Literature on the psychological correlates of individual’s god-image is abundant. They range from Freud’s conceptual claim that the image of God was an inherited parental image of the murdered primeval father, which can be activated by the individual’s experience of their father, to more contemporary examination of God-image drawn from the relationship between a child and the care-giver. Underpinning these claims is the undeniable role of the family in the formation of God-image and the way individuals relate to God. The present chapter reports the outcome of a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), which searched and selected 31 empirical reports from Academic Search Premier – a database of journal articles. Using a process of Qualitative Thematic Analysis, six themes were identified within the selected literature. On the basis […]
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Contemplative Practice Among Young Adults in Nairobi
ABSTRACT
The scientific study of the role of religion and spirituality among adolescents and young adults is on the increase. Some of these studies have focussed on the association between religiousness and pro-social values and behaviour among youth. Other studies have examined the effect of mindfulness on emotional regulation and preventing risky behaviour. Such studies, however, have been wanting in the East African context. The aim of this paper is to report the themes emerging from interviews conducted among a sample of young adults who were part of a larger study examining the effect of meditation on wellbeing. This qualitative study focussed on two research questions: (a) what are the experiences of young people practicing Jesus Prayer technique of Christian contemplative practice? (b) What is the impact of the practice on their outlook of life and behaviour?
Twenty-five participants were recruited from […]
Towards Religious-Spirituality: A Multidimensional Matrix of Religion and Spirituality
Selvam, S.G. (2013). Towards religious spirituality: A multidimensional matrix of religion and spirituality. Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 12(36), 129-152.
Abstract
In the contemporary study of religion there seems to be an exaggeration of the distinction between religion and spirituality, not only to the point of separation, but worse still, in terms of a superiority-inferiority hierarchy that gives rise to a value judgement between spirituality and religion. Could this be a sign of the persisting Western hegemony in the study of religion? This article suggests that the consideration of religion and spirituality as disparate entities may be necessary in some societies but not sufficient for a global perspective. Could there be an integrative model that would lend itself for an inclusive exchange in the study of religion […]
The unnamed companion on the road: spiritual accompaniment in the context of youth ministry
Selvam, S.G. (2013), The unnamed companion on the road: Spiritual accompaniment in the context of youth ministry. The Journal of Youth Ministry, 11(4), 41-55.
For a PDF version of the article contact the author.
Now and Hereafter: The Psychology of Hope from the Perspective of Religion
Selvam, S.G. & Poulsom, M. (2012), Now and hereafter: The psychology of Hope from the perspective of Religion. Journal of Dharma 37(4), 393-410.
Faced with the harsh reality of death, human beings have often drawn a sense of hope from a belief in life after death. Religions have earnestly supported this faith and hope. As Paul Tillich put it, “Without hope, the tension of our life toward the future would vanish, and with it, life itself.” In recent times, hope has also become a subject matter for psychology. Does psychology risk separating hope from religion, focussing too narrowly on the immediate future? Or could the treatment of hope offered by psychology give a sense of meaning to life similar to that provided by religion? This article examines recent developments in the psychology of hope from the perspective of religion.
DOWNLOAD OUR ARTICLE published in the Journal of Dharma (December 2012).