Entheogenic and nature-oriented transpersonal experiences, inspirations and challenges of ecological engagement, and attitudes toward sociopolitical activism: Applying participatory research, heuristic inquiry, and thematic analysis to empower activists.

Among 21 adult North Americans working to address the ecological crisis, themes from heuristic inquiry and participatory action research included entheogenic and nature-based awe experiences, identifying the crisis's origins, both high and low political efficacy, nature-related wellbeing, and mutual stimulation between psychospiritual development and activism. Challenges to activism and the need for self-growth to overcome them emerged, along with individuation needs that both inspired and challenged activism. Many participants held negative attitudes toward sociopolitical activism, indicating a need for psychospiritual supports to foster collaborative sociopolitical change.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In original research on empowering adult North Americans who aspire to address the ecological crisis (N = 21), heuristic inquiry, participatory action research, and thematic analysis were applied to examining the challenges and inspirations to coresearchers' broadly defined activism. The following themes emerged: Entheogenic and nature-oriented transpersonal and awe-evoking experiences; identifying origins of the ecological crisis; high and low political efficacy—inspired activism; relations with nature increased wellbeing; psychospiritual development and activism were mutually stimulating; challenges to activism and nurturing self-growth to overcome challenges; individuation needs inspired and were a challenge to activism; ecologically conscious collaboration and lifestyle transformation fostered psychospiritual growth. Many coresearchers expressed negative attitudes toward sociopolitical activism, suggesting a need for psychospiritual supports to evoke collaborative sociopolitical transformation.