Individual Case Studies of Psychospiritual Maturation: Autobiographical Inquiry and the Deep Wisdom of Contemplative Mind

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the psychospiritual growth of 10 students. They were selected to reflect the broad range of behaviors that students examined during their self-inquiry projects and the diverse sociocultural identities and belief systems in the student cohorts. These students explored four domains that typically undermine student well-being and academic success: social-emotional impairments to academic performance, health-compromising attitudes and behaviors, impaired relational skills, existential struggles and spiritual alienation. They learned to use these difficulties as catalysts for psychospiritual growth. This chapter focuses on two central elements in the self-inquiry process: writing a psychospiritual autobiography and subsequent practice of contemplative self-inquiry during meditation. The psychospiritual autobiographies examine personal, familial, and sociocultural factors (including religious upbringing) that helped shape behavior. Using this autobiographical focus, students engaged in contemplative self-inquiry through meditation, cultivating access to the deep wisdom of contemplative mind. Each case study summarizes their autobiographical work and contemplative experiences. The chapter concludes with an analysis of their growth in the five dimensions of psychospiritual maturation.