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Deep Abiding: Praying, Living, and Loving from the Inside

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Deep Abiding: Praying, Living, and Loving from the Inside DEEP ABIDING: PRAYING, LIVING, AND LOVING FROM THE INSIDE OUT BY CATHERINE MARY QUEHL-ENGEL A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF WASHINGTON THEOLOGICAL UNION IN PART PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY Presented at Virginia Theological Seminary March 13, 2014 Copyright © 2014 Catherine M. Quehl-Engel ii iii DEDICATION In honor of Rachel. In gratitude for Craig. With deep bow for Mary, Our Mother of Good Counsel and Compassion. 1 John 3:14a; 4:12-13 iv ABSTRACT This thesis project involves the creation and assessment of a heart-focused interior prayer/compassion meditation program for an inter-spiritual, liberal arts college ministry context. The Deep Abiding project was not only intended for participants’ personal solace, healing, and empowerment. Reflecting Cornell College’s mission and core values concerning civic engagement, social responsibility, and moral courage, this program also sought the original purpose of many Western and Eastern contemplative traditions: namely, to live, love, lead, and serve as instruments of healing peace, and to awaken awareness of our inter-connective oneness. Sound quantitative and qualitative assessment instruments were used to measure whether heart-focused formal and informal contemplative practice of "tuning in" and identifying with indwelling life force energy or Spirit as one’s Deepest, Truest Self contributed to participants’ personal and communal healing. Also measured was the implied assumption that this practice would increase awareness of inter-connective oneness, compassion, mutuality, and solidarity with others. Chapter I provides introduction to this research project through background on this liberal arts college ministry context, rationale for a contemplative healing approach, thesis statement and intended outcomes, as well as multi-cultural and inter-spiritual perspectives on indwelling life force energy or Spirit, and heart-focused contemplative practice. Chapter II explores indwelling Spirit as found in Jewish and Christian scriptures, and in the wisdom of Sts. Clare and Francis of Assisi, and Teresa of Avila. Chapter III samples some of the growing scientific research on psycho-physical and psycho-social healing benefits of meditation/interior prayer generally, and heart-focused v meditation/interior prayer specifically. Chapter IV and the Appendices address project design and assessment instruments. Chapters V-VI offer data analysis and interpretive conclusions. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation involving awareness of indwelling life force energy, or Spirit, flows from the influence of countless people. These people include my maternal grandmother, Millie. Abandoned by her parents in the 1920s, Millie was given Christ’s words “Lo I am with you always (Matt 28:20)” by The Rev. Schuh. He said he did so because if ever there was a child who needed such awareness, it was her. This inner Presence sustained and empowered Millie throughout a life of leadership and what she called “Mother Love”—a fierce compassion which often spilled over into the care of the downtrodden including orphaned children. I also acknowledge the influence of my mystically wired paternal grandfather, Howie. When in his nineties Howie spoke of solace found in this indwelling, companioning Presence. So did my mother’s notes scribed in the margins of her Bible in the mid-1970s concerning the fruits of the Spirit. Same with a little book entitled The Quiet Mind given to me in my youth by my father. In hindsight, I can see how these influences, combined with teenage mining for spiritual wisdom in my parents’ books like James Allen’s As A Man Thinketh, and The Bhagavad Gita, shaped the creation of this research project three decades later. Completion of this doctoral program would not be possible without the enduring love and support of my beloved life mate, Craig. No Craig—no dissertation. The late Jacquelyn Phillips was well into her nineties when she helped inspire this project through her mentorship on being a channel for the transmission of God’s healing energies. Friend and fellow clergywoman, Lori Erickson, inspired the dissertation title. My dog, Atticus Finch, provided patient accompaniment throughout countless hours of writing. Gratitude extends to my sisters and brothers at Washington Theological Union. vii This includes the guidance of Academic Dean, Sister Anne McLaughlin, and Program Thesis Director, Dr. Kathy Brown. Dr. Brown helped keep this project focused and thus manageable. Gratitude also extends to my dissertation readers, including for their humor. Sage counsel of spirituality professor, Dr. Pat Fosarelli, who is also a medical doctor and researcher, ensured that my design of research assessment instruments was scientifically sound. She was also invaluable as an editor. Father John Welch’s insights into Carmelite Spirituality, including the wisdom of Teresa of Avila, will continue shaping me on the journey. Other WTU contributors include adjunct professor Dr. Gillian Ahlgren who offered mentoring in Franciscan spirituality while in Assisi and La Verna, Italy. Fellow D.Min. students provided inspiration and encouragement. Finally, I thank members of Cornell College and Mount Vernon, Iowa communities who assisted with this project. This includes participants in the Deep Abiding research study, as well as faculty, staff, clergy, spiritual directors and healers who participated in the pilot version of this project. Cornell Institutional Research staff gurus, Dr. Becki Elkins and Elizabeth Jach, were also priceless. They have almost transformed my resistance to student learning outcomes assessment and used of web- based survey software into a pleasure. Assisting with research data verification and/or analysis are Cornell Mathematics professor and statistician, Dr. Ann Cannon, Chaplain and Spiritual Life Student Office Manager, Kim Boche, Technical Services and Consulting Librarian, Greg Cotton, and Consulting Librarian for the Natural Sciences, Mary Iber. Mary, a fellow meditator who, like Jacqueline Phillips, died shortly after this dissertation was submitted, will be remembered for her support and ability to radiate Light. Psychology professor, Dr. Alice Ganzel, offered encouragement and a helpful viii model for human research informed consent. Kim Boche and Becca Hennesy helped with bibliographic information for the project proposal. Greg Cotton graciously served as Turabian editor and comic relief. ix TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION................................................................................................................... iv ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................v ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................... xiii I. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1 Research Project Background Information and Ministry Context ..............................1 Cornell College Ministry Context.....................................................................................6 Mount Vernon Community Ministry Context ................................................................9 A Contemplative Healing Approach ..............................................................................10 Thesis Statement and Intended Outcomes ....................................................................12 Heart-focused Meditation/Interior Prayer....................................................................13 Chapter Overview............................................................................................................16 II. BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL UNDERPINNINGS ...................................... 18 Biblical Foundations for Indwelling Spirit....................................................................19 Franciscan Spirituality and Divine Indwelling: Clare and Francis of Assisi.............27 Contemplation as Transformation..........................................................................28 Embrace of Spiritual Poverty, Mutuality, and Tender Mercy ...............................34 Tender Mercies, Participation in the Incarnation, and a Communio of Love........35 Carmelite Spirituality and Divine Indwelling: Teresa of Avila...................................40 Self-Knowledge of Sacred Anthropology Heals and Empowers...........................43 Self-Knowledge of Spiritual Poverty Heals and Empowers..................................50 Teresa's Practical Advice on Interior Prayer and the Way of Self-Surrender........53 Interior Prayer for Social Healing and Loving Service .........................................57 III. MEDICAL AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF THE HEALING BENEFITS OF BELIEF, INTENTION, AND MEDITATION/INTERIOR PRAYER.................................................................................................... 63 Relaxation Response and Mind-Body Connection .......................................................63 Healing Benefits of Belief ................................................................................................67 Mediation, Prayer, and the Brain...................................................................................70 Energy, Healing Intention, and Interconnectivity of Living Beings ...........................73
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