Human Complexity: Why We are Vulnerable to Suffering

The human brain is designed to process information in a complex manner that integrates multiple ways of working with the data it receives. When that integration happens well, and true complexity is achieved, we are capable of such amazing things...art and love and states of expansion. The problem is the brain needs to internally have a sense of abundance in order to allocate the resource it needs to process in this more sophisticated, integrated manner. So in truth we only become fully complex when we are at ease enough (and believe there is enough resource for us), to be able to fully use our brains in this way. When the brain is stressed or senses danger, it would rather focus all its energy on staying alive, using more simple scripts (like fight or flight). (Example: you don't need to write a poem when running from a bear.)
This tendency of our brain to not fully process all information when under stress might be good for our survival, but it comes at a great cost. You see, even when our brain is not choosing to take the time to integrate the information across areas and networks more fully and completely....all of those channels of information still exist. In other words, we are still SUPER COMPLEX, even when we move into brain states that don't effectively manage that complexity. (Almost like if we were to eat a lot of food, but not put the energy into digesting it).
This is why our capacity for complexity is both our greatest strength, and also our most fundamental source of suffering. When we are fully resourced (by that I mean we feel supported by the group, we feel well rested and fed, we feel strong and empowered), then we are freed up to use our extra energy on wrangling all the disparate information streams into an integrated flow--one that produces self-understanding, insight, empathy, emotional regulation, creativity. But when we are choosing rather conserve our energy and only put it toward basic survival behaviors (ie when we feel scared or alone or stressed), then the information never gets handled and leads to a profound and painful inner (and subsequently outer) chaos.
We humans are interesting creatures! On the one hand we are so sophisticated, but when we don't have the abundance we need to manage how inwardly 'large' we are, it is easy to fall into chaos. That is why it is so important that we have empathy and understanding for what we might otherwise frame as weakness (or even evil!). And to appreciate how as a society we fight to reestablish an more harmonious inward organization of the information...through efforts such as art and culture and religion.

[@yiravarga]

This is the answer for everything I looked for. Unbelievable that this only has 300 views.

[@DrToriOlds]

I'm really glad you found something meaningful from this video! Human complexity is certainly both what makes us such amazing creatures, and also why, without the right support to organize all that complexity, we can really fall into chaos. For me, thinking of it that way makes me so sympathetic to the human struggle! We are doing our best! Thanks for the comment :)

[@Stopitnow797]

Goodness me... jaw on floor, tissue in hand.. YES!! You are bang on here. I feel a burning desire to bottle your wisdom Tori and hand a crate of it to every person I know working through trauma and trying so hard to find the light on the other side. This video is the perfect verbal articulation of what hope and true faith look like when cradled by spirituality and human connection . I am 'getting it' at last! Heartfelt thanks.

[@DrToriOlds]

Oh wow!! Thanks for that heart-felt response, Lucy!! I'm so glad you got something so deep from this video!! And appreciate your sharing about it ;) Thank you!!!

[@anthonydidato5855]

Thank you very much for this beautiful integration of your ideas. I've been back from a recent trip to Mexico City that has opened up something in me that makes me think there's something wrong with me. After listening to your presentation, I now understand that this movement in me is my attempt to move me towards more complexity and wholeness. I am forever grateful for your empowering and gracias message when it would be far easier for me to just label myself as bad or wrong or weird. I prefer being more complex than a simple label.

[@MeganS1995]

Gosh, this is so peaceful and eloquent. I love the definition of faith you presented too... Spirituality to me is a way of finding ourselves and finding answers among the chaos of life--to just sit with ourselves and others and meaningfully connect beyond the surface level; to feel into each others' common humanity and build compassion and wisdom from the suffering we all go through in our lives.

[@DrToriOlds]

Wow, what a beautiful reflection Megan! Thank you for it! :)

[@franziskaseger9179]

This is high education that goes beyond the grasping mind and can only completely understood through the heart Thank you for sharing, very precious

[@jorg7399]

Hi Tori, with tears in my eyes I was looking at your presentation. I like it so much that you can intregrate so many issues to an understandable story. You made my day. Lots of love and gratitude!!

[@Apachetribesman-we7jv]

Earth Angel you love and truth is so wonderfully beautiful your light shines an is warm and soothing I am restored ,you are a treasure now in my heart.

[@Kung223]

Well done as usual

[@stepforwardsinto]

Dr Tori Olds, this is a beautiful- they way you have managed to weave this together with such coherence. Again this is very helpful.

[@MarekLumi]

Thank you very much, Tori, so glad I found this channel!

[@Bota806]

Thank you for this video! ❤

[@cielnguyen1308]

Thank you very much for this❤

[@priusa8113]

Dr Tori u r such a kind soul. I appreciate your existence. May Allah bless you:)

[@mike110111]

I love this so much. Thank you

[@yuzhuopan6104]

Thank you so much Tori for another wonderful sharing. It is such a beautiful presentation and insightful. I love how you connect time and support with brain integration and human growth into complexity. It helps me to realize why my performance does not stay the same, but fluctuate depending on my state. It is because of the internal and external resources is not always adequate for integration. Looking at your speak and hearing your voice I could feel how much you have embodies your own ideology, which tremendously touches and inspires me to be a fuller being. Also, thank you for the descriptive text you included in each of your video. English is not my native language. Listening to a speech can often be hard for me, to track all the information, or put them together. So this is really helpful to be able to read right after I listen to your speech

[@ranicalerp7765]

These videos are wonderful! I look forward to seeing more. Thank you!

[@DrToriOlds]

Glad you like them! Thanks for the nice comment!

[@jose79fin]

I just discovered your series. I am loving each and most especially this one.

[@michaelmoore9256]

Absolutely awesome the way this has improved my therapy sessions. Im able to truly identify so many things i my early life and now address them. Thanks much Tori 🌹

[@Ciskuss]

So amazing..

[@DrToriOlds]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@julsunrise]

You should promote this video more. It is beautiful!

[@DrToriOlds]

Thanks so much Julie!!! I truly appreciate the kind words and the fact you took time to leave a supportive comment! Thank you!! (I'd love if you sent it to anyone you think might enjoy!!!). ;)

[@natfyfluffy1474]

This is beautiful and very informative! thank you so much for making all these amazing content! You are so inspiring

[@DrToriOlds]

Thanks so much for saying so! That's great to hear! I look forward to putting more content out there ;)

[@ROSHANTHAPA610]

amazing it's so helpful

[@DrToriOlds]

Glad you think so! I appreciate your commenting ;)

[@pedromendes460]

Amazing video, content and deeply instructive!

[@DrToriOlds]

Thanks Pedro!! I really appreciate you taking time for the kind comment! ;)

[@77dris]

I agree. Some of these videos are the best of their kind I’ve ever seen. Plus I love how Tori presents in such a soothing, intelligent way.

[@77dris]

I agree. Some of these videos are the best of their kind I’ve ever seen. Plus I love how Tori presents in such a soothing, intelligent way.

[@dapsolita]

Oh, my God.

[@fordbronx235]

💙❤️💜

[@Peace-mp5sk]

The complexity is a sign of an intelligent designer.

[@thunderpooch]

Not necessarily. There exists small pockets in the universe where conditions are ripe to overcome entropy. Planet Earth is one such place. Patterns and feedback loops can emerge that are counter to chaotic randomness. Organic chemistry occurs at a specific heat range. It most likely leads to biology.