Spirituality Research Articles

Moving Your Body, Soul, and Heart to Share and Harvest Food

Colonialism, and its partner, racism, greatly impact Indigenous food systems across Canada elevating the rates of diet-related diseases and food insecurity. Many Indigenous communities have responded to these challenges with their own community-based, culturally appropriate food solutions, including local food production. This participatory research explores the question of traditional food education for First Nations youth through photo elicitation with five young adults employed on a community farm and interviews with twelve Elders, community food educators and Knowledge Keepers. This research provides the building blocks for food education to support a community-based, Indigenous food system and sovereignty, informed by Garden Hill First Nation Elders and youth. Interviews and participatory research established that food education should be rooted in traditional and spiritual beliefs, land-based learning and self-determination, and food policies and programs need to assess the use of technology, financial sustainability, and promote gender balance. Community desires for food education closely match the tenets of Indigenous food sovereignty. This research shows the importance of developing Indigenous food education programs that are community-based and applied.

Should we Pursue Success and Spirituality in Ageing? Framing Religious Contributions to Ageing Research

Should we Pursue Success and Spirituality in Ageing? Framing Religious Contributions to Ageing Research

Intersections between Modern and Contemporary Dance and Yoga Practice: A Critical Analysis of Spiritual Paths through Body Movement and Choreography

Bodily movement, rhythmic response, physical exercise and related techniques are sources of spiritual awareness. Yoga and dance are both concerned with the relationship between spirituality and the physical body. This paper presents a literature review of yoga and modern and contemporary dance as spiritual bodily practices. An electronic literature search was undertaken using Scopus, Google Scholar, CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases to examine the integration of modern and contemporary dance with yoga practice. The review reveals a number of important choreographic and spiritual similarities between these practices, including coordinated movement of the body with the breath, sequences of movements, rhythm, gestures and energy management. Many modern and contemporary dancers, choreographers and artists, such as Graham, include yoga techniques in their choreography and teaching. Through bodily movements, yoga and dance allow for self-awareness and self-perception, which aid in connecting the body, the brain and the soul with the divine. The paper finally suggests and describes how a combination of these two practices may be applied in conjunction with rhythm and music to enhance spirituality through body movement. This paper sought to expand the ways in which movement through yoga and modern and contemporary dance can be considered and practiced in relation to spirituality. Received: 4 March 2021 / Accepted: 6 May 2021 / Published: 8 July 2021

Nearness to the Real

Abstract This article presents the theory of sainthood found in the writings of Dāwūd al-Qayṣarī (d. 751/1350), a major commentator on the Sufi thought of Ibn ʿArabī (d. 638/1240). Building on previous philosophical interpretations of Ibn ʿArabī’s thought to systematize the worldview now known as the “Oneness of Being” (waḥdat al-wujūd), Qayṣarī also developed a sophisticated theory of sainthood that not only described, but explained in detail what a saint was, how to become one, and what made the methods for doing so effective. After a historical introduction, I examine the principles of Qayṣarī’s hagiology in the broader context of his worldview, with special attention to his innovative use of philosophical language. Finally, my analysis of the spiritual path in Qayṣarī’s writings shows the consistency with which his account of Sufi wayfaring reflects these principles, according to which the acquisition of sainthood was a journey from the particular to the universal.

Everyday practices research: the analysis of religious travel practices in Belarusian society

The article discusses the importance of travel practices in the structure of social relations between religious subjects in the field of involvement in interfaith relations. The results of a sociological study of travels to holy places are presented in a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodology, questionnaire survey and semiotic analysis of texts. A qualitative approach to the study of religiosity provides an in-depth interpretation of the religious practices pecularities. However, the quantitative representation is relevant to identify general trends in the formation of strategies of religious behaviour. The model combinatig qualitative and quantitative methods of studying tourist practices provides the possibility of their complex analysis. The experience of carried out sociological research shows how qualitative research data can clearly complement the structural characteristics of religious travel (quantitative indicators) with the features of the subjectivity of such travel. The study found: 1) a religious journey involves the implementation of everyday practices of reproduction of meanings and participation in intercultural interaction, as well as the implementation of sacred rituals; 2) a notable number of the religious population in Belarus has experience of religious travel, but pilgrimage is not a regular practice for a significant part of them; 3) the iconic pilgrimage structure is constructed in the virtual verbal texts of Belarusians involved in the daily practice of travelling to holy places. It is formed by several components of the meaning of the «path»: life, the spiritual path, search, cognition, communication, unity, collective emotions.

