Spiritual Meaning Research Articles

Nurses' models of spiritual care: Predictors of spiritual care competence.

Previous studies have shown that nurses' spiritual care competence is related to characteristics of personal spirituality, training adequacy, and comfort, confidence, and frequency of provision of spiritual care. However, these studies assumed that all participants understood spiritual care in the same way, and used self-ratings of spiritual care competence, which are problematic. Our previous study found that spiritual care was understood in 4 qualitatively different ways that can be arranged in order of competence. This study aimed to re-examine the relationships between nurse characteristics and spiritual care competence, using spiritual care understanding as a proxy for competence. Data was collected from a convenience sample of nurses who completed an anonymous, online survey. The survey provided qualitative data about what spiritual care means for them. The survey also provided quantitative data regarding nurse characteristics. This study created sub-groups of nurses based on their understanding of spiritual care, and used the quantitative data to construct a profile of nurse characteristics for each sub-group. Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests determined whether nurse characteristics differed across the 4 sub-groups. Spiritual care competence was not related to confidence or comfort in providing spiritual care. Relationships with spirituality, training adequacy, and frequency of provision of spiritual care were not linear; i.e., higher competence did not always correspond with higher scores of these characteristics. The results raise concerns about the construct validity of using comfort and confidence as estimates of spiritual care competence. That the relationships between competence and spirituality, training adequacy, and frequency of spiritual care provision was not as linear as portrayed in extant literature, suggests that outcomes of training may depend on the type of spiritual care understanding subscribed to by training participants. The findings offer insights about how nurses could achieve high levels of spiritual care performance.

Problem-oriented stimulus of teaching foreign-language listening in a secondary school. Part 1

The problem for the research. Listening skills are important for a modern person in many areas of life: at work, at home, travelling the world, etc., when immersed in the social space of culture in the fullness of its spiritual meanings. However, in school teaching of foreign languages, there is a contradiction between the large reserve listening capabilities in achieving students’ personal, metasubject and subject educational results in a foreign language and the established practice of teaching this type of foreign-language speech activity, where there are many difficulties associated with students’ perception and understanding of foreign-language information by ear. Methods of investigation. 50 ninth-graders of secondary school named after S. S. Rakitina in Murashi, Kirov Region (Russian Federation) took part in pilot testing. To obtain personal learning results, the “Methodology for studying the motivation of teaching older adolescents” was used; metasubject – L. F. Tikhomirova’s “Exclude the word” method; subject (in the field of foreign-language listening) – the method for calculating the success rate of V. P. Bespalko and A. N. Shamov. The results were processed using the sign test. The findings of the study. The final control revealed an increase in the level of proficiency in personal learning outcomes in 40% of ninth-graders; metasubject – in 45%; subject – in 61%. The reliability of the presented results is confirmed by the use of mathematical statistics methods for personal, metasubject and subject results. The results of calculating the criterion of G-signs in the experimental group: Gemp. is above ≤ Gcr.: 0 ≤ 3 for personal, 0 ≤ 5 for metasubject and subject results (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The purpose of the study is achieved: the article describes the characteristics and proves the effectiveness of using the problem-oriented stimulus in the process of teaching foreign-language listening in a secondary school (based on materials from the senior stage in secondary school). The theoretical foundation and testing of a set of exercises for teaching students foreign-language listening using the components of the problem-oriented stimulus led us to the conclusion that the presented exercises contribute to the formation of personal and metasubject universal educational actions of students, increases the level of their proficiency in the oral receptive type of foreign-language speech activity.

Spiritual practices and mental well-being: A quantitative study among university students

This study explores the role of spiritual practices in promoting mental well-being among university students. The research focuses on key areas such as stress management, resilience, emotional balance, and finding meaning in life. A quantitative survey was conducted with 134 students from various disciplines, and the results indicate that spiritual practices can provide significant mental health benefits. Gender and age differences were observed, with women generally reporting higher emotional benefits from spirituality and older students finding greater meaning in life through spiritual engagement. The findings highlight the importance of a personalized approach to mental health support, recognizing that spirituality may not be universally effective for all students. The discussion emphasizes the need for diverse mental health interventions that incorporate both spiritual and non-spiritual strategies to cater to individual needs.

