Holistic health and well-being: A psycho-spiritual/religious and theological perspective
Highlights
► Human persons as a trinitarian model of unity between soul/spirit, mind and body are proposed. ► No progress will be sustainable without corresponding development of the ethical/moral and inner dimensions. ► Integration of religion/spirituality with different branches of empirical science promotes human flourishing. ► When religion is rightly followed, it gives the frame or way for living spiritually in the world.
Introduction
Humans are multi-dimensional and transcendental beings. They are not only psycho-physical and socio-cultural but they are primarily religious-spiritual and moral beings. Victor Frankl suggests that humans find fulfillment only when their needs for meaning and purpose are adequately met (Frankl, 2006, Frankl, 1986). Similarly, an increasing body of research asserts that materialism, the pursuit of worldly possessions and wealth, does not give lasting happiness and fulfillment. Instead, it increases people's dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety, anger, isolation and alienation (Kasser, 2002, Eckersley, 2005).
Answering the ultimate questions about the meaning and purpose of human life is beyond the scope of science and technology (Jaki, 2000). Technological and economic advances are neither the driving forces nor the guarantee of human progress. Integral/holistic human development is pertinent to achieving a sustainable future (Morin, 1999). Internal formation is an essential aspect of holistic health and well-being. Pope Benedict XVI articulated that technical progress must equate to corresponding progress in man's ethical formation and in his inner growth (Benedict XVI, 2007b, Spe salvi, No. 22).
Section snippets
Human person as a trinity of soul, mind and body
All the world's religious traditions profess that humans as a trinity of soul, mind and body, are essentially religious/spiritual beings. The immortal and spiritual nature of the human soul and its eternal union with the divine is a fundamental teaching of all religions.
More than three thousand years ago, in their search for meaning and self-transcendence, the Hindu sages (Rishis) turned to the Divine through intense practices of contemplative prayer (prayerful meditation). By divine revelation
Religious and spiritual nature of the human person
Based on archeological findings, anthropologists have established that from the pre-historic period, human beings performed rituals of religious significance (Renfrew and Morley, 2009). Neurobiological studies prove that religion and spirituality are hardwired into the human brain and human nature (Newberg et al., 2001). Religion has brought meaning to millions in their personal lives. Religious rituals have given believers assurance of control over unpredictable adversities. In the face of
Revolutionary shift in the present
Despite the anti-religious and anti-spiritual trends of their time (Nelson, 2006), the pioneers in psychology and sociology; including, William James (1842–1910), G. Stanley Hall (1844–1924), J.H. Leuba (1867–1946), Edwin Starbuck (1866–1947), Max Weber (1864–1920) and Emile Durkheim (1858–1917) have considered religion and spirituality to be an essential part of their theory and practice.
With the revolutionary shift from attacking faith and religion to exploring its benefits for human
Importance of Catholic Christian theology
Etymologically, the word theology means, “‘word’ about ‘God”’ (Dunn, 1998, p. 8). “Rooted in Sacred Scripture, read with the fathers and doctors” (Benedict XVI, Dec. 3, 2010) theology seeks to answer questions concerning the ultimate meaning and destiny of human existence.
As Ludwig Ott defines it, “theology is a science of faith” (Ott, 1974, p. 2). It also is a science of hope. St. Peter the Apostle urges the Christian faithful, “always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from
Significance of an interdisciplinary paradigm
The human person is such a complex mystery that neither a single branch of science nor all the sciences together are able to understand him/her fully. Hence, there is an inevitable need to adopt a multilevel disciplinary paradigm in the pursuit of “full understanding the human being” (Paloutzian and Park, 2005, p. 9).
Catholic theology realizes the fact that theology does not provide an exclusive understanding of man. It also requires the contributions of many branches of knowledge to which
Conclusion
Integrating different branches of science will help to attain a significant understanding of the human persons and help them to achieve lasting fulfilment by adequately attending to their transcendental, religious and spiritual needs. Moreover, this partnership between theology, spirituality, religion and other social and health sciences can provide both the “conceptual and empirical tools to craft and evaluate interventions” (Peterson and Seligman, 2004, p. 3).
Far beyond the harm caused by the
Conflict of interests
None.
Fr. John Vayalilkarottu, OFMConv. is a Catholic priest from the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Besides his training in theology and spirituality, he holds two Bachelor's Degrees in Philosophy and a Master's Degree in Psychology. Currently, he is a research student in the school of psychology in the Australian Catholic University (ACU).
References (60)
- et al.
Religion and coping
Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI. Pastoral visit to Vigevano and Pavia (Italy). Celebration of Vespers Basilica of St Pietro in Ciel d’Oro, Pavia
(22 April 2007)Spe Salvi (Encyclical Letter on Christian Hope)
(2007)Meeting with young people and seminarians: Address of his holiness, Saint Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, New York
(19 April 2008)- Benedict XVI, 3 December 2010. Pontiff's address to theological commission members. Vatican City:...
Humility among adolescent purpose exemplars
Journal of Research in Character Education
(2008)- et al.
Positive emotions in early life and longevity: findings from the nun study
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
(2001) - et al.
Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth
(2008) The importance of spirituality in medicine and its application to clinical practice
MJA
(2007)What is Theology? Foundational and Moral
(1998)
Well & Good: Morality, Meaning and Happiness
The Psychology of Ultimate Concerns: Motivation and Spirituality in Personality
The Psychology of Gratitude
Forgiveness is a Choice: A Step-by-Step Process for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope
Perceptions of Humility: A Preliminary Study
Self and Identity
The Doctor and the Soul: From Psychotherapy to Logotherapy
Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy
The value of positive emotions: the emerging science of positive psychology is coming to understand why it's good to feel good
American Scientist
Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity and Thrive
The Limits of a Limitless Science and Other Essays
The Spiritual Anatomy of Emotion: How Feelings Link the Brain, the Body and the Sixth Sense
Centesimus Annus (Encyclical letter on the hundredth anniversary of Rerum Novarum)
Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life, encyclical letter on the value and inviolability of human life)
Mater et Magistra (Encyclical on Christianity and Social Progress)
The High Price of Materialism
Handbook of Religion and Health
Religion and spirituality in medicine: research and education
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness
The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want
Spirituality, religiousness and health from research to clinical practice
Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Cited by (6)
Spiritual Wellbeing and Quality of Life among Hemodialysis Patients in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study
2023, Journal of Holistic NursingHealing “through God’s grace”: lived religion in Filipina migrant women’s health in Japan
2020, Mental Health, Religion and CultureWhich Attitudes Will Make us Individually and Socially Happier and Healthier? A Cross-Culture and Cross-Development Analytical Model
2016, Journal of Happiness StudiesHappiness and health in psychiatry: What are their implications?
2015, Revista de Psiquiatria ClinicaIs it possible the transdisciplinarity among neurosciences and religions?
2014, Revista Mexicana de NeurocienciaThe relationship of general health, hardiness and spiritual intelligence relationship in Iranian nurses
2013, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry
Fr. John Vayalilkarottu, OFMConv. is a Catholic priest from the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Besides his training in theology and spirituality, he holds two Bachelor's Degrees in Philosophy and a Master's Degree in Psychology. Currently, he is a research student in the school of psychology in the Australian Catholic University (ACU).