Spiritual Implications Research Articles

Addiction, Waste(d) Labor, and the Debate of the Carpenter's Tools

Addiction, Waste(d) Labor, and the <i>Debate of the Carpenter's Tools</i>

Spirituality, Illness, and the Bible in Late Antique Gaza

The spiritual implications of illness were a significant interest for monks of late antiquity, whose concerns reflect common experiences in illness and ways of speaking about illness observable yet today. At the root of the many letters from the sixth-century Gazan monastery of Thavatha is a concern about the meaning of illness, not so much a diagnosis of a medical problem as a discernment of how natural and demonic influences intertwine, and how bodily and mental afflictions make sense within the spiritual “progress” of the monk. For Barsanuphius and John, the great old men of Gaza, the Bible offered models to reframe suffering in line with their ascetic spirituality.

Personal Reflection: Good News for Sinners

Through their collage work, McKinnon examines their own identity as LGBTQ+, internalized homophobia and the spiritual implications of being queer.

Mexica Monism and Daoist Ethics in the Philosophy of Gloria Anzaldúa

Critical scholarship regarding the philosophy of Gloria Anzaldúa has proliferated in recent decades, especially in the fields of feminist theory, phenomenology, and epistemology. However, there is little analysis of the metaphysics which undergird their work and make possible their views on identity, experience, and community politics. First, this article will explore the significance of Anzaldúa’s ‘nos/otras’ and its relation to Mexica (Aztec) monistic metaphysics. Such a concept resists an us/them construction of the world because it situates the other as us: the Spanish word for ‘we’ is ‘nosotros’ and holds the ‘other/otros’ as its root, which Anzaldúa feminizes to ‘otras’. Second, we will compare Daoist and Mexica metaphysics, two monist systems, and unpack the moral implications for spirituality. Doing so, we will see that according to Anzaldúa’s monistic view, we are affected by each other’s spirit and have an obligation to be spiritually active in the world. This claim is found throughout Anzaldúa’s philosophy and is the key to understanding the spiritual implications of her work. Lastly, we will apply such a view to sexual trauma and see that Anzalduan metaphysics lays out a path of recovery. If sexual violence is the severing of trust with others, then Anzaldúa’s understanding of how the world is constructed gives us a way to re-establish trust with ourselves, each other, and our communities.

Searching the true poor

The article addresses Augustine’s explanation of the beatitude Beati pauperes spiritu, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum (Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven), stressing the spiritual implications which Augustine himself highlights in his own exegesis of this text. Namely the identity of the true poor, that include, among other things, humbleness, obedience to God’s will, to be related to the Body of Christ and how monk should live poverty. It also addresses the topic of poverty as the first step in a spiritual Journey towards God. Some anti-Donatist ideas regarding poverty are discussed, especially in the relationship of Augustine with the Donatist Bishop Petilian in the Work Contra litteras Petiliani.

REVIEW OF MUHAMMAD ASAD'S WORKS “SAHIH AL-BUKHARI THE EARLY YEARS OF ISLAM

This paper discusses Muhammad Asad’s (1990-1992) seminal work Sahih al-Bukhari The Early Years of Islam that wasfirst published in 1935 by The Arafat Publications, Srinagar, Kashmir and its second impression in 1981 by Dar Al-Andalus, Gibraltar. It presents modern translation and commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari, which brought forth significance philosophy and principle of hadith commentary in modern context. The paper aims to analyse the essential ideas developed by Muhammad Asad in his discussion of hadith and compared this with other critical works set forth by classical and contemporary Muslim traditionists. The research was structured based on descriptive, analytical, historical and comparative method. The study concluded that the work was momentous and profound reflecting contextualist approach in expounding the meaning of hadith and its intrinsic philosophy and far-reaching social and spiritual implication. It set forth crucial and highly influential methods of commentary of al-Bukhari’s Sahih – Sahih al-Bukhari The Early Years of Islam that had immensely contributed to the revival of hadith tradition and commentary (sharh) in modern ages.

