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Journal of School Social Work, Spirituality Orientation Edited by Dr.D.Muralidhar
Citation preview
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009 01
Price Rs 20.00
Journal of
Journal of School Social W ork,
8 (New 14), Sridevi Colony, Seventh Avenue,
Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600 083
Mobile: 98406 02325 E-mail: [email protected]
Note: Views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily the official view of the Journal.
Focus: Spirituality Orientation
Hony. Special Editor: Dr Muralidhar D,Professor and Head, Dept. of Psychiatric Social Work,
NIMHANS, Bangalore 560029.
A National School Social Work monthly dedicated to networking of parents and teachers.
Volume Issue Contents October 200905VIPage
02
05
08
09
13
18
24
28
31
School Social Work
Editorial
Spirituality Means Reverence
for All Life
Adolescence and
Spiritual Orientation
Stress and Spirituality
Spirituality in Health Care
Spirituality and Role Perception of
Adolescents
Our Real Essence –
An Empirical Study
Inculcating Spiritual Values
Towards Wholeness
Prof Visvesvaran P K
Sylvia Daisy A
Romanus Prabhu
Dr Latha K S
Dr Arul Kamaraj
Arul Suresh
Anoop Antony
Dr Usha Rani
Maruthuvanan M
Amudhaselvi M
Mary M Assumptha S
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
Editorial
02
A lot has been said and written about
emotional intelligence which is also
known as life skills orientation,
consisting of the following ten skills:
decision making, problem solving,
creative thinking, critical thinking,
effective communication,
interpersonal relationship, self-
awareness, empathy, coping with
emotion and coping with stress.
Subsequent researches by the
behavioural scientists advocated for
the new concept – spiritual
orientation which may be referred to
as spiritual intelligence (SI). What
Abraham Maslow implied by self-
actualization is a semblance of
spiritual orientation. According to him
a self-actualized person would strive
for qualities like creativity,
playfulness, joyfulness, tolerance,
sense of purpose, mission to help
others, happiness and bliss. In this
context it should be made clear that
a true believer in God could be as
spiritual as an atheist. In other words,
Components of SpiritualityDr Muralidhar D, Honorary Special Editor
Professor and Head,
Department of Psychiatric Social Work,
NIMHANS, Bangalore - 560029
all of us are spiritual beings
irrespective of our beliefs and
religious affiliation.
Tony Buzan, an expert, has listed out
the following ten components after
analyzing spiritual orientation from
different angles:
1. Getting the ‘Big Picture’
It is realization that we are a miracle
and wonderful. We are part of the
great universe, whose vastness
creates a sense of excitement,
wonder and awe, and which raises
all kinds of questions about the
meaning of our existence, and our
individual place and significance in
that universe. We should feel happy
that we are part of this ‘Big and
Beautiful design’. How small the life
course of humankind is, in the time
span of the universe!
2. Exploration of values
Our values like truthfulness,
honesty, fairness, justice and
honour determine our behaviour
and have massive effect on the
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
probability and success in life. Such
standards of behaviour are essential
for both personal and social survival
– without them chaos and anarchy
would erupt, and civilization would
be extinguished in very short order.
Being endowed with power of
wisdom we shall strive for universal
brotherhood.
3. Our life vision and purpose
With a clear and defined purpose,
our life will gain meaning and
direction and we will become
healthier, stronger and more
confident. Of course, we are born
once as human beings!
4.Compassion
Compassion is expressing
sympathy and concern for others in
thought and action. It is a reaching
out to others in a spirit of love and
respect. A spiritually oriented and
compassionate person will have a
sense of commitment to others and
will take responsibility for helping
them. The origin of all religions is
based on this togetherness and ’we’
feeling.
5. Charity and gratitude
Charity is concerned with giving help
for those in need, and being tolerant
in judging that need. Gratitude is
where you thankfully receive charity,
understanding and selfless actions
and show your appreciation of the
kindness that is observed to you.
Day and night, seasons, eclipse and
especially the solar eclipse reminds
us about the fact of inevitable nature
of change.
6. Power of laughter
Sense of humour is one of the major
qualities of spiritual orientation. Its
benefits include less stress, a
general improvement of health, and
more friends. It leads to a happier,
more cheerful and uplifting life.
Laughter is an essential dimension
of ‘navarasas.’
7. Child like qualities
We need to imbibe qualities like
boundless energy and enthusiasm,
unconditional love, joyfulness,
spontaneity and excitement, sense
of adventure, openness and trust,
truthfulness, generosity, curiosity
and inquisitiveness, wonder and
awe. We need to discard childish
attitudes (mean-spiritedness,
spitefulness etc.) Plants and flowers
amply demonstrate this virtue.
8. Power of rituals
Rituals are often performed in a
prescribed order, which have often
03
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200904
been passed down from generation
to generation. It may be daily ritual,
personal or familial or community.
They connect us to the past, and to
something bigger than ourselves –
be it a force of nature, social event
or the divine. The rituals add
meaning to our life. Our present is
a reflection of the past. Let us carry
forward the healthy legacy of our
ancestors to the next generation.
9. Peace
Peace is a state that can exist within
an individual, a household, a
neighbourhood, a country and a
world. The startling truth is that the
more individuals who are at peace
with themselves, the greater is the
probability that all communities,
local and global will also be
peaceful. Peace comes with
contentment. Contentment exists
where satisfaction is there. Both are
essential for emotional wellbeing.
10. Love
Absence of love can cause anxiety,
depression, pain, suffering, despair,
hopelessness, illness, and
ultimately death. The love of self,
others and the Universe can be
regarded as the ultimate life- and
spiritual goal. The sustenance of all
religions depends upon the chief
virtue of love.
As far as professional social workers
are concerned, they can make all
efforts to incorporate the components
of spiritual orientation into all the
methods of social work. By this
process the personal self and
professional self will get enlightened
and the quality of psychosocial
intervention will improve significantly.
The same holds good for practice of
school social work in India. The topics
covered in this issue by different
authors are reflections of the essence
of spiritual orientation.
Future FocusProf Visvesvaran P K will be the honorary special editor for November
2009. Focus: Importance of Humour. Please send the articles before
20th October 2009 for the November issue.
Dr Dhanasekara Pandian, Department of Psychiatric Social Work,
NIMHANS, Bangalore has consented to be the honorary special editor for
December 2009. Focus: Students and Substance Abuse.
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009 05
Introduction
When reverence towards fellow
human beings is not practised, the
following things happen:
I. Web Nanny
It is a watchdog to protect children
online and to target illegal sites that
contain harmful content and establish
a code of conduct.
London: Children will be protected
from suicide websites, bullying and
pornography by a new Internet
watchdog, said U.K’s government
recently.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith said it
would be the biggest coalition of
public and private bodies set up to
safeguard young people online. It
would teach them about possible
dangers, target illegal sites that
contain harmful content and establish
a code of conduct for sites that allow
people to post their own video clips
or messages. The UK Council for
Child Internet Safety would also
tackle violent games and promote
responsible advertising online. “We
are determined to do all we can
Spirituality Means Reverence for All LifeVisvesvaran P K*
* Prof Visvesvaran P K, part-time lecturer, Department of Social Work, Madras
Christian College, Tambaram.
ensure that the Internet environment
is safe for children to use,” said Mr.
