SPIRITUAL HEART AS A DIMENSION OF SPIRITUAL HEALTH

SPIRITUAL HEART AS A DIMENSION OF SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Abstract Spiritual health is an inner resource for everyday life that improves personal, mental, and existential well-being. Spiritual health refers to harmony within the body, mind, heart, spirit, and the absence of disease related to these states. Spiritual health is vital and unique to each person. It is determined by physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, emotional, environmental factors. Spiritual beliefs, values and experiences impact on spiritual health. Spiritual health is a dynamic force in our daily lives which is influenced by beliefs, experiences, cognitions, values, inner unity and harmony. In this article, we discusses the concept of spiritual health, the meaning of Heart or Qalb and its interpretation in the Islamic discourse, diseases of the heart, spiritual stations of the heart, Qalb (External Structure of the Heart), al-Sirr (Secret), al-Sirr as al-Sirr (Secret of the Secret), Khafa (Hidden), Akhfa (Most Hidden) and how to maintain the discipline of the heart. Our “Self” consists of body, mind, spirit/soul, and spiritual heart. It is our spiritual heart that centers us. It is of course, a matter of debate as to why the discipline of heart is needed in the maintenance of spiritual health. In my opinion, one needs to delve deep into the role of heart in the development of personality and the perception of reality. The intellect provides the foundation from which the heart constructs its structure of values and goals. Health psychologists need to open the gate of ‘spiritual heart’ into psychological inquiry and intellectual pursuits.

Abstract Spiritual health is an inner resource for everyday life that improves personal, mental, and existential well-being. Spiritual health refers to harmony within the body, mind, heart, spirit, and the absence of disease related to these states. Spiritual health is vital and unique to each person. It is determined by physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, emotional, environmental factors. Spiritual beliefs, values and experiences impact on spiritual health. Spiritual health is a dynamic force in our daily lives which is influenced by beliefs, experiences, cognitions, values, inner unity and harmony. In this article, we discusses the concept of spiritual health, the meaning of Heart or Qalb and its interpretation in the Islamic discourse, diseases of the heart, spiritual stations of the heart, Qalb (External Structure of the Heart), al-Sirr (Secret), al-Sirr as al-Sirr (Secret of the Secret), Khafa (Hidden), Akhfa (Most Hidden) and how to maintain the discipline of the heart. Our “Self” consists of body, mind, spirit/soul, and spiritual heart. It is our spiritual heart that centers us. It is of course, a matter of debate as to why the discipline of heart is needed in the maintenance of spiritual health. In my opinion, one needs to delve deep into the role of heart in the development of personality and the perception of reality. The intellect provides the foundation from which the heart constructs its structure of values and goals. Health psychologists need to open the gate of ‘spiritual heart’ into psychological inquiry and intellectual pursuits.