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The idea of spirituality means different things for different people. The variety of spiritual beliefs and customs are as varied as the people who practice them. One thing they all have in common is the range of effects they can have on our mental health. All along, the majority position of Psychiatry has been that Psychiatry has nothing to do with religion and spirituality. Religious beliefs and practices have long been thought to have a pathological basis, and psychiatrists over a century have understood them in this light. Religion was considered as a symptom of mental illness. Jean Charcot and Sigmund Freud linked religion with neurosis. Religion was portrayed negatively by suggesting that religious and spiritual experiences are examples of psychopathology.
But recent research reports strongly suggest that to many patients, religion and spirituality are resources that help them to cope with the stresses in life, including those of their illness. Many psychiatrists now believe that religion and spirituality are important in the life of their patients. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, has a special group on Psychiatry and Spirituality. The American College of Graduate Medical Education mandates in its special requirements for residency training in Psychiatry, that all programmes must provide training in religious and spiritual factors that can influence mental health. The World Psychiatric Association recently established a section on psychiatry and religion. The Indian Psychiatric Society has formed a task force on spirituality and mental health which is urging the Medical council of India to include taking the spiritual history as part of psychiatric evaluation.
Though Sigmund Freud looked upon religion as an illusion and neurosis, Carl Jung considered the psyche as a carrier of truth, powerfully rooted in the unconscious mind. Religion is important, directly and indirectly, in the etiology, diagnosis, symptomatology, treatment and prognosis of psychiatric disturbances. Lack of spirituality can interfere with interpersonal relationships, which can contribute to the genesis of psychiatric disturbance. Recent studies show that religious beliefs and practices are supportive to cope with stresses in life and are beneficial to mental health.
A study on the factors in the course and outcome of schizophrenia was conducted in the Department of psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore. It was a collaborative study among three centers—Vellore, Madras and Lucknow. A two-year and five-year follow up showed that those patients who spent more time in religious activities tended to have a better prognosis. Mental health workers must take it seriously since psychiatry cannot afford to ignore the importance of spirituality and religion in psychiatry. We must propagate the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model in our approach in psychiatry.
If spirituality is related to mental health and if religious beliefs and experiences are important in the life of the psychiatric patient, it is only natural that we should include religious concepts in psychotherapy. For example, some Christian, Gita, Guru Granth Sahib, Buddhist and Quran passages can be profitably used to help the patient to cope with life situation. The spiritual concepts are incorporated in the treatment programme of Alcoholic Anonymous. Seven out of the 12 AA steps relate to spirituality.
D'Souza describes a new psychotherapeutic method, which is called Spiritually Augmented Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (SACBT). This is a treatment technique, incorporating spiritual values to cognitive behaviour therapy, which was developed and promoted at the University of Sydney. Spirituality is a globally acknowledged concept. It involves belief and obedience to an all powerful force usually called God, who controls the universe and the destiny of man. The universality of spirituality extends across creed and culture.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Perspective
Guru Granth Sahib contains devotional hymns from diverse sources Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims. It enshrines the divine hymns of 6 Sikh Gurus. In addition it includes sacred writings of 6 Muslims Sufi Saints and 24 Hindu Bhagats and Bhatts. It is an epitome of interfaith scripture for divine realisation.
ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਮਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੇਸਟ ਧਰਮੁ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਕਰਮੁ ॥
Among all the religions, the supreme religion
Is to recite the Name of the Divine and maintain pure conduct.
(SGGS, Ang 266)
ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥
O Nanak! It is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will.
(SGGS, Ang 1)
Meaning living the will of God. Our anxieties, worries and stress come from how we react to the situation. The more we resist, deny the facts of the situation, the more pain and suffering we face. This understanding helps us to remain calm, steady and positive. This does not mean that we should not make efforts to fix the situation.
Another foundational verse on spirituality and mental wellness by Guru Nanak, found on Ang 274 of the Guru Granth Sahib, states:
ਸਰਬ ਰੋਗ ਕਾ ਅਉਖਦੁ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
ਕਲਿਆਣ ਰੂਪ ਮੰਗਲ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਮ ॥
The Naam is the panacea, the remedy to cure all ills.
Singing the Glory of God is the embodiment of bliss and emancipation.
This verse emphasises that spiritual wisdom and divine virtues are the true cure for the psychological suffering, anxiety, and stress that afflict the mind.
Guru Nanak says:
ਚਿੰਤਾ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਜੋ ਅਨਹੋਨੀ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਇਹੁ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਿਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਇ ॥
People become anxious when something unexpected happens.
This is the way of the world, O Nanak; nothing is stable or permanent.
(SGGS, Ang 1429)
The only way to find calm is to recite the Name of God.
ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸੁਖ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥
The Peace giving jewel is the ambrosial Name of God.
In it the devotees mind find peace.
(SGGS, Ang 262)
To integrate these teachings for mental wellness, Sikhs often practice the following:
· Shabad Kirtan: Listening to or singing spiritual hymns alone or in a congregation (Sangat).
· Naam Japna/Simran: Meditative chanting or quiet contemplation of God's name to calm the subconscious mind.
· Living in Hukam: Cultivating contentment and surrendering to the Divine Will to accept life's circumstances.
It is to be remembered that the spiritual guiding principles written in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) (Sikh Scriptures) address human consciousness, not the physical body. Having stated that, medical science tells us that those who enjoy peace, happiness and bliss in life and are mentally healthy face fewer physical diseases and recover quicker.
