The Lived Experience of Self- Transcendence of Elders

Kim, Soon Yi

Abstract

This Qualitative nursing research used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to discover meaning in an self-transcendence experience. The ultimate aim of the inquiry was to discover the essence of self-transcendence experience and to promote understanding. The study used van Manen's Methodology of phenmonological research. Multiple strategies for data collecting were utilized: in depth face-to-face interview and analysis of elders' literature. The following themes of experience emerged: Accepting becoming older as a natural phenomenon, transferring to one's own sons' and daughters' oriented life. Maintaining harmonious relationship with neighbors and peer, observing real situations with silence, forming internal integrity with perseverance, compromising own's real situation, actualizing one's death, giving up roots of life, depending on God and conforming to human limitation. From this study essential themes for understanding self-transcendence experience and needs for continuing inquiry were identified.