Dr. Jon Repole

2 Ways to Suffer

Man is not ill-made. Suffering is not the lot of the Gods. 

In our journey through life, we encounter various forms of pain and suffering. It's crucial to distinguish between these two, as they profoundly affect our moral and emotional well-being. Pain is a physical sensation, an unavoidable part of our existence. Suffering, on the other hand, is optional and stems from our moral and existential struggles. In this article we are going to focus on a specific type of suffering that deals with our morals and values.

Let's delve into the two types of suffering and their impact on human health and consciousness.

Conscious Suffering

Conscious suffering arises when our actions are misaligned with our values. This moral dissonance creates inner turmoil, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety. For example, when we say one thing and do another, we betray our principles and standards (our moral floor and ceiling), causing a rift within ourselves. This conscious awareness of not living up to our own standards can lead to profound suffering, as we constantly battle with our integrity and authenticity. Whenever we struggle to stand in the shoes of our highest Self, we suffer. 

Unconscious Suffering

Unconscious suffering is more insidious. It occurs when we are unaware that our actions are misaligned with our values. This lack of awareness leads to existential moral suffering, where we feel a deep sense of unease without understanding its source. This type of suffering manifests in feelings of emptiness, dissatisfaction, disconnection, and a pervasive sense of "something missing in our lives" or deep feelings of shame. It's a silent burden that weighs heavily on our hearts and minds, often leading, as we will see, to deleterious effects on our health. Essentially, it stems from existential disconnection. 

Disconnectedness as the Cause

At the core of our suffering lies a profound disconnection from our highest, healthiest, most heroic, and most authentic Self. This is the part of us that is connected to pure Source. In fact, it is Source.

This disconnection distorts our perception of the world, reducing people, animals, and the planet to mere resources to be exploited. When we fail to recognize the inherent being of others, the formation of a pathological mindset begins to fuel our suffering.

This disconnectedness manifests in various forms:

• Dehumanization: Viewing people as tools, a means to an end, or obstacles rather than as individuals with intrinsic worth.
• Exploitation: Treating animals as commodities for our consumption and ignoring their sentient nature.
• Environmental Degradation: Seeing the planet as a resource to be plundered rather than a living entity (Mother Nature) to be respected and nurtured. Pollution, deforestation, and climate change are direct consequences (effects) of our disconnection (the singular cause) from the natural world. These actions harm the delicate balance of ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and contribute to global health crises such as heart and lung diseases and food insecurity.

Exploitation: The Impact on Animal Rights

When it comes to animals, our exploitation is particularly stark, often stemming from unconscious behaviors learned in childhood, where we are taught to deny our original feelings and desires. We consume animals out of desire rather than necessity—solely to satisfy our tastes and pleasures. This choice carries significant moral and health consequences. The treatment of animals in industrial farming involves immense suffering, pain, fear, and torture. These sentient beings endure cramped conditions, physical abuse, and psychological torment.

By consuming animals, we perpetuate this cycle of suffering and absorb the negative energies associated with their mistreatment. The stress hormones released by animals in pain and fear can transfer to us, affecting our health on a deep and subtle level. This principle of "we reap what we sow" underscores the interconnectedness of all life. Inflicting suffering on animals ultimately means inflicting it upon ourselves, perpetuating a cycle of moral and physical dis-ease. 

As author Melanie Joy states in her book, "Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows," our society conditions us to make arbitrary distinctions between animals. We form emotional bonds with some animals, like dogs, treating them as beloved pets, while we regard others, such as pigs and cows, as mere commodities for consumption and use. This disconnection is deeply ingrained in our culture and largely operates beyond our conscious awareness. From a young age, we are socialized into accepting these distinctions without questioning their validity or morality.

This disconnection is maintained by a pervasive ideology that Joy terms "carnism." Carnism is the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals while maintaining affection for others. It operates through a series of psychological and social mechanisms that normalize the practice of eating animals and desensitize us to the suffering involved. We are taught to view the consumption of animal products as natural, normal, and necessary, even though these beliefs are culturally constructed rather than based on objective necessity.

