| This dissertation is a qualitative study of socially engaged spirituality as practiced by spiritually advanced social change agents. The research question was "What is characteristic of social change agents identified as spiritually advanced?" This research came on the heels of the burgeoning movement of socially engaged spirituality and its many applications within an increasingly integral epoch. As a growing phenomenon, socially engaged spirituality is discussed in lay and scholarly theoretical literature but little studied empirically. While advanced levels of spiritual development are theorized and proven to be beneficial to individuals, the combined study of advanced levels of spiritual development within socially engaged spirituality is even less studied. This phenomenon was investigated by conducting multiple case studies of 3 exemplar-networks from Buddhist, Christian, and Native American faith traditions. Two female exemplars and 1 male exemplar participated who ranged in ages from 37 to 79 years old and who originated from 3 different nations. The data collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, documents, and direct and participant observation were analyzed using a synthesis of case study and constructivist grounded theory. Cross case analysis determined the qualities of the phenomenon of spiritually advanced social change agency. Results included 3 individual case narratives, a cross case report highlighting the major characteristics of spiritually advanced social change agency, and a theoretical model of its emergent dynamic. The findings suggested that spiritually advanced social change agents enabled positive and healthy transformation of self, other, and social collectives through their dual spiritual and social engagement. The spiritually advanced social change model inducted posited that personal and sociocultural change were catalyzed through the dynamic intersection of the exemplar's nature, behaviors, and sociocultural collectives of which he or she is a part. Catalyzing personal change entailed learning and growing cognitively, evolving spiritually, developing resilience, and deepening in humanness. Catalyzing sociocultural change involved making a difference, calling others to greater freedom, enabling philosophical and structural changes, and empowering others. The implications for the fields of transpersonal psychology, community psychology, socially engaged spirituality, social action, and religious/spiritual traditions were addressed along with comparisons to current models of socially engaged spirituality. |
