Reflections on Vera and Tree of Life: Multi-reflexivity, meta-narrative dialogue for Transpersonal Research

Abstract

This Paper aims to explore the possibility of understanding the meaning of ‘transpersonal’ through the reflexivity in a research process that involves peer researchers completing the work of a late researcher’s project using a mixed method of autoethnography, multi-reflexivity and narrative oriented inquiry. The transpersonal enquiry arises from the untimely death of the key researcher of the Tree of Life project which had a profound impact upon the research process and the team. It created a special (transpersonal?) layer on the co-researchers’ reflexivity when analysing the transcripts of the participants, as one had to reflect from multiple perspectives of: the participants, self and the late researcher. Furthermore the shared bereavement evoked an urge for the transpersonal quest. This formed a meta-narrative dialogue in the multi-reflexivity as a point of entry to the transpersonal realm.(This paper is also written in preparation for the Transpersonal Research Colloquium 2016 on the theme of Research Models and Methods for Transpersonal Research in Northampton, 14-16 September, 2016)