The Search for Meaning in Medicine When Confronted with Life-Threatening Illness - How to Include a Bio-Psycho-Social Model into Health-Care.

This paper aims to discover and discuss the place of spirituality in the meaning-making process for patients with life-threatening diseases like cancer. Does the search for meaning serve a specific role, or is it purely subjective? Finding constructive coping strategies can improve the quality of life. Meaning-making might be an essential coping strategy. Research has confirmed that spirituality is an integral part of meaning-making for many patients. To understand the findings of studies and their relevance for oncology and healthcare in general, definitions of religion, religiosity, and spirituality are presented. The main theoretical framework is shown in theories of the psychology of meaning. The search for meaning is discussed conceptually in psychoanalytic terms alongside developing a supporting super-ego. It aims to clarify the psychological effects and implications of faith, religion, religiosity, and spirituality on individual, interpersonal and social levels. The influence of illness on life and the impact of life on illness have to be considered, as cultural/societal challenges influence change processes. Internalization of a supportive super-ego, adequate self-regulation, and subjective illness perception/ "truth" influence (social) behavior (un)consciously. Therefore, a systems-theoretical view of the ability to accept boundaries should accompany the supporting super-ego in the process of the search for meaning. A bio-psycho-social model integrates all aspects of human life which are involved in dealing with a disease. The interest in the bio-psycho-social model is neither outdated nor new. The model is often supplemented by the factor of spirituality, which has been part of human experience throughout human history.

Family-centered therapy: Implications of Pacific spirituality for person-centered theory and practice

ABSTRACT Based on the authors’ different backgrounds and experiences of working in Pacific communities and with Pacific people as clients, supervisees, trainees, and colleagues, and taking a critical perspective informed by Talanoa research methodology, mainly Samoan and by Southern theory, this article examines person-centered theory and practice. The article firstly reviews Rogers’ theory of therapy, personality, and interpersonal relationships; and second deconstructs Rogers’ original ‘general structure’, offering a reconstruction of the theory that accounts for placing the family and spirituality at the center of psychological practice and theory. The article concludes with identifying three epistemological shifts necessary to make person-centered psychology more relevant to the Pacific context.

Religious and Spiritual Implications in Functional Anger.

The topic of spirituality has been of interest for many years in the helping professions ( Matise et al., 2018; Pargament, 2011). Another level of interest is how spirituality may be connected to anger that is culturally informed ( Subarimaniam et al., 2020). This writing approaches the topic of functional anger as impacted by the religious and spiritual beliefs with case vignettes pertinent to students, pastoral counselors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists, and other helping professionals.

Case for Animal Spirituality—Part 1

This is the first part of a two-part article that presents the theoretical and empirical case for nonhuman animal (hereafter, ‘animal’) spirituality. Part 1 discusses the relevance of evolutionary theory and species differences for understanding animals’ capacity to have spiritual experience, conceptual issues related to defining animal spirituality, and methodological considerations pertaining to the use of analogical reasoning and animalcentered anthropomorphism as heuristic strategies in the study of animal spirituality. Behavioral and ethological evidence bearing on the existence of awareness, perceptual experience, self-awareness, and meaning-making in the absence of human language in animals is presented. Part 2 examines evidence for six biopsychosocial capabilities in animals that are proposed building blocks of human spirituality—cognition, imagination, emotion, moral sense, personality, and value-life. Part 2 concludes with a discussion of the implications of animal spirituality for society’s treatment of animals, humanizing an inhumane human biocultural world, and advancing understanding of human spirituality.