CELL HEALTH LEARNING BASED ON DZIKRULLOH SPIRITUAL PRACTICE “HE NING CIPTO METAPHYSICS MEDITATION”, TO BUILD A STRONG BODY IMMUNITY SYSTEM

This study aimed to describe the implementation of the Spiritual Practice-Based Learning Approach to Metaphysics Meditation "He Ning Cipto" in the Cell-Level Life course to build the student's immune system during the covid-19 pandemic. This study involved three classes of 2018 class students with a total of 90 people. This quasi-experimental research uses a "one shot case study" as a research design where there is only a treatment class without control. Data collection methods in this study include observation, tests and surveys in order to obtain data on the implementation of learning, mastery of concepts, meditation skills, and mental health. The results showed that the implementation of the learning carried out had fulfilled the syntax and obtained the dominant learning management assessment score mode of 4 from the total existing meetings. The learning outcomes test from 3 classes with 4 study topics (Cell Structure and Function, Cell Health Concepts, Body Immune System, Cipto Silent Meditation) in 7 meetings showed that students' mastery of concepts could be achieved maximally both individually and classically with a percentage of completeness of 95, 56%. Based on rewriting data and diaries, Cipto's Silent Meditation skills can be practiced well according to the recommended instructions and procedures. Students' rewriting scores ranged from 78 to 100, while for student diaries they received a minimum score of 80 and a maximum of 100. The questionnaire responses given showed high Mental Attitude Health (KSM) results of 96%, High Cell/Body Health (KST) of 86% and the Happiness Scale Index is in the high category (above 34, 4) with A level between 46-50 at 29%, Level B between 40-45 at 66% and C between 34-39 at 6%. Overall, it can be concluded that this research has helped students in learning and gaining an understanding of the concept of cell health and the immune system, as well as developing silent meditation skills, to build a strong immune system for students and actors in achieving a level of mental health and mental attitude. good dohir cells/body, and pure soul happiness is born as a result of a sense of faith, and evidence of obedience and gratitude to Allah SWT for all His blessings, then the practice of meditation has an impact as a form of self-protection from various kinds of diseases including the Covid-19 virus.

Jihad of the Pen: The Sufi Literature of West Africa. RUDOLPH WARE, ZAKARY WRIGHT and AMIR SYED

Sufism has a strong religious presence throughout much of West Africa and Sufis have produced major literature and bodies of work in this region. Jihad of the Pen explores the new generation of research on the rich Arabic source material of Islamic Africa, particularly West Africa, and introduces the Sufi scholars of Africa while examining their spiritual and political influence. This volume brings together writings by ʿUthman bin Fudi (d. 1817, Nigeria), ʿUmar Tal (d. 1864, Mali), Ahmadu Bamba (d. 1927, Senegal), and Ibrahim Niasse (d. 1975, Senegal), who, between them, founded the largest Muslim communities in African history and are partly responsible for the flourishing of Sufism in West Africa (p. 2). Jihad of the Pen offers fresh translations of Arabic source material in prose and poetry that proved formative of a veritable Islamic revival across West Africa in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Among recurring themes are etiquette (adab), reflection on education (tarbiya), importance of the spiritual path, love for the Prophet, Qurʾānic verses, faith (īmān), the acquisition of divine knowledge (maʿrifat Allāh), and the remembrance (dhikr) of God. All of which demonstrate a shared, vibrant scholarly heritage in West Africa that drew on the classics of global Islamic learning, and made major contributions to Islamic intellectual history. Their writings also demonstrate the significance of the saintly authority that these scholars articulated, their spiritual influence over their students’ understanding of Islamic doctrine and Sufi teachings.

