THE WHEEL OF METAMORPHOSIS

Karlfried Graf Durkheim (1896-1988) was a German diplomat, psychotherapist, and Zen master. This spiritual tome is a blend of depth psychology, Christian mysticism, and Zen. The author sees the central aim of life as being "the transformation of our being into an expression of divine being."

This involves a process of inner work which takes us beyond the small world of our ego and into the broader context of service of others. We are here to manifest the divine in the world. Rather than concerning ourselves with heaven we are challenged to find beauty and meaning in the daily round of ordinary activities. According to Durckheim, making tea, mailing a letter, or washing the kitchen floor can become a spiritual practice if it is done with attention, care and love.

The Wheel of Metamorphosis, a central framework for spiritual transformation.

Viewed not as a sudden enlightenment but as a continuous and cyclical process akin to the motion of a wheel.

This model consists of three stages and five steps.

* The first stage involves relinquishing all that is contrary to essential being, beginning with the practice of critical awareness and progressing to letting go of obstacles to new becoming.

* The second stage is the dissolution of what has been relinquished within transcendent being, leading to union with the ground of being and subsequent new becoming in accordance with an inner image arising from that transcendent source.

* The third stage focuses on recognizing the newly formed core, accepting it, allowing its growth, and taking personal responsibility for it, which is then practised daily through critical watchfulness, leading back to the first step of the cycle.

This process aims to render individuals "transparent to transcendent Being" and is supported by practices including correct posture, meditation, and bodily awareness.

The 5 spokes in the wheel of transformation:

1. The practice of critical awareness.(linked to self-observation).

2. The letting go of all that stands in the way of new becoming.

3. Union with the ground of being. (hara)

4. New becoming in accordance with the inner image which has arisen from the ground of being.

5. Putting to the test this new form, practising it in everyday life and noting all failures by means of critical awareness.

It is challenging to see the changes that can come in our lives as we do the inner and outer work necessary to express the divine within the precincts of everyday life.

Extract from the book The way of transformation:

The man, who, being really on the Way, falls upon hard times in the world will not, as a consequence, turn to that friend who offers him refuge and comfort and encourages his old self to survive. Rather, he will seek out someone who will faithfully and inexorably help him to risk himself, so that he may endure the suffering and pass courageously through it. Only to the extent that man exposes himself over and over again to annihilation, can that which is indestructible arise within him. In this lies the dignity of daring.

Karlfried Graf von Durkheim

More details on the following links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEYRHFeiZGI

https://nurturingthegiftofseeking.org/2014/11/26/the-way-of-transformation-a- brilliant-quote-from-karlfried-graf-durckheim/

Kalen