Key Focus Group Themes to Inform Weight Management Interventions in Deep South African Americans

ObjectiveTo understand African Americans’ perceptions, barriers, and facilitators to recruitment, enrollment, adoption, maintenance, and retention in a nutrition and physical activity promotion program. DesignFour focus groups were conducted. SettingTwo community settings located in Jackson and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. ParticipantsParticipants (n = 28) were aged 18–50 years. Main Outcome Measure(s)Barriers and facilitators associated with healthy eating, physical activity, achieving a healthy weight, and participation in a health behavior change program. AnalysisA conventional thematic content analysis approach includes data familiarization, initial code generation, initial theme generation, themes review, and team review for finalization of themes. ResultsMajor themes related to health behaviors and participation in a behavior change program were identified by participants, including time constraints, costs, social support, consistency and self-efficacy, motivation for longevity and disease prevention, physical appearance, fear of injury/pain, social norms/stigma associated with outdoor physical activity, body criticism from family members, and having empathic and validating program staff support. Conclusions and ImplicationsSeveral social determinants of health were identified as essential considerations for promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors among African American adult Mississippians. Cultural and spiritual implications were also identified. Study insights inform policy approaches for designing culturally appropriate health behavior change programs in the Deep South.

Workplace spirituality and innovative work behavior: the role of employee flourishing and workplace satisfaction

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the role of employee flourishing as a mechanism to explain the relationship between workplace spirituality and employees' innovative work behavior (IWB). Furthermore, this study investigates how the relationship between workplace spirituality and innovative behavior is moderated by employees' perceived workplace satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachBased on structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 236 millennial workers in China's service and manufacturing industries.FindingsThe research findings confirmed that workplace spirituality positively predicted the innovative behavior of employees; furthermore, employee flourishing and workplace satisfaction mediated and moderated the relationship between workplace spirituality and employee innovation, respectively.Practical implicationsThis study's findings suggest that workplace spirituality unlocks employees' innovative behavior through a heightened sense of flourishing and enhanced sense of workplace satisfaction. Organizations are advised to foster a climate conducive of workplace spirituality by developing mutually aligned values. Moreover, organizations are advised to train leaders on workplace spirituality dimensions and foster workplace practices that facilitate self-reflection, job crafting and team building, as a means of broadening employees' emotional states and workplace satisfaction.Originality/valueFew studies have examined the mechanisms that shape employees' innovative behavior through workplace spirituality. This study fills several research gaps by extending the theoretical implications of workplace spirituality and employee flourishing, as demonstrated by the multi-faceted role these variables play in motivating employees' innovative behavior among Chinese millennials. Additionally, this study demonstrates that higher levels of workplace satisfaction contribute to higher levels of innovative behavior.

Spiritual aspects of the family caregivers' experiences when caring for a community-dwelling adult with severe mental illness: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Being a caregiver of a relative with severe mental illness often impacts the quality of life, physical and mental health. The use of coping strategies related to spirituality can enhance physical and mental well-being. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This review found 26 primary studies that refer to spiritual aspects of the experience of caring for a relative with mental health problems. Caregivers express spiritual needs, such as hope and finding meaning in life, and spiritual or religious practices that help to cope with stressful situations. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Spiritual needs and spiritual coping strategies of family caregivers of a relative with severe mental illness should be included in mental health nursing care. A spiritually sensitive approach should be used when promoting coping strategies of the family caregivers of a relative with severe mental illness. ABSTRACT: Introduction Deinstitutionalization of individuals with severe mental illness transferred the responsibility of care to the relatives who need to adapt their personal life. Caregivers often develop coping strategies which involve the relationship with oneself, others, or the transcendent/God or nature and may include religious/spiritual practices. Question/Aim This review aims to identify the spiritual aspects of the family caregivers' experiences when caring for a community-dwelling adult with severe mental illness. Method The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. Search was conducted in March 2019, updated in August 2020, limited to English, Spanish and Portuguese. Results A total of 26studies were included. Two synthesized findings emerged: spiritual coping strategies are used by family caregivers; spiritual needs are expressed by family caregivers. The findings are based on the experiences of 467 caregivers, from 14 countries. Discussion In stressful times, family caregivers question the meaning in life and acknowledge hopelessness. To cope, caregivers mention a turn to the sacred and the use of spiritual/religious practices. Implications for practice Spirituality should be considered according to caregivers' individual beliefs and needs, as may represent important resources for the sense of meaning and overall well-being.

