An autoethnographic narrative inquiry: How my experiential spiritual life helps define my sense of place

My own life story has led me to this study. I am passionate about how my experiential spiritual life helps define a sense of place. This study explored the experience of spirituality and place primarily using an autoethnographic narrative inquiry methodology. The methodological aspects of this study emphasized my life experiences, journal entries, and photographs. This is done through my experiences. The study aspects of this journey consisted of information from ideas and knowledge of recognized published experts on American Indian beliefs, psychology of spirituality and place, death and dying, and gardens.;Instead of interpreting or analyzing this study, the reader is invited to relive my experience. Following the path of the silver thread through retreat, reflection, and self-discovery, the findings of this study helped explain how the importance of remembering where I am from helps to define my spirituality and a sense of place. The restless feeling---the rootlessness, the removal from homeland, and confusion about origins of place---is a common condition becoming more intense in this postmodern era.;As a result of my self-discovery journey, my findings could be summarized as follows: that prolonged immersion into a place---earth---served as a gateway to self-discovery and experiencing spirituality. Traveling the roads of Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and New Mexico, and reading about the American Indian cultures and importance of the earth to all peoples' spirituality, my mind is becoming more aware of the symbols and visions provided to me, listening to the spirits and seeing the landscape before me, helping me follow the silver thread toward finding a sense of place. Plunging my hands into the soils of my gardens quiets the internal chatter and busyness noises of the industrialized world. My inner awareness---consciousness---is always evolving, and at times I must surrender to the journey.;Investment in the work of self-discovery was a worthwhile endeavor. The purpose of this study was to serve as a vehicle of discovery and creation for myself and others who are in search for how spirituality helps define a sense of place.;KEY WORDS: Autoethnography, God, human development, personal narrative, self-discovery, sense of place, spirituality...