Transformations through Yoga : an organic inquiry into how yoga teachers own experiences with non-ordinary states of consciousness influence how they meet students with such experiences

Abstract

This thesis is an Inquiry into how yoga teachers own experience with non- ordinary states of consciousness influence how they meet students that have had such experiences. Using a qualitative research design the thesis is based on the transpersonal research method Organic Inquiry. The material was collected through semi- structured interviews with three yoga teachers and then written into individual stories. One of the aims with Organic Inquiry is to inspire to a transformation in the researcher, the participants and perhaps even the reader. Response letters from the participants, external readers and the researcher‟s own story of transformation is therefor included in the thesis.

Three themes were found in the stories and they are called; loving guidance, healing experiences and sensing the room. They are all included in the core theme that is transformations through yoga as a process. All three participants tell stories of a transformation process that has taken place in them through their yoga practice. This transformation is a result of a healing process through an experience of non- ordinary state of consciousness. The transformation has been possible because of the safe space and loving guidance created by their teachers. This is the same environment they are now trying to create for their students. By being tuned in to their students, they express an intuitive knowledge of when to bring their experiences with non- ordinary states, and when the student is ready to hear about spirituality. The three themes and the core theme are discussed in the light of Joseph Campbell‟s description of the hero‟s journey. Research results suggest that is not the experience in itself that has defined how they meet their students in their experiences; rather it is their personal journey as a whole. Going through the three steps and experiencing the transformational powers that lies in a yoga journey is determining for how they meet their students on their experiences. The experiences with non- ordinary states described here, all served as a rite of passage, turning the student into the teacher.