Drawing on participants’ diverse narratives, the conference identified the following key elements as being important for transformation. It is worth noting that participants’ insights into transformation are broadly in line with theories of learning and human development such as those of Mezirow and Kolb.
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Transformation often comes out of disordered and energetic states, and can be compared to the notion of re-birth. There is always some elements of discomfort involved in transformation - of letting go of some comfort that we no longer need, and of embracing something new.
- That which are transformed can include our ways of thinking, perspectives and assumptions of the world, and above all, our perception of self. It is the change of our memory and identity from past to future, redeveloping who we are, and as part of our community.
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Transformation is an ongoing experience, like a progressive cyclical movement where each cycle begins with an encounter which causes discomfort, tension and disorder, followed by questioning and critical reflection about the self and the experience. The analysis of such an encounter or experience leads to an heightened awareness and an acknowledgement of the limits of some existing practices and perspectives. One is then enabled to act with a fresh understanding and a transformed way of thinking and perceiving. Thus the new cycle begins.
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Transformed individuals are those who learn from such experiences and so progress towards a becoming which engages their best selves and so enables them to lead a more useful, happy and meaningful life. It is often accompanied by the realisation of the power of our own ‘inner teacher’ when we can be guided by and connected to our true sense of purpose.
- Transformation is not merely an individualised process, it has the potential of effecting positive changes on a larger scale – our families, our communities, our societies and our world.