The Application of Dhikr Spiritual Therapy to Reduce Signs of Risk of Violent Behavior in the Mawar Room at dr. Radjiman Wediodiningrat Hospital

The risk of violent behavior is a condition when an individual will endanger the safety of himself, others, family, community, because of his aggressive behavior. Spiritual dhikr therapy is a therapy that can help reduce signs and symptoms of the risk of violent behavior because when patients listen to reading the Al-Qur’an it can reduce stress hormones, increase feelings of relaxation and divert attention from fear, anxiety and tension. This study aims to apply how to apply spiritual dhikr killing treatment therapy in patients at risk of violent behavior. The method employed is through a case study research design using 5 nursing processes. The patients accept the implementation of nursing strategies to cotrol violent behavior using physical, drug, verbal and spiritual means. Interventions for clients with a risk of violent behavior are adjusted to violent behavior implementation strategies (SP) and then receive additional non-pharmacological therapy in the form of spiritual dhikr therapy at each meeting. Spiritual dhikr therapy is carried out for 10 consscutive days, each meeting consisting of 5 sessions with reading tahlil, tasbih, tahmid, takbir, istighfar. Each session reads the dhikr sentence 33 times wtithin 5 minutes. Before giving dhikr, spiritual therapy there were 9 signs of violent behavior, whereas after giving therapy for 10 days there was a decrease to 2 signs of violent behavior. Spiritual dhikr therapy can reduce signs and symptoms of violent behavior because dhikr can purify the heart and soul, be grateful for what Allah has given, make the body healthy, and prevent oneself from the dangers of lust. Nursing strategies (controlling violent behavior physically, drugs, verbally and spiritually and spiritual dhikr intervention can effectively reduce signs of violent behavior. This can reduce stress hormones, increase feelings of relaxation and distraction of fear, anxiety.

The Method of Scriptural Interpretation according to Origen

The practice of interpreting Scripture by the Church Fathers has become a precious legacy and has significantly contributed to the development of current methods of interpreting Scripture. One of the figures in this context is Origen. This paper explores Origen’s method of scriptural interpretation through observation of his homily on the figure and story of Rahab (Jos 2:1–24) contained in his Homilies on Joshua. The research method used is a literature study. Based on the analysis of his homily on Rahab, it was found that Origen intensely used allegory as a method to convey profound spiritual meaning in interpreting Scripture. In addition, he also combined allegorical with other methods such as typological, Scriptura scripturae interpres, Christological, and ecclesiological. The findings can make significant contributions for Christians today. First, by interpreting the physical violence in the story of Rahab as ‘spiritual violence’, Christians are invited to counteract and prevent the misuse of violent texts in Scripture as motivation and justification for committing wrongdoing. Secondly, by placing Rahab as a symbol of divine love and mercy, Origen shows that all people can belong to the family of God through faith in Jesus, repentance, and good deeds.

Betel Eating Culture on Periodontal Health Batak Karo Women

The culture of eating betel has become a strong tradition in Batak Karo society, especially among women. This tradition is not only an ordinary habit, but also has important social, spiritual and identity meaning. However, on the other hand, the ingredients used in eating betel, such as betel leaves, areca nut, lime, and tobacco, are known to have potential risks to oral health, especially periodontal health. This study aims to explore the relationship between betel eating culture and periodontal health status in Batak Karo women. A literature study was carried out to look for previous research and review the results of previous research. The research results show that the practice of eating betel has a very important cultural value in the lives of the Batak Karo people, especially as a symbol of social status, respect and beauty for women. However, it was found that the majority of Karo Batak women experienced poor periodontal conditions, such as gingivitis, periodontitis and premature tooth loss.