Smith in a statement ahead of the
watchdog’s launch in London.
Reporting directly to Prime Minister
Gorden Brown, its 100 members
include BT, Face book, Google,
Microsoft and Vodafone. Ministers
have come under pressure to do
more to tackle violent video games,
bullying and sites that appear to
glamorize suicide. In March, a report
for the government by psychologist
Tanya Byron included a security
measures such as a call to set up a
child safety Council.
The Hindu, 1.10.2008, P.20.
Comment: Love people and use
things – not vice-versa.
II. First ever conviction for
cyber crime
Indian Express News Service,
Chennai, November 5, 2004.
In the first ever conviction for cyber
crime in the country, the X Additional
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate,
Egmore, sentenced a man to
imprisonment for harassing a woman
Focus
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200906
on the internet.
Suhas Shetty, the accused, was
sentenced on three counts-two years
for show of obscenity in electronic
form, two years for forging electronic
documents and one year for out-
raging the modesty of a woman.
“This is the first ever instance when
somebody has been convicted for
cyber crime under the IT Act. On
previous instances, the maximum the
cases reached was till the charge
sheet stage. After that, for various
reasons, the cases were not
pursued. But here, we managed to
arrest the accused within a month,”
said city Police Commissioner R
Nataraj.
The case was registered on
February 14 by a woman from
Chennai after her name was pasted
all over the internet. “A soliciting
message was accompanied by the
telephone number of the victim in
various adult cyber groups. Unable
to bear the torture, the victim
approached us,” said Assistant
Commissioner of Police, Cybercrime,
Balu.
The cyber cops then tracked the
suspect to an Internet café in Mumbai
using the IP address. “A team went
to Mumbai and nabbed the suspect
from an Internet café. Mercifully for
us, the café people understood the
seriousness of the offence and co-
operated with us,” Balu said.
It later turned out that Shetty was a
classmate of the victim at a Mumbai
college. Shetty, who had a weakness
for the victim, had stayed away once
she was married to another person.
“But the girl was separated shortly
after marriage and Shetty thought he
could win her back. That was not to
be and he decided to take revenge
by damaging her image,” said Balu.
Added Nataraj: “This case should act
as a warning for those who think that
they can get away with virtually
anything on the internet. Such acts
against women are no joke. In this
case, I would appreciate the victim,
a brave girl who came out in the open
and helped the police in the
investigation,” he added.
The conviction comes as a shot in
the arm for the city’s Cyber Crime Cell
that has more than 80 complaints in
its hands. “We are unable to bring
most of the cyber criminals to book
because the victims do not co-
operate after they lodge the
complaint. This girl has set an
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200907
example everybody should follow,”
added Balu.
Comment: Beware of classmates. Of
course, if we respect one another,
such things won’t happen.
III. Online scams can be fatal
Early this year Robin 22 years, a
B.Tech graduate in Tambaram
consumed poison to end his own life
after e-mail fraudsters had robbed
him of several thousand rupees by
making him believe that he had won
a lot of money in a lottery.
Internet-using youngsters should
exercise caution and be vigilant and
not fall a prey to cyber cheats.Adapted from ‘Deccan Chronicle,’
12.2.09, P.3.
Conclusion
The ancient Indian spiritual
prescription was: Treat your mother,
father, teacher and guest as Gods.
Who is guest? All humanity, of
course.
GratitudeWe are thankful to the honorary special editor Dr Muralidhar D Professor
and Head, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, Bangalore
for the timely editorial and all the co-operation extended.
We thank the following contributors whose articles had been published in
this issue:
Amudhaselvi M, Anoop Antony, Dr Arul Kamaraj, Arul Suresh,
Dr Latha K S, Maruthuvanan, Mary Magdelene Assumptha, Romulus
Prabhu, Sylvia Daisy, Dr Usha Rani and Prof Visvesvaran P K.
We deem it a pleasure to thank the following subscribers:
Principal, St Theresa’s College for Women, Eluru (6240910), Principal,
Kumbhalkar College of Social Work, Wardha, (6260911), Shri Anoop
Antony, (6270911), Principal, Chh Shahu Inst of Business Education
and Research (SIBER) (6280910), Shri Balakrishnan K P, (6290911), Ms
Amudhaselvi M, (6300911), Dr Hymavathy K (6310911) and the well-wisher
who continues to support JSSW in every way possible.Journal of School Social Work has a current account with Union Bank of India,
Chennai Ashok Nagar Branch. Core banking No: 409201010035051. Seek your
bank manager’s guidance to send e-remittance which is free and faster than MO/
DD. Remittance received within 15 minutes at no extra cost.
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200908
Adolescence is an important stage in
the life span of human beings. It
serves as a bridge between childhood
and adulthood. The quality of thinking
in terms of great ideals also emerges
during the period. The adolescent is
able to think in more abstract and
logical terms.
The three main characteristics of
adolescent’s thought are as follows:
(a) Capacity to combine several
factors and find a solution to the
problem.
(b) Ability to see the effect of one
factor on another factor.
(c) Ability to combine and separate
factors in a probabilistic manner.
Adolescent self is on its way to
adulthood.
The two characteristics of this self are
‘forming self’ and ‘dependent self’
(John J Shea, 1999). Maslow states
that the perception and cognition are
in a deficiency mode in the
adolescent self. Identity confusion
happens to be a major characteristic
of adolescence which leads to
problems related to home, self,
school and society. Social
environment has a major influence
in shaping adolescent’s behaviour.
Adolescents with strong spiritual
beliefs and values, with responsive
parents, teachers and friends who
give reassurance and support are
able to achieve their goals and
aspirations that provide them a
meaningful identity. They are able
to achieve the developmental tasks
of the stage such as achieving new
and mature relations with mates,
achieving masculine/ feminine social
role and achieving emotional
independence. It may be more likely
than individuals in other age groups
to engage in spiritual orientation
which can help the adolescent for a
smooth transition to adulthood.
Adolescence and Spiritual OrientationSylvia Daisy A*
Romanus Prabhu ***Sylvia Daisy A, MSW, SLET, NET, M Phil, Lecturer, Department of Social Work,
Madras Christian College, Chennai.
**Romanus Prabhu R, MCA, MSc (Psy), Managing Trustee, Anbagam, Chennai
Reference:
Hurlock Elizabeth (1981): Developmental Psychology: A Life Span Approach,
Tata Mc Graw Hill Publishers, New Delhi.
Focus
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009 09
Stress and SpiritualityLatha K S*
*Dr Latha K S, MA DPSW (M Phil) DHRL PhD, Associate Professor, Dept of
Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal University, Manipal
576104. e-mail: [email protected]
‘We are not human beings having a spiritual experience……..We are
spiritual beings having a human experience’
‘A sense of spirituality can help you; realize you are not alone, and that
you can turn to a larger force for help, support or comfort.’
