Spirituality in Health Care
HLT-310V
Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: First Draft
Introduction
Spirituality plays an important role in both physical and mental healing. Physical healing may be achieved through modern medicines and technology but However, if it is not accompanied by mental healing then the whole healing process may take longer than expected or . it may even end up complicated. Prayer, meditation and strong faith are often considered as critical components for healing. Most of all the religions in the world believe that all things known and unknown are connected to God. The ever changing world economy and health care have introduced many health care workers to a multitude of religions and cultural practices from around the world. So it is important, therefore for the health care providers to have an understanding of all these religions and their practices. By doing so, they would be able so as to provide quality care based on compassion and kindness devoid of any prejudices. This paper sets out to examine three spiritual practices and healing traditions practiced around the world. It also seeks to explore their connection to Christianity in general. The main purpose of this paper is to examine three different spiritual practices and their healing traditions that are practiced around the world and their connection with Christianity in general. They are: Baha’ism, Buddhism and Native American faith;;.
Health care providers and faith diversity
As health care providers we come across people from different backgrounds and traditions. and in Therefore, order to provide holistic care, our minds should be open to the knowledge about of these cultures and thus will be ablethis would enable us to provide compassionate care that incorporates each individual’s spiritual faith. The first spiritual practice examined here is about the Baha’i faith. Baha’i faith founded by Bahaullah believes in the existence of one God or in the oneness of one God. According to people of this faith, God is imperishable, uncreated being who is the source of all existence. For them, God is a personal God who communicates his will and purpose to humanity through intermediaries also known as prophets like Jesus, Mohammad, Abraham and Buddha. Baha’i faith was founded more than a century and a half ago in Persia which is today’s Iran. and now Today, its members come from every nation and every ethnic background;;.
Baha’i Faith
What is the Baha’is’ spiritual perspective on healing?
According to Baha’i faith, all things known and unknown are connected to God and only God has the power to heal.
What are the critical components of healing such as prayer, meditation, belief etc.?
According to Baha’i faith there two ways in which a disease can be healed, one is through spiritual ways and the other is through material ways. By spiritual ways they mean through prayers, fasting, meditation, eating healthy food, hygiene and also through confidence of the heart. By material ways they means is through pills and powders and by following doctors orders. Doctors and other health care providers are appointed by God to take care of humanity. In order to have a complete physical and mental healing one should follow both ways.
What is important to people of a particular faith when cared for by health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own?
According to people of Baha’i faith all religions are originated from one source and that God alone is the creator of all things in the universe. So basically Tthey do not consider another person’s belief as conflicting and also they They also believe that health care providers are fulfilling their service to God by caring for another human being.
How do patients view health care providers who are able to let go of their own beliefs in the interest of the beliefs and practices of the patient? Compare these beliefs to Christian philosophy of faith and healing?
Patients of Baha’i faith view these their health care providers who are able to let go of their own beliefs in the interest of the beliefs and practices of the patient with respect and admiration because they believe by doing this,this; the health care provider’s soul becomes closer to God, which is the spiritual ideal in Baha’i belief. These views are similar to those of Christian philosophy of faith and healing too because according to Christians all patients, all who need help, all who are ill, whether because of their own behavior or the actions of others are precious children of God. God is looking after His children and He expects all His servants (ministers) to be channels of His love. God’s clinicians will work together in unity (John 17:20-23) ministering to the spiritual, religious, social, emotional and physical causes.
Buddhism
The next spiritual practice examined is Buddhism. Buddhists does do not believe in a supreme power. and for them, the world and all its existences are believed to have originated from many causes that are governed by natural law. According to them, suffering is part of human existence and that cause and effect are interconnected. which This is otherwise known as “karma”. Karma is basically, “doing good produces good output and bad produces bad output”. According to Buddhists humans look at the world through six-sense organs: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind.
What is the Buddhist spiritual perspective on healing?
Healing occurs independent of external spiritual influence and health is achieved through inner healing. According to them if humans lead a life of wisdom and treat their bodies as temples free of impurities then healing will automatically takes place. And for healing to take place one should be selfless Selflessness is a prerequisite for healing to take place.
What are the critical components of healing such as prayer, meditation, belief etc.?
BuddhistsThey do not believe in healing through prayer because they do not believe in a supreme power, for them man has the ultimate control of his life. However, but they practice meditation for clarity of thoughts and for inner peace. They also believe that body and soul are one and it is important to be healthy on both aspects. They practice four noble truths and follow the eight fold path.
What is important to people of a particular faith when cared for by health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own?
Buddhists are basically peaceful people so they do not like conflict.
How do patients view health care providers who are able to let go of their own beliefs in the interest of the beliefs and practices of the patient? Compare these beliefs to Christian philosophy of faith and healing?
Buddhists do believe that their recovery will be faster and easier if their health care providers can let go of their beliefs and selfishness. They respect and admire the people who can do this even though for them everything is an illusion. These beliefs are not similar to Christian belief of monotheistic God., for Christians, all patients, and all who need help, all who are ill, whether because of their own behavior or the actions of others are precious children of God. God is looking after His children and He expects all His servants (ministers) to be channels of His love. God’s clinicians will work together in unity (John 17:20-23) ministering to the spiritual, religious, social, emotional and physical causes .
Native American Faith
The next spiritual practice examined is Native American faith. In earlier days of health care, medicine was often practiced with the help of spirits. and Ffaith was an essential part of cure. For Native Americans the practice of medicinal herbs, potions and objects is linked very closely with their religious practices.
What is the Native American spiritual perspective on healing?
Native Americans believe that all things are connected to nature and mother earth and they also believe that healing is achieved through harmony of body, mind and soul.
What are the critical components of healing such as prayer, meditation, belief etc.?
Prayer and meditation are important to Native Americans.
What is important to people of a particular faith when cared for by health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own?
Native Americans respect other people’s practices and beliefs but they usually would want a healing elder to visit them when they are sick.
How do patients view health care providers who are able to let go of their own beliefs in the interest of the beliefs and practices of the patient? Compare these beliefs to Christian philosophy of faith and healing?
Native Americans view them with respect and admiration and when it comes to Christian belief, some of the native American beliefs can be similar to that of Christianity. because lLike native Americans, Christians too respect and admire people who can let go of their own beliefs for the ultimate sacrifice of caring for another human being selflessly because for Christian’s the ultimate sacrifice happened on the cross.
Conclusion
In conclusion all spiritual practices recommend prayer and meditation as way of healthy life and also for healing. All the spiritual practices agree that in order to attain holistic health, physical and mental health should be of balance too. Spirituality can include faith, prayer, meditation, a sense of meaning to life, a sense of closeness with a higher power, and interactions with others that reflect upon spiritual awareness. Research has confirmed over and over that people who have a sense of spirituality recover more quickly from disease, surgeries and mental health issues. In fact, people with a strong spiritual base have better health and live longer lives. As today’s patient population comes from a multicultural and secular society, it’s important for the mainstream medicine to place an important emphasis on holistic approach to healing: healing of the mind, body and spirit;;.
References:
Buddhism Beliefs. (2008). Retrieved April 29, 2012, from www.buddhismbeliefs.org: http://www.buddhismbeliefs.org
Bingaman, M. (2009). Native American Faith Healing. Retrieved April 29, 2012, from www.ehow.com: http://www.ehow.com
I.Nielson, P. (2010). The Baha'i Faith- A religion seeking world unity. Spirituality and Health.Retrieved April 29.2012.
