Journals
Engaging the Spiritual
Vol. V, No. 1 | May 2014
Contents
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
Engaging the Spiritual
ISSN: 0976-1861
Section: Contents
CONTENTS
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | Page No: iii-iv | Section: Contents
ENAGAING THE SPIRITUAL
| ISSN 0976-1861 | May 2014 | Vol. V, No. 1 |
CONTENTS
Editorial Engaging the Spiritual George Thadathil | v |
Articles Samadhi-Atman (Hinduism)-Nirvana-Sunyata (Budhhism): Experience of `Bliss without Form' Scaria Thurithiyil | 1 |
Jnana-Yoga of the Gita Shinu Varkey | 20 |
The Yoga Practiced at Nataraja Gurukul Swami Mick | 30 |
A Glimpse of the Beatific Vision Merlyn George | 47 |
Charles De Foucald's Vocational Journey and Religious Formation Nirmol Gomes | 75 |
Nature and Dynamics of Happiness: A Psychological View Jose Mathews | 96 |
Clinical Hypnosis and the Psychologically Traumatised James C. Molekunnel | 112 |
Emotional Well-Being and Behavioural Patterns of School Students George CJ, Saju PT, Aloke Chowdhury & Riju Sharma | 119 |
Book Reviews Patrick Gnanaprasagam, Wings of Faith: Towards Public Theologies in India By Peter Lepcha | 132 |
K. Ramakrishna Rao, Anand C. Paranjpe and Ajit K. Dalal (Editors), Handbook of Psychology By Anushree Roy | 135 |
Debolina Sarkar ed., Human Rights Striving Towards an Inclusive and Vibrant Democracy By Maria Rashmi Ekka | 140 |
Editorial
Engaging the Spiritual
George Thadathil
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.v-ix
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Section: Editorial
Editorial
Articles
Samadhi-Atman (Hinduism) - Nirvana -Sunyata (Buddhism): Experience of 'Bliss without Form'
Scaria Thuruthiyil
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.1-19
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Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.1-19 | Page: 01-19,
Samadhi-Atman (Hinduism) - Nirvana-Sunyata (Buddhism): Experience of 'Bliss without Form' | Section: Articles
Samadhi-Atman (Hinduism) - Nirvana-Sunyata (Buddhism): Experience of 'Bliss without Form'
Scaria Thuruthiyil is Professor Emeritus, History of Contemporary Philosophy at the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome. He teaches history of modern philosophy and philosophical anthropology at the Pontifical Bede College, Rome. His publications include, Fascination and Limits of an Utopia: Jiddu Krishnamurti's Approach to Liberation (1988); The Joy of Creative Living: The Radical Revolution of the Mind: An Approach Proposed by Jiddu Krishnamurti (1999); and Principles and Values of Education in the Indian Tradition, Shillong-Mawlai, Don Bosco Publications, 2013.
Abstract
The concept of "Nothingness" is important to both Hinduism and Buddhism. However, in the Upanishads and in the two important schools of thought of Hinduism, viz., the Yoga and the Advaita Vedanta of Adi Sankaracharya, and the Madhyamika School of Nagarjuna (Mahayana Buddhism), "Nothingness" has come across as an experiential reality or 'realization' rather than a concept. The experiences of Samadhi (Hinduism) and Nirvana(Buddhism) are both experiences of self-realization, expressed as Atman in Hinduism and Sunyata in Buddhism. Even when, both are experiences of illumination and liberation; both are mystical experiences of 'bliss without form', without the 'self, "I" or "me", they do not deny the existence of human. Further, these experiences are apertures and affirmations of the Divine (Atman - Brahman / Sunyata).
Keywords: Yoga, Nothingness, Hinduism, Buddhism, Samadhi, Sunyata
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Jnana-Yoga of The Gita
Shinu Varkey
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.20-29
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Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.20-29 | Page: 20-29,
Jnana-Yoga of The Gita | Section: Articles
Jnana-Yoga of The Gita
Shinu Varkey is currently working as Assistant Professor in the Research and Post Graduate Department of Economics at St. Berchmans College, Changanassery, Kerala. He is pursuing PhD in Economics from the Centre for the Study of Regional Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He completed his MPhil in Economics from the University of Hyderabad; and has an MA (Economics) degree from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. His specialisation is in Agricultural Economics and Development Economics, even as he nurtures an interest in Indian Philosophy.
Abstract
The Bhagavad Gita is the most important episode in the great epic Mahabharata from the point of view of a doctrine. Among the ancient Indian religious literature, Gita alone is the Smrti text that is elevated to the status of a Sruti literature. Hence, the teachings of the Gita transcend its context. The Gita serves as a guideline both to the physical and spiritual aspects of human life. In the physical realm it envisages a harmonious social living through its emphasis on dharma; while in the spiritual realm the Gita nourishes the human aspiration of attaining perfection, i.e., life in the Divine. Here, the Gita establishes its doctrine of the three-fold path that leads to God-realisation, namely the karma-yoga, the jnana-yoga and the bhakti-yoga.
