Spiritual Crisis Research Articles

The Influence of Bhagavad Gita on the Literary Works of Sri Aurobindo Ghosh

This article examines the influence of the Bhagavad Gita on Sri Aurobindo Ghosh's literary and philosophical works. The Gita's teachings on karma, bhakti, and jnana shaped Aurobindo's philosophy of Integral Yoga, emphasizing spiritual growth through the integration of life’s physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. His writings, especially Savitri and Essays on the Gita, reflect the Gita’s themes of selfless action, divine will, and spiritual struggle. By reinterpreting the Gita's message as a call for spiritual activism, Aurobindo created a modern path for seekers, extending the text’s relevance to contemporary spiritual and social transformation.

The Phenomenon of Tradition as a Factor of the Dialogue of Cultures: Philosophical-Religious Aspect

The article analyzes the phenomenon of tradition from position of its understanding as a factor of intercultural and interreligious dialogue. At the same time, the very concept of ‘tradition’ is considered by the authors through the prism of the philosophy of Rene Guenon’s traditionalism, for whom tradition is a connecting factor between cultures. The authors determine that in the Genonian understanding, tradition has exoteric and esoteric sides, and it is through the latter that there are coincidences between religious traditions of different cultures. The true essence of such a tradition is comprehended through intellect and intuition, which lay outside the framework of rational thinking, but get to the level of the spiritual and irrational, which in fact leads to intellectual intuition and reveals the esoteric essence of tradition. Considering the exoteric side, the authors establish its focus on maintaining social order, because not every individual can have the necessary ‘qualifications’ to comprehend the essence of tradition. For Guenon, both sides of the tradition, despite their differences, have similarities in the cultures of the East and the West, but it is Western civilization at the present stage of its development that is undergoing a state of severe spiritual crisis, the loss of the traditional path of development. Thus, the teachings of Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, and also Thomas Aquinas, were of the traditional nature, but with the beginning of the Renaissance they were completely lost. The authors conclude that the Western anti-traditionalism, expressed in materialism, egalitarianism, and individualism, tends to extrapolate its worldview to all other cultures, resulting in a confrontation with the East. In this sense, the spiritual crisis is transformed into a whole civilizational crisis of the West, the only way out of which is the revival of tradition in the form of religion based on the Eastern experience.

Evaluating Cause of Displacement and the Lack of Satisfaction among Displaced Persons in Nigeria: Recent Overview

This paper evaluates the current causes of internal displacement and the dissatisfaction of IDPs in camps. The study used procedures and techniques that scholars had previously used to examine this phenomena, however no real insight into IDPs’ lack of satisfaction. The research involved both qualitative and quantitative methods. Nonetheless, no research has been conducted to comprehensively assess the existing situation and provide solutions for the long-term satisfaction of displaced persons in IDP camps. The study showed that conflict among communities, Boko Haram, natural disasters, ethnic crisis, banditry/kidnapping, politics, and religious crisis are the primary causes of IDPs in Nigeria. Furthermore, according to the respondents’ interviews, inadequate government attention to delivering IDPs with essential surviving materials is the primary source of dissatisfaction among displaced individuals. Further stated that the host community’s attitude causes some discontent. To meet the needs of IDPs for dignity and an improved quality of life, the study developed a strategy for bridging the gap for IDPs’ long-term satisfaction and suggests increasing attention to IDPS’ critical needs in the areas of food and nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, shelter, security, and health.

Поэтический цикл С.А. Есенина «Москва кабацкая» и его оценка в критике 1920-х гг.

The paper addresses Sergei Yesenin’s poem cycle Tavern Moscow, characterized by a set of motifs and images which dominate his 1921–1923 poems, and its critical reception in the 1920s. It looks into the history of the creation of the cycle as the poet’s fictional autobiography and enumerates the main principles of cyclisation Yesenin used. The author analyses multidimensional and controversial protagonist figure, whose mask (the poet-ruffian) is a form of protest against everyday life. Tavern Moscow, as an incarnation of the Russian rebellious soul, also acts as the document of a spiritual crisis caused by the clash between the romantic ideal and current life, and the overcoming of this crisis. No other work by Yesenin caused such an animated discussion and controversy as Tavern Moscow. The study analyses literary and critical material presenting mixed reviews, which can be explained by political and group preferences. The critical responses fall under three large categories: critics praising Tavern Moscow as “having a high aesthetic value”; critics speaking favourably of the cycle as an important step in Yesenin’s work but at the same time warning of their “corrupt influence”; critics describing the poem cycle as a “sinister drunken poem sequence”.

