HLT-310V Spirituality in Health
Different faiths and religious beliefs have different avenues to the issue of health care. Emphasis is placed on the location and the personality of the individual offering the service. There is a need for nurses and other members of the professional team to displays a good understanding of the different faiths with a view to understanding their position on the matter of health care provision. Some religious groups have no belief in healing from health care providers, whereas some others believe in both healing from health care providers and their own faith in healing. It is therefore imperative for the health care provider to have a good knowledge of as many religious beliefs as possible in order to learn their perception about religion and their own concept of the healing process.
Health care providers in any institution that provides health care need to be equipped with the basic understanding and knowledge of the belief system of the different religions of the world. The importance of this cannot be overemphasized based on the fact that these health care providers may be faced with a situation whereby a patient holds a religious belief that is different from the one that the health care provider owns. Decent knowledge of these beliefs will no doubt assist the health care provider to understand how to handle with the patient. It is apparent the healing process occurs when there is a balance between mind, body, emotions, physical and spiritual connections. This paper will therefore seek to expound on the various comparisons and contrasts between Christianity and other faiths in regard to spirituality healthcare and healing process. The three religions that I will major my focus on are Shintoism, Sikhism and Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is an old religion originated in India in the 5th century BCE. Buddhism holds different beliefs from other religions of the world. When compared to Christianity, both religions are known to urge their followers to go forth and seek healing. However, while Buddhist creates emphasis on meditation so that one can find solace from within themselves, the Christian followers on the other hand creates confidence in the patients through praying and assuring them that God will heal them soon. The difference is evident in matters concerning medical care, the concept of eternity and Gods. Traditional and hospital medicine are both believed by, they do not believe in healing through faith, they believe that medicine can cure the sufferings of our bodies that encounter through this life. Buddhists believe that bringing equilibrium of the mind and body will stabilize our body and restore our health, they believe in death of a healthy person but do not believe that healing is from a supernatural being (Keown, 2009).
The spiritual part of healing to the Buddhists is that the process of good health is a result of four major principles; which are observing the condition, seeking the cause, prescribing the cure and applying the cure (Keown, 2009). According to Buddhist, our health is to a large extend, effected by our minds; Buddhists believe that living a stressful day to day causes development of an unhealthy body. Buddhists believe that the act of concentration also called meditation, which is attained by keeping the mind far away from focusing on stressful events. As such, with serenity of mind, the body remains healthy. To Buddhists, hospitals can be the best spot for meditation, which can bring healing by clarifying self away from stressful conditions. With meditation, one can focus at regaining the body’s conditions to the former balanced state of mind and body. The most important aspect to the Buddhists when acquiring health care from a person of a different religion is that they have to believe in their spiritual interpretation of suffering/ bad health. They also focus on the key principles to good health (Keown, 2009). This helps them gain sufficient focusing on meditation for them to reacquire their health. They believe in the medical treatment offered regardless of the religious belief of the health care provider treating them.
Patients that hold a belief in Buddhism will be obliged for the effort of any health care provider of a different religion that set aside their religious faith in benefit of patient’s belief to receive healing. Curing of the patient has to be the main focus of any health care provider. Therefore, it is better to be unbiased of any religious beliefs in order for the patient to be healed. When compared to Christianity beliefs, they believe that illness is as a result of stressed body and mind and follows Buddha teachings which can be summarized as follows; do no harm, do good and meditate. In contrast, the beliefs between Christianity and Buddhism in regard to the healing process becomes more prevalent in the administration of medical care, as outlined in the meditation and yoga practices as were being practiced by Buddha. Unlike the Christian patients, the Buddhist patients may prefer to practice yoga so as to achieve a sense of inner self-confidence and optimism which ultimately enables the patient to reduce the amount of pain and suffering that they may be undergoing. Christians do not practice yoga.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a faith or religion of the Indians who are called Sikh, which has its origin dating back to the 15th century in the Punjab domain of southern Asia. The Sikh holds the belief that there is only one God for all people of the earth. They also hold the belief that once an individual dies the life of such an individual foes back to God (Singh and Shankar, 1998). The religion of Sikhism does not restrict adherents from exploring medical care from hospitals when they require such. The religion believes in the healing from God and Science.
In both Sikhism and Christianity, the belief of life after death is common. The Christians believes that when they die, they will ascend to heaven if they had been living in accordance with the word of the God, similarly, the Sikh patient believes in rebirth, therefore, just like a Christian patient, the Sikh patient perceives sickness and death as a normal stage in the life of the human being as was intended by God. When taking care of a Sikh patient, the medical practitioner ought to put various issues regarding both their health and faith into consideration. The patient should not be interrupted during their routine prayers and meditation sessions. Unlike the Christians, the Sikhs are known to be extra stringent when conducting their religious duties such as praying and meditating. They insist on respect of their privacy and modesty for instance announcing your arrival or knocking at the door. In addition, one should be sensitive to the Sikhs religious symbols such as their uncut hair (Kesh) which symbolizes their spirituality as a gift from God; their wooden comb(kangha), which symbolizes cleanliness and also their Kachhehra (type of an underwear) which symbolizes the purity of their moral character. All this practices are not common with their Christian counterparts.
