Spiritual Practices Research Articles

How U.S. Early Childhood Educators Understand Children’s Spirituality: A Framework of Essence, Origin, and Action

AbstractThis study explores in-service early childhood educators’ understanding of children’s spirituality. Utilizing the recently validated instrument, Early Childhood Educators’ Spiritual Practices in the Classroom (ECE-SPC), responses to the question, “What do you understand children’s spirituality to be?” were analyzed. Participants included 318 educators working in secular educational settings with children ages zero to eight years across 36 U.S. states. Findings reveal a multilayered understanding of children’s spirituality. Through a grounded theory approach to data analysis using in-vivo codes in initial and axial coding, participants’ responses were organized in a response framework comprised of three main categories of understanding spirituality: (1) as Essence in itself (f 208), (2) as its place of Origin (f 122), and (3) as Actions in relation to others or as ways in which it is practiced (f 86). This framework contributes to constructing a shared understanding of children’s spirituality to build efforts toward promoting holistic development and intentionally nurturing the spiritual domain.

Eredienste vertoon die geestelike stand van die NG Kerk

Worship services display the spiritual stand of the Dutch Reformed Church. In theological and clerical circles, it is accepted that the content of church services in Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) congregations shows its spiritual state as a church, or the basic convictions of its Christian faith. From their General Synod as the broadest assembly in this church, stipulations of the DRC Church Order, as well as other resolutions about church services, are accepted to be implemented by congregations. From personal experiences during visits to congregations, the author came to the conclusion that there are tendencies in these church services that are no longer in accordance with its church order and the viewpoints of its General Synod, regarding church services. These tendencies lead to a derailing of the biblical lines of church services. It also indicates a lack of loyalty in this regard, by ministers of the DRC. What it boils down to, is that church services indicate the spiritual stand of the DRC.Contribution: This article shows that church services show the spiritual approach and practice of churches. It states a principle for Reformed churches, and its critique on the Dutch Reformed Church aims at a reformation. The article stresses that the integration of the confessions of a church, as well as the understanding of the church, reflects in the services.

Religious Coping and Posttraumatic Growth in Women After Perinatal Loss In Indonesia: Literature Review

Perinatal loss, defined as the death of a fetus or infant either during pregnancy or shortly after birth, is an event experienced by women globally. Women who experience perinatal loss often undergo significant psychological challenges, including grief, depression, and anxiety. However, amidst this adversity, some women exhibit Posttraumatic Growth, wherein they experience positive psychological changes as a result of their struggle with trauma. Several factors influence posttraumatic growth, including religious coping which refers to the use of religious or spiritual beliefs and practices to manage stress and adversity. In Indonesia, where religion holds significant importance, coping mechanisms based on religion show potential in promoting posttraumatic growth. The research method in this study used the seven-step guideline for carrying a review by De Klerk & Pretorius (2019), that explores mechanisms through which religious coping influences posttraumatic growth in this population. In total, 159 articles were collected and 15 articles met the eligibility criteria and were chosen for thorough analysis. The results indicates that RC serves as an adaptive strategy by reframing it as a positive aspect and transforming its meaning,leading to positive psychological transformations conducive to posttraumatic growth.

Issues in Performing Actual Ways of Salah (Islamic Prayer) among Physically Frail Elderly Muslim

This study addresses the escalating challenges posed by Malaysia's rapidly ageing population, with projections indicating a surge in the elderly demographic. The geriatric giant, encompassing issues like immobility and memory impairment, has expanded to include frailty and sarcopenia. Notably, the impact of these conditions on daily activities, notably the crucial spiritual practice of Salah (Islamic prayer) among elderly Muslims, is underexplored. This research aims to bridge this gap by identifying and exploring the intricacies of performing Salah among frail elderly Muslims, shedding light on the often-neglected spiritual needs within the ageing population in Malaysia.

