Publication Date

Spring 2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

Advisor

Grinell Smith; Colette Rabin; Wendy Stratton

Abstract

Processes that support the intentional effort to manifest virtue remain an under-described and poorly understood area of education research. In the literature, it is identified that immersion - a state of deep affective or cognitive engagement with one’s environment - holds implications for character development. Exploring the guru shishya parampara ((गुरुिश� पर�रा), a pedagogical tradition with roots in Vedic culture, through the lived experiences of an expert musician, this study relates immersive experiences to personal transformation. Data from interviews, lectures, and articles were analyzed. From the data, immersive experiences of the guru shishya tradition are understood to be embodied, intrinsic, focused, and supported internalization and subjective knowledge creation. Further analysis indicates that four factors facilitate personal transformation in the context of the guru shishya parampara: (1) Kendrit Dhyaan (कें ि द्र त �ान) - Focused and sustained attention, (2) Sahajta (सहजता) - Quality of being natural & effortless, (3) Samanvay (सम�य) - Congruence, (4) Deerghkaaleen Anubhava (दीघर्कालीन अनुभव) - Longevity of experience. These four factors are suggested to provide insights by which other education experiences may be better understood. This study adds to the discourse on character development research by describing a method of personal transformation that is ontologically and philosophically sound. While implementing Indian philosophical & cultural constructs where appropriate, this study serves to underscore the importance of relationships to humanistically meaningful education.

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