Children are often introduced to these distinctions early on through family meals, media, and cultural traditions. From a young age, they learn that some animals are friends while others are food. This indoctrination happens subtly but powerfully, shaping their perceptions and emotions regarding animals. For instance, children's stories and toys often depict farm animals in idyllic settings, masking the harsh realities of industrial farming. At the same time, they are encouraged to develop deep emotional bonds with pets, reinforcing the idea that some animals deserve love and protection while others do not.

The arbitrary nature of these distinctions becomes evident when we consider how they vary across cultures. In some parts of the world, animals that are commonly eaten in the West, like cows or pigs, are revered and protected. This variability underscores that our attitudes toward animals are not based on inherent differences between species but rather on culturally conditioned perceptions. By becoming aware of this conditioning, we can begin to question and challenge the arbitrary distinctions that lead to the exploitation of certain animals while others are cherished. Recognizing the disconnection fostered by carnism allows us to make more conscious and compassionate choices regarding the treatment of all animals.

Animal Welfare vs. Animal Rights

It is essential to understand the distinction between animal welfare and animal rights, as the former often perpetuates unconscious suffering and exploitation by making us believe we are doing better by simply torturing less. Animal welfare focuses on the humane treatment and well-being of animals, ensuring they are free from unnecessary suffering and have their basic needs met. This approach emphasizes improving the conditions in which animals are kept, such as providing adequate food, shelter, and medical care. However, much like efforts to promote better conditions for human slavery rather than its abolition, this approach can mask the deeper issue of exploitation by merely reducing the level of cruelty.

Animal rights, on the other hand, goes beyond the treatment of animals and questions the fundamental ethical principles of using animals at all. It challenges the notion of animals as property or resources for human use and posits that animals have intrinsic rights to live free from exploitation and harm. Animal rights advocates argue that we do not have the moral right to use animals for food, clothing, entertainment, or experimentation, regardless of how well they are treated.

This shift from welfare to rights demands a deeper reflection on our relationship with animals and the ethical implications of our actions. It asks us to consider whether our use of animals is justified and to recognize their inherent value as sentient beings. By moving towards an animal rights perspective, we confront the unconscious and systemic exploitation that welfare-based approaches may inadvertently perpetuate.

Dehumanization: The Impact of Human Rights 

Dehumanization, which deprives individuals or groups of positive human qualities, profoundly impacts human rights across various sectors of society. Human rights atrocities perpetuate both conscious and unconscious dehumanization, as we are often taught an ethnocentric view of humanity from our ancient past (us vs. them), cultural influences, and through our upbringing within our families and tribes. This ethnocentric perspective neglects the recognition of our shared humanity, known as absolute truth, while emphasizing the differences among us, which are considered relative truths.

Examples of dehumanization are evident across various aspects of society. For instance, women face systemic inequalities in employment, education, and healthcare, while men can experience dehumanization through societal expectations that discourage emotional expression and vulnerability, often leading to mental health issues. Racial and ethnic minorities endure prejudice and violence stemming from historical injustices and ingrained stereotypes, resulting in disproportionate incarceration rates and economic disparities. The LGBTQ+ community faces significant exclusion and stigmatization, leading to mental health challenges and limited access to essential services. Religious intolerance also exemplifies dehumanization, where individuals are persecuted or marginalized based on their beliefs. Additionally, economic disparities and labor exploitation highlight how dehumanization devalues the contributions of low-wage workers, subjecting them to unsafe working conditions and inadequate compensation.

Addressing dehumanization requires a multifaceted approach that includes recognizing and dismantling both overt and subtle forms of discrimination. By teaching the differences between relative and absolute truth, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. By confronting dehumanization head-on, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society where human rights are upheld for everyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or economic status. Recognizing our shared humanity and the interconnectedness of our struggles is essential in creating a world where all individuals can thrive and live with dignity. And, as we shall see, is of vital importance to our health! 