Spiritual Cyborg: Virtual Embodiment From Secular Ambiguities to Ontological Opportunities

Abstract AI and robotic technologies are reshaping embodied experience, specifically experiences of the relation of mind to body as well as experiences of “reality,” which necessitate the qualifiers augmented or virtual. Such technologies have allowed people to infuse the expanding assortment of technological experiences with spiritual meaning, thus expanding the ambit of spirituality and religiosity; at the same time, the technology has provided many researchers with occasion to argue that all spiritual and virtual experience—including of soul and deities—may only just ever be in the brain, putting the virtual back into the body but not without changing each. We are comparing three sites—VR, gaming, and transhuman mind uploading in Europe, the US, and Japan—not as sites of confusion but of “ontological opportunity,” that is, occasions for remaking experiences of embodiment and disembodiment, and changing the relation between reality and virtuality.

Rhetorical use of Sobolo (Hibiscus drink) as Yesu Mogya (Blood of Jesus) for Holistic Healing in Contemporary Ghanaian Christianity: A Critical Analysis from the Perspective of Biblical Theology and Christian Ethics

This article sought to survey the rhetorical use of Sobolo (hibiscus drink) as Yesu Mogya (the blood of Jesus) for holistic healing in contemporary Ghanaian Christianity. From the perspective of Biblical Theology and Christian Ethics, it argued that the phenomenon of using plant products and symbolic objects for miraculous healing is both explicitly and implicitly rooted in the Bible. Contrary to the dispensationalist perspective with its emphasis on the cessation of miraculous healing in some Western contexts and within scholarship, the continuous relevance of miraculous healing in Ghanaian Christianity is not much debated in the ecclesial context. It is, therefore, maintained that the use of symbols such as Sobolo for healing creates opportunities for the wholistic needs of the members of the church to be met. These needs are claimed to be fulfilled by spiritual means. From a Christian ethical perspective, this paper, however, cautions that sobolo as a miraculous drink in the Ghanaian Christian context should not be used as an exclusive means of physical well-being and development of society. It is further argued that the cyclical use of sobolo as a healing juice for all and diverse kinds of miraculous healings needs to be questioned in the light of biblical theology. Keywords: Wholistic Healing, Worldview, Biblical theology, Christian Ethics, Sobolo

Perayaan 1 Muharram: Sejarah, Tradisi, Dan Makna Dalam Konteks Islam

This article discusses the celebration of 1 Muharram, which marks the Hijri New Year in the Islamic calendar. In celebrating or commemorating the Islamic New Year 1446 Hijri, some people commemorate it with various activities such as a torch parade around the village. In Wates village, there are many traditions and customs in commemorating this special day. The purpose of this celebration is a spiritual form that is still attached to the local community. This research covers the history of the beginning of the celebration, traditions that developed in various parts of the world to those that developed in Indonesia, especially in Wates Village, Batang, as well as the spiritual and social meaning of the day for Muslims. The research method includes literature study and qualitative data analysis from primary and secondary sources. From this explanation, it can be seen how attached the tradition and culture in the local community will be to the presence of the Islamic New Year.

Origen and Jerome as Exegetes of the Parables from the Gospel of St. Matthew - Elements in Common and Differences

The article is an attempt to examine the degree of dependency of Jerome’s exegesis of the parables from the Gospel of St. Matthew on the exegesis of the same texts by Origen. The primary sources are Jerome’s Commentary on the Gospel of St. Matthew written in 398 AD, when he was already an enemy of the Alexandrian, and Origen’s Commentary on the same Gospel. A detailed comparative analysis of the exegesis of the selected parables led to the following conclusions. The differences between the approaches of both authors are limited to three issues: (1) Jerome’s interpretations reflect the spirit of the post-Nicene period, marked by Trinitarian disputes; (2) The Stridonian dissociates himself from all associations with Origen’s dubious theological suggestions, such as the pre-existence of souls or apocatastasis, which can be noticed concealed in the exegesis of the Alexandrian; (3) Jerome’s comments are short and concisely convey the main spiritual meaning of the parables in question, but this difference in the length of comments is quite secondary. Despite the above differences the reliance of the Stridonian on the Alexandrian is significant. Jerome’s elaborations are very similar to those of Origen in terms of exegetic methodology and spiritual content extracted from the text of the Gospel. Even if Jerome does not accept all the solutions proposed by the Alexandrian, he is in constant dialogue with him and remains in his work an Origenist dependent on the allegorical orientation of exegesis.

