From Inner Transition to Cultural Transformation

This is big news, dearest community.

Last September, Inner Transition Circle took a deep step into a new phase that has been simmering for some time.

We want to share and celebrate this ‘more-than-just-a-name-change’ with you all in a different, sensory way. We invite you to go through these words, music and prayers with openness and a quality of Being present - if that’s in resonance to you. 

Let us use whatever power and influence we have, working with whatever resources are already available, mobilizing the people who are with us to work for what they care about
Margaret Wheatley - Who Do We Choose to Be

Transforming the name and concept of Inner Transition Circle has been a lively area of reflection over the past two years and now feels like the perfect moment for this decision. 

In alignment with the whole international support ecosystem (Transition Network international, TNI) redesign -you can read more about this here-, Inner Transition Circle (ITC) has evolved and changed its name to Cultural Transformation Circle (CTC). 

Why this transformation? 

For many years there has been a perceived split between the 'inner' and the 'outer' transition, and while that has enabled a fertile conversation and exploration into what is needed to make deep and lasting change, it has also sometimes felt frustrating.

There has sometimes been a tendency to think of 'inner' - as the name might suggest - to be solely about what happens inside each of us and it has been too easy to imagine that as something we can leave to the councillors and wellbeing people. 

But we have increasingly seen that this 'inner' change is actually also a 'in-between' and 'throughout' change. In fact, it needs to be a radical re-imagining of how we understand our movement: it's not just about having a place to process the fear, frustration, hopelessness and be kinder to one another, it's about understanding that unless we confront the many ways in which our western(ised) culture has caused the crises we are facing - and understand and heal the ways in which it lives in and between us -, unless we come together to find ways to unlearn and deprogramme ourselves from it, then we will never be able to make the changes we need, no matter how many community gardens and other amazing local initiatives we create. 

The Cultural Transformation name is talking about all of us coming to terms with how deadly the system we live in is, and getting support to co-create the internal and external revolutions that are needed to transform it. 

The Threshold celebration 

Aware of the importance of rituals in Community Life, we invited all TNi team members to walk together through this threshold celebration. 

First, we looked into the past and harvested learnings through a retrospective exercise (what went well, what could we improve and suggestions for the coming phase). Then, through a shared altar, a guided meditation and the beautiful prayer shared below we all walked together and consciously through the transformation threshold. Finally, the new Cultural Transformation Circle shared with the wider team the emergent ideas, inviting for an advice round and future asynchronous input to co-create together our next steps. 

Experiencing transformation alive together: A psicomagic prayer we shared during the ritual  

Feeling as the seed under the Earth just about to germinate, as the butterfly inside the cocoon ready to break the membrane for re-birth, revitalization, fresh energy, emerging potential, creative impulse…

Boundaries between inner and outer transition dissolve into a new culture of higher consciousness, freedom, healthy habits, sustainable worldviews , new ways of thinking and doing in the Earth, heart-mind alignment.

We allow ourselves to feel the fire of transformation burning from the inside out, creativity in its purest form flowing through the channels of our human connections, a clear and clean movement of comprehension, balance and harmony animating our sacred vehicles

We lean into the darkness and dive deep into the ocean of truth and love that we inhabit, and from this darkness, which is the mother of all light, allow the beams of light to emerge, your inner stars to shine…

Imagine and physically feel the break-through of this new organism that is being birthed – care for it, nourish it, welcome and celebrate it. Cultural Transformation Circle is you, me, us…

How does it feel?

We really wish to continue evolving and transforming in community, with you all. 

Please reply to this email if you have any questions, we’ll be pleased to clarify and receive your feedback. 
We're also open to hold a live session to answer all the clarifying questions you might have - if we receive several expressions of interest, then we'll schedule and announce it.

You’ll receive soon a complete update on CTC offerings. In case you’re super curious and can't wait, you can have a sneak-peek here.