The Meta-Narrative of Disconnection

At the heart of all these forms of disconnectedness is a larger meta-narrative of separation and fear. This meta-narrative tells us that we are separate from each other, from animals, and from the planet. It perpetuates the idea that the world is a collection of resources to be exploited rather than a living, interconnected web of life. This story of disconnection is the root cause of almost all the world's problems, including racism, sexism, speciesism, and environmental destruction.

This meta-narrative leads to a culture of fear, exploitation, and suppression. When we participate in cultural practices that dehumanize others, exploit animals, or degrade the environment, we are unconsciously acting out of alignment with our higher selves. This participation creates a hidden force of unconscious suffering known as existential guilt. Deep down, we know we are disconnected and acting against our true nature. This guilt adds to our emotional and moral suffering, even if we are not fully aware of it.

Disconnectedness's Effects

The emotional weight of this suffering is immense. It manifests in various ways, including:

• Shame and guilt: We carry the burden of our actions, knowing deep down that we are not living in alignment with our values.
• Blame and detachment: We project our inner turmoil onto others, leading to fractured relationships and an inability to extend love.
• Grievances: Holding onto grudges and an inability to forgive, which further isolates us from others.

Unconsciously, because of this second type of suffering, we carry a deep sense of guilt. This guilt can be compared to the story of eating the forbidden apple—our first step into fear and separation. This "original sin" symbolizes the moment humanity chose division over unity and fear over love. This guilt settles in our minds, making us feel unworthy and disconnected.

A Course in Miracles explains that existential guilt disrupts our peace and well-being, stemming from a deep disconnection from our true Self. This disconnection creates a void filled with deep emotional baggage, leading to ongoing suffering that impacts our health and happiness. The Course uses the analogy of Adam eating the apple in the Garden of Eden: after this act, a deep sleep fell upon him, and nowhere in the Bible does it say he ever woke up. This symbolizes how humanity has fallen asleep to our inherent nature, absolute truth, and the love shared by all beings. By being disconnected from this universal love, we experience a persistent sense of guilt and unease, hindering our ability to achieve true peace and well-being.

Heart Health

A healthy, functioning person has an open heart capable of extending love to themselves and others. This openness is not only an emotional or spiritual state but also a physical one. When the heart is metaphorically and literally expansive, it fosters a state of coherence where the mind, body, and spirit are aligned. This alignment fosters a harmonious existence on both metaphysical and physical levels, promoting emotional and mental peace, and nourishing interpersonal and intrapersonal health. It also leads to beneficial physiological changes, such as improved sugar regulation, hormone balancing, decreased inflammation, and optimal functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems. The heart's ability to contract and expand is influenced by many factors, including transgenerational trauma, toxins, diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices.

However, one of the most profound yet often overlooked factors is the influence of the cultural meta-narrative of disconnection. This narrative, which promotes separation and fear, can lead to a chronic state of heart contraction. When we buy into societal norms that emphasize competition over cooperation, exploitation over empathy, and disconnection over unity, our hearts literally and metaphorically shrink. This contraction hampers our ability to love freely and connect deeply with ourselves and others.

The state of our heart, influenced by our thoughts, emotions, and societal conditioning, plays a crucial role in determining our health. When we live in alignment with our highest, healthiest, and most authentic Self, our hearts remain open and expansive, fostering a state of coherence that permeates our entire being. This alignment allows for better stress management, emotional resilience, and physical health, as the heart's rhythmic patterns communicate harmony to the brain and the rest of the body.

Conversely, an unhealthy functioning person experiences heart contraction, leading to a diminished ability to extend love. This state of "dis-ease" results in several negative outcomes:

• Incoherence: A lack of connection between the heart, mind, and body, leading to physical, emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual ailments.
• Pathological sympathetic tone: Heightened fight or flight responses, decreased immune function, and reduced focus and attention.

