From the midst of the twentieth century onwards, mankind has been going through a leap of evolution like never before. This is a metamorphosis that takes place in the domain of consciousness; yet here we are, right in the middle of it. In this era, the individual is truly materializing a process of transformation.
If one dares to keep on walking, the change that leads to transformation may begin with a shaking of “solid ground” as one stands on its foundations, and with it brings a brand new perception in return. This urge could be triggered by a book to kill boredom or curiosity or by inspiration from a newcomer or some training. Maybe someone has an insatiable desire to know more and accomplish a feat like the search for a cure instead of depending on imprudent western medicine.
In our times, an increasing number of people all of a sudden pass through psychic or mystic experiences. They can either legitimize this experience or ignore it. Instead, they realize that they have developed a different kind of perception; that they are able to perceive a different kind of reality.
The transformation period of the self happens in four steps: namely; inception, research and quest, integration, and pass on.
1. Inception or the Beginning
Usually, you realize that you have embarked on your transformation when you look back and see that you have already taken a few steps on the path. During the inception phase, no matter which encounter initiated the transformation, the person will discern a more meaningful, richer, and real level of existence. Even if they had a sudden experience that set them on this path, they may go in search of more of it.
When you search frivolously, you get stuck somewhere at the beginning. Sometimes the domain of parapsychology, occultism, metaphysics, and channeling are unfortunately swayed by quackery. These misled people, quite mistakenly, believe they will find what they are longing for by going through some spiritual or special practice without showing any individual effort or confrontation. They are so mistaken to assume that either a guru or a spiritual group or the societies they frequent are enough to make them somehow special. They presume these people or methods provide the remedy.
The chattering mind will be exploited by mercenary minds while some fear going in deep to a subject, never to return. Others fear and avoid criticism. They fear that their friends, family or associates will consider them ill advised and that they’re only dealing with nonsense, or maybe have even gone crazy. They are afraid of being regarded as selfish or escaping reality. Some lack faith in themselves and the security of their own transformative process. “What if I am making this up?”
If you fear what you know, then you will fear practicing what you know; knowledge bears responsibility. Enlightened by the knowledge we have acquired, what if what we long for is quite apart from what we think we long for? What’s worse is to choose to walk on this path because we fancy this new experience. If so, we may have to develop a sense of self discipline. One thing is certain: If we happen to choose this path, nothing will ever be the same.
Homo sapiens, rather humans, both fear and long for wholesome circumstances because what they fear and long for is there inside of them. We fear to be ourselves, but also long for it. In moments of deep perception, you may become aware of the role of consciousness in creating our own reality. People also realize that going through unique experiences may be quite similar to those described by mystics and the magical world of quantum physics.
When you choose to move forward, you step into the second domain.
2. Research about the Quest
When one discerns that there is something worth the effort, they go on searching for it whether voluntarily or by force. Regardless of its extent, the very next serious step is so significant that it provides strength to continue on. He, who is in search of himself, also allows thyself to realize his very own being. Yet, it is that allowance that initiates the contact with our truth inside because when we abandon old schools of thought, only then does transformation begin.
To make room for the new, you must first let go of the old. People do not have enough space to gain new insights or consciousness when they assume they know everything and are filled with ego. In this period when we chase the new experience, we also carry on with our daily lives in want.
We compare our new experiences with those of the old, and we question ourselves if we are on the right track. Are we going fast enough?
During this period some people prefer to get information and training from several sources. Their aim is to advance wisdom and consciousness as much as possible. Some people, like shopaholics, choose to try a number of different techniques and follow several mentors. Other people swing this way or that way depending on the latest new thing or the mentor who provides the answers. Suddenly, all the previous methods or mentors are wrong when something or someone new shows up.
3. Integration
Finally, after meeting and following many mentors and living through many practices, along with some favorites, the seeker has finally learned to trust their guru inside.
Integration is a period when, at first, the seeker will fall into a conflict between their former habits and new thoughts and perceptions—suffering from theory-practice incongruence, and sometimes unhappiness. Rather than intervention, they prefer to adopt the new. Now, the period is considered reform rather than transformation.
One moment we may experience enthusiasm and the next solitude. Why? While on one hand, our career, affairs, goals and values still belong to the former list, on the other, we have become a brand new human being. We want to change the old habits but fear the solitude. Actually, if we had the courage to continue, we would realize new friendships, new opportunities and rewards awaiting us.
This is the period where intuition is far more dominant: the right brain grasps the left.
We would be interested in many fields to nourish us—philosophy, psychology, quantum physics, the brain and the mind. At this point, any approval or legitimization from the outer realm has become insignificant. We don’t care what others think.
We re-examine ourselves and our goals. Self-confidence and self-respect is the result of this re-examination and we are empowered.
Let’s summarize the first three steps:

  •     During the Inception, a person realizes different ways of “knowing.”
  •     During the Quest, a person finds systems to receive other ways of knowing.
  •     During the Integration, the person realizes that their former goals and strategies no longer serve the new approach; thus, they have learned to trust their own gut.

Finally we are ready for the last step.
4. Pass-On Period
In this last phase, the person begins to use their inner strength, not only to fulfill their own goals, but in the service of others as well. If our new-school thinking can help transform society by creating synergy with those of like minds, then hasn’t this new thinking also helped us achieve our goals?
In the beginning we share our thoughts with our family and friends both to involve them in the process of change and legitimize our thoughts to ourselves. Then, the social dimension of these winds of change becomes clear.
We have already admitted we cannot impose the process of change to those who are neither interested in nor ready for change. So now we seek out those who strive for transformation, and in so doing, we try to help these people.
May we have a long, open path!

Nil Gün