Spiritual Practices Research Articles

Religion and Individual in a Traditional Multi-Religious Vietnam

From ancient times to the present day, religion has played a multifaceted role in human existence, encompassing various aspects of individual life such as rites of passage, daily routines, and the formation of lifestyle. Traditional Vietnamese spiritual practices draw upon a syncretism of Confucianism, Buddhism, and indigenous beliefs, resulting in a cultural landscape where many Vietnamese individuals do not readily identify themselves as adherents to any single religious tradition. This juxtaposition gives rise to a notable paradox within Vietnamese religious life. While there may appear to be a lack of overt religious devotion in daily practices, religion manifests itself prominently in nearly all significant events in Vietnamese life. This article aims to explore the presence of these traditional religions in Vietnam to elucidate the underlying reasons for this paradox within traditional Vietnamese individual life.

Citizens’ Perception on Effects of Kidnapping on Security in Edo South Senatorial District

The cases of kidnapping in Nigeria and in Edo State in particular are rising, and taking dangerous dimensions. What exists in the literature is an ample of research reports on the causes and socioeconomic implications of kidnapping. The general objective of this study is to explore citizens’ perception of the effects of the rising incidence of kidnapping on the security situations in Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State. The exploratory research design operated with the cross sectional research design was adopted for this study. The calculated sample size for this study was placed at approximately 816. For the collection of qualitative data, the purposive sampling techniques were used to select two interviewees from each of the local government areas. Hence, there were 14 interviewees for the collection of qualitative data that complemented the quantitative data. The majority of respondents (54.7%) believe that the death of victims during kidnappings is avoidable or preventable. There was statistically significant difference in the perception of the level of panic due to kidnapping in Edo South according to the age groups. There is statistically significant association between educational qualification and the tendency to get the Police involved in cases of kidnapping. There was statistically significant difference in perceived police effectiveness in the fight against kidnapping in Edo South according the respondents’ nature of employment. In conclusion, there is a significant number of people who are concerned about kidnapping in their area, with most of affirming a high level of panic due to kidnapping. Kidnapping has a negative impact on society and is a source of fear and concern for many people. The lack of proper security measures adds to the problem, and people are left to take precautions to avoid being kidnapped. The citizens are adjusting to the panic caused by kidnapping by taking practical measures to ensure their safety and seeking solace through spiritual practices. It is recommended that the police should take proactive measures to prevent kidnappings, have the necessary resources and training to handle kidnapping cases, and work with other security agencies and organizations to provide support and services to victims after their release.

What does it mean to sing with the Earth?

ABSTRACT A small group (n = 11) of singers from the same community of musical practice in the UK participated in focus group workshops to reflect on their experiences of group singing in nature. The study found that group singing in nature was considered to be a (non-religious) spiritual practice that enhances participants’ experience of both communitas and their connection to the natural world. Participants made an important distinction between singing with the earth – communing with the natural world in a more spiritual way – and singing for the earth, more political activity in response to local and global environmental issues. From a Posthuman perspective, diffraction – as both the physical and metaphorical process of exploring ‘differences that matter’ – is identified as an important concept for understanding how different routes to wellbeing can be mutually constitutive and intra-active. De-centring human experience by amplifying the co-constitutive role of other agencies like the natural world highlights the ontological and epistemological complexity of such experience.

IMPLEMENTASI METODE AL-QOSIMI DALAM HAFALAN AL-QUR'AN: STUDI KASUS DI MIS IT NURUL IMAN

The Qur'an, as the holy book of Islam, holds immeasurable value as the primary guide in both spiritual and worldly life. The importance of memorizing the Qur'an as a spiritual practice for Muslims has been a integral tradition in Islam since the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW. The Al-Qosimi method has proven to be one of the effective approaches in enhancing the efficiency of Qur'an memorization. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of the Al-Qosimi method in the process of Qur'an memorization at MIS IT Nurul Iman. In this research, a quantitative phenomenological method is employed, utilizing interviews, observations, and documentation as data collection techniques. The results of the study indicate that the Al-Qosimi method plays a significant role in improving the effectiveness of Qur'an memorization for students at MIS IT Nurul Iman. However, challenges faced include the lack of understanding and mastery of the Al-Qosimi method among teachers. Nonetheless, further training efforts have been undertaken to address this issue. The positive impact of implementing this method is evident from the good achievements in Qur'an memorization by fourth-grade students, where the majority of them have successfully memorized Juz 30. Therefore, the Al-Qosimi method can serve as an effective guideline in Qur'an memorization and can have a positive impact on the formation of students' character and spirituality.

