Spiritual bypassing: Unveiling dynamics and remedies of it among Muslim American participants
[Thesis]
[Thesis]
[Thesis]
[Thesis]
Ketam Hamdan
Mihalache, Gabi
Institute of Transpersonal Psychology
2014
192
Committee members: hedva, beth; smith, jane
Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-321-18691-8
Ph.D.
Global Psychology with a concentration in Transpersonal Psychology
Institute of Transpersonal Psychology
2014
This heuristic study was designed to investigate spiritual bypassing, defined as a person's utilization of spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid unresolved psychological issues. The research question asked how to identify and remedy spiritual bypassing among Muslim American participants? Relevance of both holistic development and attachment theory were discussed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants (5 women and 5 men), who also completed the Relationship Structures: Attachment Style Across Relationships Questionnaire. Findings indicate 7 major themes in the lived experience of spiritual bypassing: (a) relational emotional grief, (b) relationship pain triggers a return to religion, (c) accessing deeper meaning, (d) intimate relationships as barometer of psychological growth, (e) integrating spirituality and psychotherapy for holistic development, (f) 6 dynamics of spiritual bypassing, and (g) 8 remedies for overcoming spiritual bypassing. The 6 dynamics of spiritual bypassing were (a) socially / culturally preconditioned to turn to religion, (b) used spirituality to emotionally numb issues, (c) behavior not aligned with values, (d) used spirituality to fill a void, (e) misconstrued God as a secure attachment figure, and (f) holier than thou attitude. The 8 remedies used by participants to overcome spiritual bypassing were (a) psychotherapy, (b) assumed responsibility and gained self-control, (c) understood change takes continuous effort, (d) recognized that the growth process is nonlinear and unclear, (e) consulted a therapist with spiritual knowledge, (f) Managed negative mind chatter and inner critic, (g) developed a variety of tools, and (h) embraced the rollercoaster of emotions. Suffering extreme pain from a relationship problem, breakup, or divorce was the catalyst for setting the process of spiritual bypassing and growth in motion for all participants. Deepening current understanding of spiritual bypassing as a constructive defense mechanism among transpersonal therapists and spiritual guidance professionals is a contribution to the field. Succinctly, this study demonstrates the importance of psychological growth in complementing spiritual growth.