Spirituality Research Articles

Hidden Resources for Cancer Patients - Interactions between spirituality, religiosity and selected factors influencing patient's self-care.

Religiosity and spirituality (SpR) can be vital in helping people face life's challenges. While Spiritual Care (SpC) is used in palliative care, this study explores effects for cancer patient's self-care (SC) in earlier stages . Using validated instruments we surveyed patients about SpR (SpNQ-20, GrAw-7, SpREUK), and factors of SC: well-being (WHO-5, L-1), self-efficacy (ASKU), ability to change (PIAC), as well as lay etiology and the use of Complementary and alternative Medicine (CAM). Data were analyzed using SPSS according a three-step plan with descriptive methods, Spearman correlations and mediation analysis. We included 108 patients (41 female, 63 males, four no data) with a median age of 66 years (range 30-89). Welch tests show a less well-being, self-efficacy and ability to change in our study population (p < 0.05) compared to non-cancer controls. Whitney-U-test has documented increased well-being, CAM use if the patients were S/R+ (p < 0.05). S/R self-categorization had no impact on PIAC and ASKU. Perceptual spirituality (GrAw-7) correlates with all factors of SC (p < 0.05): WHO-5 (rs = 0.25), PIAC (rs = 0.25), ASKU (rs = 0.296), L-1 (rs = 0.35) and CAM use (rs = 0.39, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis demonstrates that the impact of Spirituality on self-care (CAM use) is mediated by religiosity, GrAw-7 and spiritual needs. Spirituality and hidden spiritual needs are a valuable resource. By integrating SpC early in the treatment, we can create support ways and improve SC, well-being and coping.

STRATEGI PENDAMPINGAN SPIRITUAL ANAK DIFABEL KRISTEN DI BALAI SENTRA EFATA KUPANG

Spiritual assistance for children with disabilities at the Efata Center in Kupang faces significant challenges due to limited resources and existing approaches. This research aims to explore the perceptions of social workers and religious counselors regarding the spiritual assistance strategies that have been implemented. The methodology used is focused group discussions (FGD) with six participants, consisting of social workers and religious counselors at the Efata Center.The research findings indicate that the process of spiritual assistance for children is influenced not only by a lack of religious knowledge brought from home but also by the need for a more holistic approach. The study emphasizes the necessity for state social institutions like the Efata Center to provide adequate spiritual assistance and regular counseling for social workers and religious counselors. Furthermore, utilizing richer spiritual learning methods, including interactive media, is crucial in developing the spirituality of individuals with disabilities.This research recommends enhancing the capacity of educators and religious counselors in implementing more effective assistance strategies to support the spiritual development of children with disabilities

THE ETERNAL QUEST FOR PEACE: ENLIGHTENMENT THROUGH THE SACRED TEACHINGS OF THE UPANISHADS

The Upanishads are philosophical texts written in India over 2,500 years ago that explore fundamental questions on the nature of existence and consciousness. Central ideas include the Atman (individual soul), Brahman (supreme reality), Samsara (rebirth) and moksha (liberation). Inquiring past exterior rituals, the Upanishads turn inward, examining the crux of the human self and its relation to the universe. Through discourses and metaphors, they describe achieving spiritual visions of unity with the divine ground of being by transcending ego boundaries. Recommending spiritual paths from knowledge to meditation, their visions of transcendent states of consciousness and non-duality between self and universe have deeply impacted Indian philosophy and understanding of who we are.

The Importance of the Islamic Education Philosophy Principles in the 21st-Century Education Context at SMK IT Khoiru Ummah Curup

Education has a big impact on people and society. The tenets of Islamic educational philosophy provide a solid basis for guiding a comprehensive and spiritual learning process within the context of Islamic education. Investigating how Islamic educational philosophy can be applied to 21st-century learning at SMK IT Khoiru Ummah Curup is the aim of this project. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach as its main focus, which is the method employed in this study. This study used triangulation, documentation, interviews, and observation as data gathering methods. The analysis's findings demonstrate that these ideas are still applicable to SMK IT Khoiru Ummah Curup's 21st century curriculum. The findings of this study help SMK IT Khoiru Ummah Curup better grasp the applicability of Islamic educational philosophy's tenets to 21st-century learning. Creating a curriculum and instructional strategies that are more appropriate for the modern Islamic educational setting is one of the practical consequences of the research. It is believed that this study will help educational institutions like SMK IT Khoiru Ummah Curup successfully incorporate Islamic teaching concepts into the 21st-century learning environment. The study's findings demonstrate that Islamic educational philosophy's tenets are still applicable and advantageous in the context of SMK IT Khoiru Ummah Curup's 21st-century curriculum.

