MSR Research Webinar Series
Mapping Spiritual Awakening: Diverse Journeys of Consciousness Expansion
December 15, 2025, 12:00–1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (5:00–6:30 p.m. UK time)
Guest speaker: Dr. Steve Taylor
Facilitated by Dr. Tianyuan Yu and Dr. Gaëtan Mourmant
Meeting link:
https://aom-org.zoom.us/j/98182609243?pwd=WVkeXFS36uNI2qDyACteFR92wJPs64.1
Meeting ID: 981 8260 9243
Passcode: MSR
Dear Colleagues,
The MSR Research Committee invites you to Mapping Spiritual Awakening, a vibrant webinar that promises inspiration, new perspectives, and meaningful insights for researchers at every stage of their journey.
Spiritual awakening is a focal phenomenon of spirituality and consciousness. It underpins spiritual leadership theories, global consciousness research, and emerging spiritual research paradigms, appearing under varied labels such as inner life, leader gaze, inner leadings, epistemological ascent, quantum shift, spiritual transformation, and consciousness expansion. Beyond personal experiences, spiritual awakening catalyzes individual and collective healing, forgiveness, and empowerment within organizational life. Yet much existing MSR research focuses on its external, tangible outcomes while leaving the inner process of spiritual awakening largely unexplored. It is therefore time to bring spiritual awakening to the centre of MSR inquiry. As humanity and the Earth undergo massive transformation, the relevance of spiritual awakening in management will grow exponentially. Furthermore, as scholars bring their full, embodied selves into research, second- and third-person methods naturally evolve into first-person inquiry. In this emerging landscape, it becomes especially meaningful to explore how scientific approaches might integrate with postmodern, spiritual paradigms to advance MSR research.
We are thrilled to host Dr. Steve Taylor, a leading researcher in the study of spiritual awakening whose insights will add tremendous depth to this conversation. Dr. Taylor will discuss his many years of research into the phenomenon of spiritual awakening, both in its temporary and ongoing forms. He will share his definition of spiritual awakening, including its four different domains. He will discuss the triggers and characteristics of temporary "awakening experiences" (such as psychological turmoil and contact with nature) and the after-effects of the experiences. He will also discuss "wakefulness" (awakening in its ongoing form) and the three different ways in which it can manifest itself. He will also share information about the "WAKE-19" scale that he developed with co-researchers as a way of measuring spiritual development.
Dr. Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer and researcher in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University, and a former Chair of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society. He is the author of many best-selling books on psychology and spirituality, including The Adventure, The Leap, and Spiritual Science. He is the author of many academic papers and his books have been published in more than 20 languages. He writes the popular "Out of the Darkness" blog for Psychology Today. Eckhart Tolle has described Steve's work as "an important contribution to the shift in consciousness which is happening on our planet at present." Steve lives in Manchester, England. His website is www.stevenmtaylor.com
This webinar marks the first in a series of research events organized by the MSR Executive Committee from December 2025 through June 2026. These events aim to support both emerging and established scholars while fostering inspiration and connection across international research communities. Featuring distinguished scholars from diverse disciplines, the series will enrich and expand MSR scholarship and push the boundaries of the field by introducing cutting-edge research. The webinars will be scheduled for varying times of day to ensure participants in different time zones have equitable opportunities to join.
See you all on December 15!
Best regards,
MSR Research Committee (Tianyuan Yu, Naida Culshaw, Stacey Guenther, Konstantin Weicht, and Gaëtan Mourmant)
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Tianyuan Yu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Mount Saint Vincent University
Halifax NS Canada
Representative-at-Large for Research
Management, Spirituality & Religion Division, Academy of Management
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