Research
For the love of God/Universe/Nature/Self, what the heck is going on here ?
For over 25 years, I've used a spiritual but not religious (SBNR) approach to personal transformation. I believe that the seeds of cognitive and behavioral changes are sown at the subconscious level. When parents become aware that parenting behaviors are intergenerational, they realize
that transforming them is complex. And because the subconscious mind is an unrecognized driver of
behavior, we may first need to
change the deep, subconscious, part of our minds to change parenting behavior. Research has shown that
spiritual experiences activate the part of our brain that allows us to receive
and integrate information outside of our immediate conscious awareness or control. Therefore, parents seem to be missing a step in changing their parenting behaviors.
To transform parenting behavior, we may first need to include treatment methods that
change the deep, subconscious, implicit part of our minds.
So, I did a quantitative study to see if a parent's level of secular spirituality affects harmful generational parenting behaviors. I defined spirituality as finding meaning in life, self-actualization, and connection with the inner self and the universal whole. My research suggests that parents with a spiritual perspective use it as a navigation system for parenting and can help stop the generational transfer of harmful parenting behaviors. I found that parents with higher levels of spirituality disrupted the transfer of destructive parenting patterns. The study showed that the more spiritually aware and practicing parents are, the more authoritative and less authoritarian they are, which is linked to positive child outcomes.
“I tell you this: There is no coincidence, and nothing happens “by accident.” Each event and adventure is called to your Self by your Self in order that you might create and experience Who You Really Are.”
My personal journey inspired me to pursue a doctoral degree. My research focuses on understanding how this approach to life can lead to profound personal transformation.