Journeys of Purpose : an Ontology of Spirituality Through Work in Memory, Imagination, and Authenticity Therese M
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The University of San Francisco USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center Doctoral Dissertations Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects 2008 Journeys of purpose : an ontology of spirituality through work in memory, imagination, and authenticity Therese M. Madden Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.usfca.edu/diss Part of the Education Commons Recommended Citation Madden, Therese M., "Journeys of purpose : an ontology of spirituality through work in memory, imagination, and authenticity" (2008). Doctoral Dissertations. 189. https://repository.usfca.edu/diss/189 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects at USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO JOURNEYS OF PURPOSE AN ONTOLOGY OF SPIRITUALITY THROUGH WORK IN MEMORY, IMAGINATION, AND AUTHENTICITY A Dissertation Presented to The Faculty of the School of Education Department of Leadership Studies Organization and Leadership Program In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education THERESE M. MADDEN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA May 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………….1 CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION Introduction……………………………………………………………………. 3 Research Issue Statement……………………………………………………... 5 Research Issue Background …………………………………………………... 6 Significance of Study………………………………………………………….. 12 Dissertation Overview……………………………………………………….... 13 CHAPTER TWO – REVIEW OF LITERATURE Introduction…………………………………………………………………… 15 The Concept of Work ………………………………………………………... 16 Spirituality …………………………………………………………………… 28 Finding Meaning……………………………………………………………… 39 Storytelling…………………………………………………………………… 59 The Nature of Change………………………………………………………… 67 Summary……………………………………………………………………… 80 CHAPTER THREE – RESEARCH PROTOCOL Introduction…………………………………………………………………... 81 Conceptual Framework.……………………………………………………… 82 Introduction: Critical Hermeneutic Interpretive Research …………. 82 Narrative, Action, and Meaning……………………………………… 84 Care: Concern and Solicitude………………………………………... 86 Fusion of Horizons…………………………………………………… 87 Summary……………………………………………………………... 89 Research Categories …………………………………………………………. 89 Introduction………………………………………………………….. 89 Category I: Authenticity……………………………………………... 89 Category II: Oneself as Another…………………………………...... 92 Category III: Imagination……………………………………………. 95 Summary…………………………………………………………….. 99 Research Guidelines…………………………………………………………. 99 Entrée and Research Sites…………………………………………… 99 Participants…………………………………………………………… 100 Invitation Letters…………………………………………………….. 101 Data Collection………………………………………………………………. 101 Introduction………………………………………………………….. 101 Conversations………………………………………………………… 102 Research Guidelines…………………………………………………. 103 ii CHAPTER THREE – RESEARCH PROTOCOL (CONTINUED) Text Creation………………………………………………………… 104 Journal and Observations……………………………………………. 105 Research Timeline and Location…………………………………….. 105 Data Analysis…………………….……………………………… ………..… 106 Field Project………………………………………………………………….. 107 Introduction…………………………………………………………... 107 Implications and Revised Research Guidelines……………………. 108 Summary……………………………………………………………... 109 Background of Researcher…………………………………………………… 110 Summary……………………………………………………………………... 112 CHAPTER FOUR – DATA PRESENTATION AND PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS Introduction…………………………………………………………………………… 114 Authenticity…………………………………………………………………………… 115 Journey……………………………………………………………………….. 134 Introduction…………………………………………………………… 134 Starting Points………………………………………………………… 138 First Steps…………………………………………………………….. 141 Reflecting on Threads………………………………………………… 144 Staying on Course: Challenges………………………………………. 153 Linking Authenticity to Oneself As Another………………………………... 162 Oneself as Another…………………………………………………………………… 163 Imagination…………………………………………………………………………… 176 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….… 183 CHAPTER FIVE – SECONDARY ANALYSIS Introduction………………………………………………………………………….... 185 Authenticity………………………………………………………………………….. 186 Oneself As Another…………………………………………………………………… 194 Imagination…………………………………………………………………………… 198 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………… 206 CHAPTER SIX – IMPLICATIONS Introduction………………………………………………………………………….. 208 Implications………………………………………………………………………….. 212 Reassessing Commonly Used Terms……………………………………….. 212 Understanding the Important Dual Role of Memory and Imagination……… 216 Embracing Change Informed by Reflective Spirituality……………………… 218 Discerning Authenticity…………………………………………………….. 