jssw - october 2009

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


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


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


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.


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


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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


‘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


Findings

Analysis shows that students felt that

spirituality was more important than

religiosity.

They would like to transcend the


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


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


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


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.


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


Published and owned by P. Jayachandran Naidu. Published from

8, Sridevi Colony, 7th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600083 and

printed by T. Rajaguru at TRK Press, 39, Saidapet Road, Vadapalani,

Chennai 600026. Editor: P. Jayachandran Naidu.

Journal of School Social Work English Monthly.

Registered with Registrar of Newspapers for India underNo.TNENG/2004/14389.

Postal Registration TN/CC(S) Dn/ 47 / 09-11.

Licensed to post under WPP No. TN/CC(S) Dn/ 34/09-11.

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.


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.

jssw - october 2009

Documents

national school social

social survival

spiritual orientationstress

spiritual beingsirrespective

life skills orientation

toas spiritual intelligence

thegreat universe

creative thinking