Relações de poder e a filosofia da práxis religiosa na Nigéria

Abstract: Over time, arguments have been on the need to separate religion from politics in order not to render the noble objectives of both phenomena defeated. Meanwhile, the reverse has been the case and despite the fact that the Nigerian constitution proclaims Nigeria as a secular state, religion continues to cast an ominous shadow on the country’s governance and its inherent power relations. Religion has further become a tool with which people seek political power. This study, therefore, is an attempt to examine the interplay between religion and politics within the Nigerian state’s power architecture. The dimension the interplay takes, forms part of the concern of this study, so also are the political and development implications of the politicization of religion for governance in Nigeria. To achieve this, the study utilizes both primary and secondary data, whilst adopting a content-analysis approach in its analysis. Findings and analyses clearly expose the politicians’ religious intricacies in their desperation to win and maintain their grips on political power by all means, including manipulating religion for personal political ends. The implications of this, as revealed by facts, are the production of manipulative crop of leaders in governance, and creation of artificial religious crisis among adherents of different religious beliefs and faith. Tougher sanctions are recommended for criminal misuse and manipulation of religion for political ends among all cadres of the population.

Research on "hollow disease" of Chinese university students based on the perspective of logotherapy

With the rapid development of human civilisation in the turn of the twentieth century, the spiritual crisis and an existential vacuum gradually become almost universal. Frankl's logotherapy, from the early twentieth century, is centred on helping people discover the meaning and value of living. It is an effective complement for treatment of neurosis. In recent years, a phenomenon known as "hollow disease" has gained widespread attention in China. Its causes are inseparable from the general environment of global change and the inevitable crisis of faith brought about by the rapid development of China's compressed space and time. From the perspective of logotherapy, this article analyses the causes of "hollow disease" amongst Chinese university students, focusing on the premise that "human existence is meaning-driven" and is an "encounter with the world to realise the value of life". Causes of hollow disease are as follows: the two-fold loss of both instinct and tradition during the social transformation; the impediments to "encountering others" during growth; and dependence on material things that obscures the integrity of human nature. In addition, the author offers advice on individual, organisational, and social levels to help young people to awaken to meaning in their spiritual lives and to fill the void of their internal emptiness.

The Intersection of Sustainable Development and Ethno-Religious Conflict in Nigeria

Nigeria is now facing the complex issue of ethno-religious conflicts, which have significantly affected its socio-economic structure. This study investigates these conflicts' multifaceted and intricate impacts on Nigeria's pursuit of sustainable development. This research examines the historical context, economic disruptions, educational barriers, and political ramifications of ethno-religious contests. The examination explores prominent ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria, including the Jos Crisis, the Boko Haram Insurgency, the Kaduna Religious Crisis, and the tensions in the Middle Belt region. The study highlights many reasons that contribute to the intensification of these conflicts, including religious extremism, economic inequality, and political marginalisation. In addition, the article examines the core principles of sustainable development and the consequences of ethno-religious conflicts on environmental sustainability, social advancement, governance, humanitarian crises, economic activities, population displacement, and infrastructure devastation. Utilising conflict resolution strategies, such as interfaith dialogue, inclusive policies, community engagement, security sector reform, good governance, economic diversification, and investment in education, is recommended to mitigate the negative impacts of ethnoreligious conflicts on attaining sustainable development. The report emphasises the need to address the root issues and implement proactive methods to create a sustainable and harmonious future in Nigeria.

ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CRISIS AND NIGERIA’S FEDERALISM: A STUDY OF JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE

Ethnic, political and religious crises are challenging Nigeria’s existence and its democracy. The issues at stake question Nigeria’s ethno-religious crisis and federalism: a study of the Jos North Municipality in Plateau State. The study adopts the survey design and the questionnaire was used as a tool to collect data. The analysis was performed using the simple percentage data analysis method. After careful analysis and interpretation of the data collected, it was found that issues such as the federal character, the quota system, and “indigenousness” that have entered the vocabulary and practice of federalism in Nigeria tend to generate ethnic, religious, and ultimately political tensions and instability. This calls into question the rationality of introducing the federal character principle in the first place. The research also shows that the federal character principle has had a negative impact on political, social and economic development in the Jos North Local Government Area. In the final presentation, the study recommends, among other things, strict compliance with the constitutional provisions on citizenship rights in relation to indigenous colonisation issues.

