Sacred illness: exploring transpersonal aspects in physical affliction and the role of the body in spiritual development

Abstract

This paper investigates the occurrence of somatic involvement in spiritual development by exploring transpersonal dimensions of physical illness. Using semi-structured interviews and the qualitative method of heuristic inquiry, the transpersonal experiences of seven people with long-term health conditions are reported. Results expand on current literature by revealing that a spiritual perspective in illness can extend much beyond being a coping mechanism into profound experiences of self-transformation and healing, and by illustrating that the body can be intimately involved in the spiritual process. Participants considered the transpersonal dimension to be central to their experiences and as such understood their physical challenge as a state of potency wherein healing and embodiment of transpersonal influences were inextricably linked. Implications are that the body merits our acknowledgement as an integral part of a greater reality of being, and therefore needs to be fully included in the development of an embodied, holistic, and participatory spirituality.

Keywords:

• embodiment
• soma-spiritual experience
• self-transformation
• healing
• transpersonal psychology

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the integral contribution of the participants of this report and are indebted to the generous and eloquent sharing of their sacred stories.