredtothisphenomenonasparallel process. TheGreeksmayhavebeenrightinthefirstplace.Itmaybetruethatwe cannotescapeourfatebutweonlycanknowthatinretrospectwe cannotseewhatisinstoreforusaheadoftime.Whenwearewillingto acceptthattherearefundamentalflawsinhumanityandhumannature thatleaveusvulnerabletotheeffectsoftragedythanwemustreckon withhowtohelpindividualscopemoreadequatelywiththetragic remnantsofthelivestheybringtous.Aswearediscoveringfrom modernphysics,humanintentionaltersreality.Ifso,thenwhatarethe limitstoalteringapersonslifetrajectory?Weknowagreatdealnow abouthowthatlifecanbealteredasaprimaryeffectoftraumatic experience,buthowcanwechangethattrajectoryoncesomeoneis hurtlingdownadestructivepath?

Similarly,whensomethinggoesverywronginaninstitution,itisvirtually impossibletoplacetheblameadequatelyontheshouldersofone person,evenifwefindcomfortintryingtodoso.Thesituationsarefar toocomplexforthat.Asinthelivesofindividuals,traumaticexperiences canputaninstitutiononanincreasinglydestructivetrajectorybringing withitasenseofinevitability,helplessnessandhopelessnessforallthose involvedwiththatinstitution.Institutionsserveasthemediators betweenindividualsandcultureandtheyaredesignedtosupportthe versionsofrealitythattheculturecreatesinordertogivethemembers ofthecultureasharedperceptionofbeingsaferthanwereallyare.This needtocreateasharedrealityasabufferagainstexistentialterrorhas deeproots. Livingsystemsgrowandchangeallthetime.Changeisafundamental attributeoflife.Andyettraumaandlossputbrakesontheconstancyof changeforindividuals,forfamiliesandfororganizations.Oneofthemain reasonsforrefusingtodealwithgriefandlossinourindividualclientsas wellasatanorganizationallevelistheaccompanyinghopelessnessthat accompaniesgrief.Itisthepermanencyoflossthatissostaggeringly difficulttomanage.Itexposesustotheexistentialterrorthatwetalked aboutearlierandoncethatterroristriggered,individualand organizationaldefenseswediscussedmoveintoplacetodenyand discounttheimportanceofthelossesthathavebeensustained.Weare culturallyunpreparedtodealwiththerealityoftragedy.Itsnotthe Americanwaytobelievethatlifeitselfhasatragicendingandthatmany smalltragediesoccuralongtheway.Wearemorecomfortablefinding someoneorsomethingtoblamebecauseitprovidesuswiththeillusion ofcontrolandavoidsexistentialterror.Whenwetouchthatfear,that lossofcontrol,wewantrevengewewanttoseethepersonorpersons punishedforfrighteningusandforhurtingusandineveningupthe scorewecanmakeourselvesbelievethatwehaveregainedcontrol. Ourmainprotectionagainstbeingoverwhelmedbyexistentialterroris culture.Culturalbeliefs,rituals,andthetransformationsthatculture provides,offerabufferagainstthetragicnatureofhumanexistence.Itis thesharedsupportofotherpeoplewhocompriseourculturethathelp usmoveoutofterror,fearandhelplessnessandmoveintothefuture. Whencommittedtononviolenceandemotionalintelligence,aculture cancurbourvengefuldesires.Thiseffectofcultureistrueforindividuals andfororganizations.Likewise,organizationsrequireculturalsupport fromtheculturewithinwhichtheyareembeddedinordertomoveinto thefutureandnotgivewaytothepullofrevenge,reenactmentand ultimately,decline.Significantproblemsandsometimesdisaster ariseswhentheculturedoesnotprovidethesustainingbufferingand leavestheindividualunprotected.Worseyet,whenthecultureitself