“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain
always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.” ~Thomas Jefferson
Introduction
‘Stress‘ is defined by the Oxford
English Dictionary as ‘a state of affair
involving demand on physical or
mental energy’. In medical parlance
‘stress‘ is defined as a perturbation
of the body’s homeostasis. This
demand on mind-body occurs when
it tries to cope with incessant
changes in life. A ‘stress’ condition
seems ‘relative’ in nature. Extreme
stress conditions, psychologists say,
are detrimental to human health but
in moderation stress is normal and,
in many cases, proves useful. Stress,
nonetheless, is synonymous with
negative conditions. Most causes of
psychological stress are perennially
related to emotional and
psychological disorders. Stressful
situations, whether long-term or
short-term, can set forth a series of
emotional symptoms such as
personality disintegration, phobia,
anxiety attacks, distractions,
exaggerated emotional responses
and psychological discomposure
such as depression, confusion and
burn out and the resultant vehicular
accidents.
Effect of stress
Constant stress can ruin one’s spirit,
slowing down the motivation to lead
a meaningful life. Under stress an
individual may fall into compulsive,
obsessive behaviour and fear.
Stressed out individuals seem to be
easily charmed by negative habits of
procrastination, addiction to alcohol,
smoking and substance abuse.
Addictions (alcohol, drugs, gambling
and games) as stress responses
depend on many factors like one’s
false sense of belief, false perception
Focus
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200910
of the intensity and type of stress,
inability to cope with these as a
genetic stress response and non-
availability of social support as a
cushion against stress.
Spirituality can alleviate stress
Spiritual direction or orientation is
almost as old as religious tradition,
yet, in our times, it is experiencing a
re-birth that invites us to pay attention
to its newness, as well as to its
history, its present as well as its past,
its contemporary rejuvenation, and
the needs our society brings to it. It
is at once an orientation, a
relationship and a process, the
coming together of two persons to
reflect on the experience of God in
the life of one of them, with the
intention of discerning the invitation
that is being extended and the
response called for. Spirituality has
always been considered a natural
part of being human. Spiritual
orientation leads toward spiritual
transcendence when the capacity of
individuals goes beyond to stand
outside of their immediate time and
place and to view life from a longer
and more objective perspective.
Religion is as wide as humanity.
Religion and spirituality are universal
threads in the fabric of human
experience. However, this becomes
important, as spirituality and spiritual
orientation to a great extent are not
much related with religiosity.
Wellbeing denotes ‘good life’: a life
in which an individual strives for
personal growth, independence,
meaningful relationships with others
and serves the community.
A therapy from the Holocaust
Logotherapy is a unique
existentialistic therapy of meaning
that was developed by psychiatrist,
author and Holocaust survivor Viktor
Frankl. In experiencing the horrors
of the Holocaust Frankl discerned a
difference between those who
survived and those who did not.
Logotherapy is considered existential
because it posits freedom of the will
and the accompanying individual
responsibility as central to happiness
and fulfillment. In Frankl’s view
human beings are driven by a will to
meaning, and if frustrated, it results
in the manifestation of spiritual
neuroses. Therefore, the spiritual
dimension of human nature is viewed
as significant to wellbeing as much
as the physical and/ or psychological
dimensions. Frankl believed that
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009 11
ultimate meaning exists and
individuals are responsible for
creating it through right action and
conduct in each moment of life. Each
moment offers a sequence of
unrepeatable situations each of
which offers a specific meaning to
one’s life and existence.
The six dimensions of spiritual
orientation he proposed are:
1) Service towards humankind.
2) Feeling of inner peace and calm.
3) Being led by vision and value.
4) Inter-connectedness.
5) Respect for others.
6) Self-awareness.
A recent study by the National
Institute for Health Care Research
(NIHR) titled ‘Religious Involvement
Linked to Good Health’ reveals that
Canadian college students involved
with campus ministries paid fewer
visits to medical clinics, scored higher
in psychological wellbeing, and
experienced less stress during
difficult times. Those affiliated
students also showed higher positive
feelings, considerably lower levels
of depression and stress.
Positive effects of spirituality
à Pursuance of spirituality
encourages one to empty all
negative thoughts and distractions
from one’s mind and helps one
cultivate a passive attitude towards
nagging life situations.
àSpirituality enhances your total
outlook. One is positive, cheerful,
absolutely spontaneous, flowing like
the stream of a river.
àOur mental strength and attitudes
are the deciding factors in identifying
a stressor and the nature of our
response to it. As you come to
realize more about your ‘being‘ you
develop tolerance towards others.
àBeing able to understand your
inherent needs as well as of others
helps improve inter-personal
relationships.
Routes to spirituality
Various practices associated with the
path of spirituality— meditation,
breathing exercises, physical
exercises (Yogakriyas/ Yoga
practices) and practice of positive
thinking make one physically and
mentally better equipped to manage
stress. It also maintains equanimity
of mind. Ravi Bhoothalingam,
President, the Oberoi Group, India
and a regular participant of Sri Sri
Ravishankar‘s Art of Living
workshops, says, “Meditation brings
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200912
down stress levels, improves balance
and provides calmness to the mind.”
Spiritual paths and holistic healing
methods such as Pranic healing and
Reiki speak of a luminous energy
body that encircles an individual’s
physical body. This is composed of
subtle particles (life force) and
intimately related to one’s emotional
conditions. Under chronic stress, this
energy body or aura gets depleted
due to inadequate absorption of ‘life
force‘ or prana into body, and the
energy pathways or chakras are
blocked with stagnant and toxic
prana leading to imbalances in body,
mind and spirit. An individual tends
to lose his all round composure and
fails to look for solutions within. A
depleted and weakened aura can
incapacitate one to remain
connected to his ‘self’ and even to
the outside world. This sense of
disconnectedness can cause
depression in individuals.
Thinking about God and not
necessarily following elaborate rituals
to worship Him can be the answer to
tackle stress and its effects
eventhough rituals associated with
the path of spirituality have often
proved to be effective stress
reducers.
Research shows stressors can distort
one’s spiritual wellbeing. Symptoms
such as self-doubt, jealousy,
suspicion, difficulties in interpersonal
relationships, feelings of loneliness,
sense of inadequacy and sexual
problems are directly linked to one’s
spiritual disturbances. Stressed out
individuals are known to rush into
self-injury, suicidal attempts and fatal
accidents.
