Evocative cues and presence: relational consciousness within qualitative research

Abstract

This paper introduces an example of how pictures were used to facilitate exploration of spiritual aspects of self, as a basis for qualitative research, with young people aged 15–18 years. The author considers how spiritually moving and stirring experiences may be related to the notion of a direct, participatory embodied attunement to the world. Contemporary approaches in psychotherapy emphasise the significance of right brain structures in accessing deeper senses of self. It is suggested that the role of the researcher/interviewer is highly significant in creating an appropriate way of being present that is conducive to the subjects evocation of spiritual states of being. From both perspectives, the definition by David Hay and Rebecca Nye of spirituality as ‘relational consciousness’ may have further concrete and direct implications for how qualitative research is fostered in this area.

Keywords:

• Qualitative
• Relational consciousness
• Presence
• Evocative cues