Analysis of the Impact of Insufficient Grain Supply on the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

Throughout the Taiping Rebellion, the issue of food supply became its Achilles heel, causing extremely adverse effects on the revolutionary movement. In the early stages of the uprising, due to insufficient food supply, it had to break through from Yong’an, making military operations constrained by food supply; Nanjing was established as the capital for the convenience of food supply, which resulted in significant military strategic mistakes; At the same time, the insufficient supply of food intensified the internal contradictions of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. It adopted methods such as ordering tribute and attacking vanguard to obtain food, which not only disappointed the farmers who had high hopes for it, but also caused serious opposition among landlords and gentry. Even the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’s army had several incidents of fire and union to compete for food. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom experienced a food crisis due to food supply issues, which led to serious political, military, and religious crises, ultimately leading to the failure of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement.

Internalization of Sufism Values in the Millennial Generation in Nuralwala

<p>Modern life, with its various materialistic patterns, has caused a spiritual crisis for humanity. As for the millennial generation, it is the generation that lives in this chaotic era, the one most affected by this crisis. This is the condition that drives Nuralwala as an educational institution to move to spread the teachings of tasawuf in this modern era. This research aims to find out three things. First, what is the definition of Sufism Values according to Nuralwala? Second, how Nuralwala's efforts in internalizing the values of taxawuf in the millennial generation. Third, how the outcomes and impact on the millennial generations. This research uses qualitative method with a descriptive-analytic approach. This research has led to the following conclusions: First, understanding the sufism values according to Nuralwala. Second, the effort made by Nuralwala in internalizing the value of tasawuf in the millennial generation is still online education, in which the concrete effort has only touched the cognitive aspect. Third, the outcomes and impacts for the millennial generation are reviewed from three aspects: cognitive, affective and psychomotor. Of these three, the internalization in the cognitive and affective aspects has the outcome and impact for the millennials. In contrast, the results and impact are minimal in the psychomotor aspects.</p>

В.Я. Брюсов, Н.Ф. Федоров и деятели Федоровианы 1900–1920-х годов: вопрос о смысле и целях искусства. Статья первая. О чем спорили Брюсов и Федоров в доме Ю.П. Бартенева

The article is the first part of the study of the problem of spiritual and creative dialogue between the founder of Russian symbolism V.Y. Bryusov and the philosopher of common cause N.F. Fedorov. In the works of Russian and foreign researchers, this dialogue was studied by V.Y. Bryusov, in terms of the poet's interest in cosmic themes, in the context of his theory of scientific poetry. In this study, the focus is on the question of the meaning and purpose of art. For the first time, with the involvement of new, including archival sources, the reaction of N.F. Fedorov to the meeting with V.Ya. Bryusov, held on April 20, 1900 in the house of Yu.P. Bartenev, is considered, it is shown how the ideological dispute that arose during this meeting was reflected in the late work of the philosopher. The content of the dispute and the interrelation of its two themes – the possibility/impossibility of overcoming death and the attitude to the ideas of F. Nietzsche are revealed. Fragments of articles and notes written by N.F. Fedorov, in which his dispute with V.Y. Bryusov is mentioned, are analyzed. N.F. Fedorov's perception of decadence is reconstructed, the philosophical complex of which, as well as the ideas of the new religious consciousness, the philosopher associated with the spiritual crisis of the fin de siècle era, contrasting them with the idea of active Christianity, man's cooperation with God in history. It is shown how N.F. Fedorov's liturgical aesthetics is formed in the polemic with Nietzschean aesthetics and decadence aesthetics, in the center of which is the image of art as an extra-temple liturgy. The relation of N.F. Fedorov to the current of symbolism, to which he opposed the religious understanding of the symbol, is considered.

THE SPIRITUAL CRISIS OF MODERN SOCIETY

The article is devoted to the problems resulting from the modern spiritual crisis, as well as the search for ways to overcome this systemic crisis. Turning to the meaning of the concept of spirituality, the authors of the article considers a number of possibilities for overcoming the state of spiritual crisis, among which the desire for human values is indicated. The reasons and types contributing to overcoming, explaining the spiritual crisis and affirming the further growth and uplift of spirituality in all its manifestations are analyzed.