The Guilty Veteran: The Spiritual Implications of Veteran’s Guilt

Guilt is a very old and powerful force in humanity that crosses most boundaries of culture and religion. Feeling guilty or fearing pronouncement of guilt can significantly influence a veteran’s mental health. It can be manifested in several ways, including flashbacks, terrifyingly vivid dreams, and startle responses, all of which blur distinctions between past and present realities. It also has a powerful spiritual dimension and the relationship between guilt-sin-punishment-redemption is a feature of many religions and faith groups. This paper seeks to outline the spiritual implications of guilt for veterans and their families. To achieve this, it will be necessary to initially understand guilt in both a general and spiritual sense. From this basis, the potential sources of guilt can be examined, and then critical spiritual implications can be understood. Management of veterans and their families with guilt issues must always be a collaborative effort, undertaking trained and accredited professionals in all of these areas.

Four positive lessons learned during the 2020–2021 COVID-19 global pandemic: Implications for spirituality in clinical practice.

While the COVID-19 global pandemic has wrecked havoc for over a year in ways that we have not seen in our lifetimes, many important positive lessons have been learned during these tumultuous and what has felt like apocalyptic times. Upon close reflection, four critical and positive lessons were learned by this author that have implications for how we productively move forward in our efforts to provide spiritually and religiously informed psychotherapy services both now and in the future. These important lessons include the benefits of telehealth and telespirit services as well as highlighting the advantages of reflection, discernment, and resetting our life priorities. Although the pandemic took many lives and created economic chaos for countless people across the globe, several positive developments emerged that will provide an opportunity for better spiritually informed clinical practice in the future. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Mid-East Cultures With Common Roots Imply Reconstructed Common Origin Myth

The relation between the most ancient civilizations in the mid-east (aside from obvious political ones) is often understated. However, non-obvious connections can have spiritual implications not easily recognized. This paper surveys the cultures of the five earliest civilizations (Sumerian, Egyptian, Chinese, Hindu, and Hebrew) from a broader perspective for a more unified picture of the past than is at first apparent. Things that might lead to cultural commonality – geographic proximity, trade relations, or political affiliations – can disseminate ideas that are later assimilated into established tradition. However, the degree of linguistic closeness of different groups might also be an indicator of earlier common heritage and tradition that evolved during isolation following migration dispersal with time and distance. Evidence of this common root can hint at a unified base for their origin mythologies. The older unifying background is considered here, and comparisons of their mythic traditions are used to reconstruct a hypothetical “Common Origin Myth”. The outline of the reconstruction is based on Genesis 1: because, that can be reconciled with the modern scientific record, indicating an ancient “common source” possessed historical truth – not “just” symbolic analogy.

Communicative Action: Correlation Of Leadership Principles In The Viewpoint Of Muhammad Rasulullah And J. Habermas

This study aims to briefly review the thoughts of Jurgen Habermas, a German philosopher at the Frankfurt School with his critical philosophy, especially regarding social thought, by comparing it with the concept of spiritual leadership in Islam as reflected by the leadership characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. Data processing uses descriptive analysis with a deconstruction paradigm, looking more sharply to provide new and critical meanings to the interpretation of Habermas's thoughts. The text is understood and rearranged from a different point of view. After finding the philosophical foundation and structure of Habermas' thought, the researcher compares his thoughts to the concept correlation of the Leadership of the Prophet Muhammad SAW so as to find Habermas' intentions related to Communicative Action and the rational development of society. The results of this study prove that Habermas's idea has a similar concept to Islamic spiritual leadership in a brief conceptualization that reflects the character and values that adhere to humanity, equality of emancipatory values and prioritizing communication in deliberation and solidarity that can lead to great ideals Naturalism is welfare in Habermasian Communicative Action. The spiritual implications of Islamic leadership are addressed using a democratic method and prioritizing the social side so that it has a purpose for the development of society.