Symbolic Meaning of Kecak Dance Performance in Balinese Culture

This research discusses the meaning and significance or semiotic theory of Balinese culture, focusing on a dance called the Kecak Dance. Researchers used descriptive qualitative methods using a semiotic theory approach from Osgood, C. E. Focus on meaning. Mouton. The sources for this research are several journals, videos and local residents. The collection technique in this research is the reading and note taking technique. The results of this research show that (1) There is a spiritual meaning in every Kecak dance movement. (2) There is a meaning that can be called a communication to Sang Hyang or God Almighty. (3) There is a meaning regarding the form of balance like diversity.

Pendampingan Thaharah Tata Cara Mensucikan Najis Kepada Anak LKSA Darul Aitam Muslimat NU

Thaharah assistance is an important practice in Islam related to the procedure of purifying uncleanness. Najis in this context refers to substances or objects that are considered unholy according to Islamic law. The process of purifying uncleanness involves certain steps that must be followed with care and cleanliness. thaharah assistance to the students can ensure that this procedure is carried out correctly by religious teachings. This study discusses various aspects of thaharah mentoring, including important stages in the process of cleansing unclean such as using clean water, staying away from contamination, and ensuring purity in the end. In addition, efforts to understand the philosophy and spiritual meaning behind this ordinance are also the main focus of this research. This study uses the PAR method or Participatory Action Research. Participatory Action Research is a research model that seeks something that connects the research process with the process of social change. Data was collected through direct observation and in-depth interviews with students and thaharah practitioners. The results of the study show that thaharah assistance is not just a physical process, but also has a deep psychological and spiritual dimension for the students.

In Search of Beauty Formula

The main category of aesthetics — beauty is the focus of the study. Our epoch is a revision of some spiritual meanings both in the sphere of human life and in science and art. The aim of this paper is to derive a universal formula of beauty through the image of Venus on the basis of a comparative analysis of works of classical art, art of postmodernity, as well as to determine the possibilities of modern neural networks. Art of the 21st century is multifaceted, neuro-art is another of its aspects, artificial intelligence and Man of Art compete here. Neural network is a program built on the principle of organisation and functioning of nerve cells of a living organism. The neural network was tasked to represent the modern ideal of beauty in the image of Venus, similar to the way painters of previous epochs acted. Can modern neural networks create? Create spiritual values? Create beauty in art? In total, more than a thousand images were generated according to our requests, which allows us to draw certain conclusions about the representation of the image of Venus by artificial intelligence. An attempt to derive a formula of beauty for each period of art development and to find a universal one is presented. The modern understanding of beauty has absorbed all historical paradigms, but on a qualitative, essential level. Beauty is a subjective sensual perception of the appearance of an object that is capable of evoking positive emotions. It is not the beauty itself that is important, but the feeling of beauty. Beauty is the dominant value of being, which contains a harmonious combination of absolute values, what makes a person a Personality.

Leadership, spirituality and empowerment: examining the experiences of women of color in fortune 500 companies

PurposeThis paper investigates the meaning of spirituality and empowerment from the perspective of women of color (WOC) in Fortune 500 companies how it impacts their leadership.Design/methodology/approachDetailed data were collected through in depth semi-structured interviews documenting their experience as lived in the context of their daily work environments. Twelve WOC in leadership positions were interviewed, and transcripts analyzed using thematic analysis. Their narratives provide insight into the experiences of discrimination and bias and the stress and disenfranchisement that result from these experiences.FindingsAnalysis shows that for these women, spirituality was more than a philosophical orientation but comprised a core facet of their identity, empowering them to cope with adversity and uplift others through a leadership style defined by compassion, trust, strong interpersonal relationships and purpose.Practical implicationsImplications for creating more compassionate and inclusive environments that draw on principles of empowerment and spiritual leadership are provided.Originality/valueThis study contributes uniquely to the literature by exploring the perspectives of understudied women leaders who identify as African American, South-Asian and Latina on spirituality and empowerment and their impact on their leadership.

