Netflix’s Another Self is more than just a television series; it is an invitation into the profound depths of human connection across time, intergenerational trauma, and the empowerment of transforming our present and future generations.
This Turkish production, set against the breathtaking backdrops of Turkey’s coast, weaves a compelling narrative inspired by Bert Hellinger’s Family Constellation Therapy—a modality deeply rooted in epigenetics and the healing of ancestral wounds and family patterns.
Yet, the show offers more than its storyline; it provides an entry point to reflect on why Turkish storytelling excels in illuminating themes of spirituality, collective trauma, and the intricate web of familial relationships. So, what is it about Turkish culture that enables such fearless explorations of human interconnectedness? And what lessons does it hold for Western audiences?
A Glimpse into Another Self
The show revolves around three women—Ada, Sevgi, and Leyla—whose lives intertwine through love, friendship, and a shared journey of healing. When Sevgi, diagnosed with terminal cancer, turns away from conventional treatment, she introduces her friends to Zaman, a mysterious spiritual healer who practices Family Constellation Therapy. Zaman, a medical doctor by education, uses this modality, based on the pioneering work of Bert Hellinger, to unravel hidden dynamics within family systems, allowing individuals to confront and reconcile generational pain.
As the characters confront buried secrets and unspoken truths, they learn that the roots of their suffering extend beyond their own lives, embedded in the experiences of their ancestors. The narrative’s emotional depth is magnified by the show’s stunning visuals and the vibrant cultural tapestry of Turkey, making it both a cinematic and spiritual journey.
Family Constellation Therapy and Epigenetics: The Science Behind the Story
Hellinger’s Family Constellation Therapy posits that unresolved traumas from previous generations can manifest in the lives of descendants, often as physical, emotional, or relational challenges. Modern science lends credence to this idea through the field of epigenetics, which explores how trauma can alter gene expression and be passed down through generations.
Dr. Rachel Yehuda, a leading researcher in the field, has documented epigenetic changes in Holocaust survivors and their descendants, illustrating how historical trauma leaves a biological imprint. Similarly, Mark Wolynn, in his book It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle, explores how recognizing and addressing these inherited wounds can lead to profound healing.
In Another Self, these scientific principles are dramatized through the characters’ transformative journeys. The series not only introduces viewers to the therapeutic potential of Family Constellations but also normalizes the exploration of ancestral pain as a path to personal and collective liberation. This resonates deeply with themes explored in my other blog post, Epigenetics and The Gift, where I examined how addressing cultural trauma benefits not just individuals but also future generations and communities.
Why Turkey? A Cultural Lens on Spiritual Storytelling
One of the most striking aspects of Another Self is its cultural authenticity. Turkish storytelling has a unique ability to blend deep spirituality with raw emotionality, creating narratives that resonate universally. This begs the question: why does Turkey produce such compelling, heartwarming tales of multigenerational healing and spiritual exploration?
Turkey occupies a geographical and cultural crossroads, straddling the boundaries of Europe and Asia, the ancient and the modern. This liminal space fosters a narrative tradition steeped in the richness of diverse influences. Turkey embodies both the ancient past, the present, and the future in its storytelling.
Turkish culture places a high value on community, familial bonds, and spiritual practices, which are often reflected in its storytelling. Unlike the Western emphasis on individualism, Turkish narratives often highlight interconnectedness and collective experience.
Moreover, Turkish storytelling’s fearlessness in addressing pain and vulnerability is rooted in its cultural history. From Ottoman poetry to modern television dramas, there is a tradition of embracing life’s contradictions—joy and sorrow, love and loss, faith and doubt. This cultural openness to complexity allows Turkish creators to tackle themes of trauma and healing with authenticity and depth.
The Role of Women in Turkish Narratives
Another distinctive feature of Another Self is its portrayal of women’s relationships as a source of strength and healing. The show delves into the solidarity among women, who often bear the brunt of generational trauma while also serving as its primary healers. This focus on female resilience and community is a hallmark of Turkish storytelling, reflecting the pivotal role women play in sustaining cultural and familial continuity.
In contrast, Western narratives often center on individual heroes and linear progressions. Turkish stories, by comparison, embrace cyclical, relational, and multigenerational perspectives. This difference is particularly evident in the way Turkish dramas, including Another Self, integrate spiritual and emotional dimensions into their plots, creating spaces for collective catharsis and renewal.
Lessons for Western Audiences
For Western viewers, Another Self offers a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing intergenerational trauma. In societies where individualism often overshadows collective well-being, the series provides a counterpoint, emphasizing that healing is not a solitary endeavor but a shared journey.
The show also invites reflection on the role of culture in shaping narratives of pain and recovery. Western approaches to trauma often focus on clinical diagnoses and individual therapy, whereas Turkish storytelling integrates spirituality, community, and a holistic understanding of the human experience. This cultural richness provides a model for how art can serve as a bridge between science and spirituality, offering insights that transcend cultural boundaries.
Moving Forward: Reclaiming Our Ancestral Stories
As Another Self illustrates, the past is not a distant, static relic but a living presence that shapes our identities and choices for today and the future. By confronting the stories we inherit, we gain the power to rewrite them, transforming cycles of pain into narratives of resilience and hope.
Cultural traumas, like we saw in The Gift and here, belong to us all. My story is your story—a part of the tapestry of lives intertwined across generations. Like the song "Through Heaven’s Eyes" from The Prince of Egypt, we are threads in an intricate and divine design, each essential to the whole.
As Carl Jung (Psychological Aspects of the Personality) insightfully observed, "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." Another Self embodies this truth, offering both a poignant story and a roadmap for healing.
As we engage with this series, let us also ask ourselves: What stories do we carry? What wounds need acknowledgment and release? And how can we, like the characters of Another Self, find the courage to heal not just for ourselves but for the generations to come?
TV Show Information:
Title: Another Self
Creators: Nuran Evren Şit
Available on: Netflix
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Louise Sommer, an Educational Psychology Consultant (MA) and Communication Consultant, specialising in cultural diversity, creativity, and storytelling. She is the author of the bestseller The Hidden Camino, a captivating exploration of historical and cultural narratives. Since the 1990s, Louise has traveled both on and off the beaten track across Europe, exploring history and cultural narratives through the lens of social constructionism. As a professional blogger and writer, she delves into the connections between cultural wisdom, identity, and creativity, offering unique insights that foster curiosity and inclusivity in a multicultural world. Discover more about her work and writings at LouiseSommer.co
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