Patrick T. Baltazar recently completed a dissertation at Sofia University entitled, “Psychospiritual Transformation Through Chronic Illness: An Intuitive Inquiry”

Findings reveal critical moments in a process of transformation, including (1) initial physical crisis and shock of diagnosis, (2) an attempt to return to previous lifestyle and a search for a cure, (3) periods of mourning, fear, and helplessness, (4) confronting the shadow aspects of personality, (5) self-care from an embodied perspective, (6) paradoxical movement between surrender and will, (7) new lifestyle, expanded sense of self, and an integration of inner opposites, (8) sense of interconnectedness with the world and compassionate service. Committee members were Nancy Rowe (Chair), Kevin K. Krycka, and Ilke K. List.