Impact of Income, Gender and Age of the Tourist on Spiritual Tourism in Varanasi

Varanasi is the oldest city of the world. It is also known as Kashi. It is famous for spiritual tourism for all religions. Hindus visit here to see the temple of Lord Shiva and Ganga Aarti, Buddhist visit here for the Sarnath. This study highlights the impact of income, gender and age of tourists on spiritual tourism in Varanasi. Spirituality means belief and religion has been since and in future will be one of the major factors for tourism. Using the correct stimuli called spirituality the tourism industry can excel. The search for spirituality has always been and will remain a major motivator for tourist for exploring religious and spiritual destination. There were the main objective of this study to analyze the impact of income, gender and age of tourist on spiritual tourism in Varanasi. There were three hypothesis were formulated. 50 respondents were selected for data collection. In analysis part correlation test has been used. All three null hypotheses were rejected and all three alternative hypotheses were accepted. Therefore we can say that there is a strong impact of income, gender and age of tourist on spiritual tourism in Varanasi. This study will further help to others researchers who can do research on this topic with different variables and timeframe.

The associations of spirituality and Hispanic ethnicity with neuroendocrine biomarkers among patients with colorectal cancer

ObjectiveDealing with cancer evokes not only physical and emotional distress, but may also promote resilience through spirituality. Patients with cancer are vulnerable to neuroendocrine dysregulation. This longitudinal observational study examined the degree to which spirituality was associated with neuroendocrine biomarkers and the moderating role of Hispanic ethnicity. MethodsParticipants were adults who were recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer (n = 81, 55 years old, 66% male, 63% Hispanic, 72% advanced cancer, 7 months post-diagnosis). The domains of spirituality (faith, meaning, and peace) and ethnicity (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) were self-reported. Cortisol and alpha amylase (sAA) were assayed from saliva samples collected at waking and bedtime on seven consecutive days. Mean levels at waking and bedtime, and diurnal slopes over seven days were calculated. Age and cancer stage were covariates. Results: Overall, patients reported moderate to high levels of spirituality. General linear modeling revealed that greater faith was associated with higher levels of sAA at waking and bedtime as well as more blunted diurnal pattern of sAA only among Hispanic patients (p ≤ .045). Greater peace was associated with steeper diurnal pattern of sAA, regardless of ethnicity (B = 0.021, p = .005). Meaning and cortisol were not significantly associated with study variables. ConclusionsFindings indicate that presence of peace facing a cancer diagnosis associated with neuroendocrine regulation, whereas drawing on one's faith, particularly among Hispanic patients, associated with neuroendocrine dysregulation during the first months after the diagnosis. Further investigations of psychobiobehavioral moderators and mediators for healthy neuroendocrine functioning among patients with cancer are warranted.

NATION’S RESURGENT CULTURE THROUGH THE LESSONS OF ‘RAMAYANA’

People are focusing more of their time and energy on achieving economic freedom, probably as a result of commercialization and other so-called development agendas. We are on the verge of giving up all of our ethics and principles in the rush to make large profits quickly. Ancient epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana have the unwavering power to change people's computerised lives in the present era. Our appearance never deviates from our objectives since our lives are centred around achieving our unique aspirations. We need the guidance of such great individuals as Lord Ram or Lord Krishna in this situation. Objective: The study is to seek how to restore the resurgence of our rich culture through the lessons of Ramayana. Methods and Materials: The information is gathered from secondary sources of ancient Indian knowledge, including texts like the Ramayan, articles, websites, and online journals published over time. Result and Discussion: In addition to discussing the meaning of life, ‘The Ramayana’ is regarded by the Indian populace as a traditional and sacred text that imparts knowledge, wisdom, and the spiritual meaning of life. However, this tale offers numerous life lessons that apply to a range of circumstances and are suitable for everyone. Findings: One of the oldest books in Bharatiya history, the Ramayana is significant regardless of age, social status, sex, or level of income. Its significance has been acknowledged in many contexts and disciplines, such as politics, history, morality, and otherworldliness. Conclusion: The entire family can enjoy and learn a lot about their roles from the epic Ramayana. With stronger ties between families and society as a whole, the Ramayana can assist us in reestablishing those multigenerational family values.

