Inherited family patterns

Depression. Anxiety. Chronic pain. Phobias. Obsessive thoughts. Is it possible that the roots of these difficulties are not to be found in the experiences we have had during our lives or in the disruption of the chemical balance of our brain, but in the history of our parents, grandparents, even great-grandparents? The evidence is overwhelming. Scientific research conducted over the past few years supports what we have long suspected: traumatic experiences can be inherited. The person who suffered the original trauma may have died or the story may have been forgotten, but the memories and feelings may live on. They are encoded in our genes and appear in our everyday use of language. A pioneer in the field of inherited family trauma, Mark Wolynn has been working with individuals and groups for over twenty years. In his book "Inherited Family Patterns", we can learn about his method, an approach based on the exploration of the basic language. By taking an inventory for diagnostic purposes, we can reveal the fears and anxieties that take shape in our everyday use of words, our behavior patterns and our physical symptoms. The techniques presented in the book can be used to map the experiences that can be traced back to generations, and the tools of visualization and direct dialogue help to build the path along which we can restore our lives and health. We may find out that the impact of traumatic legacies plays a much more important role in our emotional and physical health than we previously thought. The author's method also provides an opportunity to overcome long-standing difficulties, which in many cases resist traditional therapeutic and pharmaceutical treatments. Mark Wolynn is the founder and director of The Family Constellation Institute in the US. He has taught in many psychiatric training centers, clinics, hospitals and institutes. His articles have appeared in Elephant Journal and Psych Central, and his poetry has appeared in The New Yorker. He currently lives near San Francisco Bay.