The U Shape of Transformation
While one might reasonably assume that Transformation looks like a line constantly angling upwards or a circle that ends where it began, it’s more accurately depicted as a U shape. Unlike a line, Transformation isn’t straightforward, and unlike a circle, we don’t end up in exactly the same place where we started. Instead, we are fundamentally changed in the process. This can happen in the blink of an eye or unfold gradually over the course of a lifetime.
Related Patterns
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Theory U
This idea of Transformation as a U shape comes from Theory U, which consists of seven distinct stages. By suspending our habitual reactions, we can stop mindlessly repeating the patterns of the past (Downloading), and begin Seeing and Sensing in a more direct and unfiltered way. This eventually produces an internal shift (Presencing) that enables us to move into progressively more effective action through Crystallizing, Prototyping, and Performing.
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The Hero's Journey
Comparing mythologies from a wide range of cultures and traditions throughout the world, Joseph Campbell uncovered a strikingly similar pattern: a Departure from everyday reality, followed by a perilous Initiation in the depths, followed by the hero’s Return to the ordinary world, bearing new insights and gifts. Because there are so many patterns of Transformation that align so closely, it’s reasonable to conclude they’re all pointing towards the same truth.
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The Five Stages of Transition
We start by trying out our best ideas and seeing what sticks (Starting Out), then focus on what's working and pare away the rest (Deepening). This prepares the ground to reach beyond the usual suspects (Connecting), which, in turn, enables us to transform entire systems and sectors (Building). Finally, by networking many impactful local initiatives together, we can begin to exert real influence at national and global levels (Daring to Dream).
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The Spiral of The Work That Reconnects
The Spiral of The Work That Reconnects encourages us to begin by rooting ourselves in appreciation for all that life has given us. This enables us to move into Honoring Our Pain for the World without becoming overwhelmed. While most of us try to push aside feelings of grief, anger, fear, and hopelessness, embracing them opens up possibilities for Seeing with New Eyes. Then, with a fresh perspective, a sense of purpose can guide our actions Going Forth.
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The Three Yanas of Tibetan Buddhism
The Kagyü lineage of Tibetan Buddhism describes a three-stage process of spiritual development that encompasses the narrow path of the Hinayana, the broader path of the Mahayana, and the ultimate path of the Vajrayana. This logic is worth trying to understand. Before we can bring our vision into the wider world (Mahayana) and claim our full power as agents of regeneration (Vajrayana), we need to work on ourselves (Hinayana).
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The Stages of Group Development
Forming is often experienced as a “honeymoon” stage, in which everyone is getting along reasonably well and there’s a lot of excitement about the future. It’s usually only once people feel settled and the real work begins that conflict bubbles up. While there’s a tendency to interpret Storming as a sign of failure, it’s an essential part of the overall progression. If we prepare beforehand and lean into the storm when it comes, we will emerge from it stronger and wiser.
More About Transformation
Patterns of Transformation are the beating heart of evolutionary change. We can see this meta-pattern at work in nature in the turning of the seasons as well as in cycles of life, death, and rebirth. While modern society tends to ignore and deny the inevitability of death in favor of fantasizing about immortality and eternal youth, this clearly isn’t how life works.
It’s a harsh truth, but we can’t be reborn without first going through a process of dying to our former selves, which can be extremely painful and disorienting. Nevertheless, this is the way life regenerates itself. Last season’s crops need to be composted in the fall for the soil to burst forth in even greater abundance next spring. The caterpillar has to melt down into an unrecognizable goo before its “imaginal cells” can begin to resurrect it as a butterfly.