The Moral Shock of the War in Ukraine and the Mobilization of World Resources in the Light of the Philosophy of Mind

The relevance of the article lies in the need to study the moral side of war and the mobilization of world resources in the context of educational philosophy. In the context of metaphysics, war has an anti-materialistic, spiritual meaning and is "a certain test for the nation", which can be a manifestation of artificial intelligence. It is during war that society fights for the highest principles of civilization, not for the state or its ambitious aspirations. Both war and heroic experience can awaken deep forces connected to the foundations of race. On the contrary, materialists, especially Marxists, saw the cause of wars solely in social-class inequality and the antagonistic confrontation "between labor and capital." At the same time, war in society is not just a phenomenon of armed struggle guided by politics, a way of achieving one's goals with the use of armed violence. It is followed by a change in the course of numerous social processes and the involvement of economic, ideological and other forces of society in the struggle. War tests the economic and organizational strength of every nation. Therefore, it is important to understand the war as provoking a moral shock in Ukraine and mobilizing world resources in the light of the philosophy of reason. Its impact on social development is associated with a significant disruption and change in the usual functions and nature of the existence of elements of this or that social organization.

The importance of time – surveying spiritual meaning and growth during the COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantine

ABSTRACT This study presents the results of two surveys based on the conceptual design and research framework as proposed by De Beer (2021). The empirical study analyses the data of the survey to determine factors that influenced people’s spiritual experiences during the 2020–2021 pandemic, in order to contribute to the identification of factors that influence people’s experience of spirituality in challenging times. A total of 227 adults, aged 18–81 from different countries participated in the study. The data were analysed and tested for predicting factors through the calculation and comparison of median values and an ordinal logistic regression. The study concludes with recommendations for spiritual workers, healthcare workers, faith communities, and religious leaders to assist people with their spiritual journey in times of crisis. The novel contribution of this study is that it made use of the opportunity provided by the COVID-19-pandemic to learn more about people’s spiritual experiences in unprecedented times as an important factor in people’s well-being.

TRACING THE ETHEREAL: EXPLORING AESTHETIC HERITAGE AND CULTURAL IDENTITY IN HISTORIC GARDENS - A CASE STUDY OF SHALIMAR GARDEN

Mughal gardens are a prominent figure in the history of landscape architecture, serving as a symbol of artistic talent and horticultural genius. The Mughal gardens thrived throughout the Mughal Empire's rule in South Asia, and this dissertation investigates the profound philosophy that underpinned its design planting methods. The study explores the sociocultural factors that influenced Mughal gardening practices within the historical framework of that period. This study makes use of both primary and secondary sources to illuminate the main components of Mughal Garden design, including the widespread use of geometric patterns, water features, and the blending of architecture and landscape. A strong link between the gardens and the Mughal worldview is shown when the research additionally looks at the spiritual and metaphorical meanings connected to the fauna and plants selected for these gardens. Additionally, the study focuses on the cultivation practices used by Mughal horticulturists, showcasing their creative approaches to attaining a harmonic fusion of form and function. Mughal gardens are renowned for their overall visual effect, mostly due to the careful selection and placement of their flora. This dissertation tries to uncover the underlying plantation philosophy of Mughal gardens through a thorough investigation of historical records and garden ruins, highlighting the complex interactions between art, culture, and environment throughout this era. Modern landscape designers and hobbyists may take inspiration from the Mughal approach to horticulture and apply its timeless wisdom to contemporary gardening techniques by comprehending the fundamental ideas that guided the building of these gardens.