Essays on Spiritual

In the modern society, with increased internationalization and globalization concept across the world that has developed human interaction in many aspects and fields such as education, business, employment and religious interactions among others, has contributed to the shift achieved in many business organizations and companies that tries to incorporate elements of spiritual growth and development in their strategies, especially through social corporate responsibilities. In the recent past, it was difficult to find any company that has business interests to include spiritual aspects as part of their strategies in any field such as corporate and marketing for example. This was Continue reading...

One of human being innate desires is spiritual fulfillment. Spiritual fulfillment refers to the realization of true self. This realization is not only enough but always more than enough. It means that nothing in life that can prevent human beings from attaining spiritual fulfillment. Spiritual fulfillment allows human beings to overcome things that challenge them. Spiritual fulfillment also refers to life that is distinct from the ordinary physical existence. It's commonly used to describe a lifestyle that is based on specific religious practices.
Clacks stand on spiritual fulfillment is logical and right. She relates spirituality with life that is Continue reading...

Spiritual Gifts are the ultimate gifts for Christian believers. There is a unvarying religious debate going on the existence of spiritual gifts. The debate is basically on the consistency of these (charismatic) gifts. Without God’s grace, human being is incomplete. Rather human life itself is a precious gift given by the Almighty. And this gift (human life) is given to mankind to attain a certain duty on the earth. These duties are like the mission. Spiritual gifts are the source of inspiration from Almighty Lord to human being to live a life with the mission. The gifts signify Continue reading...

Abstract

Spirituality involves actions and attitudes based on the belief there is a supreme being and hope even when faced with challenges. The incorporation of spirituality in the provision of nursing care facilitates the improvement the patients’ emotional, social and psychological health. This helps them in coping with the challenges associated with their ailments. Though this is a concept supported by most nurses and patients, it has not been effectively incorporated in nurse training. Its effectiveness relies on the nurses’ ability to understand ad apply this concept. The paper explores a research study carried out to determine nurses’ understanding and Continue reading...

Religion and spirituality continue to be unrecognized as effective strategies for coping against tragedies and life pressures and as essential factors in self-protection and psycho-emotional resiliency (Bryan-Davis, Austria, Kawahara & Willis, 2014). Despite that, these concepts constitute key pathways towards the holistic health and well-being of women (Bryant-Davis, Gray & Bhang, 2014). This paper explores the influences of religion and spirituality on women’s wellbeing, the few specific forms of nontraditional spirituality (such as Astrology, Hinduism, Gnosticism, Yoga, and Meditation), the seven markers of spiritual wellness according to Pazzino (2014), my personal definition of spirituality, my personal spiritual wellness self-assessment, and Continue reading...

Acute Care Nurses spiritual care practices

Research problem
The consideration of acute morbidity leading to mortality in patients is a critical professional issue worthy of evidence based practice research within the field of nursing. The challenge of developing an adequate ‘spiritual’ framework within global nursing best practice recommendations is part of the scope of a recent trend in promoting optimal patient outcomes in nurse-patient synergy. In Gallison et al. (2013) Acute Care Nurses’ Spiritual Care Practices, the issue of spirituality as a core competency within nursing ethics is raised.
Investigation of acute care nurses spiritual care practices in response to hospitalized patients applies the AACN ( Continue reading...

Spirituality in Health Care

HLT-310V
Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: First Draft
Introduction
Spirituality plays an important role in both physical and mental healing. Physical healing may be achieved through modern medicines and technology but However, if it is not accompanied by mental healing then the whole healing process may take longer than expected or . it may even end up complicated. Prayer, meditation and strong faith are often considered as critical components for healing. Most of all the religions in the world believe that all things known and unknown are connected to God. The ever changing world economy and health care have Continue reading...

Religious studies:

Introduction
Charismatic theology
Research shows that a large number of self identified Christians in the world form part of the charismatic theology. This Christian theology is one that involves the practices as well as the beliefs that are similar to those of the Pentecostals and are mainly characterized by the use of spiritual gifts. The theology is mainly associated with is termed as baptism with the Holy Spirit and involves the empowerment of Christians with evidence seen through speaking in tongues. The charismatic theology which involves the charismatic Christians are associated with works involving use of spiritual gifts by, Continue reading...