Keywords: Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, Jnana-yoga, Hinduism, Upanisads
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The Yoga practiced at Nataraja Gurukul
Swami Mick
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.30-46
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Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.30-46 | Page: 30-46,
The Yoga practiced at Nataraja Gurukul | Section: Articles
The Yoga practiced at Nataraja Gurukul
Swami Mick is a disciple of Nataraja Guru, and is the founder director of Nataraja Gurukul at Dhajia Basti, Darjeeling.
Abstract
Even when the word yoga has attained global popularity, it is a misfortune that it is not understood and practiced correctly. Further, it is disheartening to see that many of the popular versions are deeply immersed in commercial interests. The essence of yoga, as defined, taught and practiced by the Gurus and sages, and according to the shastras, is to have personal discipline to establish and maintain balance within the body-mind complex. The yoga taught by the Gurus Nataraja and Sree Narayana is the intelligent practice of uniting the body with its instinctive faculties with the higher faculties of the reasoning-self and the soul so that all aspects of the psycho-physical entity function together in harmony towards the one purpose which that soul loves to contemplate and for which it lives. The ultimate yoga happens when all attraction to outside things has been sublimated by the realisation that it is the self alone which is experiencing every kind of bliss and one then practices the art of making the subject its own object so that there is no duality between the Knower and the Known.
Keywords: Yoga, Sree Narayana Guru, Nataraja Guru, Bhagavad Gita, Religion
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A Glimpse of The Beatific Vision
Merlyn Geroge
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.47-74
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Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.47-74 | Page: 47-74,
A Glimpse of The Beatific Vision | Section: Articles
A Glimpse of The Beatific Vision
Merlyn George a member of the congregation of Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, was a visiting faculty of English Language and Literature at Salesian College, Sonada and at the Holy CrossInstitute, Kurseong. At present she is serving as the Principal of St. Joseph College for Women, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Abstract
The Blessed Henry Newman who towers high above his contemporaries morally, spiritually and intellectually stands out as a symbol of moral excellence and spiritual vision in his own time as well as the time we live in. His poems dealt with the striking themes of death, burial and resurrection which are very much Christian themes in nature. In The Poem of Gerontius, Newman portrays and penetrates into the very theology of the Christian faith contrasted with his contemporaries who were not clergies in the church. Gerontius' passage from theological to intellectual faith, dilemmas of his self and the Christian hope is the chief concern of this paper.
Keywords: Spirituality, Death, Christian, Theology, After-life, Soul, Immortality
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Charles De Foucauld's Vocational Journey and Religious Formation
Nirmol Gomes
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.75-95
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Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.75-95 | Page: 75-95,
Charles De Foucauld's Vocational Journey and Religious Formation | Section: Articles
Charles De Foucauld's Vocational Journey and Religious Formation
Nirmol Gomes, formerly the Rector of Salesian College Siliguri and Sonada campuses, is presently the President of the founding body of Salesian colleges. He obtained his Masters and PhD in Education from the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome. He has authored Tracing the Steps: A psycho-pedagogical Study, 2008.
Abstract
Charles de Foucauld has religiously inspired the local people in Africa through his exemplary living, by imbibing their values, by enculturating and africanising throughout his stay. Gomes argues that the modem context of the priests and religious also calls for the same mission-mindedness. Apostolic vision, active contemplation, and exemplary evangelisation by being witnesses is the call of the hour for the formees in the seminaries today.
Keywords: Foucauld, Religious formation, Apostolic, Christianity, Touaregs
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Nature and Dynamics of Happiness: Psychological View
Jose Mathews
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.96-111
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Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.96-111 | Page: 96-111,
Nature and Dynamics of Happiness: Psychological View | Section: Articles
Nature and Dynamics of Happiness: Psychological View
Jose Mathews is a Senior Lecturer at the Gaeddu College of Business Studies, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan.
Abstract
Happiness is understood from different perspectives including emotional, psychological,sociological, political and environmental processes. However, here an attempt is made to interpret the nature and dynamics of happiness from a psychological perspective. In the bottom-up approach to happiness, the general environmental factors like family, marriage, education and income that contribute to happiness are studied whereas in the top-down approach the intra-individual processes that determine happiness are emphasized. It has been found that the major sources of variance of happiness rest with the intra-individual processes. A model of happiness that underlines the importance of cognitive processes, personality processes, motivation and emotional processes are suggested. Distinctive cognitions, specific personality traits, distinctive motivational processes and emotional paths make the individual happy.