Sabbath-keeping in the Bible from the perspective of biblical spirituality

This article responds to the renewed interest in the spiritual practice of Sabbath-keeping by investigating its nature and meaning in the Judeo-Christian traditions. After briefly analysing the reasons for the contemporary neglect of Sabbath-keeping and indications of its renaissance, this article will analyse biblical pronouncements about the Sabbath, mainly from Hebrew Scriptures, but with brief attention to Christian Scriptures that provide various insights of decisive importance to understand and explain its prominent place for faith communities, but that are vitally important for reinvigorating Sabbath-keeping in a contemporary context. It analyses pronouncements in the Bible in Genesis 2:1–3 that highlights the Sabbath as joyful resting; the need for Sabbath-keeping as commandment in Exodus 20:9–11 and in Deuteronomy 5:12–15, and, finally Sabbath-keeping as trust in God as the provider in Exodus 16:1–30. Various spiritual insights and implications of these passages will be discussed. The article assumes historical critical insights as developed in biblical studies but develops a theological analysis that explains the spiritual dynamics in these texts. These spiritual insights explain the prominence of Sabbath-keeping in the Bible and its practice in the Judeo-Christian religious discourse.Contribution: This article contributes to scholarship on spiritual practices, by analysing the nature and meaning of Sabbath-keeping in Genesis 2:1–3, Exodus 20:9–11; Deuteronomy 5:12–15 and Exodus 16:1–30, stressing their spiritual dynamics in terms of joyful resting, as commandment, as trust in divine provision and as a reflection of their covenantal nature.

Bearing Witness as Social Action: Religious Ethics and Trauma-Informed Response

Written from a standpoint of religious ethics, this article interprets the work of trauma response and recovery in transcendent and moral terms not always apparent to the practitioner or institution. This article provides a broad understanding of spirituality, transcendence, and faith as these concepts relate to Judith Herman’s stages of trauma healing and the characteristics of trauma-informed response articulated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These features are then mapped onto specific modes of transcendence and moral themes identifiable in a wide range of religious traditions. The connective framework for this mapping is provided by utilizing the concept “bearing witness,” as synthesized from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, to describe the work of trauma-informed response. This article concludes by recognizing bearing witness as a form of social action, a moral response with implied if not explicit religious dimensions and spiritual implications, for which an understanding of religious ethics is a helpful ally. Thus, this article concludes that religious ethics can be a valuable resource and partner in addressing the personal, systemic, and political aspects of trauma response and recovery, enabling attention to spiritual well-being of both the trauma survivor and the one responding to the survivor.

Implications of spirituality and Islamic Shari’a law for workers’ well-being in luxury hotels: A eudaimonic view

This article explores the extent to which luxury hotels operating in Jordan (Dead Sea) follow Islamic Shari’a law and offer spiritual facilities, and it aims to understand how this obligation (or otherwise) may enhance or adversely affect employees’ psychological well-being (PWB). This article draws on Ryff’s theory of PWB and Stephenson’s model of Islamic-spiritual hotels. Eighteen managers who were working in five-star hotels participated in this study, which follows a qualitative-inductive method. The results show that five-star hotels operating in Jordan (Dead Sea) do not adhere to the Islamic guidelines with the exception of serving halal food and not allowing gambling machines. However, they offer spiritual facilities for workers, and these facilities enhance Ryff’s six dimensions of well-being for workers. The findings show that compliance with Islamic Shari’a law and the availability of spiritual facilities enhance workers’ PWB. The importance of this article lies in presenting a fresh understanding of the linkages between spirituality in the workplace and employees’ PWB.