A Phenomenological Pilot Study of Spirituality through Engagement in the Creative Occupation of Pottery Making: An Occupational Science Perspective

Engagement in the creative occupation of pottery making and its relation to the spiritual dimensions of one’s life were investigated in this pilot study. Spirituality is understood as meaning and purpose in life. Literature proposes that engagement in creative occupations fosters a development of meaning and purpose in one’s life, as well as allows for the expression of one’s spirituality. Meditative spiritual experiences have also been described in relation to certain creative occupations. In this study, three potters were interviewed regarding their spiritual experiences relative to making pottery. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using coding strategies to reveal themes of meaning. A number of themes and sub-themes emerged as a result of the coding: Experience of Spirituality: Being Development of Purpose and Meaning & Life: A connection was made between engagement in the creative occupation of pottery making, doing, and their spirituality, being, from the perspective of the development of purpose and meaning in their lives. Integration versus Conflict: The overall role of pottery making in their lives and its impact upon their spirituality, or being, can be of an integrative or conflictual nature. Experience of Spirituality: Doing God as a Partner in Doing: God may be called to work as a partner with the potter in the process of doing pottery making Meditative State in Doing: Some participants reported a meditative or flow-like experience in the process of doing pottery making. Expression of Spirituality: The Pottery Product The doing of pottery making results in the production of a pottery product which expresses their sense of being and spirituality. Doing & Being in Creative Occupation: Becoming This study shows that engagement, or doing, in the creative occupation of pottery making contributes to one’s sense of spirituality, or being. The satisfaction or reward gained from engagement in this creative occupation additionally supports continued engagement in pottery making, or one’s becoming a potter. This continued engagement in pottery making further supports the development of purpose and meaning in one’s life, or one’s ongoing becoming as a spiritual being