Metaphorically and literally, when the heart contracts due to stress, fear, or emotional pain, it can lead to various health issues:

• Cardiovascular Disease: Chronic stress and emotional turmoil can lead to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and increased risk of heart attacks.
• Reduced Heart Rate Variability (HRV): A lower HRV is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and decreased resilience to stress.
• Inflammation: Emotional stress can cause inflammation, which is a precursor to many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
• Weakened Immune System: The constant release of stress hormones like cortisol can suppress the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

How Do Human Rights, Animal Rights, and Eco Rights Affect Our Health?

Human rights, animal rights, and environmental rights are intrinsically connected to our health and well-being, even though this connection may not be immediately obvious. This interconnectedness underscores the necessity of recognizing the inherent value of all living entities and the planet itself. When we fail to recognize this inherent value, it leads to a disconnection that causes our hearts to metaphorically and literally contract, resulting in subsequent ill health. This perpetuates a cycle of exploitation and suffering that negatively impacts our physical health, leading to stress-related diseases, emotional health by fostering feelings of guilt and shame, and spiritual health by distancing us from our true Self.

At their core, human rights and animal rights are linked to the fundamental issue of disconnectedness. This disconnection from our true Self, from others, and from the natural world is the root cause of many of the world’s problems, such as racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, and speciesism. By failing to address the underlying cause, we continue to chase symptoms, remaining on the hamster wheel of life, trapped in an illusion and perpetuating a nightmare of disconnection and suffering. Treating only the symptoms is like addressing the tip of the iceberg while the largest part—the meta-narrative of disconnection—remains hidden and unaddressed.

To resolve these deep-rooted issues, we must tackle the root cause: disconnectedness, dehumanization, and exploitation. The solution lies in embracing a Kosmocentric consciousness, which recognizes the intrinsic value of all beings and fosters a sense of unity and interconnectedness. By doing so, we wake up from the nightmare and have the potential to create a utopia and live in harmony, promoting holistic health and well-being for ourselves, other beings, and the planet.

Kosmocentric Consciousness

Understanding the levels of consciousness can help us transcend our egocentric limitations and embrace a more holistic view of life. Each level has its own "worldview" in regard to morals, love, power, peace, and interests. Combining the works of philosopher Ken Wilber (founder of Integral Theory) and Jean Gebser (author of The Ever-Present Origin), individual and collective consciousness can fit neatly into the following categories: 

• Egocentric: Focused on self-survival and personal gain. At this level, love, care, compassion, and concern are directed solely towards oneself. Morals are low, power is sought over others, peace is found by looking outside oneself, and interests are selfish. The ego projects fear, reinforcing a sense of separation and competition.

• Ethnocentric: Extending love and compassion to our immediate group, tribe, or nation. This level includes a broader circle of care but is still limited by group identity. Morals are higher than in the egocentric stage but still biased, power is shared within the group, peace is found through group cohesion, and interests are centered on the group's well-being. The ego projects grievances onto those outside the group. Over 60% of the world's population is at this level of consciousness. 
• Humanocentric: Caring for all of humanity, regardless of differences. Here, we begin to see all humans as worthy of love and compassion. Morals are more inclusive, power is recognized as being within, peace is sought through universal human rights, and interests include the welfare of all people. The ego starts to diminish as we recognize our shared humanity.
• Worldcentric: Embracing all humans, sentient creatures, and the Earth. At this level, our love and compassion extend to all living beings and the planet. Morals are aligned with the greater good of the planet, power is seen as harmonious cooperation, peace is achieved through ecological balance, and interests encompass the health of all life forms. We see ourselves as part of a larger, interconnected web of life.
• Kosmocentric:

  Extending love and compassion to all of existence, this highest level of consciousness embraces the entire Kosmos, recognizing the unity and interconnectedness of all things. Morals are based on the greatest good for the greatest number. Power is found within and is humble, acknowledging it exists within everyone. Peace is cultivated internally and radiates outward. At this level of consciousness, we begin to embrace The Moral Intuition from Integral Theory, which emphasizes that morality should consider the greatest good for the greatest number and the highest level of consciousness. In this state, the ego dissolves, and love extends infinitely.