Surgeon's Journey and Pilgrim's Progress.

I read "The Pilgrim's Progress," by John Bunyan, and this book echoes the journey I have taken from medical school to the present. Christian's journey symbolizes the spiritual path of a believer in the pursuit of salvation. This narrative serves as an allegory for the Christian life, highlighting themes such as faith, redemption, and perseverance through trials. It includes twelve key stage. Comparing the life of a surgeon, from medical student to master surgeon approaching retirement, to Christian's journey in "The Pilgrim's Progress" makes for a fascinating allegory. Both paths involve growth, challenges, and perseverance toward a final goal: (1) Medical Student (City of Destruction), (2) Basic Training (Slough of Despond), (3) Residency (Wicket Gate and Hill of Difficulty), (4) Becoming a Junior Surgeon (Interpreter's House), (5) First Independent Operations (The Cross and the Burden Lifted), (6) Early Career (Palace Beautiful), (7) Facing Major Challenges (Valley of Humiliation and Shadow of Death), (8) Mid-Career Success and Worldly Temptations (Vanity Fair), (9) Crisis of Confidence (Doubting Castle and Giant Despair), (10) Mastery and Maturity (Delectable Mountains), (11) Facing Retirement (Enchanted Ground), and (12) Retirement and Legacy (Celestial City). In this allegory, the life of a surgeon mirrors Christian's spiritual journey-a path marked by challenges, doubts, triumphs, and ultimately, the fulfillment of a calling. Both are in pursuit of a final "rest" in their respective fields, whether it be spiritual salvation or the surgeon's sense of a lasting contribution to humanity. The journey of the surgeon is similar to that of the pilgrim.

PENDIDIKAN AGAMA KRISTEN DALAM ERA AI: MENGGUNAKAN KECERDASAN BUATAN UNTUK PERSONALISASI PEMBELAJARAN SPIRITUAL

The digital era and the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have presented a significant shift in teaching methods, including in the realm of Christian Religious Education (PAK). This article explores the integration of AI in PAK, with a focus on personalizing spiritual learning. Using a qualitative method with a literature study approach, this study analyzes current sources to understand the potential and challenges of using AI in the context of spiritual education. The results of the study show that AI offers significant opportunities to improve the quality and effectiveness of PAK through personalized learning, deeper analysis of religious texts, and wider access to educational resources. However, the application of AI also presents ethical challenges, including concerns about data privacy, the potential erosion of relational aspects in education, and the risk of widening the digital divide. The study emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to integrating AI, which involves training educators, developing ethical frameworks, and ongoing theological reflection. In conclusion, while AI has transformative potential in PAKs, its application must be done carefully to ensure that technology supports, not replaces, important aspects of Christian religious education, including authentic character building and spiritual growth.

The children's poetic story about the travels of foreigners in the USSR in the 1920s and 1940s.