SUFISM AND CHALLENGES OF MODERN AND SECULAR PHILOSOPHY: NASR’S PERSPECTIVE

Sufism is a broad and diverse movement within the history of Islam. Anatolia, among the other Muslim lands, has been home to many Sufi orders such as Alevi-Bektashi, Rufā’ī, Khalwatī, and others. All the mentioned order played significant roles during the Ottoman Empire and up to the modern era. It is clear that facing the Modern and secular world view, at least epistemologically challenged all Sufi orders. Considering such a considerable shaking encounter raises questions such as the relationships between Sufi creeds and modern science in the viewpoint of Sufism. Sufism maintains that “knowledge” (ʿilm) is an essential foundation in the Spiritual path. If the universe is defined as a manifestation of the Divine in the Alevi-Bektashi and other Sufi thoughts, what are their responses to modern dominant philosophy and science that is fundamentally secular and leaves no space for the Sacred? This paper will study the question of philosophical assessment of modern science and technology from a Sufi perspective. In particular, it will examine the phenomenon of modern science and technology from the perspective of the Sufi and traditionalist school of Islam. It mainly focuses on the claim of the rediscovery of Sacred Science and assesses the way how Sayyed Hossein Nasr (b.1933) – a Shādhīlī Sufi- suggests reviving it. Furthermore, this paper investigates Nasr’s critiques of modern science’s fundamental philosophical principles as determining its secular nature in opposition to the notion of sacred science and world view in Sufism.

Participating in Christ. Explorations in Paul’s Theology and Spirituality, by Michael J. Gorman

Participating in Christ. Explorations in Paul’s Theology and Spirituality, by Michael J. Gorman

Trans*formative spirituality and self-preservation in the lives of trans Latinxs

Trans*formative spirituality and self-preservation in the lives of trans Latinxs

Пасхальный рассказ С.Н. Дурылина «На чужой могиле»: обновление жанра

The article explores poetics of the unpublished Easter story by S.N. Durylin “On an unrelated grave” (1922). The story is important mainly because the author manages to renew the genre not only by returning to the original spiritual meanings, but also presenting the unique ontological project. Taking into account the experience of the predecessors-classics, first of all, A.P. Chekhov and his story “Holy night” (1886), the writer expands possibilities of the biblical subtext by creating an intertextual evangelical plot that unfolds in parallel with the main one. Using modernist experience of L.N. Andreev and M. Gorky, the symbolist writers, Durylin disputes it, disagreeing with travesty and fantastic versions of the interpretation of Easter story. The author depicts the plot of the resurrection of the soul of the main character Andrei Omutov, who, experiencing the tragic death of his mother, thinks about eternity for the first time. The author’s ontological concept, affirming infinity and the absence of boundaries, is expressed by the special construction of the temporal triad “past — present — future”. The idea of transcendental reality, suggesting Absolute, is formed by alternating passages in present and future tense: these are descriptions of mother’ existence and church hymns quotations. In the past tense, the story of hero’s childhood and his mother’s death are given. The spiritual path to the eternal “to be” represents the inner plot of this story. The milestones of this plot are intertextually indicated by Easter exapostillarium, which is quoted three times: in the epigraph, at the time when it sounds at Easter services and, finally, on a grave of a stranger during matin service, conducted by Father Alexander, when the hero’s spiritual resurrection occurs.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANCIENT AND MODERN EDUCATION SYSTEM: WITH REFERENCE TO INDIA

Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, morals, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include teaching, training, storytelling, discussion and directed research. In ancient India, both formal and informal ways of education system existed. Indigenous education was imparted at home, in temples, Pathshalas, Tolas, Chatuspadis and Gurukuls. There were people in homes, villages and temples who guided young children in imbibing pious ways of life. A Gurukula or Gurukulam is a type of education system in ancient India with Shishya (students or disciples) living near or with the guru, in the same house. At the end of ones education, a Shishya offers the Gurudakshina before leaving the Gurukula.Over a period of time two system of education developed, the Vedic and the Buddhist. As the name indicates in the former system Vedas, Vedanta, Upanishads and other allied subjects were taught while in the latter system, thoughts of all the major school of Buddhism was taught.Vidyapeeth was the place of spiritual learning founded by great Acharya, Sri Shankara in places like Sringeri, Kanchi, Dwarka, and Puri, etc. Agraharas was an institution of Brahmins in villages where they used to teach.Modern education is very different from the traditional education.AryaSamajwas founded by Maharishi DayanandSaraswati on 10 April 1875.The traditional education and the modern education, both should be given equal importance.