Conclusion
Spirituality facilitates intra-personal
relationships in practitioners, helps in
the development of self awareness
and in the overall growth of a person
and thereby helps him/ her to
become more adept and more skillful
in facing varied life situations.References:
Samina Bano(2008): Summary of Spiritual Orientation, Spiritual Transcendence
and Psychological Wellbeing among Religious Believers and Non-Believers, Jamia
Millia Islamia, Unpublished doctoral thesis.
http://www.lifepositive.com/mind/psychology/stress/mental-health.asp
http://www.lifepositive.com/Mind/psychology/stress/psychological-stress.asp
http://www.lotsofessays.com/ logotherapy.htm
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200913
Introduction
A child’s normal behaviour depends on
various natural and environmental
circumstances in which a child grows
and observes the best possible way for
his conduct within his reach to interact
with those who respond to his gestures
and body language. Definitely parents
are the first with whom a child makes
contact and develops concerns
regarding his needs and wants
depending on age, personality, and
physical and emotional development.
A child’s behaviour may be a problem
if it doesn’t match the expectations of
the family or if it is disruptive. Normal
or ‘good’ behaviour is usually
determined by its social, cultural and
developmental appropriateness.
Spirituality also plays a vital role in
moulding the behaviour of children.
Spirituality
Spirituality is the way you find meaning,
hope, comfort and inner peace in your
life. Many people find spirituality
through religion. Some find it through
music, art or a connection with nature.
Others find it in their values and
principles. Spirituality is recognized as
a factor that contributes to health in
many persons. The concept of
spirituality is found in all cultures and
societies. It is expressed in an
individual’s search for ultimate meaning
through participation in religion and
belief in God, family, naturalism,
rationalism, humanism and the arts.
Spirituality is a matter of the spirit, a
concept often (but not necessarily) tied
to a spiritual world, a multidimensional
reality and one or more deities. Spiritual
matters define humankind’s ultimate
nature and purpose, not as material
biological organisms, but as spirits or
energy with an eternal relationship
beyond the bodily senses, time and the
material world.
Spirituality vs. religion
Spirituality can be seen as being distinct
from religion. Different world religions
have proposed various doctrines and
belief systems about the nature
Focus Spirituality in Health CareArul Kamaraj J M*
Arul Suresh J*** Dr Arul Kamaraj J M, lecturer, Department of Social Work, Loyola College,
Chennai
** Arul Suresh J, lecturer, Department Of Commerce, Loyola College, Chennai
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
of God and humanity’s relationship
with it. Spirituality, on the other hand,
refers to the common experience
beyond these points of view. It is an
experience involving an awareness
of and relationship with something
that transcends personal self as well
as the human order of things. This
‘something’ has been given various
names and defined in ways that are
too numerous to count.
Spirituality related to health
No one really knows for sure how
spirituality is related to health.
However, it seems the body, mind
and spirit are connected. The health
of any one of these elements seems
to affect the health of the others.
Some researches show that things
such as positive beliefs, comfort and
strength gained from religion,
meditation and prayer can contribute
to healing, a sense of wellbeing, may
help to feel better, prevent some
health problems and help to cope
with illness, stress or death.
Spirituality and physical health
Spirituality and health in essence
look beyond the physical body. In
the ancient systems of medicine and
healing mind, body and soul were
seen as interconnected and non-
separable. Spirituality and health
were seen as closely connected.
When one part of the whole was
stimulated, it also affected the other
parts as well as the whole. Health in
spiritual perspective concerns
physical, emotional, mental and
spiritual aspects of our being. An
approach where spirituality and
health are seen as two sides of the
same coin is holistic by nature and
looks at the whole being to
understand and correct that which is
not in balance.
Recent medical studies indicate that
spiritually oriented people exhibit
fewer self-destructive behaviours
(suicide, smoking, and drug and
alcohol abuse, for example), less
stress and a greater total life
satisfaction. Much of the research
linking spiritual and physical health
has involved elderly patients;
however, the data offer a glimpse into
a possible tie between a spiritual life
and good health for people of all
ages. Although spirituality has been
shown to reduce depression,
improve blood pressure and boost
the immune system, religious beliefs
14
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009 15
should not interfere with the health
care children receive.
Doctors and scientists once avoided
the study of spirituality’s connection
to medicine, but findings within the
past 10 years have made many take
a second look. Studies show that
religion and faith can help to promote
good health and fight disease by
offering additional social supports,
such as religious outreach groups (of
their following) improving coping
skills through prayer and a
philosophy that all things have a
purpose.
Spirituality and mental health
Religious and spiritual beliefs are an
important part of how people deal
with life’s joys and hardships. Faith
can provide people with a sense of
purpose and guidelines for living.
When families face tough situations,
including health problems, their
religious beliefs and practices can
help them fight feelings of isolation
and helplessness, restore meaning
and order to life situations, and
promote regaining a sense of control.
For some families, spirituality can be
a powerful and important source of
strength. Medical studies have
confirmed that spirituality can have
a profound effect on mental states.
Spirituality and wellbeing
If spirituality is understood as the
search for or the development of
inner peace or the foundations of
happiness, then spiritual practice of
some kind is essential for personal
wellbeing. This activity may or may
not include belief in supernatural
beings. If one has such a belief and
feels that relationship to such beings
is the foundation of happiness then
spiritual practice will be pursued on
that basis: if one has no such belief
spiritual practice is still essential for
the management and understanding
of thoughts and emotions which
otherwise prevent happiness. Many
techniques and practices developed
and explored in religious contexts,
such as meditation, are immensely
valuable in themselves as skills for
managing aspects of the inner life.
Spirituality in children
Often discussed in the context of
religion, the subject of children’s
spirituality is nevertheless a separate,
and arguably more general, topic. In
fact, according to experts, children’s
spirituality not only transcends the
idea of particular religious
denomination or tradition, but also
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200916
goes beyond religion itself, as is
evidenced by the spiritual concerns
of children, and people in general,
who are defined as ‘not religious’.
According to the noted child
psychiatrist and author Robert Martin
Coles, there is nothing exceptional
or unusual about children’s
spirituality: unless suppressed
through abuse, a child’s spirituality
naturally develops by an innate
feeling of wonderment and
fascination. In his numerous
conversations with children about
their spiritual concerns, Coles has
noted that regardless of their cultural
and religious background, children
feel a profound desire to understand
the universe and their place in it, and
that desire, articulated through
words, gestures, songs, and
drawings, remains constant.
Furthermore, children, often
combining spiritual musings with
ethical concerns such as wondering
why there is injustice in the world and
often express a wish to influence the
entire universe in an effort to improve
the world.
Coping with diseases
Patients who are spiritual may utilize
their beliefs in coping with illness,
pain, and life stresses. Some studies
indicate that those who are spiritual
tend to have a more positive outlook
and a better quality of life. For
example, patients with advanced
cancer who found comfort from their
religious and spiritual beliefs were
more satisfied with their lives, were
happier, and had less pain.
Spirituality is an essential part of the
‘existential domain’ measured in
quality-of-life scores. Positive reports
on those measures—a meaningful
personal existence, fulfillment of life
goals, and a feeling that life to that
point had been worthwhile—
correlated with a good quality of life
for patients with advanced disease.
Tips to parents
Here are some suggestions for
parents to start their family’s spiritual
journey:
àAttending organized religious
services may help some families
connect with their spiritual values,
but it’s not the only way.