The main purpose of the study is to analyze the genre originality of the Russian (Soviet) children's poetic story of the 1920s-1940s about the travels of foreigners in the USSR, to identify the didactic significance of these works. The article is based on the works of L. Lesnoy, P. Yakovlev, L. Zilov and S. Marshak. There are two types of poetic stories about the journey of foreigners: pilgrimage trips of disadvantaged children from oppressed countries / curious Western children, as well as trips of wealthy Westerners to the USSR. The general genre features of this type of works are analyzed, including information content, specific chronotope, descriptions of the road, the environment, etc. In addition, the unique features of these works are considered: the use of elements of other genres (fairy tales, adventures, travel), an emphasis on solving ideological and semantic tasks. In this work, the topics of internationalism, unity of peoples, racial discrimination, as well as problems related to Soviet ideology, norms of behavior and universal morality are updated. The scientific novelty of the work lies in a comprehensive approach to both classical and little-studied material, including works by forgotten or lesser-known poets. Among the research methods used in this work, several key approaches are distinguished: comparative, hermeneutical, comparative typological and immanent analysis. With the help of various artistic techniques, such as contrast, detailing, the use of emotionally colored vocabulary, metaphors, repetitions, epithets, the motif of a dream, genre elements of a riddle, a shifter, etc., the complex physical and spiritual path of the characters to the ideal is reproduced, the image of oppressed countries and their inhabitants, as well as the image of ordinary Soviet people and cranks are created-rich people from the West, a wide range of Soviet realities is reflected through a detached look. As a result of the research, it is revealed that the poetic story about the travels of foreigners in the USSR of the 1920s and 1940s has a unique didactic significance: it is not only entertaining and informative for young readers, but also contributes to the creation of a positive understanding of Soviet reality and ideological foundations.

The Identity of Keris Banyumas In the Film Keris Kyai Sela And Its Contextualization with The Strengthening of Penginyongan Culture

This study aims to describe the existence of women in the perlon unggahan ritual procession of the Bonokeling indigenous community. The research employs a qualitative method with an empirical or field research approach. Data collection methods include in-depth interviews, observation, document analysis, and literature review. The findings reveal that women hold significant roles and statuses within the Bonokeling community. This is due to an awareness of gender equality in the Bonokeling community, reflecting its egalitarian character. In the traditional ceremonies of the Bonokeling community, women have productive, reproductive, and socio-cultural roles. Women are actively involved in and perform religious duties during the perlon ritual. For the Bonokeling community or lineage, perlon unggahan holds highly sacred value and serves as a spiritual path (religious practice). Women serve in key roles such as nyai wadon kunci and further down the organizational structure (nyai wadon kunci, nyai wadon bedogol, etc.). Their roles include: (a) Nyai wadon kunci assists the duties of kyai kunci; (b) Nyai wadon bedogol assists the duties of kyai bedogol; and (c) women perform specific tasks in the perlon unggahan as predetermined.

The Role of KKN-University of Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo Students in Boro Village to Improve Education in Children Through Various Activities Such as Fun Games, Finger Painting, and Spiritual Learning

The Integrated Community Service Program (KKN-T) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo in Boro Village aims to improve the quality of children's education through various creative and educational approaches. This program involves several key activities, such as fun games, finger painting, and spiritual learning, designed to develop children's cognitive, motor, and spiritual aspects. The fun games are aimed at enhancing children's social and motor skills, finger painting focuses on fostering creativity and fine motor skills, while spiritual learning is intended to strengthen their religious understanding and moral values. The method used is a participatory approach, where students collaborate directly with the local community in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the activities. The results of this program show increased participation and motivation of children in learning, both academically and non-academically

Genre and Style Metamorphoses of German Choral Cantata of 18th-19th Centuries

The purpose of the work is to reveal the genre-stylistic and spiritual-content instructions of the German choral cantata and the peculiarities of its existence in the musical-historical tradition of the 18th-19th centuries. The methodology of the work has a complex nature and is based on a combination of the principles of interdisciplinary, historical-typological, hermeneutic, art history and genre-stylistic research methods. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that, for the first time, it offers a generalisation of the poetic-intonational specificity of the German spiritual cantata of the 18th-19th centuries and its genre-stylistic metamorphoses in the specified period. Conclusions. The genre specificity of the German spiritual cantata is determined by its contact with the liturgical practice of the German Protestant church. This genre is directly related to the church sermon and therefore was called "sermon music", "motet", "concert", "dialogue", summarised by the concept of Hauptmusik ("Main music of the day"). The contact of the German spiritual cantata with its Italian analogues and opera did not exclude the presence of original features in it, among which the Protestant chorale, based on traditional for the 18th-19th centuries, dominates. polyphonic forms, on the significant role of the instrumental beginning. An essential feature of the genre can be considered its figurative and semantic focus on the reproduction of the sacred aspects of a person's life path, their spiritual ascent-transformation, interpreted in the context of the instructions of the Lutheran faith. The German romantic cantata, represented in the works of R. Schumann, F. Mendelssohn, R. Wagner, and J. Brahms, on the one hand, reflected a wide genre and style spectrum of the creative searches of the named authors, within the framework of which the cantata was synthesised with the typology of various genres – from chamber a vocal cycle, a leader's play up to an oratorio, a dramatic scene (in the works of R. Schuman). On the other hand, the romantics' appeal to the poetics of the choral cantata symbolised the revival of the German spiritual and musical tradition, summarised by the name of J. S. Bach, which was directly reproduced in the cantata compositions of F. Mendelssohn, R. Wagner ("The Brotherly Meal of the Apostles") and works of Y. Brahms. Despite all the differences in the textual basis of the works of the named authors and their aesthetic guidelines (Y. V. Goethe, M. Horn, T. Moore, paraphrases of biblical texts), their unifying quality is the "memory of the genre", focused on the reproduction of the individual's spiritual path and the high didactic and ethical meaning of their inner transformation.

