Where Do We Come
From ?

The Question "Where Do We Come From?" Is Universal
Jaap argues that the question "Where do we come from?" is not just a childish curiosity but a fundamental, existential inquiry that arises from human experience. It is a question that transcends age and reflects a deep, intuitive awareness of our dual nature—body and spirit.

The Embryo Is Not Just a Past Phase
Japp challenges the common perception of the embryo as a mere stage of development. Instead, he argues that the embryo is an ongoing, active process within us, shaping our bodies throughout life.

Conception as a "Big Bang"
Conception is compared to the "Big Bang"—not just a fusion of sperm and egg, but a profound, transformative event where something new emerges. Jaap suggests that conception is an "implosion" of spirit into matter.

The Duality of Mind and Body as Polarity
Jaap distinguishes between duality (separation) and polarity (interconnectedness). Mind and body are not separate but exist in a dynamic relationship, each defining and shaping the other.

The Placenta as the Primary Organ
The placenta is not just an accessory but the primary organ of the embryo, where all vital functions—breathing, metabolism, and growth—occur. The embryo’s existence is centred in the placenta, not the body as we understand it later in life.

The Embryo as a Lifelong Process
Jaap argues that embryonic processes continue throughout life—some organs remain embryonic (e.g., bone marrow, gut lining), while others become more "adult" and static.

The Illusion of "Becoming Human"
The idea that humans "become" human at a certain stage (e.g., birth) is critiqued. Instead, Jaap argues that humanity is present from the zygote onward, as a continuous performance of life.

The Soul Is Not an Add-On
The soul is not something that enters the body at a later stage but is inherent from the beginning. Jaap questions modern ethics for trying to pinpoint when the soul "enters" the embryo.

The Body as Performance, Not Machine
The body is not a static machine but a dynamic performance -  in opposition to the reductionist view of organs as mere parts, emphasizing that life is motion and process.

The Embryo as the "Science of Incarnation"
Embryology, when understood holistically, becomes a science of incarnation—exploring how spirit and matter unite in the formation of the human body.

The Brain as the "Most Dead" Organ
The brain, often seen as the seat of consciousness, is paradoxically described as the most "dead" organ—highly structured and static compared to embryonic tissues.

The Embryo’s Centripetal Existence
The embryo’s life is centripetal—focused inward on shaping the body, rather than outward expression. This contrasts with adult life, which is centrifugal—using the body as an instrument for interaction with the world.

The Embryo as a Practice for the Soul
The physical gestures and formations of the embryo (e.g., the shaping of arms) are practice for the soul’s later capacities, such as embracing, thinking, and loving.

The Error of Reductionist Science
Jaap critiques modern science for reducing life to mere matter, ignoring the phenomenological experience of being alive. Science should not just gather data but seek harmony with deeper ideas of spirit and embodiment.

The Embryo as a Mirror of Mortality
The embryonic process reflects our mortality—the shaping of the body is a lifelong performance that eventually ends. This awareness of finitude is uniquely human.