Abstract

Modern science and medicine have influenced the healthcare industry in many ways. Modern science believes in the intervention rather than focusing on the spiritual factors that are associated with the disease or illness. It is important that the modern medicine realizes the importance of spiritual healing. With advancements in spiritual healing over the last 3 decades, spirituality has been introduced in modern intervention. General physicians and healthcare professionals are seeking more focusing on the spiritual needs of patients. Clinical studies have found that spirituality when combined with modern medicine improves the quality of life and increases the survival rate Continue reading...

“God dwells in creatures, in the elements, giving them being, in the plants vegetating, in the animals feeling in them, in men giving them to understand: and so in me, giving me being, animating me, giving me sensation and making me to understand; likewise making a temple of me, being created to the likeness and image of His Divine Majesty”

St. Ignatius Loyola, “Spiritual Exercises”

I remember my conversation with one priest, which influenced on my world view. We were talking about our doubts of the existence of God, and how strong is his faith. The priest’s answer was that he knows that Continue reading...

Symptoms and Coping Strategies for Caregivers

Patricia Caldoron
Grand Canyon University
Symptoms and Coping Strategies for Caregivers
Compassion fatigue is a state in which an individual feels mentally, emotionally, and spiritually depleted. As medical professionals, nurses often encounter compassion fatigue because of their empathic relationships with patients and their dedication to helping prevent, cure, and manage illness. However, by becoming preoccupied with their patients’ problems and overwhelmed by their responsibilities and workloads in healthcare, nurses will often neglect their own physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Prolonged neglect results in compassion fatigue symptoms that can be categorized into cognitive, emotional, behavioral, spiritual, and somatic concepts. All Continue reading...

Spiritual assessment is a component of Joint Commission standards in recognition that spirituality can influence care, disease management and the delivery of services (Joint Commission, 2005). Feelings of peace, hope and comfort can lead to better health outcomes. For instance, the belief that illness is a trial one must overcome to be a stronger person encourages active participation in care. Supporting the client in achieving greater resilience enhances wellbeing, facilitates faster recovery and increases satisfaction with care. In this sense, spirituality helps find meaning and purpose in illness which enhances psychosocial functioning (Leeuwen, Schep-Akkerman & van Laarhoven, 2013). Thus, it Continue reading...

Understanding an individual’s behavior is a complicated task, which requires a learning experience. Human behavior is unpredictable and complex and trying to understand it requires a high degree of accuracy. Different people have varying characteristic behaviors and psychologists have come up with different theories to explain why people behave in certain ways. Even when the psychologists put more effort in explaining these theories, people are still not enlightened on their behaviors. Williams James was a very excellent psychologist whose work has influenced many people in their daily lives. According to James (1950), Williams James was guided by four Continue reading...

Human beings have always been social creatures. Often, religious organizations represent the fundamental level at which a society operates and instills the values of that society in its members. As Girard noted, religious ritual and sacrifice has played an important role in the prevention of violence in all human societies, both prehistoric and contemporary (45).
In the discussion of human culture throughout history, there has always been a marked difference between the social norms that highly religious, rural societies adopt and those of more secular, urban societies. While urban societies are noted for their ability to produce technological progress Continue reading...

Abstract

Spirituality is an essential part of people and yet most of them tend to poorly understand it. The concept of spirituality is quite difficult and must be accepted, and unless people address their spiritual needs they cannot achieve well-being. People are spiritual beings, regardless of their beliefs, because they are humans. This paper relies on previous literature on the subject of spirituality and well-being to in order to take a well-informed approach to explain the correlation of the two. Based on research, this paper suggests that spirituality contributes towards well-being, and spiritual well-being is an important part of emotional, Continue reading...

