In Search of Mother: Reflections on the Role of Music in Spiritual Understanding for One Woman in a Hospice Program and her Music Therapist
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Author
Dolesh, Kathleen
Date
2005
Degree
Master of Arts in Music Therapy
Abstract
This thesis illustrates the process of utilizing a transpersonal research approach, namely
Organic Inquiry, to discuss reflections on the role of music in spiritual understanding for
one woman in a hospice program and her music therapist. Since Organic Inquiry blends
elements from heuristic, feminist, and intuitive research frameworks, it allows for the
portrayal of spiritual understanding through a multidimensional voice (narratives and
stories) while exploring this topic in the light of essential features such as compassion,
intuitive knowing, and sympathetic resonance. These features serve as value and
validation measures in the research process while enhancing the practice of music therapy
in a hospice setting. The focus of this thesis is to present some aspect of the essential
wisdom of the topic through the re-telling of the experiences of the researcher and the
participant through personal stories, while hopefully stimulating personal transformation
for the researcher, participant, and the reader.