Ongoing Formation of Religious - CMGlobal

VINCENTIANA 1/2-2008 - INGLESEApril 17, 2008 − 4ª BOZZA100 Cyril de SouzaDiscovering the etymology of the word transformation gives us abetter understanding of what it implies. The word transformation ismade up of two Latin words, trans and forma, where trans couldmean “across, over, on the other side.” In combination with forma itwould literally mean “a change of form” and, according to its use, itcould refer to any type of change, as for instance, a change ofcharacter, or of clothing style, or even more importantly ofconsciousness. 15It is this kind of transformation that we will look into now;however, at the very outset, it should be pointed out that it is acomplex process involving thoughts and feelings. Transformationallearning has far-reaching consequences on personality, more thanany other kind of learning. It is a learning experience that shapes thelearner and produces a significant impact to the point of affecting thelearner’s subsequent experiences. In a transformational learningprocess one’s “meaning perspective” changes; “meaning perspective”refers to one’s overall world view, which comprises specificknowledge, values and beliefs. Usually one’s meaning perspective ispassively formed right through one’s life experiences in childhood,during the youthful years and in young adulthood. These elementsserve as a filter in perceiving the present reality and in determininghow to organize and interpret one’s current experiences. Through theprocess of ongoing formation the religious should acquireself-knowledge and, by rational discourse and critical reflection,explore the depth and meaning of the elements that make up one’sworldview in order to produce a more inclusive worldview. Thesuccess of the outcome is rated by the development of greaterautonomy as a person, 16 which in a way also defines the condition ofadulthood.Transformational learning can be attained only to the extent thatone uses the tools of critical reflection and rational discourse in orderto arrive at a self-knowledge that is total, deep and long-lasting(psychological effects). In the same strain it should be added that thistransformational learning reorganizes one’s perspective and willseriously affect the intimacy of relationship and vision that one hasof God and other spiritual realities (spiritual effects). “The fulldevelopment of religious values and Christian sanctity in a soul is15Cf. M. STEIN, Transformation. Emergence of the Self (A & M UniversityPress: Laredo 1998), p. 51; see also: B. BAYNHAM, “Transformation,” inM. DOWNEY (Ed.), The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality (Liturgical Press:Collegeville 1993), p. 967.16Cf. J. MEZIROW, Transformative Dimension of Adult Learning (Jossey-Bass: San Francisco 1991) pp. 145-146.