Joe Lichtenberg – Joint Israel Memories

ABSTRACT In this article, three Israeli analysts, who had long standing acquaintance with Joe Lichtenberg, share with the readers thoughts and memories from their encounters and continuously inspiring relationship with him. They touch upon his courage, originality and creativity, in the quest of breaking away from dogmatic conventions and into new horizons of psychoanalytic practice, theory and research. Joe is described as a noble guardian of psychoanalysis, who was a par excellence representative of an ongoing tradition seeking the in-depth affinities between psychoanalysis and culture, the understanding of the malaises of contemporary human existence, and the psychic and spiritual paths leading to personal and collective hoped-for healing. The authors emphasize Joe’s dedication to nurturing collaboration between analysts from all over the world and the exchange of new psychoanalytic ideas among them. Finally, the authors share unique personal moments and experiences with Joe, which shed more light on his generosity and warmth.

Soteriologi dalam Bhagavad Gītā

The Bhagavad Gītā, which is part of the Bhishmaparva and also part of the epic Mahabharata, is the most famous religious poem in Sanskrit literature. The Bhagavad Gītā was chosen as the object of research study because the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the knowledge of God Almighty, namely the teachings of salvation or soteriology which contains the ultimate goal of human life. The problem formulation found in this research is related to the form, function and meaning of soteriology in the Bhagavad Gītā. The forms of salvation teachings or soteriology in the Bhagavad Gītā consist of Bhakti Marga Yoga, Karma Marga Yoga, Jnana Marga Yoga, and Raja Marga Yoga. The function of soteriological teachings in the Bhagavad Gītā is that it has two functions, namely a religious function and a social function. And the meaning of soteriology in the Bhagavad Gītā has the meaning of theology, namely God who is seen in the form of Nirguna Brahman and Saguna Brahman. The meaning of Cosmology is that everything that exists comes from God and will be preserved and returned to God. And the meaning of liberation is that it can be achieved if you let go of all the results of worldly actions and ties and by practicing the spiritual path, namely yoga, focusing your mind on God.

Spirituality and Transcendental meditation practitioners’ experiences in South Africa and Ghana

ABSTRACT Spirituality involves being in harmony with the cosmos or nature and a willingness to engage in good works for the sake of mankind; for instance, love for one another, care for the environment, and the production and protection of the common good for society. Spirituality could also be defined as the connectedness with nature or the cosmos, seeing beyond the circumstances of one’s limitation and the suffering one encounters (transcendence) and understanding one purpose and meaning of one existence. In an African context, spirituality is experienced by many people as being in touch with one’s spirit which is an indication of integration of the body with the spirit and without this spiritual aspect of the essence of oneself, it becomes natural to see and feel problem. When one is permanently established on the platform of the Transcendental Being, life is lived in eternal freedom and enjoyment of blissfulness throughout the day. In this vein, the self silently witnesses daily activity. This is the essence of TM practice where practitioners experience spiritual upliftment. Though much research has been done on TM globally, the spiritual lived experiences of the practitioners have not been adequately explored, especially in South Africa and Ghana. Therefore, the study sought to explore the spiritual lived experiences of TM practitioners in South Africa and Ghana. The study adopted the constructivist paradigm through the lens of phenomenology. In all, 28 participants took part in the study − 14 participants from South Africa and another 14 from Ghana. Open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data for the study. Husserl’s transcendental phenomenological data analysis was used to analyze and synthesize the descriptions of the spiritual lived experiences of the TM practitioners. The results suggest that TM act as a catalyst for the spiritual growth of the participants from both countries and that they experienced spiritual upliftment with the practice of TM. However, two participants both females were of the view that TM has nothing to do with their spirituality. It is the recommendation of this study that people who seek a spiritual path to discover their purpose and meaning in life explore this technique although there are other paths toward spiritual enlightenment. For instance, Christian’s contemplations player and Sufism.

