Trilogical Perspective on Suicide

Death , as we've explored before on Healing Through Consciousness, touches us all. But premature death ... well, that cuts a little closer to the bone. And that death brought about by the victim's own hand, that's perhaps the most difficult of all. And normally it's not a topic we like to talk all that much about.

But don't hit the stop button on your iPod just yet, because like everything seen through the lens of Analytical Trilogy, suicide, too, can receive a new and immensely comforting treatment.

Today on Healing Through Consciousness, a Trilogical Perspective on Suicide.

This is a relevant topic. Its rates are increasing in many parts of the world - especially in the so-called developed world. Lucky we are who haven't been touched by this one. My family has seen its share ... most recently my two cousins called their younger brother to join them for lunch. One of the brothers was out in Toronto from Vancouver, and so they had a rare opportunity to share a lunch together. Their younger brother sounded a little vague on the phone, but nothing alarmingly strange. But he never showed for the lunch, and a couple of hours later, his young son found him dead in the garage.

Now I'm not recounting this to sensationalize this traumatic and sad story, or to wallow in the tragedy of it. What I'd really like to do is bring some new psychologically therapeutic perspective to the issue of suicide. Because I know the guilt and trauma that results for the ones left behind. Maybe times, there's strong anger in the family and friends. Everyone trying to answer the big questions: Why did he or she do it? How could they do this to us? And ... could I have done more to prevent it?

There are a lot of resources in our societies that offer help in these terrible moments - books to read, support groups to join. And our remaining friends and family try to console us as best they can. But, having been through it a couple of times now with close friends and family, including my ex-wife who jumped into Lake Ontario a short 6 months after our separation, I know firsthand that this terrible situation is not well understood or treated in our society today.

Freud put forward that suicide was a result of aggression turned inwards. Jung had complex thoughts and ideas about the psyche's journey needing to go through the totality of experience - including indignity and suffering - and therefore suicide was not commendable.

I think both of these psychological ancestors were missing some key perspectives in their views, which I have admittedly grossly simplified here. But I do this for the purposes of moving into what I consider a much more complete view of all the aspects surrounding suicide - especially the consciousness that may be gained by we who are survivors. We can know, too, more of what's going on inside the heads and hearts of those we know who've committed this grave act, but it's not the primary focus of our show today. We want to bring some consolation to the family and friends today.

But there is a wonderful document form the International Society of Analytical Trilogy about the psychological roots of suicide that I'd be happy to send you. Just let me know if you'd like a copy at joneshealing@gmail.com

Now, let's get to this week's callers.

Click here to listen to this episode.