The role of spirituality in understanding and treating mental illnesses has had an increasing significance, even with the growing popularity of more scientifically recognized therapies. The difficulties facing spiritual cures stem from the wide variation and historical difficulty in clearly labeling and understanding the diverse cures (Kirmayer, 2004). Widely defined as the interconnection, inner peace and wholeness, coupled with a deep reverence for plant, animal and human life, spirituality and spiritual healing draw on the perceived power of the ultimate realities of the universe. Curanderismo is founded on multiple cultural and religious beliefs, premises and values that are widely Continue reading...

Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle valued reason above all other characteristics and argued that it separated human beings from plants and animals, and like Buddhist philosophy elevated spiritual truths over material concerns. The Greek idealist philosophy was not as completely divorced from the physical universe as Buddhism, however, even though both agreed that the soul was immortal. They also regarded virtue as being its own reward and defined it as seeking higher spiritual and moral values rather than money, power and physical pleasures. Often their ideas have been misunderstood in that they thought the highest level of Continue reading...

America has different nationalities that practice different faiths. Healthcare providers face a challenge in understanding the different religious beliefs, which they encounter in the hospital setting. There are many faiths some of which are well known to them such as Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. However, some religions such as Buddhism, Bahai, Native American Religion, Shintoism, and Sikh are uncommon. Different faiths follow different rules and regulations. This makes it hard for health care providers because they are not in a position to learn and understand all the religions of the patients they take care of in the hospitals. Three Continue reading...

According to different religious beliefs, spirituality has taken various definitions. For example, spirituality in the healing process is defined as a power that is greater than oneself operating in the universe. Spirituality has also been termed as the link between all creatures, knowing the reason and meaning of life and developing ones absolute and personal values. Through spirituality, many individuals find the meaning of comfort, inner peace in one's life, and hope. According to religious beliefs, spirituality is often attributed to religious life. On the contrary, most people believe in the development of personal spirituality outside religious life. For Continue reading...

One of the traits that is commonly associated with the writing of Southern storyteller Flannery O’Connor is the use of shocking violence in order to advance her rhetorical arguments. One of the more ironic uses of violence occurs when she chooses to use it for the representation of salvation, frequently through the use of characters who are physically and/or spiritually grotesque in nature. “A Good Man is Hard to Find” is one of O’Connor’s most popular stories, and it demonstrates this principle. The Misfit is a murderer who shocks a Pharisaically pious grandmother into authentic spiritual Continue reading...

The essays in the book by Richard D. Hecht and Vincent F. Biondo explain the key facets of the important interactions between the culture and religion. The focus of the authors is essentially from the post modern world although the relationships in the text are continually in flux history. Every chapter of this text moves so that the authors cover all the angles of a topic from various religious perspectives. Each part of the text shows the interweaving of culture and religion. It is worth mentioning that every chapter of the book helps the reader to comprehend why it Continue reading...

Abstract

Ethnomedicine refers to all the systems of healing. Traditional medical systems are part of the culture of many societies around the world. A common feature of ethnomedicine shared by these societies is the emphasis on magic and religion. Many Islamic societies believe that mental illness occurs due to jinn possession, which is a sign of God’s punishment on a sinner. There are the righteous jinn and evil jinn. Although Islamic medicine existed, it was used as an alternative when the rituals failed to work. Islamic faith healers claim that human beings are made of four interacting parts, i.e. Continue reading...

The common element in Kongo burial practices is the relationship of the living to their ancestors and recently deceased relatives. An ancient, syncretic religion, its absorption of Catholic influences and elements of various African traditions enhanced the tendency of idiosyncratic belief systems to develop among the individual villages. This diffusion of belief and practice facilitated the spread of a diverse and versatile religion from Africa to the New World where it has exhibited remarkable coherence in the expression of burial practices. The trans-Atlantic slave trade strengthened the emotional need to connect with the past, not only with one’s Continue reading...

