The Power of Story

The life cycle of the butterfly from caterpillar to chrysalid to adult is known as a representation of transformation. For anyone who has watched a butterfly pump color into the wings and take its first flight they are left with a sense of wonder and awe. 

As adults we continue to develop and we continually expand the way we see ourselves in our world.   

There are prior experiences that include what we believe in and how we react to certain situations and includes our desires, dreams, perspectives, and faith. We have all lived prior experiences which shape how we perceive things around ourselves. An event will occur that will shake our foundation.  Emotions can generate a transformational learning experience.

A sudden event or a long cumulation of disruptive experiences can initiate a learning moment. As learners we must dig deep into the experience, talk with others about our new viewpoint to gain new judgement, and then act on the new perspective.  Researchers in Adult Learning Transformational Learning, note that storytelling is a historical tool for making sense of experiences. Songs. poems. and art can also shake up an individual’s assumptions and create transformative growth experience. Our senses stimulate connections and we are not the same after interactions in our environments.

Transformational Learning theory challenges traditional forms of teaching and learning. If learning was directed at nurturing the soul, greater levels of self-awareness and consciousness could emerge in our society. We live in a time that requires life-long learning as we struggle to make meaning of the ever-changing world around us. 

By being open to new experiences we can guide the human spirit through a maze of self, society, language, and culture. Soul connects the individual to their world. Images can play a role in teaching us to learn from the soul. Educational researchers propose that learning rooted in nourishing soul can enable individuals to find their way in the world. 

The following story, like the life cycle of butterflies or dragonflies, represents a transformational growth experience.

The Eagle’s Renewal

There once was a village of eagles. The eagles of that village would live to be about 40 years old and then would die. According to legend, there was a way they could live up to 70 years, but the method was so painful that no eagle in the village ever thought to attempt it.

There was one brave, curious eagle who liked to soar high and to fly to distant places. This eagle was close to 40 years old and his talons had aged, so he had trouble catching prey. The older he grew, the weaker and duller his beak became. His feathers also grew thicker, making his wings heavy, so soaring magnificently in the sky was difficult. One day he thought, “I’m going to die anyway. I might as well attempt that method of living 70 years, even if it is painful.” As the legend goes, he exerted himself and flew to the highest mountain in the village, where he built his nest. 

First he pecked at the rock until his beak broke and fell off. Then, slowly, a new beak grew in its place. Using his new beak, he pulled out his talons one by one. When new talons grew in their place, he used them to pull out his wing feathers one by one. After passing through this painful process, which lasted several months, new feathers finally grew. The brave eagle – transformed into something completely new – spread its big, beautiful wings and flew back to the village. Living another 30 years, he taught other eagles in the village how to be reborn as he had been. 

Ilchi Lee: I’ve Decided to Live 120 Years Chapter 4: “Reflect on the First Half of Your Life, Design the Second” Page 80

In the comment section below, share an example of change and transformation from your own life.

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