Abstract

The essential focus of this dissertation is on beauty, while the intellectual focus is on the processes and outcomes of the inquiry into beauty. The reader is encouraged to engage in an active inquiry in order to discover a direct understanding and experience of beauty. Procedures followed organic and heuristic methodologies. ;Six caucasian women between the ages of 27 and 50 who expressed interest in beauty and spiritual understanding explored the question, "What is beauty?" For 2 weeks, each engaged in a self-directed, independent inquiry. Next, they inquired cooperatively in a weekend retreat through dialogues, time in nature, and creative work. From the participants' journals, dialogues, and creative work, the primary researcher created an exhibit inviting viewers to directly engage in the inquiry. ;Qualitative analysis of the journals and dialogues revealed 3 aspects of the inquiry experience: process, practice, and transformation. A model of the inquiry process was developed outlining 3 distinct perspectives and phases of beauty inquiry: the relative, mind-based phase which involves judging differences between objects, the absolute, heart-based phase which involves seeing the sameness or shared essential nature of objects in awareness, and the non-dual, being-based phase which is characterized by on-going self-remembrance. Participant transformations included entering more fully into life, increased compassion for oneself, heightened capacity to observe the mind and its functioning, and greater awareness of beauty. The most transformational practices were inquiring, "What is beauty?" inquiring, "What is the difference between beauty and not-beauty?" and holding the possibility that beauty is available in every moment. ;The research process and findings serve to bridge intellectual and spiritual modes of inquiry, and support valuing beauty in a way that deepens and enlivens the human experience