In reading about the voodoo art and objects, I was fascinated by the Three Figures on Motorcycles by Jean Herard Celeur. The figure is dedicated to the Haitian spiritual figure ‘Gede’ who is a major character in the voodoo religion. The artwork is also associated with the issue of negative perception of the Western people on the voodoo culture. The bizarre imaging of the artwork resembles how the voodoo spiritual figures are imaged as unusual and offensive (Wittmer, 73). The Haitian spiritual figure ‘Gede’ is very important in the voodoo art and religion since it personifies the death and Continue reading...

Disasters occur every day and affect all members of the society in different ways. these disaster may be man made or natural disasters, however their traumatic stress to the society depends on the magnitude of the disaster. The process of disaster recovery by rebuilding the community’s relationship is a complex issue. Spiritual affiliation is the inner beliefs of an individual, which may either be religious or non religious, nonetheless, spirituality is part of a culture in the society. Spiritual well being is a valuable feature of a community and nurses, who are members of the society, have a Continue reading...

Imagine being in a wilderness, in an alien place, life all around you, life going on unhindered. Despite the abundance around you, you still can’t find something to feed on, cheer you or relate to. It is like the unlikely situation where all over sudden, your friends quit speaking in a language you understand. You can no longer understand what they say, nor can they you. The world can become a very lonely place in such circumstances; when you fail to fit, not of your own doing, but a cruel mix of fate and circumstances.
This is the Continue reading...

Abstract

Christianity could be considered a religious faith that has most racial representation in the American societies as this paper will be endeavoring to elucidate herein giving examples from the Watunna society. It has followers from almost all racial and ethnic origin. However, other religious faiths such as Islam and Hindu exist among the Caribbean, Africa Americans and the Native American communities. Islam, which was brought into the Caribbean as the slave religion, found its death naturally in the hands of Spaniards but later reborn when the Indian migrants came the Caribbean. While both Islamic and Hindu faiths of Indians Continue reading...

Spirituality in most cases is arrived at through religion. Spiritual matters in that sense revolves around a person’s relationship with the forces that are beyond nature and the material world. The connection between an individual and these forces define spirituality. Religion plays a critical role in defining a person’s spirituality because it serves as “food” for one’s though, mind and soul so as to qualify to be spiritually fit. It is therefore imperative to understand that it is through religion that one achieves spiritual satisfaction and fitness (Nelson 2009).
Religion has quite a number of effects Continue reading...

Spirituality and End of Life Care

Spiritual care has gained importance in recent years as a pillar in provision of holistic palliative care aimed at alleviating suffering for patients and their family. Spiritual care in the end of life care is not about imposing beliefs and values or converting a terminally ill person but it is about giving hope, strength, meaning, and purpose to the terminally ill person and their family. This paper covers spirituality in end of life care.
Spirituality relates to the beliefs and values a person holds on the meaning of life and may be expressed through association with organized religion or Continue reading...

Research Paper: Religious Studies

Me
My teenage daughter became pregnant for a young gentleman who lied about his age, associations, immigration status, social life as well as his place of residence. I was never comfortable with this relationship since some of his values conflict with the Christian principles she was taught and the ones I am trying to uphold.
As such, the pregnancy was devastating to me. I felt violated as a parent from the perspective that this should not be happening to us. We love God; she grew up knowing the principles of truth and Continue reading...

Often in life I have found myself in a situation where I have to decide between two or more opportunities and prayerfully consider which way God wants me to go. During my teenage years I was confronted with the choice of the best high school and college, after that it was time to choose which way my career path should go. Not only have I been in this situation, but my family members, my close friends and literally everyone around me would be confronted with such choices in life. However, I think, we Christians have a different burden and Continue reading...

Summary:

Introduction:
The report provides an insight into the Middle Age theological teachings, by focusing on the spiritual teachings of Meister Eckhart, which later became controversial to the then church doctrines. Eckhart was one of the most influential theologians within the 13th Century.
Having studied Christianity doctrines within the Dominican Priory, by 1302 he was conferred the title of a Master for his profound theological knowledge. His religious inclination and mysticism was based on absolute imageless transcendence, such as the Divine Indwelling, which later became the foundation for the free eternal spirit.