àExplore your roots. In examining
your shared past, you and your
children may connect with values of
earlier times and places, and gain a
sense of your extended family’s
history and values.
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
àExamine your involvement in the
community. If you’re already
involved in a group, take on a larger
role — first for you, then as a role
model for your children.
àRecall the feelings you had at the
birth or adoption of your child. Try
to get back to that moment in your
mind, remembering the joy, hopes
and dreams you had. It can be the
start of a search for similar or related
feelings in your everyday life.
àShare some silence with your
children. Take a few minutes for
silent meditation alone or together.
Think about parenthood, your life as
an individual, and your place in the
larger scheme of things. Spend time
discussing these thoughts with your
children and listen to their ideas on
what spirituality means.
àTake a nature walk. Nature has
long been an inspiration and a
spiritual guide. A walk will relax and
allow to contemplate the wonders
of the world around.
àRead books that express spiritual
ideas with your children and share
your thoughts about what you’re
reading.
Conclusion
In summary, spirituality can be an
important element in the way children
face chronic illness, suffering, and
loss. Parents need to address and
be attentive to all suffering of their
children — physical, emotional, and
spiritual. Doing so is part of delivery
of compassionate care. We can be
better parents and true care takers
in our children’s’ living if we truly listen
to their hopes, their fears, and their
beliefs and incorporate these beliefs
into their beneficial plans.References:
Coles Robert (1990): The Spiritual Life of Children, Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
Shahjahan R A (2005): Spirituality in the Academy: Reclaiming from the Margins
and Evoking a Transformative Way of Knowing the World, International Journal
of Qualitative Studies in Education 18, no. 6 (December 2005): 685-711.
Spielmans G I (2007): Prayer and Health: Review, Meta-Analysis, and Research
Agenda, Journal of Behavioural Medicine. 30(4), 329-338.
Zoran Minderovic (2009): Spirituality in Children, Encyclopedia of Childhood
and Adolescence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/spirituality
http://familydoctor.org
http://kidshealth.org
17
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200918
Introduction
Adolescents feel they will forever be
young. At times, they are sure that
they are masters of the universe and
at times unsure of themselves. They
cloth themselves with rainbow and
trot from one end of the world to the
other, both in body and spirit. Those
who are interested in the affairs of the
young ones, especially of the
adolescents, can very well see that
today’s adolescents are well
privileged but yielding to pressure
from unprecedented exposures. At
the same time, characteristically, they
move through seemingly endless
preparation for life. They try on one
face after another, seeking a face of
their own, or struggle to reach at a
perceptual conclusion on their status
or identity. In their most pimply and
awkward moments in search of
identity, more precisely, of role
perception, the adolescents become
acquainted and exposed to
numerous stimuli of physical,
psychological, social and spiritual
nature (Henry, Mussen 1990). But
this generation of young people,
especially the adolescents, are the
fragile cable who are potentially
influenced by the stimuli in their
environment without much
scrutinising (Candles Mc, B R 1999).
These stimuli, many a times are
capable enough in generating the
best and sometimes the worst of their
lives.
Spirituality is one among the
dominant positive stimulants in the
environment of today’s young ones
(Adams J F 2002), say specifically
the adolescents, as it has the magical
power to influence the attitude
through ensuring moral and ethical
values and social as well as cultural
conformity. At this context
understanding the contributory role
of spirituality in the role perception
of adolescents is significant.
Different perspectives
Adolescence is a period of biological,
social and psychological
transmission from childhood to
Spirituality and Role Perception of
AdolescentsAnoop Antony *
*Anoop Antony, MA (Psy), MSW (Med & Psy), M Phil, Ph D Scholar, Shivaji
University Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
Focus
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
adulthood (Frisch R E 1992). The
most dynamic and colourful period in
life span, the adolescence, starts at
the age of 13 or 14 and extends to
the age of 18 (Hurlock Elizabath
1981), is treated differently at
different contexts. Technically, it is a
transitory phase of life between
childhood and adulthood with
intensive physical and psychological
changes (Kuppuswamy B 1985).
Culturally it is a period of transmission
from dependency of childhood to the
relative autonomy of adulthood
(Shankar Rao C N 1999).
Psychologically it is a period of
adjustment to the physical and social
changes that distinguishes childhood
behaviours from adult ones
(Santrock John W 1997).
Etymologically it is a period of
‘adolescere’ meaning growth and
maturity (Boyce J 1999).
Experts’ views
Swiss child psychologist Piaget
opines that ‘adolescence is the age
when individual strives to get
integrated in to the world of adults
through perceiving an identity of his
own. It is the age when the child tries
to reach at perceptual conclusions on
individual roles he has to perform and
no longer feels as well as wishes to
feel that he is below the level of his
elders in any aspect, for the proper
integration in to the adult society. As
adolescents look around for
supportive factors, they come across
factors more or less linked to their
environment. The profound
intellectual changes, characteristic
for adolescence, during this period
of life span would also be affected
by the environment, enables the
adolescent not only to achieve his
integration in to social relationship
of adults but also helps him to
perceive and identify his roles as an
individual in the society.’ (Piaget, J,
1969). Dr Mc Candles comments,
“The intellectual changes supported
by environment are significant since
they lead to role perception and
related psychological development.”
(Candles Mc B R 1999). Thus
adolescence is greatly influenced by
the social, psychological, physical,
and spiritual factors in the
environment.
The role perception of
adolescents
Role perception is fundamentally a
psychological process characteristic
to adolescence (Havighurst R J
19
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200920
1972). It is primarily an instrument
using which an adolescent discerns
about his proximate environment.
Role perception, for an adolescent,
is a process by which he picks up,
co-ordinates and translates the
sensory stimulation in to significant
information relating to his living
environment. Role perception lies at
the base of every adolescent
dynamism. Choube says role
perception of adolescents ‘can be
defined as a processes by which
adolescents organize and interpret
their sensory impressions and
information to give meaning to their
immediate environment through
establishing themselves.’ (Choube
S P 1996). Role perception, for
adolescence, is a process by which
an adolescent selects, organizes,
interprets, retrieves and responds to
the information he receives from his
environment. The various stimuli
from the environments, in the form
of inputs are first received by the
adolescent and then are processed
by him and the consequential output
turn out to be the base for his
behaviour. Spirituality, the dominant
stimulus in the environment of
present day adolescent, helps him to
process the information that he
receives in a way that is socially
acceptable. Today’s adolescents are
privileged with unprecedented
spiritual exposures in the
environment they live. Spirituality
facilitates the adolescence in search
of role identification, through proper
channelization of their life energies
for attaining early social conformity
as well as role fixation and
consequent success in their life
endeavours (Herve Morrissette S J
1999).
Spirituality and role perception
of adolescents
As a concept spirituality has been
the most widely discussed, debated,
articulated and written about among
psychologists and its significance in
the life span of an individual still
continues to attract the attention of
the thinkers all over the world.