Negotiated Resistance: Counterstories of Louisiana Creole Spirituality

ABSTRACT Louisiana Creole as a cultural identity is inextricably linked to Blackness. An understanding of Creole identity as a challenge to the racial binary imposed within Louisiana illuminates the larger legacies of colonialism, slavery, and systems of inequality within society. Creoles organised and fought against racial inequality and segregation through the collective of the Citizens’ Committee forming the legal challenge of Plessy v. Ferguson. Although Louisiana Creoles have been associated with Catholicism, as St. Augustine stands as a historical site of Creole culture, spiritual practices have transcended institutionalised religions. Louisiana Creoles critiqued the institution of the Catholic Church and developed methods of resistance. Drawing upon the legacy of social clubs, Creoles used the format of these associations to further spiritual activism. Through adopting aspects of Catholicism, African traditions, and Louisiana and Creole culture, they formed belief systems and devised intersectional strategies to combat institutional racism.

A crisis of moral ecology: Magar agro-pastoralism in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal

Prior political ecology studies have explored the vulnerability of pastoralism and conflicts between protected areas and pastoralist livelihoods. Some conservation regimes regard Indigenous pastoralists’ institutions, knowledge, self-governance and self-determination as incompatible with contemporary conservation on the grounds that the associated practices are unsustainable. Based on critical ethnography, this paper examines the moral ecology of Indigenous Magar agro-pastoralism in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve of mid-western Nepal. Traditional Magar management is in crisis due to reserve policies and practices. From a political ecology perspective, I show that the traditional moral ecology of agro-pastoralism sustains complex relationships with the rangelands. Traditional institutions uphold a moral ecology that is deeply rooted in spiritual practices and fosters a sense of responsibility for the preservation of biodiversity and nature. Current conservation policies inadequately recognise these Indigenous moral principles and weaken harmonious socio-ecological relations. In order to manage protected areas sustainably in high-altitude regions, it is crucial to manage agro-pastoralism within the framework of traditional moral ecology through Indigenous peoples’ self-governance and self-determination.

Spirituality Educational Intervention to Enhance Spirituality Clinical Practice and Resilience

This descriptive research used an evidence-based spirituality intervention as an innovative approach for nurse leaders to support nurse’s use of spirituality in clinical care to promote resilience in acute care settings. The intervention used the Auctioning Spirituality and Spiritual care Education Training (ASSET) model as a framework to enhance spiritual practices. Two valid and reliable tools measured participant’s attitudes toward spiritual practices and resilience. The sample included participants (N = 185) working in acute care settings. Participants’ attitudes on spirituality-integrated practice are strongly correlated with resilience composite scores (r = 0.562, p < 0.04). Spirituality training enhances self-awareness and increases spiritual dimensions of clinical practice.

Embers in Existence: Spiritual and Existential Distress in a Burn Injury Resulting from Spiritual Practice

Embers in Existence: Spiritual and Existential Distress in a Burn Injury Resulting from Spiritual Practice

Konsep Mahabbah Kepada Allah

In the journey of life, humans need guidelines or foundations, such as religion or beliefs that recognize the existence of divine power. Every day, individuals are faced with the task of maintaining, improving and increasing the quality of faith and devotion to the Creator. To achieve this, several paths can be taken, one of which is through the world of Sufism or known as the mystical world. In pursuit of attainment in the mystical world, methods such as meditation or spiritual practice can be applied. The peak of experience in the mystical world is mahabbah or divine love, which is the highest level on the journey to Allah. In this article, the author investigates the theory of Divine love (mahabbah) from a female Sufi figure, Rabi'ah Adawiyah, who first expressed her affection for the Creator. This research adopts a library research approach. The approach method applied involves historical and philosophical dimensions. Data collection was carried out through documentation methods, and analysis was carried out using descriptive analysis methods. According to Rabi'ah, love is defined as a feeling of selfless love and without expecting reward or legal release in return. The focus is on the fulfillment of God's will and its perfection.

