The Mid-Life Transition:The Mid-Life Transition:Danger or Danger or

Opportunity?Opportunity?

Thomas E. Legere, Ph.D.Thomas E. Legere, Ph.D.

I. Ego - CaterpillarI. Ego - Caterpillar

II. Transition - ChrysalisII. Transition - Chrysalis

III. Spirit - ButterflyIII. Spirit - Butterfly

I. Self Realization: The CaterpillarI. Self Realization: The Caterpillar

Ego and The Dance of SurvivalEgo and The Dance of Survival

1. Material World1. Material World

2. Focus on Ones Body2. Focus on Ones Body

3. Action and Accomplishments3. Action and Accomplishments

4. Control4. Control

5. Separation5. Separation

6. Lack6. Lack

7. Here and Now7. Here and Now

The Great Need: The Great Need:

GuidanceGuidance

III. Self Transcendence: III. Self Transcendence: The ButterflyThe Butterfly

The Dance of the SpiritThe Dance of the Spirit

1. Joy1. Joy

2. Inner Peace2. Inner Peace

3. Unconditional Love3. Unconditional Love

4. Creativity4. Creativity

5. Unity5. Unity

6. Service6. Service

7. Playfulness7. Playfulness

II. Self Alienation: II. Self Alienation: The Chrysalis TransitionThe Chrysalis Transition

• • Desert or the ForestDesert or the Forest

• • DisorientationDisorientation

• “• “Leaving Home”Leaving Home”

• • DismantlingDismantling

• • Crisis: Danger or Crisis: Danger or

OpportunityOpportunity

The Second JourneyThe Second Journey

CausesCauses (immediate) (immediate)

1. Sense of Failure1. Sense of Failure

2. Exile2. Exile

3. Love and Anger3. Love and Anger

4. Sickness4. Sickness

5. War5. War

6. “Something More”6. “Something More”

The Second JourneyThe Second Journey

FeaturesFeatures

1. Thrust Upon Us1. Thrust Upon Us

2. Crisis of Feelings2. Crisis of Feelings

3. Outer Journey3. Outer Journey

4. Meaning, Values, Goals4. Meaning, Values, Goals

5. Loneliness5. Loneliness

6. Wisdom and Power6. Wisdom and Power

The Second JourneyThe Second Journey

Bringing It HomeBringing It Home

1. Acceptance1. Acceptance

2. Counterfeit Destinations2. Counterfeit Destinations

3. Trust3. Trust

4. Surrender to Higher Power4. Surrender to Higher Power