University of Vermont ScholarWorks @ UVM Graduate College Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 2013 The pirS ituality of Conciousness: From Mindfulness to Faith to the Awakening of Self Monique Swaby University of Vermont Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis Recommended Citation Swaby, Monique, "The pS irituality of Conciousness: From Mindfulness to Faith to the Awakening of Self" (2013). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 226. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/226 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate College Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE SPIRITUALITY OF CONSCIOUSNESS: FROM MINDFULNESS TO FAITH TO THE AWAKENING OF SELF A Thesis Presented by Monique Simone Swaby to The Faculty of the Graduate College of The University of Vermont In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Education Specializing in Interdisciplinary Studies May, 2011 Accepted by the Faculty of the Graduate College, The University of Vermont, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education, specializing in Interdisciplinary Studies. Thesis Examination Committee: ____________________________________ Advisor Robert James Nash, Ed.D. ____________________________________ DeMethra LaSha Bradley, Ed.D. ____________________________________ Chairperson Stuart Luhn Whitney, Ed.D. _____________________________________ Dean, Graduate College Domenico Grasso, Ph.D. Date: March 23, 2011 ABSTRACT This thesis is an exploration of the concepts of what the spirituality of consciousness means in several key areas of the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual self. Many students and professionals walk through their educational and professional careers filled with confusion, lack of self-understanding, a yearning for something more but never discovering it in the places we find ourselves for most of our day-to-day interactions. My hope is that this thesis will give insight to how students can overcome obstacles and fears in their lives in order to move forward, and, when necessary, to move past themselves. As a young, Black, immigrant woman who is a first-generation college student and student affairs professional, the methodology of Scholarly Personal Narrative (SPN) appeals to me the most in exploring the spirituality of consciousness. Therefore, I will be using SPN to highlight a portion of my journey through three lenses: mindfulness counseling, religo-spirituality, and understanding what it means to unlock our minds and its complexities through a spiritually-enriched education. I will also highlight how we can disseminate the knowledge of self-awareness and self-awakening as life teachers, educators, and learners to those who come after us--the next generation. The holistic preservation of self and mind is a vital stage in our human existence. As higher education administrators and teachers, we should be able to take the risk and accept the challenge to delve deeper within ourselves to be able to move beyond the curriculum and see the full humanity of our students, hopefully leading to more joyful, productive, loving, creative and brilliant minds. How do we do this? How do we awaken to life, to learning, to each other, in the midst of chaos? This thesis attempts to point the way. DEDICATION I dedicate you to anyone that has ever feared to be themselves, doubted the possibilities in ambivalence, but came through it anyway; to the seekers of their humanity! To my mother, Lilieth Whitley, for always believing I could do anything, even when I didn’t believe it myself, and ultimately to God-the Holy Spirit within me: Here’s to righteous love! ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I acknowledge the fact that I am not alone and who I am now was not created in the singular. I am a part of a collective of my thoughts, actions, decisions; the people who have come and gone in my life. To my supervisor, meaning-making mentor, and friend Beverly Colston: thanks for all our long talks, all the great 1:1’s, for believing in me and helping me to see I could do more than I thought and for always actively listening. Thanks for giving me the space and time to finish this thesis, for making the completion of this writing possible and for that I am truly grateful. You are a gift to me and all those who seek your guidance and company. To Maria Dykema Erb, my writing partner and supporter, meaning-making mentor, colleague and most importantly eternal heavenly friend: you were meant to be in my life. I only hope I have been as good a friend to you as you have been to me. Thanks for helping my spirit soar; you have been such a blessing in my life. To Rey Perez, my #1 fan, thanks for always seeing me for who I am and what I would become; for believing in my true gift and for your unending love. To Robert Nash, my educational and teaching meaning-making mentor, friend, Co-Teacher and Co-Author: thanks for seeing the teacher in me and trusting my instincts, for your loving validation of me and all your students and colleagues. For giving a little more of your personal “P” the more I get to know you. To Candace Taylor, my best friend and soul sister: we have come a long way, we have been through some storms but the journey is not over and I know brighter days are here and to come as our true life destinies unfold. You will always be a part of me, and I of you. Thank you for listening, for your honesty, love, and being there when I need you. To all my loved ones: family, friends, and acquaintances that have come into my life, I thank you for your presence (present) and love. To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who without His love, guidance, and Spirit in my heart, none of this would have been possible: the Author and Finisher of my Faith. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 1 Self-Awareness, Self-Awakening, and Consciousness ................................................... 4 CHAPTER TWO: COUNSELING MINDFULNESS AND MOVEMENT: REALIZING OUR SELF-WORTH AND ACTING ON IT .................................................................. 11 Emotions and the Search for Contentment .................................................................... 11 Self-Worth and Self-Love: Exploring Me from the Start ............................................. 17 Fear, Doubt, and Ambivalence in the Mind .................................................................. 20 Drunk With The Wine Of The World ....................................................................... 26 Know Thyself So No One Can Fool You Or Tell You Who You Are ......................... 31 Student Services Professional, Informal Counselor, and Teacher: Using All of You To Discover Your Courage ................................................................................................. 36 CHAPTER THREE: AN ACT OF FAITH: ALLOWING THE LOVE OF THE SPIRIT TO TAKE OVER .............................................................................................................. 47 Waking Up From the Dream ......................................................................................... 49 Religio-Spirituality Transcended to Faith ..................................................................... 54 How Do We Find Our Spirit in the Midst of Chaos? .................................................... 65 The Road Least Traveled .............................................................................................. 71 Don’t Stop, Even When the World Is Against You ...................................................... 75 Listen, If You Have Ears, Listen ................................................................................... 81 CHAPTER FOUR: THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF EDUCATION: WAKING UP TO THE TRUTH ............................................................................................................................. 87 The World vs. Reality ................................................................................................... 88 The Benefits and Breakdowns of Traditional Education .............................................. 92 How Education Unravels You ................................................................................... 93 How Education Heals You ...................................................................................... 102 The Call of Duty: for Teachers, Educators, Professors, Student Services Professionals, and Higher Education Administration......................................................................... 103 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 106 iv Life Isn’t A Coincidence, Don’t Fall Asleep! ............................................................. 106 Notes ............................................................................................................................... 110 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................