Transitions

Autumn Wagner is an ITP practitioner who thoughtfully chronicles the challenges and rewards of transitions throughout her life. The winding road of her life built resilience. She may have navigated change and transition with some angst, but there was always the secure belief that not all is ever lost. Through it all, she gained resilience.

Have you ever felt led down a particular path by something greater than yourself, perhaps a spark of divinity deep within you? ITPI Mastery Teacher Barbara Brown tells her story about a guiding force that she credits for the rewarding educational work she does.

After 34 years of involvement in ITP, practitioner Bill Sharp reflects on his first experiences with George Leonard and Michael Murphy. Through the years, his ITP practice has accompanied many life transitions.

ITP’s nine Core Practice Intentions form the structure of ITP and serve as the roadmap for the journey of transformation of body, mind, heart and soul. They provide constant encouragement to ground us in our daily life and help us stand strong through life’s transitions. ITPI Mastery Teacher Roger Marsh explains the connection between the Core Practice Intentions and navigating transitions.

Life is full of transitions. Sometimes -- especially in the modern world -- we rush through them. ITP practitioner Carly Ko reflects on the importance of timing. “It’s up to us to give ourselves the resources and time to pass from ending to beginning with attention and care.”

Something ends. Something else begins. But in between, there is a Middle or Neutral Zone that can last days, weeks or years. Sometimes we feel disconnected from circumstances of our past as we reorient to “what’s next.” ITP practitioner Edith Johnston describes her journey in the Middle Zone after retirement.

Over the course of many decades, ITP practitioner Nathan Bolls experienced many “new beginnings.” His reflections on how one thing led to another tells a fascinating story about transitions.

As ITP practitioners, transformation is often on our minds. We tune in to, even set our intentions for, change. With change comes transition, which might be defined as “how we respond to change.” ITPI Mastery Teacher Kim Kristenson-Lee offers a simplified explanation of the three stages of transition: the ending, messy middle (neutral zone) and beginning.