Provisoriets välsignelse och vetenskapernas drottning

In this article, Mårten Björk's distinction between two rooms of academic and spiritual practice is problematized from the perspective of a basic recognition of the importance of Björk's contribution. If there is a need to emphasize critical authority as fundamental for academic activities in the university, as Björk claims, the problem discussed in this article is that critical authority never comes in any clean och absolute form. Different disciplines may have slightly different understandings of the critical tasks and offer different perspectives on what is more or less fundamental in the production of knowledge. These are often competing in an academic context where the disciplinary traditions are clashing and the material resources are sparse. Hence the academy is at best agonistic in its critical endeavour. It is furthermore argued that theology is very well equipped to put forward perspectives that pinpoint this basic weakness in all practical context where production of knowledge is at hand, since theology has itself been deeply questioned in its ambitious project of grasping for the ultimate.

Effects of cultural landscape service features in national forest parks on visitors’ sentiments: A nationwide social media-based analysis in China

National Forest Parks (NFPs) represent the highest level of the forest park system in China and have long been considered to cultivate positive experiences among visitors through their rich cultural services. However, there is limited knowledge of the relationship between the cultural dimension of landscape services (CLSs) in NFPs and visitors’ positive experiences. This study represents the first effort to investigate the effects of NFP CLSs on visitors’ expressed sentiments and aims to further identify the relative importance of various CLS features. A total of 267 NFPs across 31 provinces in China were selected as case studies, and approximately 300,000 visitors’ online comments from a widely used travel platform (CTrip) were obtained for sentiment analysis using natural language processing. A novel systematic framework for assessing CLSs was proposed, encompassing five principal features and 19 indicator subcategories. Ordinary least-squares and spatial regression models were used to reveal associations between NFP CLSs and expressed sentiments, whereas the XGBoost model and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values were employed to identify the relative importance of NFP CLS features. Three major findings were observed: First, the feature scoring of CLSs in NFPs was unevenly distributed across the country, with scores along the eastern seaboard relatively higher than those inland in the northwest. Second, beneficial associations between the five principal CLS features and visitors’ expressed sentiments were suggested. Third, the influence of landscape aesthetics was particularly prominent in promoting visitors’ positive sentiments, followed by education, physical activities and health, recreation and tourism, and cultural heritage and spiritual practices. These findings provide valuable insights for health-oriented NFP management, policies, and planning.

Integration of Spirituality, Values and Ethics in Leadership Practice and Theory in Egypt

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the integration of spirituality, values, and ethics in leadership practice and theory.
 Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings: Integration of spirituality, values, and ethics in leadership practice and theory in Egypt shows a strong emphasis on Islamic principles and teachings. Leaders often draw upon religious values to guide their decision-making and ethical behavior. This integration fosters a sense of moral responsibility and accountability among leaders, promoting ethical leadership practices. However, there is also a need for a balance between religious principles and modern leadership theories to ensure inclusive and effective leadership.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social network theory, Graph theory & Complex systems theory may be used to anchor future studies on the integration of spirituality, values, and ethics in leadership practice and theory. Design and implement leadership development programs that explicitly incorporate components related to spirituality, values, and ethics. Advocate for the implementation of policies and regulations that institutionalize ethical standards within organizations and industries.

‘You Just Have to Wait’: Bureaucratic Offerings and Spiritual Repertoires of Waiting in Postcolonial Paris

ABSTRACT Egyptian migrant mothers living in Paris often advice one another that they ‘just have to wait’ and practice ‘patience’ as they navigate French migration and welfare bureaucracies. These exhortations bring into view agentive modes of inhabiting bureaucratic waiting. This paper examines the ways in which Egyptian-background working-class mothers in Paris shape their position as ‘patients of the state’. Based on informally shared understandings of waited time as the central currency to French bureaucracy’s hidden logic, these mothers engage with their time-spent-in-waiting as something that can be offered to the bureaucratic system in exchange for a possible resolution. They also draw on religious repertoires of patience and acceptance as gendered Islamic virtues, endowing bureaucratic challenges and enforced waiting with divine significance. Migration bureaucracy thus is converted into a domain of spiritual practice.

