the heart and soul (and mind) of transition

An Exploration of Inner Transition

Jonathan Jelfs

we have within us

extraordinary creative evolutionary potential that

can lead to

wide-scale cooperation, innovation, sustainability

and peace.

placing ourselves in the Universe Story

We have entered a time of conscious evolution

“In the stillness is the dance”

Tony Lattimer: “Nothing is art unless it comes from the whole of our being. Head is not enough – it requires the integration of head and heart.”

Head and

Heart and

Hands

Transition with:

“holding”by Frana Favata

Gesture 1

“giving”by Frana Favata

Gesture 2

“receiving”by Frana Favata

Gesture 3

Trinity

• the outer reflects the inner

• thoughts • feelings• worldview • story • intuition• culture• values• ethics

Why Inner Transition? (1)

• inner transition practices can improve freedom to choose (eg meditation and ‘cognitive flexibility’ JMU)

Why Inner Transition? (2)

•attention to inner processes of groups helps effectiveness

Why Inner Transition? (3)

•attention to inner aspects can help avoid burnout and increase wellbeing

Why Inner Transition? (4)

because the truth may not be enough

Why Inner Transition? (5)

“We’ve made no impact on this rising curve (of CO2 emissions) and

it’s hard to keep interest and optimism alive.”

Novelist, Ian McEwan - Guardian 2nd July 2011

Why Inner Transition (6)?

• giving attention to inner processes (individual and group) can save a lot of time and disappointment later

Why Inner Transition (7)?

• giving attention to inner processes supports individual and group resilience

Why Inner Transition (8)?

We are dealing with a complex human problem :

• People interpret the ‘facts’ differently• People have different worldviews• People live by different ‘stories’• People worry about different things• People have varying capacities for change

Why Inner Transition (9)?

We are dealing with a hopeful human problem:

• The earth will survive!• Creativity and innovation is exponential

too!• This is a stage of evolution• A time for conscious evolution• Not only “what will we do about climate

change” but “what will climate change do for us?”

Why Inner Transition (10)?

Understanding Transition

in an integral way:

(activity – how might this affect your involvement in Transition?)

mind, heart

and soul

scientific facts

cultural beliefs

and values

collective

actions

Ingredients for Transition

inner

oute

r

individual

group

Inner experienceConsciousness

ThoughtsFeelingsEmotionsIntuition

Spiritual experience

Physical realityPhysics

ChemistryBiology

PhysiologyPathology

Cultural

featuresShared worldview

Shared beliefsShared attitudesShared values

SystemsPolitical

EconomicTechnological

EcologicalEducational

Aspects of climate change

inner

outer

individual

group

The subjective ‘I’

The objective ‘It’

The intersubjective

‘We’

The interobjective

‘Its’

integral

Integral Model: 4 irreducible aspects of reality

inner

outer

individual

collective

• Developing Community

• Companions on the Journey of Transition

• Group Transition Practices• eating together• doing tasks together• doing fun things together• reflecting on how the group works together• getting to know each others passions, gifts,

vulnerabilities• building trust, safety • giving and getting support• learning and sharing tools and skills• using creative group processes

Inner Transition Practices (1)

• More Group Transition Practices• education and learning

• deep listening

• celebrations and lamentations

• entertainment and parties

• creativity: music, poetry, art

• chant and dance (eg DUP)

• growing, walking in nature, cycling

• Contemporary Transformative Practices• meditation

• mindfulness

• shadow work

Inner Transition Practices (2)

• Is Inner Transition important and why?

• What might we do to encourage Inner Transition in Transition Liverpool?

• Is there a place for an Inner Transition group or should it be spread throughout the whole?

Inner Transition in Liverpool