Dealing with Change

Course Description

The paradox of our condition is that the only constant in life is change. Whatever is, is already transforming: it is not what it was a moment ago. Even though life is continuously changing, there are elements within each of us that resist that change. 

Change is a summons to the unknown. In the face of change we might find ourselves asking:

Where is it taking us? Will I be safe? Will it be comfortable? Will I be able to manage there?

The Ego tends not to like change because it undermines its security, its predictability and its capacity for control. Change thus tends to produce the 3 A’s: anxiety, ambiguity and ambivalence. 

In this program, Hollis first shines a light on the many ways we deal with change that may not be serving us. He then inspires us to develop an emotional resilience that can meet these three A’s during periods of transformation in our lives. He draws from the experience of some of the great poets of the 19th and 20th century to illustrate these ideas. It is truly a treat to hear Hollis read & explore this poetry!

Finally, he helps us personalize the issues of change with a workshop-style bonus class, where he offers us questions for self-reflection. 

These classes are recordings from an earlier live event & have been remastered by Jung Platform. 

This course is ideal if

• Enjoy another one of James Hollis’ excellent programs. You will find more here.
• Understand change both philosophically and personally.
• See how poets have viewed change and how this can help us in our own lives.
• Have the guidance of Hollis’ questions as we probe our own relationship with change.

Course Overview

Class 1.

In this class, Hollis turns our attention to two important issues around change. One is what we do in the face of change and the other is the elements within us that resist change. He brings to us depth psychological concepts like repetitions, patterns, complexes and neurosis to illuminate what happens when our old map of the world no longer fits the terrain. 

Class 2. 

In this class, Hollis lists some basic ways in which we as humans try to deal with change. He illustrates some common attitudes towards change with quotes from the poetry of Yeats, Rilke, Hopkins, Dante & others.. We are reminded that our capacity for metaphor, symbol, curiosity and intuition are the tools we have within us to help us talk about that which can not be talked about easily. 

Bonus Class

In this workshop-style bonus class, Hollis gives us questions that we can ponder on to understand personal change. He gets us to stop and think about ourselves. You will have the opportunity to listen to some responses that were shared by participants during the original taping of this class. Have a notebook and pen ready for some deep & fun self-reflection! 

By the end of this course you will

• Understand change through certain depth psychological concepts.
• Learn how to adapt more effectively to new circumstances.
• Become familiar with classic poetry that speaks about change and how you can apply this to yourself.
• Have questions that help you reflect on change in your life and how you deal with it.