‘‘A dream of guru came to me’’: Meanings of dreaming about spiritual teacher for Chinese Indonesian Buddhists

AbstractBased on an ethnographic study among Chinese Indonesians who practice Tibetan Buddhism, we analyze doctrinal beliefs and meanings associated with the appearance of spiritual teacher in dreams. The most common meanings conveyed in their narratives were the beliefs that Guru‐related dreams signify successful spiritual practice, a prophetic insight into future events, and an encouragement for further endeavor in spiritual practice. For a significant number of them, these meanings centered around the precarious feeling of being perceived as the source of the nation's problem. Analyzing the dynamic of these positive/optimistic meanings and negative/pessimistic feelings with regard to Guru‐related dreams, we conclude that both represent the ongoing negotiation between spirituality and ethnic belonging and are connected to the soteriological project of forging a new ethical self.

Spirituality as a key asset in promoting positive youth development: Advances in research and practice

Spirituality is a universal human experience. Within the process of development, the role of spirituality as a developmental asset is understudied in general and especially within majority world contexts. In this article, we frame advances in spirituality research and practice with youth around three pillars: (a) theory, (b) measurement, and (c) research about and evaluations of positive youth development (PYD) programs in low- and middle-income countries. We place PYD programs as associated with dynamic, relational developmental systems (RDS)-based models of human development, describe spirituality and the “Big Three” features of effective PYD programs as aligning to promote thriving, and discuss spirituality as a strength, as a key asset, in the lives of youth. We discuss advances in developmental methods and measures for describing, explaining, and promoting spirituality and PYD and offer a case study that responds to a United States Agency for International Development call for action and evaluations of spirituality within the context of a PYD program in the majority world. Considerations for future research about spirituality and youth development are discussed.

Unraveling the Neo-Sûfī Paradigm: An Analysis of Dr. Fazlûr Raḥmān's Theoretical Insights and Concepts

This research focuses on Dr. Fazlûr Raḥmān's Neo-Sûfī paradigm, a contemporary departure from traditional perspectives on Sûfīsm aimed at addressing global challenges. The study traces Raḥmān's academic journey from British India, highlighting his influential work advocating for a reevaluation of conventional Islāmic thought in the face of technological advancements and cultural shifts. Through an extensive literature review, the research contextualises the historical development of Sûfīsm, scrutinises traditional views, and assesses modern challenges to Sûfī thought, offering a critical examination of Raḥmān's contributions, particularly the Neo-Sûfī paradigm. The study's theoretical framework is grounded in Raḥmān's innovative approach deeply rooted in Islāmic philosophy and theology. Raḥmān reimagines traditional Sûfī concepts to address contemporary challenges while preserving ties to Islāmic heritage. Drawing insights from scholars like William C. Chittick and Seyyed Hossein Nasr, the research employs an interdisciplinary methodology based on primary sources to analyse the Neo-Sûfī paradigm comprehensively. It aims to position Raḥmān's ideas within the broader context of Islāmic thought, enriching the understanding of the intricate relationship between Sûfīsm, tradition, and modernity. Exploring the evolution of Sûfīsm within the Neo-Sûfī paradigm, the research underscores its adaptability to contemporary challenges, spiritual dimensions, and contributions to social cohesion. It investigates how Raḥmān reconciles tradition and modernity, assessing the compatibility of Sûfī thought with contemporary philosophical currents. The study discusses the implications of the Neo-Sûfī paradigm, including its role in interfaith dialogue, contributions to contemporary Islāmic thought, and policy recommendations. Despite acknowledging limitations, the research concludes that Dr. Fazlûr Raḥmān's Neo-Sûfī paradigm provides a dynamic response to modern challenges, harmoniously integrating tradition and modernity. Its implications extend beyond individual spiritual practice to interfaith dialogue, societal cohesion, and policy recommendations, presenting Raḥmān's paradigm as a valuable source of wisdom in navigating contemporary complexities within the ongoing discourse on Islāmic thought.

Spirituality and Recovery From Severe Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review.

The current study investigated the impact of spirituality and mental disorder recovery practices among individuals with severe mental disorders. A comprehensive search across six databases-Scopus, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, SpringerLink, PubMed, and CINAHL-was performed to identify relevant articles. A total of 651 articles were screened, and 16 met inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that spirituality significantly contributed to the improvement of individuals with severe mental disorders by fostering the development of self-confidence, self-control, strength, and hope, thereby enhancing overall quality of life. In addition, spirituality appeared to correlate with increased self-efficacy. Within the mental health recovery framework, spirituality has emerged as a crucial element in facilitating significant life improvements through the exploration of essential motivational strategies. Psychiatric-mental health nurses could play a pivotal role in helping individuals with severe mental disorders by addressing their spiritual needs, thereby promoting holistic recovery and care. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(8), 11-17.].