His works and sermons were put to the Continue reading...

When people are visiting the museum, they usually look only for the works of art that are considered to be masterpieces. They neglect to enjoy the works of less prominent artists. They are content afterwards, but that is not the point. In order to fully appreciate art, a person has to be able to find it in the most unusual places. There is general beauty and particular beauty (Baudelaire, 1964, p. 1).
Both the present and the past are interesting. The past has historical value and the present is happening right now. (Baudelaire, 1964, p. 1). However, inspiration can Continue reading...

Abstract

In a quest to spiritually assess a patient with severe illness, a series of questions were asked of her. They were as follows (The Joint Commission, 2014):
- Who or what provides you with strength and hope?
- What does suffering mean to you?
- What does dying mean you?
- What do you suppose happens to the spirit after a person dies?
- How does your faith help to cope with being sick?
- What has helped you get through stressful health care experiences?
- Do you use prayer in your life?
- Do you have any Continue reading...

Fiction often has the ability to depict significant spiritual changes in its characters; these people are shown to be significantly unmoored in their lives, needing an external factor or another person to help them find a measure of peace. In the case of James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues,” the character of Sonny is a drug-addicted derelict who must find a sense of spiritual release through the support and solidarity of his brother, the narrator. With Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral,” an ordinary, blasé, cynical man is given a new insight into his life thanks to the perspective of a Continue reading...

Spirituality has been embraced in disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, literature and health care. However, nursing profession has historically neglected the dimension of spirituality regardless of its significance in the healing process. Currently, medical institutions offer courses in spirituality. In addition, many medical centers have incorporated holistic health care and spirituality into their programs. In essence, trends towards embracing spirituality in nursing care include situations where patients demand that their spiritual requirements be addressed. Interestingly, patients desire that their mental, emotional or physical should be accompanied with spiritual concerns.
Spiritual care identifies and considers the needs of people experiencing Continue reading...

One of the most recognizable vehicles of religious teaching is the parable. It is significant that many of the teachings of Jesus are remembered today through the parables he told. Parables are used as vehicles to convey spiritual truths. It is crucial to understand what parables are through defining them and establishing their characteristics and purpose.
Newman (70) asserts that a parable is figurative speech which has been given an extended meaning. He perceives it to be an elaborated simile. It describes an ethical, spiritual fact or rule. A parable utilizes common, everyday events, experiences or customs to deliver Continue reading...

Introduction

People living in community posses diverse needs and willing to get access to
multiple resources. This accompanied with certain restriction or limitations at facilities in their daily schedule could disturb them. Very often this trend could also lead to emotional or psychological distress. All people have equal rights and receiving an unbiased response from the other side is of paramount importance. For instance in public amenities, educational institution, work place or at hospital, certain individuals representing a specific ethnic background or race are more likely to receive an unpleasant reaction. In more adverse cases, there could be a violence Continue reading...

Jasmine is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is the most common form of pediatric cancers. It is caused by malignant transformations that occur in hematopoietic stem cells, making them undifferentiated cells with increased longevity. In ALL, those cells are called lymphoid cells, and their rate of proliferation causes fast growth and destruction of healthy bone marrow. Because of Jasmine’s age, the chances for an initial remission can be estimated at 95 percent (Rytting, 2012). However, achieving a complete cure is not a likely outcome, and an open and honest communication with Jasmine and her parents about Continue reading...

Compare and Contrast Christian Science in relation to Scientology

Introduction
Christian Science and Scientology have had conflicting beliefs, prompting believers in each group to accuse the other of being a cult. The two groups have different beliefs and principles concerning salvation. Comparisons can be carried out to establish the similarities and differences between scientology and Christian Science.

According to Christian Scientists, salvation is an attainment of something spiritual. Salvation involves truth, life, love and it prevails over death, sickness ad sin. When salvation is attained in one’s life, they demonstrate truth, love, salvation and life. Their conscience is also freed from earthly things like sin, death and Continue reading...