Project Vision 21

Change—whether superficial or a profound transformation—is one of the most perplexing paradoxes of human existence because it means both being and not being at the same time, ceasing to be in order to become, living in the "in-between" of the "no longer" and the "not yet."

We often see with great clarity that others should change, yet we struggle to recognize the need for change within ourselves. This phenomenon is so ancient that it was already noted two thousand years ago: in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pointed out that we tend to notice the speck in our neighbor’s eye while ignoring the beam in our own (Matthew 7:3-5). This is not about religion but about human nature—it is easier to analyze from a distance than from within.
 

Some 2,500 years ago, Heraclitus had already intuited this tension when he declared that "everything flows," reminding us that change is inevitable but not necessarily easy or conscious. Human beings tend to cling to the familiar, even when doing so means remaining trapped in patterns that limit or harm us.
 

When someone does not change, is it because they cannot, do not want to, or do not recognize that they should?
 

There are cases in which change requires more resources, support, or skills than a person currently possesses. Factors such as environment, education, past experiences, and even biology can limit one’s capacity for transformation. Asking someone to overcome trauma is not the same as asking them to reorganize their schedule.
 

At times, resistance to change stems from a conscious or unconscious decision to remain in the comfort zone. Change means facing uncertainty, and the fear of losing what one has—however imperfect—can be stronger than the desire to improve. There may also be hidden benefits to not changing: maintaining a sense of identity, avoiding responsibilities, or preserving dynamics that feel convenient.
 

And sometimes, people simply do not recognize that they need to change. It is not that they are stubborn or negligent, but rather that their frame of reference prevents them from seeing what others see so clearly. This is where cognitive biases, the dissonance between self-image and reality, and our reluctance to question our own narratives come into play.
 

In our time, we live in a world where pointing out others' mistakes has become a social norm, yet deep introspection remains uncomfortable and largely discouraged.
 

However, change does not have to be an individual struggle or a solitary process. John Vervaeke proposes the idea of an ecology of practices—a set of interconnected methods (including meditation, Socratic dialogue, philosophical contemplation, or participation in learning communities) that can help us refine our perception, reduce biases, and expand our understanding of ourselves and the world.
 

Change requires more than simply recognizing a need. It demands a combination of self-awareness, will, and favorable conditions. As Heraclitus said, reality flows—and only those who learn to be transformed along with it can truly live in harmony with their own becoming.