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.
目次
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