Strategi Mengatasi Stres Dan Mempertahankan Kesejahteraan Keluarga Pada Orang Tua Tunggal: Studi Kasus Pamulang Barat

Single parents face stressful challenges that detrimentally affect individual well-being and disrupt family dynamics. This research reveals various strategies for coping with stress, including emphasizing solutions, maintaining emotional balance, and seeking social support. Through a qualitative approach, interviews with six single parents uncovered diverse strategies, such as emphasizing solutions, maintaining emotional balance, engaging in positive activities, participating in spiritual practices, and relying on a strong community role. Their perseverance in meeting family needs, providing quality education, and maintaining well-being demonstrates inspirational determination. The research highlights the crucial role of social support and perseverance in responding to the impact of stress on single parents, influencing overall family well-being.

TRANSFORMATION OF INDEPENDENT ISLAMIC EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE MINORITY MUSLIM ENVIRONMENT OF DENPASAR, BALI

This research aims to analyze the implementation of the Islamic education system in public schools, specifically in public high schools and vocational schools (SMA/SMK Negeri) in Denpasar, Bali. Considering that Hindu communities predominantly inhabit Bali, it is essential to delve deeper into how the Islamic education system operates in educational institutions controlled by the Hindu community, namely SMA/SMK Negeri. The research is field research with a qualitative approach, focusing on Muslim teachers and students as the subjects. The findings of this research indicate that the Islamic education system, initially conducting traditional classroom learning activities, transformed response to the challenging conditions. This transformation involved strengthening the Islamic Education (PAI) curriculum by reinforcing faith, religious values, and religious practices. Furthermore, the transformation expanded various learning activities, spiritual practices, and other religious activities through intra and extracurricular organizations. As a result, the Islamic education system enhanced its image positively regarding extrinsic elements, including the school community and the wider society. This transformation also contributed to notable achievements, exemplified by the school's participation and success in the Halal Olympics organized by the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI).

Desmond Tutu's Spirituality of Protest

Abstract: This essay interprets Desmond Mpilo Tutu's practice of protest as a spiritual practice in light of his regular participation in other spiritual practices such as prayer, silence, and Eucharist. Connecting these spiritual practices to his theologies of ubuntu and the imago Dei , I demonstrate that Tutu's life of protest was an expression of his spirituality and that his example challenges sharp distinctions between the "political" and the "spiritual." Rather, spirituality understood in the key of Tutu's ubuntu theology is always already political.

Sustaining subak, the balinese traditional ecological knowledge in the contemporary context of Bali

Abstract Subak is a local organization that formalizes the Balinese traditional ecological knowledge and wisdom in managing and distributing water for agricultural purposes. This organization combines cosmology, spirituality, science, ecology, and engineering dimensions of knowledge. As the current development of Bali Island as one of the international tourist destinations has changed its landscape which involves various factors such as physical, social, and cultural. Hence, to what extent the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) practice can be sustained in the current context and development setting become our focus of study. This paper has three objectives. The first is to collate/document the various perspectives of TEK from sustainable agriculture practices, ecological principles, water irrigation systems, and spiritual practices and values as part of the learning document. The second is to analyze the interdependence of the human and environmental systems in the context of the socio-ecological system framework for Subak TEK and its cultural sustainability. Third, to outline the potential effort to sustain Subak TEK by strengthening its adaptive capacity in the broader context of learning to strengthening the community based tourism planning. This study deploy the socio-ecological system, SES framework as the underlying theory and analysis and explore diverse initiatives to sustain Subak in the future. The study was conducted in conjunction with a sustainability leadership program which deployed an inter- and transdisciplinary approach of sustainability science that focuses on Subak as its case. Situational and content analysis from the workshop discussion notes is used to provide examples that describe diverse initiatives in tourism, agriculture, and education. The study found out that the SES framework of analysis in Subak TEK documented several core ritual activities, the interpretation of THK philosophy and its local wisdom and values which represent the interaction the social and natural system. Hence, demonstrate as a living monument with strong human institutions and nature interaction. Further, the Subak TEK has substantial community capital values that need to be strengthened by integration in the formal and non-formal education, the enhancement of the Tri Hita Karana (THK) awards and accreditation for tourism operators and hotels in the broader context of education for sustainable development framework as well as community-based tourism development planning. This initiative need to be supported by a community-based tourism by involving Pekaseh and youngsters in the current context of Bali community-based tourism.

