I TO WE: THE ROLE OF CONSCIOUSNESS TRANSFORMATION IN COMPASSION AND ALTRUISM

Authors: Vieten, Cassandra¹; Amorok, Tina²; Schlitz, Marilyn Mandala³

Source: Zygon, Volume 41, Number 4, December 2006 , pp. 915-932(18)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

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Abstract:

It is clear that human consciousness can be transformed through spiritual experiences and practices. Little is known, however, about what the predictors, mediators, and outcomes are of such transformations in consciousness. In-depth structured interviews were conducted with forty-seven teachers and scholars from religious and spiritual traditions and modern transformative movements to identify factors common to the transformative process across traditions. Compassion and altruism were almost universally identified as important outcomes of positive consciousness transformation. Results of our analysis suggest that altruism and compassion may arise as natural consequences of experiences of interconnection and oneness. These experiences appear to lead to shifts in perspective and changes in one's sense of self and self in relationship to others. Based on these findings, we suggest several mechanisms by which transformative experiences and practices might influence the development of compassion and altruism.

Keywords: altruism; compassion; consciousness; consciousness transformation; religion; spiritual development; spiritual experience; spiritual practice; spirituality; transformative practice; worldview

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2006.00788.x

Affiliations: 1: Research Psychologist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Road, Petaluma, CA 94952, and Associate Scientist in the Complementary Medicine Research Group at California Pacific Medical Center's Research Institute, 2200 Webster Street, #516, San Francisco, CA 94115;, Email: cassivieten@noetic.org. 2: Research Associate at the Institute of Noetic Sciences;, Email: tinaamorok@noetic.org. 3: Vice-President for Research and Education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and Senior Scientist at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute;, Email: marilynschlitz@noetic.org.

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