In order to provide a working definition of spiritual transformation for purposes of launching this inquiry, we initially define it as dramatic changes in world and self views, purposes, religious beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. These changes are often linked to discrete experiences that can occur gradually or over relatively short periods of time. This change usually occurs within three contexts: (i) As an intensified devotion within the same religious structure; (ii) A shift from no spiritual commitment to a devout spiritual life; or (iii) A change from one faith tradition to another. These changes are sometimes precipitated by stress and anguish, induced through rigorous practices, and can also occur spontaneously without apparent corollaries.

The following are a series of questions designed to provide a guide to further investigation into spiritual transformation. We welcome other kinds of innovative questions and insights that may stem from these and/or related questions that various applicants may propose for further investigation.

What constitutes spiritual transformation? Is there more than one kind of spiritual transformation? How do we need to revise our working definition of spiritual transformation to develop a more comprehensive model of the phenomenon?

What are the pathways (processes, antecedents, and outcomes) of various forms of spiritual transformation (both incremental and rapid)? What are the psychosocial correlates of each? What individual characteristics are associated with different pathways, such as genetic, developmental or neuropsychological (for example, cognitive complexity, emotional lability, and so forth)? What group characteristics are associated with different pathways (e.g., suffering, social support, cultural factors)? What individual and group characteristics are facilitators/inhibitors to spiritual transformations?

What are the outcomes for individuals who undergo a spiritual transformation experience and for the groups with whom these individuals interact? What are the benefits and/or costs of these spiritual transformation experiences for the individuals and groups? What factors influence the stability of various spiritual transformation outcomes, for example, how do various kinds of outcomes relate to prior individual characteristics, the set and setting of the experience, subsequent training and support, and other important factors?
What contexts are associated with different pathways of spiritual transformation experience? To what extent are special states (psychic, social, pharmacological, and neuropsychological) associated with having a spiritual transformation experience? Are there contexts and states that particularly facilitate or inhibit a/the spiritual transformation experience? To what extent does pain/painlessness enter into the spiritual transformation process?
What aspects of the spiritual transformation processes are associated with specific techniques, such as fasting, use of pharmacological substances, solitude, singing/music, confession, celebration that become incorporated in religious and non-religious secular practices?
What roles such as social context and setting of various religious and non-religious practices play in enhancing various factors that underlie spiritual transformation processes? For example, what roles do prayer/ meditation, worship, pilgrimage, readings of scriptures and/or other sacred texts and stories, "telling ones story", artistic endeavor, relationship toward nature, acts of service to others and various other kinds of religious and non religious rituals play in the process?
What is the role of significant personal experiences and life events in the processes of spiritual transformation? Are there spiritually transforming events and processes that are distinctly and uniquely spiritual? Or are the processes of spiritual transformation the same as those involved in, for example, political transformation, but simply involving different content? How do spontaneous experiences of spiritual transformation occur? How do spontaneous experiences of spiritual transformation vary in terms of antecedents and outcomes from institutionalized forms of spiritual transformation that occur within religious and secular experiences?
How can contemporary psychosocial and biosocial models, theories and methods of study be improved to account for the various aspects of spiritual transformation? Are there universal elements to the spiritual transformation processes? How do the underlying processes vary among the range of possible factors (individual and group social stresses and strains) that create/stimulate a spiritually transformative experience?
We not only acknowledge the existence of different kinds of spiritual transformation, but also seek proposals that reflect diverse methodologies in studying these experiences. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are necessary to gain a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of spiritual transformation. Case studies and ethnographic research, for example, provide very rich qualitative data and key theoretical insights to processes that are often not amenable to study through more standard survey and quantitative research. At the same time, experimental and quasi-experimental designs as well as a full range of other innovative methodologies (e.g. multilevel modeling, accelerated longitudinal, etc.) to studying spiritual transformation are strongly encouraged.

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