Kim grew up within a small tribe of twenty-five relatives along a riverbank. He was the second youngest of four. His brothers were 4 and 16 years old, his sister 12 years old, and he himself 9 years old. He grew up among people who all looked like him. He had no doubt about who he was because everyone was more or less like him. From that confidence, he learned to explore his living environment. In the interest of survival, he was even encouraged by his social and natural environment to be curious. The better he got to know his surroundings, the more confidence he gained in himself and pushed his limits. That also gave him moments when he discovered that he might have gone too far. That he had unnecessarily put himself in danger and perhaps even the group. With what he learned, he helped his younger brother and other children to courageous discover the environment as well. He learned to take and bear responsibility for his actions. Thus, the connection with himself, his family and other relatives, and his natural living environment became increasingly closer. He became more and more one with himself, others, and his natural living environment. In that space to explore without force (Wu wei), Kim could find the balance (Yin & Yang) within himself on his life path (Tao).
Noa grew up in a terraced house on the outskirts of a big city. He was 8 years old and at an early age had to help with taking care of his two younger sisters, aged 6 and 7, and his younger brother of 2 years old. At school, he was in a class of thirty-two children of the same age. Although they said he was smart, it did not feel that way to him. He often got bad grades and felt that other children laughed at him. The teacher was always busy with other children, so he often stared out the window until it was time to go home. At home, there was no time for curiosity or exploration. During moments when there was nothing to do, he hung around near his house. His parents usually came home late from work. There was no time to talk to each other about what the day had brought them all. His younger sisters and little brother absorbed all the attention. There was not really space for Noa to explore on his own and to seek his own life path towards balance within himself without coercion.
If life prevents you from developing self-worth, taking, and bearing responsibility, not only is personal development disrupted, but also the connection with each other and our natural living environment. We then lack the knowledge, skills, and experience to care for ourselves, each other, and our natural living environment in a connected way. Without connection, knowledge is an empty shell.
From an ecological Taoist life perspective, Trias Vita supports children and young people in developing themselves in a connected way. So that self-worth, taking and bearing responsibility become a natural part of life.
On March 21, 2026, Trias Vita will start ‘Natural Oasis’. A weekly moment in which children aged 3 to 5, in the presence of their parent(s), are given the space to explore themselves in relation to themselves, each other, and the natural environment.
Any questions? Mail to info@triasvita.com.
More info about Trias Vita on this website.
Vicki Van Lommel, founder Trias Vita