---

 [ WELLNESS ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=13)

#  Searching for Answers: How the World Transformation Movement Offers a New Way to Understand Ourselves

Written by CityWatch.

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2025/072o.jpg)

September 09 2025

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

SELF-HELP - From Phoenix to Philadelphia, Seattle to Tampa, conversations around mental health are becoming more urgent – and more personal. Families are grappling with rising levels of stress, young people are reporting record levels of anxiety, and too many are left wondering: *What’s going on beneath the surface?*

Despite all the awareness campaigns, counseling services, and digital self-help tools out there, something still feels missing for many people. It’s not just about how we cope – it’s about *why* we’re hurting in the first place.

That’s the big question being tackled by [the World Transformation Movement](https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldTransformation/comments/1k5qwue/what_is_the_world_transformation_movement_about_a/), an international organization based on the ground-breaking research of Australian biologist Jeremy Griffith. His theory dives deep into the root causes of human behavior – not just our strengths and successes, but our contradictions and inner battles, too.

**From Instinct to Intellect: The Biological Origins of Human Conflict**

Griffith’s work centers around a powerful treatise on what he calls ‘the human condition’. In summary, he explains that as humans evolved the capacity for conscious thought – the ability to reason, reflect, and make choices – this emerging intellect began to push back against our older, hardwired instincts. These instincts, shaped over millions of years through natural selection, couldn’t easily adapt to this new way of thinking. The result? A profound internal conflict, where our instincts essentially “condemned” our conscious behavior, leaving humans burdened with confusion, guilt, and shame.

According to Griffith, this deep psychological clash is what sparked many of the emotional struggles we now see in ourselves – like anger, selfishness, and a sense of personal disconnection. But importantly, he argues, these traits didn’t emerge because we were naturally bad or aggressive (despite famous descriptions of nature being “red in tooth and claw”), but because we were trying to understand ourselves without yet grasping the cause of that inner turmoil.

In his widely discussed book *FREEDOM: The End of the Human Condition*, Griffith unpacks this theory in detail, and the response has been significant. The late Professor Harry Prosen, a respected psychiatrist and former president of the Canadian Psychiatric Association, called *FREEDOM* “the book that saves the world.” The esteemed ecologist Professor Stuart Hurlbert, of San Diego State University, said he was “stunned &amp; honored to have lived to see the coming of ‘Darwin II’.” That’s no small praise.

**Beyond Symptom Management**

One thing that makes the World Transformation Movement stand out is its focus on explanation, not just intervention.

While traditional approaches to mental health often focus on managing symptoms through therapy or medication – both important tools – Griffith’s theory offers something deeper: a framework for understanding *why* those symptoms arise in the first place. And with understanding, he argues, comes empowerment.

“We have found the key understanding that ends the underlying pain in our brains and that allows the human race to become psychologically secure, happy and sane again,” Griffith writes.

It’s an approach that resonates especially with young people – many of whom are desperate for meaning and self-understanding in a world that can feel both hyperconnected and emotionally empty.

**Not a Replacement – A Resource**

To be clear, the World Transformation Movement doesn’t position itself as a substitute for professional mental health care. Rather, it aims to complement it by offering freely accessible educational resources that explore the biological and psychological underpinnings of human behavior.

The goal? To spark open conversations – at dinner tables, in classrooms, online – about what it really means to be human, and how we can move beyond the shame and confusion that so often cloud our sense of self.

**Facing the Mental Health Crisis with Curiosity**

Right now, the mental health statistics are alarming. The World Health Organization reports over 10% of adolescents globally experience mental health disorders, with many going untreated. In the United States, the Surgeon General has called youth mental health a full-blown crisis.

In a county like ours, where community ties are strong and conversations still happen face to face, ideas like Griffith’s can add an important piece to the puzzle – especially for those who feel like they’ve tried everything, but still aren’t getting answers.

**A New Way Forward**

Of course, not everyone will agree with all aspects of Griffith’s theory and the work of the World Transformation Movement. But the core questions they are raising and seeking to address – *Who are we, really? Why do we struggle? Can we make peace with ourselves?* – are undeniably important.

In a world where many feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or just plain jaded, the World Transformation Movement offers something different: not a diagnosis, not a prescription, but a conversation. And maybe, for those who are ready, a breakthrough.

 ###

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Phone

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/34/065h-34e1b43b.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

### [Reminder to the Red States, Turnabout is Fair Play](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Indiana has been pounded by rains that resulted in widespread flooding. While the rain was still comi…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d8/066m-d8f0fac6.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33229:democrats-finally-tell-iowa-and-new-hampshire-you-dont-go-first-anymore&catid=395)

### [Democrats Finally Tell Iowa and New Hampshire: You Don’t Go First Anymore](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33229:democrats-finally-tell-iowa-and-new-hampshire-you-dont-go-first-anymore&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Earlier in the week, the Democratic National Committee did something good. Mind you it wasn’t great…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d0/065o-d02f23ac.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33213:californias-empty-classrooms-are-a-warning-sacramento-cant-ignore&catid=378)

### [California’s Empty Classrooms Are a Warning Sacramento Can’t Ignore](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33213:californias-empty-classrooms-are-a-warning-sacramento-cant-ignore&catid=378)

A STUDENT'S VIEW - California is spending more on public education, yet classrooms are emptying, campuses are closing…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/da/066j-daf22e28.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33231:a-prisoner-a-peacemaker-and-israels-defining-choice&catid=375)

### [A Prisoner, A Peacemaker, and Israel’s Defining Choice](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33231:a-prisoner-a-peacemaker-and-israels-defining-choice&catid=375)

P.O.V - Marwan Barghouti remains one of the most consequential—and controversial—figures in the Israeli-Palestinian con…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/df/065q-dfb89383.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33224:john-mckinney-on-what-separates-the-city-attorney-candidates&catid=401)

### [John McKinney on What Separates the City Attorney Candidates](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33224:john-mckinney-on-what-separates-the-city-attorney-candidates&catid=401)

INTERVIEW - Voters will have a clear and defining contrast in the goals and objectives of the remaining general electio…

---

##  [ WELLNESS ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=13)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065b.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33209:a-fresh-approach-to-everyday-wellness&catid=13)### [A Fresh Approach to Everyday Wellness](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33209:a-fresh-approach-to-everyday-wellness&catid=13)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065a.jpeg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33190:when-an-injury-changes-more-than-just-your-health&catid=13)### [When an Injury Changes More Than Just Your Health](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33190:when-an-injury-changes-more-than-just-your-health&catid=13)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/060n.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33138:a-practical-guide-to-modern-vein-treatment-options&catid=13)### [A Practical Guide to Modern Vein Treatment Options](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33138:a-practical-guide-to-modern-vein-treatment-options&catid=13)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/059l.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33107:36-years-later-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-continues-to-change-lives&catid=13)### [36 Years Later: The Americans with Disabilities Act Continues to Change Lives](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33107:36-years-later-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-continues-to-change-lives&catid=13)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/056s.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33062:why-healthy-aging-depends-on-more-than-medical-care&catid=13)### [Why Healthy Aging Depends on More Than Medical Care](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33062:why-healthy-aging-depends-on-more-than-medical-care&catid=13)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>