225 Organizational/Institutional Implications…………………………………….. 228 Personal Implications……………………………………………………….. 232 Suggestions for Future Research…………………………………………………….. 234 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………. 235 iii BIBLIOGRAPHY Journals and Books………………………………………………………….................. 238 Media Documents……………………………………………………………………… 245 Internet Sources………………………………………………………………………… 245 APPENDICES Appendix A – Letter of Invitation and Guiding Questions…………………................... 248 Appendix B - Sample Thank You Letter………………………………...……………... 250 Appendix C – Field Journal Excerpts ………………………………………………….. 251 Appendix D – Excerpt from Transcript of Field Conversation ………………………… 256 Appendix E – Field Project Excerpt of Theory and Analysis of Text………………….. 261 Appendix F - List of Conversation Partners (Tables I and II)………………………….. 263 Appendix G – Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects 264 (IRBPHS) Approval e-mail iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am deeply appreciative of the support, love, and guidance provided by many people, during this research and throughout my tenure in this program: My husband, Charles Williams. I received notice of my acceptance to this program on the day that we returned from our honeymoon. He rejoiced with me then and has never since failed to provide ongoing support and encouragement, even as I began working in areas that went beyond our initial expectations and even when this work took me for long hours away from any semblance of a normal sleep schedule. I will always rejoice in our future together. Our daughters, Katherine Therese and Gabriana Marie, who were both born during my tenure at USF. Their lives provide immeasurable joy to me and that joy informs many elements of this investigation. I relish their very being – their love and affection, budding intelligence, sense of humor, insightful questions, and so much more. I am deeply honored that God has blessed me by giving me incomparable purpose as their mother. Also, for Xavier Peter, who was likewise born during my tenure at USF. His brief life brought great joy and my grief reminded me to savor the joy of manifested purpose and the wonder of life itself. My parents, Nanette and John Madden, who have on many occasions provided loving care for our children when I attended classes and conducted research. I deeply appreciate their creation of a caring and fun environment that made “Mommy’s school days” a special treat for all. I appreciate their enthusiasm for my academic ambitions and as I grow in my parenting, I gain yet deeper gratitude for the many ways that they have supported my learning throughout my life. For academic colleagues and friends at USF who have always generously shared their ideas, work, and passions and from whom I have learned much. It has been a deep pleasure and a singular experience to work with and learn from individuals who share a genuine enthusiasm for learning. Seeing that demonstrated through engaging conversations both in and outside of class will continue to inspire and inform me. For the members of my committee, Dean Dan McPherson and Professor Gini Shimabukuro, and other faculty who taught and supported me. I am most grateful for the encouragement I received to incorporate spirituality into my studies, allowing me to fuse elements of my being that had previously remained separate. For the participants in this investigation, who honored me by sharing stories of their journeys to find meaning in work. For my siblings and many friends who expressed their support through ongoing interest. For the many people who influenced this work informally both in conversation and by demonstrating purpose by living lives infused with satisfaction and joy. A special thanks to Dr. Ellen Herda, who ignited my imagination and expectations in ways I never anticipated. By introducing previously unimagined ways of thinking to me, she opened up new worlds while simultaneously engaging my passion to learn, leaving me brimming with excitement about this work. Her encouragement helped me to see myself and others in new ways that will undoubtedly continue to provide wisdom while informing ethical action in ways that change lives. 2 CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION Introduction “God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in that person.” 1 John 4:16 (In Benedict 2005: 1) Stories inspire, ignite imagination, and inform. They do so by being rooted in reality and yet bounded by infinite possibilities. They resonate with the experiences of others and at the same time go beyond the limits of any one person’s experiences so that what can be imagined merges with that which can be achieved. In this investigation, I explore the stories of ten individuals who