The religion respects science; therefore adherents are advised to seek medical care from hospitals. There is no prohibition in the type of medical care that followers can undergo. Therefore, patients who practice the religion can have surgical operations, they can be admitted in hospitals and they can benefit from any medical service being provided in hospitals. The leaders of this religious faith go to lengths to encourage followers to seek medical attention from hospitals when they require such. They belief in medical care and science (Shackle, Mandair and Singh, 2011)
However, it is important to note that shaving of the hair on any part of the body is prohibited by the religious belief of Sikh. Therefore, patients that practice this religion refuse this procedure either it is for the sake of an investigation or it is in preparation for a surgery. This is because the followers of this religion belief that shaving of the hair is considered disrespect to the faith and followers of this faith are not allowed to do this at any cost (Shackle, Mandair and Singh, 2011)
Also, on matters concerning the issue of confidentiality, the Sikh place a high premium on the importance of extended family, it is important to seek the consent of patients if they want any discussion on any sensitive issue to take place in the company of a third party. Elders of the family are the most honored people in the Sikh religion. They are given the respect of seeing the patient before any other member of the family does so in times of visitation (Shackle, Mandair and Singh, 2011). This practice is done in an attempt to make sure that the extended family system is respected.
In s situation whereby a language barrier is reached in which the patient cannot communicate (either partially or effectively) in English language, there might be the need for an interpreter to offer such a service. This individual must be someone who understands Punjab well. It is most desirable to employ the services of a family member to do such. This is done in order to respect the dignity of the patient, which is better done with the presence of a family member (Shackle, Mandair and Singh, 2011).
The Sikhism religion does not prevent medical practitioners who practice a different faith or religion from providing care to the patient. They attach more importance to the belief in science, irrespective of the personality or religious belief of the person offering the service.
The philosophy of the religion as compared to the Christian philosophy on matters concerning healthcare services does not differ to a large extent. The only difference is the issue of shaving of body hair. Both religions believe in God's healing and also in medical healing (Portfield, 20050. The Sikh believers appreciate any health care professional who performs his/her duties without any bias towards the provider's belief but rather with respect to the patient's own religious belief. They appreciate this effort as the caregiver going the extra mile in ensuring the well being of their patient.
Shintoism
Shintoism is a religion, originally practice in Japan. The present day Japan is linked to some practices that were carried out by this religion in the ancient Japan. In his book, Shinto: Celebration of life, Aidan Rankin states that Shintoism is not a religion but another way of life (Raidan, 2010, p.22). They place nature in high regard and believe in Kami; the supernatural spirits that they suppose depicts themselves in nature such as in rocks, rivers, animals and trees (Raidan, 2010, p.44).
When comparing Shintoist to Christian patients, the Shintoist perspective on healing largely based on acceptance of suffering since they believe that it is the Kami’s way of attracting attention from them. They are very prayerful especially during life events such as childbirth, death and when a family member is critically ill. Since Kami heals through use of nature, they also believe in the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of various ailments. However, similar to the Christian patients, the Shintoists normally do not have a problem with seeking and accepting healthcare but are particularly uncomfortable when they are required to make decisions regarding complex treatment since this complex method s of treatment infringes on their beliefs in treatment through the natural way so as to uphold their aspirations for purity in life.
The Shintos wear charms, which, according to them, are worn to aid healing. (Littleton, 2003). Shintos believe in faith healing, that after wearing the mamoris they will receive healing from their ancestors. The major parts of healing amidst Shinto’s are making offerings, chanting and praying on a regular basis calling upon the ancestors and gods (Littleton, 2003). In the course of these rituals, the Shintos pray to their forefathers to provide them with power of healing. They believe that sick would receive healing after this procedure. They give offerings to their ancestors and God for healing. When people of different religion provides services with their health, since the Shintos believe in healing from their gods and ancestors, they still need to have faith in their religion because they believe that healing comes from it (Littleton, 2003).
Conclusion
In conclusion, this research on the different religious perspectives of healing has no doubt, provided me with an insight into the different religious perspectives on healing. It has also provided an invaluable tool that I will continue to utilize in my professional career as a caregiver. I will go on to find out about more religions in order to have a holistic picture of the various religious perspectives as this will no doubt increase my level of professional competence in discharging my duties appropriately.
REFERENCES
Keown, D. (2009). Buddhism. New York: Sterling Publishing Company.
Littleton, S. C. (2002). Shinto: Origins, rituals, festivals, spirits, sacred places. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Porterfield, A. (2005). Healing in the history of Christianity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Rankin, A. (2010). Shinto: A celebration of life. Winchester, U.K: O Books.
Shackle, C., Mandair, S., & Singh, G.(2001). Sikh religion, culture and ethnicity. New York, NY: Routledge.
Singh, G., & Shankar, S. (1998). The Sikhs: Faith, philosophy & folk. Delhi: Luster Press.