  Kosmocentric consciousness is the leading edge of consciousness. It is an all-inclusive perspective of care, compassion, and concern for humanity (regardless of race, sex, creed, or color), the cosmos, all sentient beings (regardless of species, embracing the six-legged speck to our canine counterparts), and all of manifestation (all that can be seen and that which cannot). The word Kosmo is distinguished from the word cosmo in that the former includes consciousness, spirituality, the material and nonmaterial subjective and objective realities of the individual and collective. The latter only includes the physical dimensions of reality, such as the stuff that comprises the earth, stars, other planets, and other celestial bodies.

  Another way of simplifying all of this is to say that humanity’s consciousness and evolution moved from an egocentric focus, to conditional love for one’s “tribe,” to an extended conditional love for all of humanity, and finally to a truly embracing unconditional love—or oneness with all the Kosmos.

We all know that we are much, much more than our physical bodies. We have a body, we have emotions, we have a mind, we engage in relationships, and we possess a spirit—we are spiritual beings inhabiting a physical body. Even though we can acknowledge this intuition, we still tend to make decisions about our health and act as if we were only a body made of flesh. For example, we can choose to eat food from an egocentric lens of reality—eating to satisfy or to quench only our emotional pleasures, tastes, and needs while ignoring the food’s impact on our body, the environment (e.g., the packaging the food comes in), and our fellow sentient creatures on planet earth (e.g., factory farming). This exclusionary type of thinking can, quite literally, be applied to every dimension of life: physical, emotional, relational, mental, and spiritual.

The greatest discovery, I believe, is that the game of life is set up exactly as it should be—as you do the right thing, you are rewarded. Period. It is our duty to include a broader lens of reality (Kosmocentric consciousness) as we move forward on this health and wellness journey. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

In other words:

• When we practice self-care, we increase our capacity to heal. As we heal, those around us heal. We are literally influencing everyone and everything we come in contact with. This is the theory of emotional contagion, the butterfly effect, and three degrees of separation.
• When we choose organic foods, we protect both the environment and our bodies from pesticides, herbicides, and the like.
• When we take a stance against factory farming, we protect our bodies from the harmful effects of antibiotics and cholesterol-laden foods, and we undermine needless animal abuse and suffering.
• When we treat our fellow sentient inhabitants with kindness and compassion, we feed our spiritual Selves.
• When we give to others, we are rewarded with a hit of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
• When we connect with others, we are rewarded with the hormone oxytocin.
• When we stand up for the environment, the environment gifts us with clean air, water, and so on.
• When we advocate for human rights, we create a society that values equality and justice. This reduces stress and increases well-being by fostering a sense of security and belonging.
• When we fight for women's rights and gender equality, we improve public health outcomes, as empowered women are more likely to seek medical care for themselves and their families.
• When we support the rights of marginalized communities, we promote social cohesion and mental health by reducing the systemic stress and discrimination these groups face.

Each level of consciousness opens our hearts, allowing our inner light to grow brighter and enabling us to extend love to ourselves and others. The concept of "Doing Good is Good for You" and the principle that "giving is receiving" are fundamental to this journey. By living the Golden Rule, we align our actions with our highest values, fostering a healthier, more connected existence.

Our actions contribute "genetically" to the Kosmic bedrock, where one act of kindness in one part of the world makes it a little easier for someone else across the globe to extend love. This concept, known as morphic resonance, suggests that our actions create fields of influence that affect others beyond our immediate reach. When we extend love, it sets a precedent, creating a ripple effect that fosters more love and compassion worldwide.

Quotes from Philosophers and Thinkers

1. Albert Schweitzer: "Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace."
2. Mahatma Gandhi: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
3. Leo Tolstoy: "As long as there are slaughterhouses, there will always be battlefields."
4. Rachel Carson: "In nature, nothing exists alone."
5. Jane Goodall: "The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves."

Human rights, animal rights, and environmental rights are not merely ethical considerations but are integral to our health and well-being. By embracing a Kosmocentric consciousness, we can heal our hearts, extend love to all beings, and create a healthier, more harmonious world.