Spirituality in organizational leaders – Ways to Inner, Ways to Wisdom

PurposeWork is central to human life. It requires high mental and emotional involvement from organizational leaders, whose decisions have far-reaching impacts. Currently, industrial and technological societies struggle with growing problems of trust in leadership, mental health, feelings of emptiness and the search for relevant meaning, which highlights the importance of attending to spirituality at work. This study aims to fill two main gaps: the need for empirical research on spirituality in organizational leaders, and access to the meanings and experiences of leaders themselves.Design/methodology/approachQualitative data from 25 Portuguese organizational leaders were collected through in-depth interviews. We followed a phenomenological approach to reveal participants' own meanings and experiences of spirituality. Content analysis was performed to identify emergent categories and a framework of spirituality development.FindingsThe results suggest the participant’s plural views and spirituality practices, which generate common achievements – Ways to Inner. Relations of leaders’ spirituality with their development and integration at work are also evidenced – Ways to Wisdom. A spirituality development framework is presented with aspects revealed in leaders’ ways, from deepening individual issues to the orientation for existential impacts.Originality/valueThis study proposes a framework of spirituality development based on empirical data, with the potential for adaptation to various professional contexts. Spirituality is approached as a human dimension in leaders, as whole beings and a decisive dimension of present organizational change towards a holistic work paradigm.

Caring for Health, Bodies, and Development

Over the last fifty years a plethora of new spiritual practices has emerged in the Church of Sweden. Many fall within a category of holistic practices, aimed at engaging body, soul, and spirit. Among these, two categories are dominant: meditations and movement-based bodily practices. Some of these practices are contested by other Christians on a theological basis. The article asks: Who are the new ritual specialists teaching these practices? Why do they teach these practices? Why in the church? By using a bottom-up perspective and studying practices which lie outside the traditional Christian religious rites, which has been the focus in research on the Church of Sweden, we find that the holistic practices are framed in a culture of care, focusing on bodily and spiritual wellbeing. We suggest that the predominance of women in body-movement practices should be understood as a generational feature rather than as an expression of the feminization of the church. Many of the leaders are women who were part of new spiritual movements as well as body-mind practices and various forms of dance in gyms and yoga studios in the 1990s and early 2000s, finding an openness to bringing their knowledge into the church.

Symbolic Meaning and Trisilas Values in the Bakti Purnamasari Traditional Ceremony

The Bakti Purnamasari traditional ceremony serves as a vessel for the community to engage in spiritual practices that have been passed down through generations, based on references from the Pantun Pajajaran Bogor manuscripts. Additionally, this traditional ceremony serves as a social platform for communal activities. The Bakti Purnamasari Ceremony transcends beyond a mere series of religious rituals; it becomes a manifestation of cultural continuity and social involvement laden with values and meaning. In this context, the ceremony not only embodies spiritual values but also significantly contributes to the formation of community identity and the reinforcement of social solidarity. In the context of this article, the aim is to describe and analyze the research findings related to symbols, subsequently elaborating on their meanings and the trisilas value namely, silih asih,silih asah, and silih asuh embedded in the Bakti Purnamasari traditional ceremony in Sukabumi. The research methodology employed is descriptive analysis with a qualitative approach. Participants in the study were selected from cultural figures in the city of Sukabumi, deemed valuable sources of information due to their rich knowledge and experiences associated with the Bakti Purnamasari Ceremony. Data collection techniques included observation, interviews, and documentary studies, with data analysis using triangulation. The research results indicate that the symbols in the traditional ceremony are reflected through offerings with intended meanings expressing gratitude for the blessings received. The trisilas values in the Bakti Purnamasari ceremony portray sincere expressions of love and affection, mutual filling or synergy, and a sense of selfless care.

