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Zen Practice, Adult Development and Equanimity: An Exploratory Study |
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| Author |
Muniz, Elena (撰)
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| Date | 2018 |
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| Pages | 140 |
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| Publisher | Harvard University |
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| Publisher Url |
https://www.harvard.edu/
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| Location | Cambridge, MA, US [劍橋, 麻薩諸塞州, 美國] |
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| Content type | 博碩士論文=Thesis and Dissertation |
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| Language | 英文=English |
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| Degree | master |
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| Institution | Harvard University |
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| Department | Psychology |
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| Advisor | Lahey, Lisa L.; Spetter, Dante |
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| Publication year | 2018 |
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| Abstract | This study was motivated by the researcher's observations about Zen Buddhism practitioners and was grounded on previous research about contemplative practices and adult development. The purpose of the study was to understand whether Zen practice, beyond spiritual awakening, was also related to being even-minded and psychologically mature. The study hypothesis posited that a positive association existed between Zen practice and these variables whereby longer-term Zen experience will be related to higher level of equanimity and psychological development as understood by constructive developmental theories.
Through a cross-sectional design, the researcher looked at the relationship between these variables and explored the nature of the experience of change, if any, related to Zen practice. The study sample was a group of 10 Zen meditators categorized into two groups according to practice experience. Quantitative evidence gathered through the analysis of self-report measures of equanimity and assessments of level of psychological development in relationship to the meditators' length of Zen practice experience was used to explore the hypotheses. Qualitative data obtained through the analysis of semi-structured interviews about the practitioners’ experience of change related to Zen practice helped to illuminate findings from the quantitative analysis.
The results from the analysis led to mixed findings. The hypothesis that longer Zen practice experience was associated to higher equanimity was not supported by the analysis of equanimity measures. However, the findings from the interviews analysis in connection to equanimity were inconsistent with the quantitative results and revealed a different story. The hypothesis that longer Zen practice experience was associated with higher level of psychological development was supported by the results of the quantitative analysis. The findings from the interview analysis were consistent with the outcome that supported the association between length of Zen experience and level of psychological development. Nonetheless, these latter results raise important questions such as what portion of level of development variability was accounted for by length of Zen experience, age or other confounding variables. The small sample size of study limited the possible statistical analysis required to solve these issues.
Using a larger sample size in future studies will allow for a stronger statistical analysis helping to further understand the association between length of Zen practice experience and psychological development as well as the existing discrepancies between quantitative and qualitative findings relating to equanimity. These issues remain an open challenge for future investigations. |
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| Table of contents | Dedication ix
Acknowledgements x
List of Tables xi
List of Figures xii
I. Introduction 1
Overview of the Current Study 4
Constructive-Developmental Theories 5
Tiers of Development and Prevalence 7
Kegan's Subject-Object Theory 9
Cook-Greuter's Revision of Loevinger's Theory 13
Correlation and Confounding Factors 14
Benefits of Advanced Psychological Development Stages 15
Contemplative Practice and Psychological Development 16
Contemplative Practices and Stages of Development 17
Post-conventional Studies19
Contemplative Practices and Equanimity 21
Equanimity, Buddhism and Zen 23
Equanimity and Shift in Perspective 24
Zen Practice and Transformation 25
Origin and Definition 25
Zen's Main Tenets 26
Elements of Zen Practice 28
Zen Progression Towards Enlightenment 30
Zen Practice and Shift in Perspective 32
Study Hypotheses 33
II. Method 35
Rational for Qualitative Exploration 35
Participants 36
Procedure (Data Collection) 37
Translations 40
Data Handling 40
Measures 41
Data Analysis 44
Quantitative Data Analysis 45
Coding and Qualitative Data Analysis 46
Validity and Reliability 49
III. Results 50
Participants 50
Measures 54
Additional Quantitative Analysis 57
Analysis of Level of Psychological Development Data 59
Analysis of Level of Equanimity Data 61
Qualitative Data Analysis 62
Theme Analysis 66
Theme 1: Transformation of the Self 66
Theme 2: Transformation of the Relationship with Others 73
Theme 3: Equanimity 78
IV. Discussion 84
Psychological Development and Zen Practice 85
Quantitative Analysis 85
Qualitative Analysis 89
Additional Reflections: Qualitative Findings 92
Equanimity and Zen Practice 93
Quantitative Analysis 93
Qualitative Analysis 94
Possible Explanation About Contradictory Findings 94
Additional Reflections: Qualitative Findings 95
Concluding Thoughts 98
Psychological Development and Zen Practice 101
Equanimity and Zen Practice 104
Recommendations for Future Research 106
Study Limitations 108
List of Appendices 111
Appendix A Kegan's Orders Compared to Cook-Greuter's 112
Appendix B Loevinger's Stage Description 113
Appendix C Cook-Greuter's Stages: Construct Aware and Unitive 115
Appendix D Non-attachment Scale (NAS) 116
Appendix E Maturity Assessment Profile (MAP) 118
Appendix F Demographic and Zen Practice Questionnaire 119
Appendix G Recruitment Materials 120
Appendix H Consent Form 124
Appendix I Interview Preparation 129
References 130
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| Created date | 2021.12.11 |
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