Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

12-1992

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Major

Education

Major Professor

Joy T. DeSensi

Committee Members

Joan Paul, Pat Beitel, David Dungan

Abstract

Although many conflicting claims can be found in the literature, a rigorous analysis of the theological aspects as well as dynamics of enhanced performance has never been investigated. This ethnographic study was conducted in an effort to comprehend whether there were qualitative similarities and differences between the rare states of exalted consciousness and performance reported in sporting contexts and the analogous states of exaltation occasionally reported in the contexts of Christianity. Six professional athletes were interviewed regarding their perceptions of their ecstatic experiences in sport and their perceptions of their exalted experiences of the Holy Spirit. Triggers which promoted flow in sport included a positive mental attitude, positive pre-competitive and competitive affect, maintaining appropriate focus, and physical readiness (Jackson, 1992). A fifth general dimension of triggers was that of unitive state. All five sets of triggers were applicable to the rare state of exalted consciousness. Situational blocks or hindrances which were perceived to disrupt flow included physical problems, inability to maintain focus, and negative mental attitude (Jackson, 1992). Similarities were reported as situational blocks for disrupting the rare states of exalted consciousness of the Holy Spirit. Crowd distraction was reported to disrupt flow, but not the exalted consciousness of the Holy Spirit. All of the professional athletes reported flow experiences and their descriptions were congruent with Csizkszentmihalyi's (1975, 1990) eight components of flow. The professional athletes reported qualitative similarities which included ecstatic qualities as described by Laski (1962), James (1985) and Otto (1932), community building as described by Augustine and in 1 Corinthians Chapters 12-14, and perfection as described by John Wesley (1964) and the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. Qualitative differences were noted in the spiritual realm which included a new love. Previous to this research Csikszentmihalyi (1990) offered two sets of factors for getting into flow: psychological and situational factors. A third underlying mechanism for producing flow was determined in this research. Through the complex interplay of the Holy spirit and its trigger of the rare exalted states of consciousness during a sport performance, a new trigger was identified. This researcher termed this combined exalted experience a quasi-religious sport flow.

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