Our relationship to Violence, Heroes and Victims has changed over time.

I have been reflecting a lot lately on the cultural changes that one can only see by zooming out and looking at longer historical timelines.

Looking at stories and myths from early civilizations, one can see a lot of celebration of heroism, might and strength.

Just think of the Iron Age, the early empires in the middle east, or the plethora of hero stories in Greek mythology.

But the story of heroism of one person often was the demise, horror and trauma of another – or even a whole people.

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In old times, rulers and heroes wouldn’t hide their actions, however gruesome they might have been.
On the contrary, they often immortalized them in heroic songs and scripture, and some became foundational narratives for entire civilizations.
Wiping out another tribe wasn’t considered evil, but a way to display your power and might.

In old times, rulers and heroes wouldn’t hide their action, however gruesome they might have been. On the contrary, they often immortalized them in heroic songs and scripture, and some became foundational narratives for entire civilizations. Wiping out another tribe, wasn’t considered evil, but a way to display your power and might.

But as time progressed, our values changed.

While we still witness atrocities today, there’s a distinct shift in how we perceive and portray them. We’ve moved away from glorification towards downplaying and justifying such acts as necessary evils. This reflects a profound change in our collective consciousness and values.

Moreover, there’s a growing empathy towards victims, a recognition that their suffering deserves acknowledgment.

In ancient myths, the focus was often on the victor, not the wounded. Today we have greater appreciation for the journey of healing and resilience. We’re beginning to understand that succeeding in life isn’t solely about willpower. It requires a deeper connection to community and the natural wisdom of life.

Some indigenous cultures had preserved this understanding of interdependence, challenging our modern notions of individualism. In essence, healing isn’t something one achieves alone; it’s a collective endeavor rooted in the interconnectedness of all life.

This shift in consciousness and subsequently in our perspectives on Power, Heroes and Victims is an important one.

But as with everything in life, every progress also comes with side effects, and I often wonder today, if we have really progressed, or just flipped the coin from admiring heroes to celebrating victims.

None of these polarities will help us go forward – individually and collectively.
Real evolution and transformation comes from the integration of both. Acknowledging both the Victim and the Perpetrator in oneself is the true path for integration and ultimately liberation.

This is one of the dynamics we explored in Part 2 of the Podcast conversation about “The Shadow of Trauma-Informed Culture.​

If you want to listen to the full episode, you can find it here. (or here on YouTube)

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In all areas of my work, this dynamic, the relationship within me (and within my family, ancestors and culture) to the Hero & Victim, is essential.

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Whether it is to strengthen the Heart, as the space that can hold both, or in exploring and healing unintegrated aspects from our Ancestors, I would be happy to meet you in such a space, to make the next step in your evolution.