Hidden Corners: Religious Beliefs in Chinese Prisons

The exploration of religious beliefs within the confines of Chinese prisons presents a nuanced inquiry into the intersection of faith, correctional policies, and human rights. This study delves into the underexplored domain of how religious practices and beliefs are navigated within the Chinese penal system. Despite constitutional assurances for religious freedom, practical applications within prison walls reveal a nuanced tapestry of control, accommodation, and, at times, suppression. This paper aims to shed light on these complexities through interviews with prison officers, offering a rare glimpse into the ‘hidden corners’ of religious observance in Chinese prisons. It critically examines the balance between state control, the rehabilitation agenda, and the individual’s right to spiritual belief and practice, proposing a more inclusive approach to fostering religious diversity and freedom within the correctional environment.

Духовные практики современной молодежи: социологический анализ

Spiritual practices are one of the promising and underdeveloped areas of sociological analysis, which at the current stage of development of Russian society is becoming especially relevant as a topic of public discus-sions and scientific research. The article presents the results of the initiative survey conducted among young people living in Moscow. The main categories of spiritual practices are identified: those implying direct and timely impact on the human body, practices of spiritual development and self-education, practices of social interaction. Their demand among young people was determined. To improve their spiritual world, young peo-ple most often use the following methods: hobbies, contemplation of the beauty of the world, introspection and broadening of their horizons. The overwhelming majority of respondents connect spiritual development directly with doing something they love. It is noteworthy that for half of the respondents the most frequently used form of spiritual practice is helping people around them. Body-related practices are inferior to other spiritual activi-ties. The results of federal surveys and the experience of theoretical and methodological research of these cat-egories are presented.

Integration of Sufism and Transpersonal Psychology

This research explores the valuable intersections and synergies between Sufism and transpersonal psychology, focusing on how these two disciplines can provide deep insights and solutions to social and individual challenges in the modern era. Facing an identity crisis, existential anxiety, and an increasingly urgent search for the meaning of life, this study shows that Sufism and transpersonal psychology offer rich alternative perspectives and practices for answering these existential questions. Through a phenomenological qualitative methodology, the research collected and analyzed data from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with students and supervisors at the Al-Huda Islamic Boarding School in Central Lombok, an environment rich in spiritual and academic practices. The research results show that integrating Sufistic spiritual understanding and transpersonal psychological insight facilitates holistic self-development, providing guidance for achieving higher consciousness and a more meaningful life. In this context, Sufism, with its focus on the direct experience of the divine presence, and transpersonal psychology, emphasizing the expansion of consciousness beyond the ego, both serve as valuable guides in navigating the complexities of human existence. This research underlines that the dialogue between Islamic spiritual traditions and modern psychological science enriches our theoretical understanding and daily practice in dealing with contemporary issues, offering new views on the potential for self-integration and achieving spiritual depth in the current era.

Effectiveness of the Technological Approach in the Spiritual Life of Young People

This article explores the effectiveness of integrating technological approaches in the spiritual development of young people. The study examines how technology can be utilized to enhance spiritual practices, foster personal growth, and promote positive well-being among youth. Various technological tools and platforms are analyzed for their potential impact on the spiritual lives of young individuals. The findings suggest that incorporating technology in spiritual activities can be beneficial in engaging and empowering young people to deepen their spiritual connections and values. The implications of this technological approach on the overall well-being and development of youth are discussed, highlighting the importance of embracing innovative strategies in addressing the spiritual needs of the younger generation.