Spirituality as the term indicates is a
‘state or quality of being concerned
with ethical, moral, spiritual and
religious matters.’ (Kanichai Syriac C
M I 2002) Since environment
occupies prominent place in the role
perception of adolescents, spirituality,
a lead player in the social system
(environment), has much to do with
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
their role perception. Spirituality
through its archetypes helps an
adolescent to select, organize,
interpret, retrieve and respond to
various stimuli that lead him to reach
role identification and fixation.
Spirituality through models,
regulations and archetypes, reduces
the stress associated with an
adolescent’s struggle for achieving
the conformity tasks and makes the
role identification and role fixation
effortless (Loucher Peter 2003).
The role perception process
through spirituality
The Environmental stimuli charged
with spirituality is first presented to
the sensory perception of the
adolescent, in the form of inputs, and
this perception gradually gets
processed by the adolescent at his
cognitive level and the sequential
output turns out to be a base for
adolescent’s role identified
behaviour. Role perception is an
influential phenomenon as far as
adolescents are concerned. It
influences the young ones to act
upon attitudes based on convictions
derived through perceptions in the
environment. The environment of an
adolescent comprises of
multidimensional exposures
encompassing social, psychological,
physical and spiritual elements.
Spirituality and spiritual elements in
the environment of adolescents
facilitate them for attaining early
social conformity and role
identification as well as role fixation.
Thus perceived, identified, attained
and fixed roles of adolescents
eventually transform in to behavioural
realities and habits. Individual’s
performance in the later stages of life
span is related with this role
perceptions thus achieved and
spirituality facilitates to attain it
systematically. The role perception
process through spirituality passes
through four stages ( Sui Choa Kuk,
-2000).
Information provision and selection:
Spirituality provides the adolescents
opportunities and options through
models, archetypes and information
for facilitating them for selective
screening of the best possible
options available among the role
archetypes and get conformed with.
Information organization:
Spirituality, through provision of
instances, illustrations, examples
and model archetypes, facilitates
21
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
the adolescents to organize the
information they gathered from the
environment and facilitate them for
role identification and role fixation.
Interpretation of information:
Spirituality helps the adolescent
perceive stimulus from the
surrounding environment to
interpret it in a sensible way that
best suits to a socially accepted role
and adhere to it.
Retrieval of information: In
provision, selection, organization
and interpretation of the stimuli the
human memory has not much to do.
But the retrieval of stored
information, insights and reflections
are typical functions of memory.
Spirituality enlightens the memory
and helps the young adolescents
with instances and model
archetypes to reach at role decisive
behaviour conclusions.
Thus spirituality helps the
adolescents to pass through
multifaceted processes that
eventually help their search for
anchor at a role decisive behaviour
that transform their behaviour
realities and habits socially
conformed and acceptable. A role
perceived through spirituality
eventually helps the adolescents to
get conformed with the social and
cultural norms. And consequently the
social conformity helps the young
ones, especially the adolescents to
achieve strain less personal growth.
Conclusion
All the wonders that a person seeks
are within himself. This time-tested
truth has been tried out by eminent
people on the subject, across the
world, for centuries. It is rightly said
that one’s success story is a solid
reflection of the strength of one’s
inner self and the indomitable
power of his personal i ty.
Adolescents in the making,
therefore, need strong inner self
and will power to successfully face
all the complex and competitive
challenges of the present day
world. Role perception is an
influential element in the making of
strong inner self and will power as
far as adolescents are concerned.
It influences the young ones to act
upon att i tudes based on
convict ions derived through
perceptions in the environment.
The environment of an individual
especially adolescent’s comprises
of multidimensional exposures
22
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009 23
encompassing social, psychological,
physical and spiritual elements.
Spirituality in the environment of
adolescents facilitates them for
attaining an early social conformity and
role perception, identification as well
as role fixation. The role identification
and fixation gained at adolescence
aided by spirituality help the young ones
to have a set of clear, positive and
rationally definable values at young age
that they understand and on which they
rely when making decisions in later
stages of life. Thus ultimately they
achieve success in life through role
perception facilitated by spirituality.
References:
Adams J F(2002): Understanding Adolescence: Current Trends in Adolescent
Psychology, 2nd Edn., Allyn and Bacon Publishers, Boston.
Boyce J (1999): The Adolescents, Billgard Pvt Ltd., New York.
Candles Mc B R (1999): Adolescent Behaviour and Development, Dry Den Press,
Mc Graw Hill, New York.
Choube S P (1996): Child Psychology, Lakshmi Narayan Agarwal Pvt. Ltd. Ujjain.
Frisch R E (1992): Adolescence and Psychological Development, Harper and
Raw Publishers, Goa.
Havighurst R J (1972): Development Tasks and Education, Mc Kay Publishers,
New York.
Henry Mussen (1999): Child Development and Personality, Huper and Raw
Publishers, New York.
Herve Morrissettee S J (1999): Adolescents and Spirituality, De Paul Publishing
House, Noida, Delhi.
Hurlock Elizabeth (1981): Developmental Psychology: A Life Span Approach,
Tata Mc Graw Hill Publishers, New Delhi.
Kanichai Cyriac C M I (2002): Spirituality and Religion, Santwana, Banglore.
Kuppuswamy B (1985): A Text Book of Child Development and Behaviour, Vikas
Publishing House, Delhi.
Loucher Peter (2003): Spirituality, Psychology and Introspection, Billgard Upon
Thames, London, U K.
Piaget J (1969): Integrated Development of Adolescents, New Basic Books, New
York.
Santrock John W (1979): Children, Brown and Bench Mark Publishers, Torento.
Shankar Rao C N (1999): Sociology, S Chand and Company Ltd., New Delhi.
Sui Choa Kuk (1999): Meditation on Twin Hearts and Arhatric Retreat, Tintoe
Pee, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
Introduction
Spirituality is one’s character or
quality that makes one transcend the
barriers of worldliness, caste, creed
and sensuality; and realize one’s
connection with the Truth. The
Sanskrit phrase, ‘vasudhaiva
kutumbakam’, with the basic spiritual
concept, implies that the whole
universe is my family and that all
beings are one. Spirituality, therefore,
teaches us to be humble and to not
feign arrogance arising out of power
or intellect. After listening to various
spiritual gurus and reading myriad
literature, one may realize that God
is essentially a state of zero, or the
state in which one has zero desires.
Spiritually, the ultimate aim of a
human being’s life is to transform
himself to a state of zero.
Religiosity and spirituality
Listen to the religious discourses and
you often hear ‘Hum sab us
parmatma ke ansh hain’ — we are,
every one of us, nothing but a
minuscule part of God. In plain
English, it means, without God, one
is nothing or zero. While religiosity
overtly preaches tolerance and
respect towards all creatures,
covertly tells that human beings are
superior. Some religious scriptures
also claim that a human being is the
most beautiful creation of God in His
likeness. Religiosity preaches that
God, a higher being, is the state of
Oneness — where all is one and the
same. Remember, Sai Baba said,
“Sabka malik ek” — God is One.