Towards Unity in Diversity: Vivekananda and Ramakrishna’s Vision of a Universal Religion

The pursuit of unity in the midst of diversity continues to be a serious task in a world that is characterized by a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and ideological perspectives. In this study paper, the profound philosophical insights of Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, two major characters in the history of Indian spirituality, as well as their visionary concept of a universal religion, are investigated in depth. Vivekananda and Ramakrishna envisioned a spiritual path that transcends sectarian barriers and creates harmony across all faiths. They did this by embracing the richness of plurality while also searching for common threads that connect humanity together. In this study, a synthesis of their teachings and concepts is used to investigate the possibility of a revolutionary movement towards unity in variety. This study provides a glimmer of hope for a global community that is more inclusive and interconnected.

Ritual Dynamics and Spiritual Practices in the Teaching of Tarekat Qadiriyah wa Naqsyabandiyah

This study explores the intricate dynamics of rituals and spiritual practices within the Tarekat Qadiriyah wa Naqsyabandiyah, a prominent Sufi order in Indonesia. Through a comprehensive literature analysis, in-depth interviews, and participant observation, the research delves into the historical evolution, theological foundations, and the multifaceted role of rituals and spiritual exercises in shaping the followers' spiritual journey. The findings reveal that the integration of Qadiriyah and Naqsyabandiyah traditions fosters a unique spiritual path that balances exoteric religious observance with esoteric contemplation. Key themes include the transformative impact of rituals, the pivotal role of the sheikh, the significance of communal practices, and the holistic pedagogical approaches employed within the Tarekat. The study concludes that these rituals and practices are central to individual and collective spirituality, providing a cohesive and supportive spiritual community. This research contributes to the broader understanding of Indonesian Sufism and the enduring relevance of Sufi practices in contemporary Islamic spirituality.

Distinctive features of religious renewal in Abu Hamid al-Ghazali’s spiritual path

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali is a distinct figure among the mujaddids who are known as the renewers of the faith. It is clear already from the fact that he was the first to have proclaimed himself as one of them but have not been proclaimed as a mujaddid after his death. The present article emphasizes the significance of such declaration, as well as its performative (that is accepted as going beyond the simple act of speech) effect and points out its internal validity in connection with the historically developing concept and practice of tajdid. Moreover, the paper examines the interconnectedness of the milestones of al-Ghazali's life path and the stages of the epistemological “journey” he embarked on. It is shown that his rejection of certain methods of Sufism, falsafa and fiqh did not constitute for an essential abandonment of these domains, but was an attempt to return to the original core of these disciplines, as it was understood in terms of renewal and revival of religious sciences. The encyclopedic compendium compiled by al-Ghazali served the same purpose that is fulfilling the knowledge so it could serve to the one who is able to comprehend the plan of renewal. In conclusion of the article the author presents the general idea of ​​al-Ghazali's “program” to achieve a level of knowledge in the Islamic sciences that can be tested by reason and sensory experience, with the elimination of elements unstable to such verification.