“Muravyov's System” and the Periodical Press

Western Russian outskirts in the second half of the 19th century became the fi eld not only and not so much of armed, but more of spiritual struggle, so it was no coincidence that contemporaries called the North-Western Territory the “moral Caucasus”. One of the weapons in the said struggle was the periodical press. M.N. Muravyov perfectly realized the importance of propaganda and skilfully used public and popular support, making local and central journalism of the “Russian trend” one of the most important elements of his “system” of governing the region. It was greatly infl uenced by the “Vilna circle of Russifi ers”, which was formed during the period of Muravyov’s general government, and was headed by the trustee of the Vilna educational district I.P. Kornilov, who became the ideological inspirer of the most signifi cant periodicals in the region. The key local publications were “Vestnik Zapadnoy Rossii”, “Vilensky Vestnik”, and “Litovskie Eparchialnie Vedomosti”. History of the periodical press of the Western Territory in the 1860s.shows that the “Russifi cation” carried out during thфе period was by no means only of administrative-state nature. The “Vilna consensus” was part of the post-reform public upsurge that brought together broad Slavophil and liberal circles, state, public and church leaders of various “parties” and various scales.

Risk factors and protective factors of suicidal behavior in people diagnosed with depression

According to the WHO, over 700,000 people commit suicide annually. Their main cause is clinical depression. It is predicted that by 2030 it will become the most diagnosed ailment among people. In the face of the pandemic of depression and suicidal behaviour, it is important to establish the so-called protective factors. Aim of the study: The main aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between protective factors (spirituality, religiosity) and suicidal risk factors (mental pain, depression, anxiety, fascination with death, coexistence of Borderline Personality Disorder BPD, self-harm) in people with a clinical depression. Methodology: The study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023 using standardized tools and clinical scales to assess the above-mentioned variables. A total of 167 people were examined, while 96 people were qualified for the study, including 46 patients with depression and 50 people from the control group. Results: A significant number of subjects from the control group declaring mental health showed features of depressive disorders (27%), anxiety disorders (45%) and BPD (31.5%). Depressed participants compared to the control group, showed a lower level of spirituality and religiosity and a higher level of suicidal risk factors. Among people with depression, a positive effect of spirituality on lowering the fascination with death was shown, while religiosity correlated negatively with self-harm. In addition, psychological pain and fascination with death increased with the severity of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and BPD. In the examined group, the level of suicidal risk factors increased along with the religious crisis. Conclusions: The study partially confirmed the protective effect of spirituality and religiosity on people with depression in the context of suicidal risk. Religious crisis turned out to be a significant predictor of suicide risk

Narrative Point of View and Romantic Irony in Melville’s “The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids”

The short fiction “The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids” is written in first-person narration as a diptych in which Melville ponders the human spiritual crisis in the industrialized world. This article explores the contradiction of the narrator’s spiritual liberation and others’ exclusion employing the narrator’s shifting experiencing and retrospective viewpoints, with the engagement of Romantic Irony. Through the dual viewpoints, the subjectivity and uncertainty of the first-person Romantic ironist manifest the uncertainty of the human spiritual crisis in industrialization. Melville questions human spirits and technology to elevate his ambiguous narration and philosophical concerns.

Religiosity: fomation of the concept and first research in the late 19th — beginning of the 20th century

This article attempts to fill a gap in currently available literature on the history of the study of religiosity fitting it into a more general context of the formation of a scientific approach to the study of religion. This is the first review covering the second half of the 19th and the first two decades of the 20th century. The first part of the article explores the term “religiosity”. The issue was brought up at the initial stage of the history of Religious Studies. Nevertheless, the term wasn't immediately accepted by the scientific community. Its meaning was clarified as opposed to the term “religion”. This opposition is rooted in the German philosophy of the 18–19th centuries and was manifested in the 1860-1870s debates about religiosity as a distinctive feature of a human being in anthropology and, since the late 19th century, in psychology. An understanding of religiosity as a subjective side of religion became dominant in 1910s and provided a basis for later typologies and classifications of religiosity. The second part aims to describe some early studies on religiosity. Attendance to worship services was measured through statistical surveys. Conversion studies focused on various religious practices and beliefs, as well as factors that made people convert. Teachers and priests organized surveys among students in the United States trying to respond to a religious crisis and low level of interest in religion among children and adolescents at the turn of the century. Some studies grouped believers based on the frequency of religious practices, thus creating the first typologies of religiosity. The author analyzes the works of Russian researchers, too. He concludes that the theoretical understanding of religiosity went hand in hand with international science, although the term itself was used less. The lack of empirical studies of religiosity in Russia in the studied period was due to the state policy and the attention of theorists to other issues in relation to projects for the future Russia.

