Diversity

The biopsychosocial approach considers biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors and their complex interactions in understanding the physical and mental health states of each individual and community.

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In ecology, increased diversity in the fauna and flora of a forest increases the resilience of the forest system. Furthermore, increased interconnections between different species also increase resilience. In systems theory, when the diversification of functions and elements in a system is accompanied by increased integration of these diverse functions and elements, the system acquires properties of spontaneous self-organization, generating emergent and evolutionary properties.

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When we explore our diversity (internal and external) in an integrated and compassionate way, the same self-organizing process emerges in the biological system of our body and in the psychic system of our mental processes. These emergent properties also begin to manifest in community, social, and cultural systems when we recognize and honor the diversity and integrity of our human nature.