àSpirituality unites all living things
into one. Religiosity divides on the
basis of belief and rituals.
àSpirituality provides peace of
mind. Religiosity sells peace,
moksha and heavenly life.
àSpirituality provides satisfaction.
Religiosity promotes dissatisfaction
with the present and makes one
crave for indefinable satisfaction in
after-life.
àSpirituality promotes compassion
Our Real Essence — An Empirical StudyUsha Rani M*
Maruthuvanan M***Dr Usha Rani M, MA, M Phil, M Sc, M Phil, M A, B Ed, Ph D, Lecturer in
Psychology, T V S Teacher Training Academy.
**Maruthuvanan M M Sc, M Phil, M Ed, Lecturer in Physics, Thiagarajar College
of Preceptors.
Focus
24
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
for all beings.
àSpirituality teaches us the core
values of life: the real essence of
us!
In order to investigate the perception
of religiosity and spirituality among
students, the researchers initiated a
study.
The study
Statement of the problem:
Evaluating perception of spirituality
and religiosity among higher
secondary school students.
Definition of the problem: What
higher secondary school students
think or feel about spirituality and
religiosity?
Operational definitions:
Perception: It indicates their
understanding about spirituality and
religiosity
Spirituality: It is one’s character or
quality that makes one transcend the
barriers of worldliness, caste, creed
and sensuality; and realize one’s
connection with the Truth.
Religiosity: It describes human
beings as zero.
Higher secondary school
students: Students from class 12.
Objectives of the study:
Following are the objectives of the
study:
à To prepare an inventory to
understand their perception about
spirituality and religiosity
àTo analyze the responses given
by higher secondary school
students
àTo suggest suitable activities to
enhance their spirituality
àTo suggest special programs to
enhance their spirituality
Hypotheses:
àThere is a need for inclusion of
special activities to enhance their
spirituality.
àThere is a need for inclusion of
special programmes to enhance
their spirituality.
à There will be no significant
difference between girls and boys
on their perception about spirituality.
à There will be no significant
difference between girls and boys
on their perception about religiosity.
Procedure:
Sample: Stratified random sampling
technique was used to select
samples. The samples were confined
to only 12th Std students. A total of
50 students were selected as
samples for the study.
Instrument: A tool was prepared by
25
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
the researchers in consultation with
experts in the field, at first 11 items
were framed; later it was reduced to
10 items. Each item had three
responses ‘Yes’, ‘No’ and ‘Uncertain’.
Scoring of the tool: The number of
‘Yes’ responses were counted and
the percentage calculated.
Administration of the tool: The tool
was administered to the students
after getting prior permission from the
heads of the respective schools. The
necessary instructions were given.
Limitations: The sample for the
study was confined only to 12th Std
students. Sample was collected from
50 students of whom 22 were boys
and the rest girls.
Tool
1.Do you feel that all beings are
one?
2.Do you feel that animals and all
other non-human creatures are as
good as human beings?
3.Do you feel it is good to be
humble?
4.Do you think that the ultimate aim
of a human being’s life is to
transform himself from a state of one
to that of zero?
5.Do you feel that, without God, one
is nothing or zero?
6.Do you think that we should show
tolerance and respect towards all
creatures?
7.Do you consider that human
being’s are superior to other
creatures?
8.Do you think that the ultimate aim
of a human being’s life is to
transform from a state of zero to that
of one?
9.Do you think that every one of us,
are nothing but a minuscule part of
God?
10.Do you feel all the time that there
is something higher than the mere
existence as a human being?
Table: 1
Responses of the students for the 10 items.
Q.No Yes No Uncertain
1 45 1 4
2 34 5 11
3 42 2 6
4 12 6 30
5 46 3 1
6 24 25 1
7 18 9 23
8 13 24 13
9 39 7 4
10 35 8 7
Item numbers 1, 2, 3 and 10 are
about spirituality and item numbers
4,5,6,7,8 and 9 are on religiosity.
26
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009 27
‘Yes’ refers to their perception about
spirituality on items 1, 2, 3 and 10
and about religiosity on items 4,
5,6,7,8 and 9.
Analysis
The analysis of the data shows that
the students’ perception as follows:
àAll beings are one. Animals and
all other non-human creatures are
as good as human beings; show
tolerance and respect towards all
creatures; it is good to be humble.
àThat there is something higher
than the mere existence as a human
being.
àThey did not feel that, without
God, one is nothing or zero.
àThere was divided opinion about
whether human beings are superior
to other creatures.
àThey were uncertain about the
ultimate aim of a human being’s life.
The above analysis shows that they
felt that spirituality was more
important than religiosity.
Boy-girl divide
Analysis also shows that girls felt that
they should be more humble than the
boys.
àGirls felt that human beings are
superior than other creatures.
àMore girls than boys felt that God
is a higher being.
àMore boys thought that there is
something higher than the mere
existence as a human being.
àGirls were more religious and
boys were in for spirituality.
There is a need for inclusion of
special activities to enhance their
spirituality. There is a need for
inclusion of special programmes to
enhance their spirituality
Findings
Analysis shows that students felt that
spirituality was more important than
religiosity.
They would like to transcend the
barriers of worldliness, caste, creed
and sensuality and realize one’s
connection with the Truth.
But proper guidance should be given
to attain a spiritual mind since
spirituality teaches us the core values
of life: the real essence of us!Note: The data and analysis were published
as received and due to paucity of time
clarification could not be got from authors
on factual and analytical anomalies. ~Ed.
References:
http://spirituality.indiatimes.com
http://Godrealisation.com
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
Introduction
The presence of God in our lives is
like air and sunlight. There is a
Sanskrit saying: “God sleeps in the
minerals, awakes in the plants,
walks in the animals and thinks in
Man”. Human beings have been
blessed with the power to think,
challenge and solve the mysteries
of the universe. They not only try
and solve them, but sometimes in
their arrogance forget that the
Almighty is a much greater power.
Mind has a greater influence on
the body. If our mind is strong, we
can overcome all problems. Faith
in God strengthens the mind. ‘If
you have faith even as small as a
mustard seed, you can move
mountains,’ goes a biblical saying.
Benefits of spiritual orientation
Religion and its related practices
like prayer, meditation and
pilgrimage have a direct positive
effect on our health. People who
practice some form of regular daily
worship do experience more stable
blood pressure and heartbeat
ratings. This is because prayer is
a superb tonic for the mind and
reduces the possibility of
psychosomatic diseases. The role
of devotion in our lives gives us
confidence and a sense of balance
in everything we do.
Studies in the US show that there
is much less violence and crime and
much better health enjoyed by the
people of rural America than in
the major cities.
Further studies show that one of
the reasons for this is the fact that
spirituality was still a part of the
daily lives of the people in the small
towns of America.
This had a sobering, maturing
effect on the populace, especially
youngsters, resulting in less violence
on the college campuses, less
occurrence of addictions and better
and more healthy enjoyment of life
also found highest among ages
twelve to twenty. The results of
these studies apply to almost every
part of the world today including
India.