Keywords: Happiness, Psychological, Spiritual, Emotional well-being, Cognition
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Clinical Hypnosis and The Psychologically Traumatised
James C. Molekunnel
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.112-118
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Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.112-118 | Page: 112-118,
Clinical Hypnosis and The Psychologically Traumatised | Section: Articles
Clinical Hypnosis and The Psychologically Traumatised
James C. Molekunnel is the Vice-Principal and Head of the Department of Psychology at Salesian College Siliguri. He is a life member of the Salesian Psychological Association of India and the Association of Psychological & Educational Counsellors of the Asia-Pacific. He holds an MA in English literature, MSc in Holistic Psychological Counselling and PhD in Clinical Psychology. He is also a Member on the Board of Undergraduate Studies at the University of North Bengal.
Abstract
Traumatic stress is one of the most shattering experiences that can leave a person at the height of vulnerability to bio-psychosocial maladjustments. Children who come into conflict with the law form a high risk category for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Crime related trauma takes on multifaceted ramifications for its victims, which are in addition to what other trauma victims encounter. Hypnosis is a valuable tool that can bring about noteworthy effects to enhance one’s psychological well being. It makes possible the integration of what seems to be incompatible realities within an individual by allowing access to traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner. The study made use of the ‘Solomon Four Group Design’ and sought to explore the effectiveness of hypnosis in alleviating PTSD symptoms among young offenders. The sample for the study was a group of 42 boys who were all implicated in murder cases. Using the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children and the Harvard ‘T’ Scale, pre-test and posttest were done for the designated groups. The experimental groups that underwent the interventions of clinical hypnosis showed significant improvement in diminishing the PTSD symptoms as compared to the control groups.
Keywords: Adolescents, Crime, Delinquents, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Hypnosis
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Emotional Well-Being and Behavioural Patterns of School Students
George C.J., Saju P.T., Aloke Chowdhury & Riju Sharma
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.119-131
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Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.119-131 | Page: 119-131,
Emotional Well-Being and Behavioural Patterns of School Students | Section: Articles
Emotional Well-Being and Behavioural Patterns of School Students
George C.J. is the Vice-Principal and the Head of the Department of Education at Salesian College, Sonada, Darjeeling.
Saju P.T. is a Research Scholar at the Department of Sociology, University of Kalyani.
Riju Sharma is the PhD Director of Social Sciences and the Head of the Department of Social Work at the Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati.
Abstract
Emotional well-being is essential for every human being and it affects their behavioural patterns which eventuallyaffect group life in the family and in all social situations. Major causes of ill-behaviour or misbehaviour are due to the mental health of individuals. Physical health is considered wealth and every effort is made to achieve physical wellbeing unlike mental well-being. Ordinary, yet required care is not given to behaviour patterns which make people misfit in different situations. The article investigates into the need for mental health care which can lead to congruence in group living. This study has been done on the school students basing on the instrument of William Schutz which is used in many fields to assess behaviour patterns which is known is FIRO-B and FIRO-F. The study helps to diagnose the behaviour patterns of students as regards the key areas of inclusion, control and affection. The result invites persons to live life to enhance emotional wellness and enjoy positive and progressive behavioural patterns.
Keywords: Emotional well-being, Behavioural patterns, Inclusion, Affection, School Students
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Book Reviews
Patrick Gangaprasagam, Wings of Faith: Towards Public Theologies in India
Peter Lepcha
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.132-134
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Section: Book Reviews
Book Review
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 |DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.132-134 | Page: 132-134,
Wings of Faith: Towards Public Theologies in India | Section: Book Review
Patrick Gangaprasagam, Wings of Faith: Towards Public Theologies in India, (Delhi: Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2013), 1-264, Rs. 275.00, ISBN 978-81-8465-332-8.
Peter Lepcha is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Campus Co-ordinator of the day session, Salesian College Siliguri Campus. He has been the Editorial Assistant for Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. He has participated and presented papers in national and international seminars and conferences. His areas of interests are translation literature, romantic literature and Christian theology.Thomas Ernest Woods, Jr. is an American historian, political analyst, and author. He has written extensively on the subjects of American history, contemporary politics, and economics. Woods is a senior fellow of the Mises Institute and host of ‘The Tom Woods Show’, he holds a degree in history from Harvard and his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He is a New York Times best-selling author and has published twelve books. Woods is believed to be a proponent of the Austrian School of Economics.
