The Transformation Cycle integrates the work of several people. Fundamentally it builds upon the work of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, whose pioneering work on death and dying developed our understanding of the grief cycle. It also draws upon ideas from William Bridges' work on transitions and Harrison Owen's concepts from Open Space, overlaid on the structure of The Hero's Journey from Joseph Campbell.

The Transformation Cycle begins with a triggering event, which is called Chaos (also known as a break down or the "Oh No" moment). Even happy events like getting married or getting a new job can trigger grief for a lost identity. What is in jeopardy may be one's life, one's identity, one's relationship, or one's world view. What follows is grief. Grief can be experienced quite differently by different people, but usually incorporates some of the following emotions: anger, denial, fear, despair, until finally the individual in grief reaches the point of letting go.

Upon letting go, one feels adrift without an anchor while experiencing the Void (also known as The Neutral Zone or mythically, a descent into the Underworld.). Through this uncomfortable and dangerous process, one undergoes fundamental change and eventually reemerges transformed. This point, often called a break through or the "Ah Ha" moment, initiates an ascent characterized by joy, excitement and power as one sees the world with new eyes and new purpose. One reestablishes a sense of order in one's life until such time as a new type of Chaos strikes again and the cycle repeats.

The Transformation Cycle is a wonderfully complex and rich concept. It has helped us recognize emotional patterns and variations within our community and by so doing, helped us to understand and respect each other as we encounter the various stages of the cycle. It also serves as a reminder that the painful places where we feel stuck are not the only stops on the journey.

We believe this model is useful for understanding both personal and societal change. Transformative change, in contrast to developmental or transitional change, is irreversible. It involves the birth of a new state through death of the old. The new state is not and cannot be known until it takes shape. As our environment transforms, human culture will inevitably transform. While we can not know what the outcome will be, we can hold an intent during the process which can have an impact on the outcome. That intent is for an environmentally sustainable and equitable future for all.