Hector, F. (2021). A heuristic inquiry into the living experiences of participants in Albareda and Romero’s Holistic Transformation practices [Unpublished Master’s thesis]. Alef Trust & Middlesex University.

Holistic Transformation (HT) is an original approach to integral development. Published literature describes its theoretical elaborations and applications; however, no empirical research directly addresses the participant experiences on which these are based. A purposive sample of sixteen co-researchers (with a median of 20 years’ HT experience) engaged in interviews and workshops that generated verbal, somatic and artistic data. Heuristic inquiry (Moustakas, 1990) methodology was applied and further developed within a participatory framework that included additional data validation interviews. Six out of ten co-researchers felt that their individual depiction accurately described their experience of HT. The average resonance score among eight co-researchers who participated in the composite depiction validation interview was 8.9. Five main themes emerged: multidimensional ways of knowing; relational changes; a gradual process of self-directed personal growth; linguistic and metaphorical framework; and receptive, open, “feminine” qualities. Investigation results provide experiential insights into the processes, challenges, insights and structures that accompanied and facilitated co-researchers’ integrative development. The research concludes that receptivity and appropriate open structures are central to HT practices, activating multidimensional intelligences that participate in co-creating alternative intrapersonal, interpersonal and transpersonal outcomes and experiences, oriented towards integral health and wellbeing. Limitations and further research are discussed.