Mental health professionals’ perspectives on the relevance of religion and spirituality to mental health care

BackgroundA large body of evidence indicates that spiritual and religious backgrounds, beliefs, and practices (SRBBPs) are related to better psychological health. Spirituality and religion (R/S) are also important aspects of multicultural diversity. There is evidence that clients would like to talk about their spirituality, and that including it in assessment and treatment planning can be beneficial. However, the extent to which practicing mental health professionals view SRBBPs as relevant to mental health and clinical practice is unclear.MethodsA survey examining several aspects of addressing SRBBPs in clinical practice was distributed to 894 professionals across mental health disciplines, including psychiatry, psychology, social work, marriage family therapy, licensed professional counselors, certified chemical dependency counselors, and psychiatric mental health nurses.Results89% of mental health professionals agreed that clinicians should receive training in R/S competencies. There were no differences between mental health disciplines in ratings of importance of such training. Younger individuals and those who identify as more spiritual were more likely to consider R/S training as important. Although 47.1% of professionals had not received much R/S training, many perceived themselves to be highly competent in R/S clinical integration practices (57.8% considered themselves able to display them very much or completely). In addition, respondents with more R/S training evaluated themselves as more proficient in R/S clinical integration. Nearly two-thirds (65.2%) of respondents reported encountering few to no barriers to engaging in R/S competent mental health care.ConclusionsThere is a growing consensus among mental health care professionals that mental health professionals should be trained in R/S competencies. Strong agreement exists that basic R/S competencies include respect, empathy, examination of bias, and routine assessment of R/S in mental health care. Four in five of those surveyed agree that more active competencies, such as identifying and addressing religious and spiritual struggles and problems and helping clients explore and access R/S strengths and resources should be included, whereas one in five report less comfort with these competencies.

Narrative Point of View and Romantic Irony in Melville’s “The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids”

The short fiction “The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids” is written in first-person narration as a diptych in which Melville ponders the human spiritual crisis in the industrialized world. This article explores the contradiction of the narrator’s spiritual liberation and others’ exclusion employing the narrator’s shifting experiencing and retrospective viewpoints, with the engagement of Romantic Irony. Through the dual viewpoints, the subjectivity and uncertainty of the first-person Romantic ironist manifest the uncertainty of the human spiritual crisis in industrialization. Melville questions human spirits and technology to elevate his ambiguous narration and philosophical concerns.

Battles of the Soul: Validation of the Scale of Religious and Spiritual Struggles (RSS) for the Portuguese Population

This study aims to adapt and validate the Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale for the Portuguese population. The sample consisted of 732 participants with various religious affiliations. The exploratory factor analysis showed that it consists of six dimensions, similar to the initial instrument. A KMO of 0.91 was obtained. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the existence of six factors and showed adequate fit indices. Internal consistency and construct reliability were above 0.70. The analysis of the psychometric qualities of this instrument indicates that it can be applied to the Portuguese population and is a valuable instrument for psychotherapeutic practice and studies in the psychology of religion and spirituality.

Modern Malaises: A study of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land

This paper seeks to examine modern malaises like the emptiness of mind, sexual perversion, alienation and fragmentation, spiritual barrenness, estrangement, disillusionment, and industrialization in the light of T. S. Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land’. The poem explores how people have become uprooted and hopeless in their life routines. The poem was written in 1922 but reveals the real picture of the near future. In today’s world emotional and spiritual crises are the basic problems. Modern people do not have love, trust, hope, and morality. They are self-centered entrapped by the greed of money and power. T. S. Eliot suggests nourishing the dry roots of modern wasteland and regenerating a new and different world. An honest effort has been made to depict the real picture of today’s society, to deconstruct the polluted discourse of the modern world, and to look for the remedy of love, trust, hope and good deeds suggested by T. S. Eliot in his greatest poem, ‘The Waste Land’.