America has different nationalities that practice different faiths. Healthcare providers face a challenge in understanding the different religious beliefs, which they encounter in the hospital setting. There are many faiths some of which are well known to them such as Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. However, some religions such as Buddhism, Bahai, Native American Religion, Shintoism, and Sikh are uncommon. Different faiths follow different rules and regulations. This makes it hard for health care providers because they are not in a position to learn and understand all the religions of the patients they take care of in the hospitals. Three faiths have been discussed in this paper, which include Buddhism, Native American, and Sikh faith. Native American Faith comprises of several Native tribes. The three religions believe in certain similar practices such as prayer, meditation, and a balanced inner self. People need to accommodate all people regardless their religion because they all worship the same Supreme Being, who is the creator of everything.
For the nurses and other health care providers to provide best care to patients, they must have an understanding of the different and diverse faiths of their patients. This can only be possible by seeking knowledge in order to be unbiased and compassionate while providing care to patients. Health care providers must consider the spiritual faith of their patients. In order to understand spiritual beliefs, the researcher will compare and contrast Christianity other faiths. It is true that almost every nurse has heard of Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity, but it is not every nurse who will understand what these religions consider different from their own religion. A clear understanding of different faiths can help health care providers provide the best care to patients.
This paper discusses in detail three religions: Buddhism, Native American, and Sikh in relation to health care providers. Spiritual perspective will be the main focus in relation to the three faiths. It will describe the fundamental aspects of healing that the health care providers should understand in order to cope with them in a better manner. The three religions will also be compared and contrasted to Christianity. A summary will also be given by the researcher.
Native American Faith
This will be the first faith to be discussed. Native American Faith comprises of several Native tribes, in America, who practice similar beliefs as regard to spirituality and health. The healing process has certain basics. First, a bridge exists between the earthly world and the spiritual world. This bridge is created by practices, usually referred to as ‘shamanistic practices’. These practices shift human awareness from the human mind to the spiritual world. Native Americans refer to the conscious change as a journey. This practice involves meditating and dancing, which is accompanied by drumming. Native Americans believe that their lifestyles grounds them on Earth (Mother earth). They must honor everything that has been created whether big or small. They believe that healing takes place after an individual has gained a balance through his emotions, mind, physical connection, body, and spirit (Barbara & Sheryl, 2010).
White (2006) asserts that some Native Americans rely on the belief that a stable balance achieved through meditation and prayer keeps them healthy. Meditation is used to connect spiritually while prayer helps to connect to Mother Nature and in thanksgiving to all earthly creations. Native Americans prefer that when ill or unwell that their beliefs are put into consideration by those offering care. They want to pray and meditate as is their tradition at will. Native Americans really put into consideration a health care provider who respects their beliefs as they see it as a way of helping them get better and it shows they care about them. Some of these wishes are like taking into consideration treatment suggested by the elders along with time to pray and meditate. The above points go to show that Native American system of belief has a lot of similarities with their western Christian counterpart. A very notable similarity being that both systems believe that prayer to a higher being is essential in finding guidance to a way of life for the person.
Buddhism
This is the second faith to be discussed. Buddhists faith states them to live by the following rules: no alcohol consumption, no stealing, no lying, no killing of either animals or humans and no infidelity. A major concept of their health is inner healing. Buddhists believe that health is a very important wealth in life and there is to be no attachments to materialistic cravings, and they expect one not to feel any greed. They believe that health and inner healing are the greatest assets to life. They view their bodies as temples and hence no impurities should enter the temple. Buddhists do not believe in the existence of either a higher being or a god that controls or manipulates their health status. They believe that a person who is spiritually focused responds to sickness more peacefully that spiritual balance helps them to recover from the illness. They thus strive to understand and work together with illness and suffering as it brings about good for their spiritual growth. Buddhists although practice clarity of thought which is not practiced in Christianity (Ross & McSherry, 2010).
Sikh Religion
This is the third religion to be discussed. The Sikh religion is different in that health and healing are considered to be directly related to spirituality. This means that a connection exists between spirit, mind, and body. Their belief is that the physical body is supposed to serve the spirit as a temple and in that furthers connection to God with oneself. An integral part of life daily of a Sikh on both family and individual level is meditation. This is most especially in times of need and those of illness. They have certain Sikh prayers like Sukhmani Sahib, which are specific hymns for peace and healing. They believe that prayer gives hope, power, courage and also acceptance and helps understand the illness.
Sikhs have the belief that even though results come through traditional medicine and methods or prayer, God’s will is always carried out. Though some accept the will of God and instead do not follow the recommended medical treatment plans. Many Sikhs combine their herbs with Western medicine and other therapies. They avoid drugs such as cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs. They consider these as intoxicants that interfere with the human body, and they contradict one’s journey to pursue God’s way of life.
Sikhs during sickness and diseases, pray to God to seek help and ask forgiveness for any wrong that may have led to the disease. They do this by listening and reciting Gurbani and sacred hymns like Sukhmani. They, however, believe in getting physical remedies from health care providers, as well as spiritual nourishment. Sikhs may, however, regard illness to result from God’s will in his mercifulness and benevolence. Therefore, they believe that to cure such ailments, seeking forgiveness is also accompanied by seeking medical treatment (White, 2006).
Comparison with Christianity
The discussion above brings out three different faiths, bringing out their differences. However, all the three religions have beliefs by which they base sickness and healing upon. These beliefs are consistent with the beliefs held by Christians regarding sickness and healing. Each faith portrays practices necessary to holistic being and the necessary treatments. A common similarity comes when all the three faiths believe in having a balanced inner self. All the religions depend on mediation, prayers, and respect for oneself in order to receive healing. These three practices are also exercised by Christians. The only notable difference is that the three religions, yet Christians believe in only one supreme God and His son, and the Holy Spirit (1st Cor 8:6).
Conclusion
The above facts on the three religions show that care givers should respect patients’ faith. Individualized care practices would be quite beneficial whereby spiritual freedom is given, such as time for meditation and prayers. Westernized medication should be accompanied by alternative therapies that go in line with various religions. These could include special foods and allowing visitors to visit the patients in the wards as this encourages spiritual healing. Patients appreciate when health care providers consider their interests first, for example, by helping them to find spiritual nourishment from the faith they practice.
Christians can easily adapt to dealing with patients who practice other faiths. The world is becoming more diverse in religions, and it is no longer possible to depend on only people from your religion. This paper particularly has established that patients seek treatment from care providers of different religions so long as the care provider puts the interests of the patient first. Native Americans, Buddhists, and Sikh just like other common religions such as Christians seek that accommodates their religious beliefs and practices among them prayers and meditation. Health care providers must allow patients to exercise their religious practices, and must also be sensitive to the same practices.
Barbara, P., & Sheryl, R. (2010). Situated clinical encounters in the negotiation of religious and spiritual plurality: A critical ethnography. International Journal of Nursing Studies, (47): 815-825.
Ross, L., & McSherry, W. (2010). Spiritual Assessment in Healthcare Practice. M&K Update Ltd.
Smeets, W. (2006). Spiritual Care in a Hospital Setting: An Empirical-theological Exploration. Brill Academic Publishers.
White, G. (2006). Talking About Spirituality in Health Care Practice: A Resource for the Multi-professional Health Care Team. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
