Steps on Life Change and Spiritual Transformation: The Project of the Self
Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Sociologia November 1, 2017 Tobias Andrada
This paper analyzes how Romanians adopt self-centered lifestyles through alternative spirituality and subjectification techniques. Based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the author argues that practices such as yoga, transcendental meditation, bioenergy, holistic medicine, and personal development courses reshape individuals' worldviews and align with neoliberal governmentality. The study reviews relevant literature, attends spiritual development workshops, and examines trainers' and participants' discourses to show how these techniques support self-improvement in daily life and careers.