Minding the gap: Spirituality in clinical practice during increased secularization and mental health needs.

Minding the gap: Spirituality in clinical practice during increased secularization and mental health needs.

The Use of S. Khoruzhyi's Ideas of Energetic Heychasm in the Educational Strategies of Postmodern Society

Through the prism of the study of the theology of Hesychasm the authors of this article consider the philosophical work of S. Khoruzhyi as a present-day system of non-classical pedagogical paradigm. On the other hand, this paradigm is a philosophically framed historical tradition of Orthodox ontological experience of human existence, which in our time has gone beyond the end of history. Moving beyond confessional boundaries into a universal philosophical meta-anthropological project provides a heuristic effect for the construction of spiritual pedagogy as well as for its synergy with the educational strategies and spiritual practices of the common man of the postmodern era.
 The authors sought to identify the basic intentions of religion and postmodern consciousness, and to characterize S. Khoruzhyi's theosophical paradigm in terms of its unconscious and unintentional correlation with the social philosophy of pedagogical of postmodernism. For this purpose we used comparative typological and meaningful methinks, as well as elements of hermeneutics and intertextual analysis.
 As a result of the study the authors formulated a number of conclusions and results. The most general one defines the peculiarity of S. Khoruzhogo's narrative, in which the philosopher not only insists but also systematically embeds Hesychasm in the context of the post-non-classical philosophical and pedagogical paradigm. In essence, S. Khoruzhyi forms an alternative to the classical philosophical paradigm, which (even despite the author's formal objections) is open to a horizontal postmodern dialogue and constructed in a personal Hesychasm practice " bottom-up" from -because of "human energy".

Mourning and anger at the foot of the cross: Mary’s pain in thirteenth-century Castile and León

ABSTRACT The Latin Marian lament “Quis dabit” (literally “Who will give”) began circulating in thirteenth-century Castile and León at a time when devotion to the Virgin Mary was principally associated with miracles and conquest. A central theme of this popular text was Mary’s physical pain rather than her disembodied mental distress at the foot of the cross. I argue that the reception of “Quis dabit” in Castile and León was twofold. In his Duelo de la virgen, Gonzalo de Berceo (c. 1196 – c. 1260) incorporated medieval mourning traditions to emphasize Mary’s rage (rabia) over the loss of her son, highlighting her military might as queen during an age of conquest. While the illustrators of the Cantigas de Santa María were directly informed by passages from the “Quis dabit” in two unusual representations of Mary grasping Jesus’s crucified feet and gazing up at him, these images echoed only her painful, active sorrow in the “Quis dabit,” rather than her rage. The contrasting treatment of the “Quis dabit” in thirteenth-century Castile and León sheds light on how spiritual practices concentrating on Mary’s pain could be incorporated into devotion to a powerful, conquering queen of heaven.

Peace in Religious Teachings and its Impact on Economic and Political Stability

AbstractThis study aims to delve into the values of peace within Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity in Malaysia and its profound influence on the country's economic and political stability. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilising both primary and secondary sources. In-depth interviews were conducted with religious leaders representing Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity, while relevant documentation was used as a secondary source. The findings indicate the shared emphasis among religious leaders upon cultivating inner peace within their respective faiths. Each religion advocates that spiritual practices foster inner peace, contributing to a harmonious society, nation, and economic resilience. Conversely, neglecting these religious teachings can lead to violence, social issues, and an absence of peace within the country. Therefore, this study posits that peace holds immense significance, urging its integration among believers and indirectly impacting Malaysia's economic development and political stability. Keywords:Value of peace, religious teachings, economic and political stability.