Promoting spiritual paths in graduate nursing students in time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic caused alterations within all aspects of human life, which enabled students to uncover fears. These negative emotions, even for training nursing students, can become contagious within and between families, family members and friends, dominating and clouding their judgment. So, how do you manage fear? This study aims to describe the experience of five graduating nursing students and their respective teacher in rebuilding and promoting positive emotions (e.g. optimism, hope, courage) through a digital tool (a Blog) throughout the imposed quarantine time. A descriptive study, experience report type, analyse the authors lived experiences during the mandatory quarantine period that emerged due to COVID-19 virus, between March and May of 2020. Symbolic interactionism is used as a philosophical base that guided data collection and analysis. Through the report of their lived experiences, we encountered that the Blog empowered teacher and students to achieve their goals and find new meanings in their lives through three spiritual paths: compassion and kindness; self-awareness and courage. All participants agreed that this kind of digital tool should be used throughout the bachelor´s in nursing, which generates a more humanized way of teaching, allowing students to see beyond University walls.

Non-church movement and the transcendentality of Spirituality

Non-church movement and the transcendentality of Spirituality

Eros Ideologies: Writings on Art, Spirituality, and the Decolonial, by Pérez, Laura E.

Eros Ideologies: Writings on Art, Spirituality, and the Decolonial, by Pérez, Laura E.

Book Review: On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts

Book Review: On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts

THE IDEA OF KINDRED LOVE IN F. M. DOSTOEVSKY’S THE RAW YOUTH

The article clarifies the genre content of the novel The Raw Youth as a novel of education, reveals the philosophical and pedagogical ideas of F. M. Dostoevsky regarding the principles and content of spiritual and moral upbringing in the Orthodox environment. The connection between the artistic presentation of the upbringing process in the novel and the author's ideas, which are essentially similar to the ideas of the Christian anthropology school in late 19th century pedagogy, is outlined. In contrast with and in overcoming the “accidental family,” which is extralegal in the spiritual and civil sense, Dostoevsky offers society the idea of kindred love, which is manifested in the “mind of the heart” (emotional intelligence), the unity of value and moral grounds, mutual respect and support and non-violent relations. Depicting the story of the “accidental family,” which was the result of God's indulgence of human infirmity and lack of reason, F. M. Dostoevsky allows the heroes and the reader to see the human relations ideal in the phenomenon of the family. The former correlates with the will of God and the essential world order. The novel is understood as a representation of a person’s spiritual path. The interpretation of the negative role of Versilov in the spiritual formation of Arkady Dolgoruky undergoes a critical examination. Positive changes in the soul of the Raw Youth are determined by the desire to know and the knowledge of the father’s spiritual make-up. The space of kindred love and family is revealed to be instrumental in the emergence of the collective personality of the Raw Youth and in the spiritual enrichment of all family members. The author concludes that the development of a young person is conditioned both by his own search for the ideal, which is typical for youth, and by the joint efforts of the family that moves towards its ideal through overcoming the separation, which is a source of suffering.

The Mediating Effect of Workplace Spirituality on the Relationship between Emotional Labor and Life Satisfaction of Art Psychology Counselors

The Mediating Effect of Workplace Spirituality on the Relationship between Emotional Labor and Life Satisfaction of Art Psychology Counselors

Eros ideologies: Writings on art, spirituality, and the decolonial

Eros ideologies: Writings on art, spirituality, and the decolonial

Islam Toleran: Membangun Harmoni Beragama Berbasis Spiritual

Many methods have been tried and pursued in order to build a tolerant Islam in Indonesia. The various methods that have been tried are dialogue with its various models, ethnic communication, religious harmony, and cooperation. Theoretically, several approaches have been taken and implemented in order to build genuine tolerance. One of the significant and contextual theoretical approaches in building tolerant Islam in Indonesia is through the Sufism approach or the Islamic spiritual path. Spiritual expression emphasizes harmony, openness and acceptance of others which is true, without further ado or false tolerance. Spirituality is the core of diversity in Indonesia that can be offered to the world.