Patrick Gnanapragasam, a Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Scholar (Fellow) at Harvard University, teaches and researches at the Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras. The book under review Wings of Faith: Towards Public Theologies in India is a collection of essays on the theme public theologies in India. A few essays dwell upon the theme of public theology more directly while others on realities which characterise the context of its relevance. These essays chart a relatively new path in the Indian theological world and open an initial sounding for debate in the future. The author argues that experience of religion today has tangible publicness about it. He observes that at one end of the spectrum, we have some exceptional countries which establish religion at the state level and impose it upon political and civil spheres. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those countries which devalue religion completely in relation to public life. In between these two extremes, there are majority of countries which neither establish nor disestablish religion. India is contextualised in such a way...
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K. Ramakrishna Rao, Anand C. Paranjpe & Ajit K. Dalal (ed.), Handbook of Psychology
Anushree Roy
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.135-139
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Section: Book Reviews
Book Review
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 |DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.135-139 | Page: 135-139,
Handbook of Psychology | Section: Book Review
K. Ramakrishna Rao, Anand C. Paranjpe and Ajit K. Dalal (ed.), Handbook of Psychology, (India: Foundation Books, Cambridge University Press, 2008), 648 pages, Rs. 895, ISBN 978-81-7596-602-4.
Anushree Roy is Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Salesian College, Siliguri Campus. She obtained her MSc in Clinical Psychology from Christ University, Bengaluru. She is one of the members of the Board of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology for the University of North Bengal. Her areas of interest includes, among other, curriculum development, performing arts and its influence on personality, and behavioural therapy.Thomas Ernest Woods, Jr. is an American historian, political analyst, and author. He has written extensively on the subjects of American history, contemporary politics, and economics. Woods is a senior fellow of the Mises Institute and host of ‘The Tom Woods Show’, he holds a degree in history from Harvard and his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He is a New York Times best-selling author and has published twelve books. Woods is believed to be a proponent of the Austrian School of Economics.
The Handbook includes thirty one articles written by distinguished scholars around the globe that persuasively draws our attention to some of the significant psychological insights contained in the classical Indian wisdom. Psychology that we teach, learn and practice in India is mostly western. It is widely felt by Indian researchers and scholars that the discipline in India is in a deplorable state and that there is a need to learn from our own traditions and techniques. Indian psychology paves the way for an inclusive psychology, as it not only studies first-person phenomena such as subjective experiences and associated cognitive processes, but also includes the investigation of extraordinary states of consciousness and human abilities. Some transformation practices such as meditation and yoga are widely gaining popularity in the West. And this expansion of the subject matter is helping Indian psychology to be established as a scientific discipline. However, due to the scarcity of operational teaching materials, colleges and universities are not offering any courses in Indian psychology. In view of the above need, a group of eminent Indian psychologists came together under the name of ‘Indian Psychology Book Project’ (IPBP) in the year 2003...
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Debolina Sarkar (ed.), Human Rights striving towards an Inclusive and Vibrant Democracy
Maria Rashmi Ekka
DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.140-142
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Section: Book Reviews
Book Review
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. V, No. 1 (May 2014)
ISSN: 0976-1861 |DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.05.2014.140-142 | Page: 140-142,
Human Rights striving towards an Inclusive and Vibrant Democracy | Section: Book Review
Debolina Sarkar (ed.), Human Rights striving towards an Inclusive and Vibrant Democracy, (Kolkata: Departments of Political Science, Geography and Human Rights, Loreto College, and Levant Books, 2013), 133 pages, Rs.
175.00, ISBN: 978-93-80663-82-1.
Maria Rashmi Ekka is a Lecturer in the Deapartment of Political Science at Salesian College, Siliguri Campus. She has obtained her Masters in Political Science from the University of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Her areas of interest are South Asian Studies and International Relations.This is a collection of academic papers presented in UGC sponsored state level seminar, in Loreto College, Kolkata, on 18th and 19th of August 2011. The book has been co-published by Loreto College and Levant Books, Kolkata. The book has two sections: the first section consists of the papers read at the seminar; the second section includes papers not originally presented at the seminar but were written only for this publication.
The first chapter in section I ‘Some Important Human Rights Concern Areas for 21st Century’ by Debi Chatterjee is a very valuable and relevant paper showing his concern towards Human Dignity. He says that though there are many other areas of concern including spheres of politics, economics, ethnicity, religion and many more but central to it is the idea of human dignity. He mentions that the concept of rights evolved in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe at national level but the international concern for human rights came up during the Second World War. With the setting up of UN, human rights received a new international recognition. Different articles dealing with the Human Rights in the UN Charter have also been mentioned by Chatterjee. He alsoshows concern about the fact that though Human Rights has been given importance in the UN Charter and the obligations imposed on states to respect the same, the Charter did not either define ‘Human Rights’ nor attempt any codification of such rights; this task was undertaken by the Commissions of Human Rights. In the forthcoming decades, the concern for Human Rights revolve around developments in the context
of a globalizing scenario...
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