Potensi Spiritual Manusia: Upgrading Transformasi Rohani Sebagai Rekontruksi Pemahaman Mendalam Berdasarkan Ajaran Islam

This research aims to explore the process of upgrading spiritual transformation as a reconstruction of a deep understanding of human spiritual potential. Human spiritual potential is a complex and profound dimension of human existence. This concept encompasses inner experiences, relational existence with the universe, and the search for meaning in life. Efforts to understand human spiritual potential require recognition of the changes and transformations that occur in the spiritual dimension. The methods used include literature review from various disciplines, including psychology, spirituality, and philosophy. The research findings indicate that efforts to enhance human spiritual potential require awareness of the ongoing transformation process. In this context, a deep reconstruction of understanding human spiritual potential necessitates a holistic and integrated approach. This involves combining traditional spiritual practices with contemporary understandings of psychology and neuroscience. Additionally, it is important to consider the social and cultural aspects in the development of individual and collective spirituality. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding human spiritual potential as a dynamic process involving the upgrading of spiritual transformation. A deep reconstruction of understanding the dimensions of human spirituality can provide a foundation for a more holistic and sustainable self-development in the context of this complex modern life.

Co-Creando Rituales / Co-Creating Rituals to Hold Our Work as Anti-Oppressive Counselors and Researchers

Counselors and qualitative researchers have the honor of hearing peoples’ stories and thus have a great responsibility to explore and use clinical and research methodologies that are anti-oppressive, liberatory, and healing. Therefore, in 2019 we began a photovoice project alongside seven queer womxn of color (QWoC) that collaboratively explored their experiences of microaggressions in counseling. Through this journey, we recognized that to be fully present with the “co-researchers’” (participants’) narratives and experiences, we needed to remain attuned and grounded. We engaged in what we now call “rituals” before research team meetings to support our work as counselors and anti-oppressive researchers throughout this photovoice project. These intentional, emotional, embodied, and spiritual practices allowed us to be open with ourselves and with the co-researchers during the research process. In this article, we discuss several rituals we created that helped us engage in critical reflexivity, [un]learn extractive research practices, and explore our intentions, thus allowing us to connect with our embodied experiences and co-researchers’ narratives in a deeper and more meaningful way.

In search of spirituality for intercultural mission: Hospitality, solidarity and marginality

Today's multicultural situation in many parts of the world requires a new missionary approach and practices. In addition, along with advanced understanding of culture and mission, interculturality is being presented as an alternative to complement the existing cross-cultural mission paradigm. In this intercultural mission paradigm, which emerges in the vision that people with various backgrounds and orientations participate in God's mission together with equal status on the Christian base, mission is not understood as a human strategy, but as a spiritual activity that involves the task of discerning God's initiatory work and of practicing a way of life appropriate for it. This article examines the possibility that the Christian mission as a joint participation in God's mission is practiced interculturally in today's multicultural situation. Focusing on the migration context, this article attempts to define “intercultural mission” within the larger framework of the missio Dei, and presents hospitality, solidarity, and marginality, which has been already recognized as important mission spiritualities in existing studies, as core mission spiritualities for intercultural mission. And, from this, this paper describes intercultural mission as a joint spiritual practice of creating space and building bridges for God's mission.

Fighting for Their Voice: Understanding Indian Muslim Women's Responses to Networked Harassment

Social computing researchers have described how online harassment is taking on more sophisticated forms where communities rather than lone individuals carry out attacks. At the same time, those who are targeted are coming together with members of the online crowd to confront this networked harassment. However, we currently lack empirical studies of how such self-organizing efforts take place, especially in non-western contexts like India. To address this gap, this paper examines two case studies of gendered Islamophobia, Sulli Deals and Bulli Bai where a group of Indian Muslim women were targeted via fake auctions hosted on GitHub, that were subsequently amplified over social media. We conducted 12 in-depth interviews with the women targeted in these incidents to understand how these women collectively made sense of these incidents, and the social and spiritual resources they drew upon as they constructed a response together. Our findings describe how our participants understood these incidents (e.g. with families and each other); the work they did to combat the harassment (e.g. coordinating a unified media response); and how religious beliefs and spiritual practices played into this (e.g. values around courage, patience, flexibility, and humility). We conclude by discussing how these findings can refresh our understanding of designing community-driven responses to networked harassment.