SPIRITUAL LEARNING AS A WAY TO ACHIEVE RELIGIOUS MODERATION

Amid the dynamics of modern life, the challenge of maintaining a balance between spiritual and material life is increasingly urgent because many people are not aware of and understand themselves, so they violate the norms and values that exist in society. This article outlines the concept and benefits of spiritual learning to realize religious moderation by using a qualitative method, the type of literature study. This research reveals that: Religious moderation is an approach that offers a wise middle ground for incorporating spiritual values into daily life in harmony. In this case, spiritual learning that can be applied to realizing religious moderation is through inner exercises, such as meditation and praying before doing activities; physical exercises, both verbal and non-verbal; education and learning in schools, such as the creation of meaning through the integration of value theory, religious theory, and scientific theory based on metaphysical questions in spiritual-based learning and experience. This is beneficial for building higher self-awareness about oneself, society, and God. and can develop a good attitude in Tawazzun, I'tidal, Tasamuh, Tawassuth, Shura, Ishlah, Tahadhdhur, Musawah, Aulawiyah, Tathawwur and Ibtikar. This research shows that to build one's self-awareness, there is a need for a learning process that integrates spiritual values and religious moderation in daily life.

The Javanese Mystical Epistemology in Kitab Primbon Betaljemur Adammakna and Its Implication to Inclusivism

Javanese culture is rich. It has been practiced from generation to generation and still exists today. One kind of Javanese treasury in the form of work is Kitab Primbon (Book of forecasts), which is often used as a reference in various aspects of the life of Javanese people, such as marriage, business, work, predicting the future, and even knowing someone's character. This study aims to investigate the Kitab Primbon Betaljemur Adammakna, a book owned by Sultan Hamengku Buwono of Yogyakarta, which was rewritten by Pangeran Harya Tjakraningrat, regarding its epistemology and implications for inclusive attitudes. This study is classified as qualitative research, with the primary data collected from Kitab Primbon Betaljemur Adammakna. This study applies descriptive analysis. The results reveal that this book has Javanese mystical epistemology. Even though it is considered not to have a rational basis, it is believed to be valid among Javanese people and is thus still used as a reference for their lives. The book has profound implications for attitudes of tolerance in pluralistic Indonesian society. Through recognition of the plurality of spiritual paths, awareness of unity in diversity, karma, and compassion, and an attitude of humility and piety, this book encourages individuals and society to develop an inclusive attitude of tolerance and respect for the diversity of religions and beliefs.Contribution: This study provides an understanding of tolerance attitudes inspired by the local wisdom of Javanese people, i.e., Kitab Primbon.

Examining University Students’ Self-Determination through the Lens of Spiritual Learning

The relationship between spiritual learning and self-determination ability is the research objective in this study, and this study develops a conceptional model of spirituality and self-determination ability through a systemic literature review. From the previous studies, self-determination ability is launched when human needs are supported by the social context, focusing on the satisfaction of the three basic needs of human beings, seeking happiness that needs are satisfied. A short peak experience is a spiritual pursuit, and each peak experience is heart-shaking and has a lasting effect on life. It is accompanied by epiphanies and is a successful learning experience. Thus, spirituality learns how to effectively provide the peak experience of humans "making warrior-like decisions" rather than impulsive heroic sacrifices. The results show that spiritual learning is associated with effective self-determination ability, and that epiphany is an important moment to reach the level of self-determination ability is the act of learning. The conclusion is that epiphany manifesting in three states: concentration, sharing, and aesthetic experience as a conceptional model of self-determination ability and spiritual learning is the vital moment whenever one wants to be self-determined.

Spiritual Approach to Improve Anti-Bullying Based Learning at MTs NU Nurul Huda Kudus

The recent rise in bullying cases that have hit various educational institutions at all levels has caused profound problems. More than that, Indonesia is currently ranked 5th in the world in cases of bullying in educational institutions. This research aims to examine spiritual approaches in learning to improve anti-bullying based learning. This research is qualitative field research with a case study approach. Data collection was carried out by interviewing school principals, teachers and students, observing the implementation of anti-bullying-based education with a spiritual approach and documenting school documents, like; lesson plans, report and school collaboration documents. Data analysis was carried out by sorting, grouping, coding and then looking for appropriate themes for interpretation. The research results show that a spiritual learning approach can be carried out by strengthening learning materials and integrating learning materials. Reinforcing learning has a greater impact compared to integrating learning. The importance of learning with a spiritual approach to the development of students is the internalization of noble religious teachings. So that it can form good behavior and keep students away from bullying behavior that currently still often occurs among Indonesian students.