Altruistic Perspective of Spirituality - Book Report/Review Example

The paper presents a review of the literature; pertaining to the meaning of spirituality for the dying person. The paper identifies all therelevant concepts of spirituality and the concepts are compared from the perspective of multiple disciplines of psychology, biology, management and nursing. The defining attributes are extracted from the review of literature and defining attributes of the concepts are substantiated by antecedences and consequences. Dyson et al (1996) suggest that the vital part of "holistic nursing care" is to meet the spiritual needs of the patient. Mostly the assessment is the victim of the inappropriate conceptual frameworks and spirituality is understood as synonymous with religion. Dyson et al (1996). Whereas, the literature review reveals that hope, belief and relatedness got vital meanings for spirituality. It is actually the understanding of the individual's concept of highest value of life. Keywords: Spirituality, meaning, hope, relatedness, religion. Introduction, Literature Review There has been no consensus on the meaning of spirituality and the concept of spirituality has often been confused with its religious connotations. The present day use of the word spirituality is at times vague and it is difficult to define it. This word is now detached from its religious connotations. In today's vocabulary it may refer to "the deepest values and meanings by which people seek to live." (Sheldrake, 2007) Since it reflects the subjective turn of the present Western culture, so, it now mainly focuses on "some kind of inwardness. It is also worth noting that this word has now all pervasive meanings for the modern world. It does not confine itself with the individualistic quest of meanings rather this word has its public values or in other words it is the transformation of social structure. Now we have the reference of spirituality in health care, education and more recently in "the re-enactment of cities and urban life."(Sheldrake, 2007). The literature confirms that now hospitalization can become a "spiritual encounter" for the families and patients both. (Bolmsjo, (2000), [see Aging, spirituality and palliative care by Elizabeth MacKinlay(2006)]. Many authors have consensus that spirituality is not a religious practice rather religious practice may be the "expression of spirituality." (Smith & McSherry, (2004) [see Aging, spirituality and palliative care by Elizabeth MacKinlay(2006)]. Nurses are now expected to "engage in spiritual care with their patients." The modern day understanding of spiritual nursing can be grasped by three approaches, namely, religious approach, scientific approach and the existential approach. (Sawatzky & Pesut, 2005). Spirituality is helpful for mental illness also. The concept of integration of spirituality and psychology is becoming popular. As therapist are aware of the importance of spirituality regarding mental health now. But most of the therapists are confusing their effective role of providing spiritual care to their patients by the misnomer that if therapist is a religious person he/she can be of much help for the patients. The concept of spirituality has become a complex and diverse phenomenon and it should not be confused with the spiritual values of Christianity only. (Cox, Ervin-Cox, Hoffman, 2005). Actually, the psychoanalytic theories can not ignore the inherently moral dimensions of good life. The "analysts can mind their patient's 'spirituality' by offering husbandry or cultivation," and to do so one does not need to be any more religious or spiritual than one is already. (Sorenson, 2004) Yoga, transcendental meditation and prayers are to enhance the spiritual and physical well being of the person. Among regular practitioners of the above mentioned mantras it is observed that their anxiety and depression is lowered. (Ekanayake, 2001). Andrew Newberg and Eugene d' Aquili; neurobiologists, in their research suggest that 'religion is intimately woven with human biology.' (see Ekanayaka, 2001). According to Newberg spiritual experiences are enhanced by the activities of the various areas of brain. (Ekanayake, 2001) "A 1997 study by Japanese researchers showed that repetitive rhythms can drive the brain's hypothalamus, which can bring on either serenity or arousal." (Begley, 2001) Newsweek Magazine, January 29, 2001) Further in the article Begley says that fast ecstatic movements of Sufi mystics are the cause of 'hyper-arousal' and it can make the dancers feel "that they are channeling the energy of the universe." (Begley,2001) It is also observed that American mangers are taking great interest in incorporating spirituality and management. (T.A.S, 1991) and this offers a source of everlasting meanings in tumultuous times. (Ohmann, 1989) Ian Mitroff, University of South Carolina, has introduced the term 'metaphysics of management' which means, "'.the existential concerns, spirituality, and recovery are crucial in management. The spirituality in management perspective extends traditional reflections on corporate purposes and focuses on a self-referential organizational- existential search for meaning, identity and success." (Zsolnai, 2004). Zsolnia (2004) is of the opinion that the self of decision makers is important to determine ethicality of their decisions. The spiritual experiences help to develop the self of managers and it brings altruism in their decisions. The alternative theory is 'virtue ethics', which dates back to early Greek tradition, may be Aristotle is the proponent of this theory, concentrates on the character traits of the decision maker. It believes that ethical behavior demands some virtues; honesty, courage and righteousness. And the decision maker should exploit the character traits necessary for the situation. (Zsolnia, 2004) "Empirical evidences suggest that spiritual experiences help the person to transcend his or her narrow self-conception and enable him or her to exercise genuine empathy with other and to take all-compassing perspective." (Zsolnia, 2004) Methodology: Different books and articles from research journals were browsed through to understand the term spirituality in general and then to evaluate it in different fields of psychology, biology, management and nursing. Discussion: The findings, after sifting through different sources, revealed that in present day the word spirituality is defined in all compassing terms. It is no more confined in the confines of religion. Spirituality is now understood in the context of the individual's meanings of life. It sparks altruism and a sense of social justice in the society in general and it is applied in the respective fields of education, health care and in the management also. In the findings of Cox, Ervin-Cox, Hoffman, (2005) it is revealed that spirituality is helpful in the field of mental illness as it provides a sense of connectedness to the patients. Moreover, Sorenson (2004) refutes the idea that religious person can be a good therapist which substantiate our view point that spirituality should not be confused with religiosity of people. It is to do with the sense of values. Spirituality helps us to transcend our narrow self-conception to have empathy with all-compassing perspectives. (Zsolnia, 2004). Findings: The study revealed the altruistic perspective of spirituality. In this tortuous materialistic world the only thing which binds humans to one other is the spiritual sense. References Begley, Sharon. (2001). Searching for the God Within. Newsweek Magazine, January 29, 2001 Cox ,Richard H., Ervin-Cox Betty, Hoffman Louis(2005) Spirituality and Psychological Health. Colorado School of Prof Psy. Dyson et al (1996). The meaning of spirituality: a literature review Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 26, No.6, 1183-1188. Ekanayake, Savithri. (2001) Retrieved on April 27,2009 MacKinlay, Elizabeth (2006) Aging, spirituality and palliative care. Haworth Press Ohmann, O.A.( 1989) Shyhooks, in Andrews, K.R. (Ed) Ethics in Practice: Managing the Moral Corporation. Harvard Business School. Sawatzky, Rick & Pesut, Barbara.( 2005). 'Attributes of Spiritual Care in Nursing Practice . Journal of Holistic Nursing, Vol. 23, No. 1, 19-33 Sheldrake,Philip. (2007) A brief history of spirituality. Wiley-Blackwell Sorenson, Randall, Lehmann. (2004). Minding spirituality. Routledge. T.A.S. (1991) Should your Company save your Soul' Fortune, January,14, 1991,p 33 Zsolnai,L'szl' (2004) Spirituality and Ethics in Management. Springer, Read More