Inculcating Spiritual Values
Amudhaselvi M*
*Amudhaselvi M, MA,M Phil(Psy), PGDGC, Student Counsellor, Vedavalli
Vidyalaya, Walajapet, Ranipet.
Focus
28
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
Teachings of religions
All religions teach us that there is
one supreme power ‘God’ and
these teachings are common in all
religions:
àAlways be truthful.
àBe kind and helpful.
àDo not be jealous of others.
àBe grateful to God for he has
given you so many wonderful gifts.
àPray everyday.
àDo your duty to the best of your
ability.
àGod is Supreme; we are all his
children and He loves us all
equally.
àLove all fellow human beings as
we are all children of one God.
Inculcating spiritual values
Indians generally are very religious.
Even virtues like courage and
strength are looked upon as the
grace of God. Any knowledge is
looked upon as the gift from
Goddess of knowledge. This
religious culture which touches
every aspect of one’s life including
the scheme of things in which one
lives, was imbibed naturally from
one’s home and the cultural
atmosphere of the immediate
community. This is not to be found
anymore. The parents are busy
earning their livelihood in the
competitive society and a joint family
is a rarity. So, the children have to
be taught methodically the spiritual
and cultural forms and their
meaning in a classroom situation.
Values that could be taught
through spirituality are many.
àTruth.
àTrust.
àCompassion.
àService.
àSimplicity.
àInner peace.
àForgiveness.
àControlling anger.
àSelf-confidence.
àEquality.
Spiritual values
at Kindergarten level
Children during this stage, develop
spiritual and moral values through
imitation. They follow their parents
in prayer in places of worship. In
schools they could be taught, God
is the creator of the whole world and
God is ‘Omnipresent’. Spare a
few minutes everyday to pray at
home.
At primary level
Discipline plays an important role
29
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 200930
References:
Vanzant I (1998): One day My Soul Just Opened Up. Fire side, New York.
Vishala MSND (2006): Guidance and Counselling. First edition, S Chand and
Company Ltd., New Delhi.
in the development of moral code.
Religious, moral, social and patriotic
sentiments begin to develop at this
stage. They pick up many social
virtues at this stage since they
follow the group spirit. They could
be taught that devotion is love and
one should respect God with
humility. Although we cannot see
Him, God is always with us. We can
talk to Him. We can tell Him anything
we like. We can pray to Him. We
should pray to God to lead our lives
in a righteous manner.
At high school level
Adolescents of today are interested
in religion and feel that it plays an
important role in their lives. They talk
about God, religion and religious
values. Adolescents are drawn
towards a deeper spirituality than
when they were children. It is during
this time the individuals begin to take
personal responsibility for their
religious beliefs. Some become
deeply religious, others experience
a crisis in faith, while others may not
believe in any particular religion. Due
to their increased ability to think
abstractly, adolescents are more
interested in religious and spiritual
matters. They wonder about ultimate
life. They question about life, death
and life after death. They do believe
in a supreme being (God). They may
be taught to believe in – prayer, the
law of action, non- violence, joyful
state of mind, sharing, respecting
elders and honest dealings. They
can be made to think, to recollect
and relate an incident when one felt
God’s help. Sharing such thoughts
and listening to the experiences of
others will help them in self-
improvement and introspection.
Conclusion
When we think of God in any way,
we share His divine love, peace and
happiness. The more we learn to feel
God’s presence or talk to Him in any
way we like, the more everything
around seems wonderful, the joyous
we become. This is one of the
secrets of real happiness. So it’s our
duty to spread this happiness to the
world of children.
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
Introduction
Spirit is not a possession, but a being.
It is a reality. ‘Keep your spirits up!’,
a power phrase, isn’t a mantra; but
a great source of encouragement,
and acts as fuel. Whenever one
hears words of confidence and hope,
the person stops relying on natural
order but surges ahead in faith with
a lot of positive thought and attitude.
This is a situation that can be felt
when a football player is asked to
step in the field for a penalty kick, or
a batsman asked to step off the
pavilion for an innings to chase the
target. There is a psychological
influence in the mind to somehow
achieve, though it is not a mere
possibility, but a definite effort. This
happens whenever the necessity
eclipses everything else in the world.
Spiritual orientation
The same can be achieved not only
in a difficult situation or a tight spot,
but also daily, and always. That is
spiritual orientation or getting more
conscious of one’s own spirit or true
self.
àWhenever there is a realization
of the spirit in oneself, the person
gets regenerated. It pumps up the
adrenaline, so to speak.
àSpirituality is a happening and not
a practice.
àBeing oriented with one’s spirit is
being in the happiest zone of the
mental arena, where there is a lot
of confidence and energy.
àIt helps in self-healing, self-cure
and in many physical and
psychological ways.
Spiritual orientation is therefore
nowadays adapted even in clinical
therapies. Yoga and other spiritual
practices get a role nowadays in
various modern organizations.
Religion not neglected
Science nowadays extends beyond
the involvement of the scientists and
their theories but also includes
religious concepts, activities and their
scriptures. Religion is closely studied
and researched to see how much it
helps humans and how it is useful
for the betterment of our lives. But
many religious activities cannot be
Towards WholenessMagdalene Mary Assumptha S*
Magdalene Mary Assumptha S, Ph D Scholar (Psy), Senior Inspector, Cooperative
Department, Govt. of Tamilnadu.
Focus
31
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
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32
called spiritual and can only be
termed as ‘ritual’.
Unanswerable questions
Here is a question, why would one
want to be spiritual? Religions say
that being spiritual you tend to
worship God. So, can atheists be
spiritual? Is it necessary that
everyone should be spiritual? These
are questions that can’t be answered
that easily.
Conclusion
Spirituality is actually not a prison but
a freedom that has to be enjoyed.
This realization psychologically
redeems the human mind from the
feel of caged atmosphere into the
realm of the freedom of God. Unless
one becomes like the child, one
cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Spirituality does not mean growing
beards or shaving it off but shedding
what the world detests, says the
greatest spiritualist, Thiruvalluvar. It
is not to shed off desires, to live in
exile, to impede oneself and to be in
control of certain external man made
rules that concerns itself of
performing certain body contortions.
This is controlling oneself, but not
rejoicing by being in actual desire of
the spirit. The ultimate reality and
purpose of being spiritual is not just
helping oneself. One helps many,
and the seed of security and
happiness is sown in the minds of
many. Together we have stress-free
lives, with a lot of love towards one
another. We must have the courage
to recognize it. So get spiritually
oriented, and as we pass on the love
of God to our neighbours we tend to
be spiritual. Being spiritual does not
mean being alone, but being a unit
or body with many and with God as
its head.
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
Future FocusProf Visvesvaran P K will be the
honorary special editor for Nov 2009.
Focus: Importance of Humour.
Please send the articles before 20th
October 2009 for the November issue.
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK October 2009