supportsandencouragesblaming,vengeful,punishingbehavior,thanthe contagionofviolencecanspreadthroughouttheentireculture.Thisis mostlikelytooccurwhenthefamilial,organizational,orsocietalculture hasnotcompleteditsownmourning,isresistingchange,anditself remainsrivetedinapastthatnolongerexists.Weliveinanexcessively violentcountrythatfailstoprotectitscitizensfromharm.Thatisthevery leastwecanexpectfromourcultureandourcultureisdefinitelynot delivering. Theunderpinningofourcultureisaprofoundlydividedone,sodivided thatuntilveryrecentlytheconcretesymbolforthatdivisionwasthe UnitedStatesmap,intowhichweweredividedintoredandblue,not unlikeacenturyandahalfagowhenweweredividedintoNorthand South.Tohealthosedivisionsandtoworktogethertoflourishinatruly multiculturalsystem,wewillneedtoputasideoldhatredsand resentmentsandriseaboveouronlytoohumandesiretoeventhescore, toconquer,todefeattheenemy.Wehavetogiveupthenotionof needinganenemytouniteusandlearntheskillsrequiredtopursue individual,organizational,national,andglobaldemocracyifhumanityis tosurvivethenextevolutionarysteps.Ataveryfundamentallevel,this meansthatmanyAmericansmustmakeadeepandfundamental movementinthewayweviewtheworld. Todosowemustadoptastancetowardhumantragedyanddevelop tragicconsciousnessthatenablesustosignificantlywidenthescopeof ourempathy.Itisamovementthatisnotusuallysupportedbyour culturesinceitnecessitatesthedevelopmentofanactiveunderstanding thathurtpeoplehurtpeopleandthatifweareevertogetawayfrom thefatalcycleofinjuryandrevengewewillhavetowidenour perspective,recognizethatweareallcaughtinatrapvictim, perpetrator,bystanderandthattheonlywayoutofthetrapistoget outofittogether.

S ANCTUARY
Transformationalchangeoccurswhenacriticalmassofpeopleactually canlivethevision,embodythevision,andenactthevisionineveryday organizationallife(p.197)[43]. PurserandPetranker,2005,UnfreezingtheFuture Thewordsanctuaryhasmultiplemeanings.ItderivesfromtheLatin wordforsacred.Inareligioussense,asanctuaryisasacredplace.

Historically,manyancientpeoplesusedthewordtoconnotetherightof asylum,placesthatprotectedpeopleaccusedofcrimes,orofdebtsor fleeingpersecution.Inmoderntimes,itisatermusedbyactivists protectingrefugeesfromwarsinLatinAmerica.Itrepresentsaplaceof refuge,ofsafety,ofatleasttemporaryfreedom,ofshelterfromdanger orhardship. Ourworldneedssanctuary.Weneedenoughtimeforthehumanspecies togrowupandtohealaftermillenniaofcopingwithadversity.Weneed timetostopactingandreactingasifwewerethoughtless,angry,suicidal children.Inamoviemadeintheearly1990s,GrandCanyon,oneofthe characters,facedwithimminentdanger,speakswithrespectand compassiontoapotentiallyviolentyouthandsays,itdoesnthavetobe thisway.Thesesimplewordsringoutacrosstheyearsbecauseinfact,it doesnthavetobethisway. Wedonothavefreewill,atleastinthestrictestsenseoftheword.Our presentistoagreatextentdeterminedbyourpast.Wedo,however, havetheabilitytodetermineourfuture.Thepowerofreenactmentin ourindividualandourcollectivelivesisimpressivelystrong.We underestimatethatcompulsiontorepeatthepastatourperil. But,ifwedecidetobecomeconscious,ifwehavethecourageto confrontourexistentialterrorwemaybeabletorecognizethatwecan choose.Wemayyetbeabletocollectivelycompensateforourtragically flawedbiologicalexistence.Itistimetouseourimaginationstogetus outoftheboringandwearisomeapocalypticvisionsthatcrowdour televisionsandmoviescreens.What,afterall,issoattractiveabout dying?Whiledenyingthetragedythatisallaroundus,weceaselessly frightenourselveswithtragedieswecanprevent. Wearenotallpowerfulbutwedohavethecapacitytochoosehowwe reacttotheworldaroundus.Wearecreatingtheworldthatwelivein, everymomentofeveryday.Wecanchoosesorroworwecanchoosejoy. Wecanhumiliateorwecanoffercompassion.Wecanchooseto extinguishalllifeonthisplanetorwecanchooselife.Asanumberof irreverentbelievershaveimagined,Ontheeighthday,Godlaughed.

Wearebarbarians,yetwehavethepossibilityofproducingagenuine cultureinthefuture.Butlanguage,themostimportanttoolwithwhichto furtherthis,almostentirelyfailsus.Perhapsothermeanswillappear laterwhicharemoreusefulforthespiritandfortruth(p.264)[882]. Dr.GeorgGroddeck,Language,1912

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