Cultural Aspects of Spirituality

Anoka-Ramsey College

PPT #5 ©Valerie Lis 2012

CULTURAL ASPECTS OF SPIRITUALITY

• This chapter describes the relationship between spirituality, culture, and health. Components of cultural and spiritual self-assessments are also discussed.

Here are a few concepts from the chapter:

• Every culture has its own specific belief system. This belief system provides a framework that influences how individuals view the world, including the cause, prevention, and treatment of illness and the promotion and maintenance of health.

• There is a diversity of cultures and spiritual expressions in American society that healthcare providers must be aware of in order to provide competent care.

• The healthcare provider’s own spiritual and cultural perspectives affect and are affected by all elements of culture.

• Similarities and differences in verbal and nonverbal language should be considered when communicating with clients from other cultures.

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Bonder, Martin, and Miracle (2002) in Culture in Clinical Care, define culture as:

•Learned- By listening to, observing, and assessing interactions with other

•Localized- By interactions in personally meaningful locales in multiple social settings with specific individuals

•Patterned: Through the repetition of specific samples of behavior and talk

•Evaluative: By the reflection of cultural values in individual behavioral decisions and choices

•Persistent: By being stable but also incorporating change as the individual experiences new objects, situations, and ideas over the life course

©Valerie Lis 2012 3Young, C. & Koopsen, C. (2011). Spirituality, health, and healing:

An integrative approach. San Diego: Jones and Bartlett.

CULTURE

CULTURAL ASPECTS OF SPIRITUALITY

• Culture is “the complex whole, which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, laws, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society although as a whole, it is more complex than any one of these elements.”

• Martsolf (1997) suggests three ways in which spirituality and culture are related:

1. Spirituality can be determined entirely by culture.

2. Spirituality can be determined by life experiences unrelated to culture.

3. Spirituality can be influenced by both culture and personal experiences that are in opposition to the cultural norm.

• Cultural groups include:–Americans of African Descent

–Americans of Asian Descent

–Americans of Hispanic Descent

–Indigenous Tribes of America

–Americans of Arab Descent

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AMERICANS OF AFRICAN DESCENT

• Self-identity is tied inseparably to that of the group.

• Knowledge includes what is known through the senses and in an extrasensory manner.

• Emotions are expressed naturally and spontaneously in response to experiences.

• Behavior is expressed through subtle patterns of verbal and body language.

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AMERICANS OF ASIAN DESCENT

• The well-being of the community is valued over that of the individual.

• Healthcare practices are often profoundly affected by Buddhist philosophy.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda have also influenced healthcare practices.

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• Many Hispanics traditionally value religion and believe in self-sacrifice, giving rather than taking, and the acceptance of fate.

• The needs of the family may be placed over the needs of the individual.

• Curanderimo, a folk healing system of beliefs based on the practice of healing with indigenous plant and herbs (curative potions and the laying on of hands), is closely enmeshed with religious practice.

• Mental health disorders are viewed as a sign of weakness.

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AMERICANSOF HISPANICDESCENT

INDIGENOUSTRIBES OFAMERICA

• Native American people have great tribal, regional, historical, spiritual, and political diversity.

• The population includes approximately 2.5 million people in 530 tribal groups.

• Respect and a love for life, the Creator of life, and those that have lived before are common spiritual beliefs.

• Indigenous tribal culture, politics, history, and society are enmeshed with religion.

• Creating balance with nature and the environment is central to all tribal spiritual practices.

• The use of traditional ceremonies such as sweat lodges, vision quests, talking circles, and spirit camps contribute to the healing of the individual, reaffirm community norms, and continue the training and practices of traditional healing.

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AMERICANS OF ARAB DESCENT

• Most Americans of Arab descent are Muslims and practitioners of Islam. Some are Christian.

• Worshiping Allah and fulfilling religious duties as described in the Koran and hadith are important practices.

• Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam: faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage.

• Privacy is valued; nonverbal cues may be more relevant than verbal.

• Families are characterized by a strong patriarchal tradition and hierarchical structure.

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LOSE YOUR EGO: FIND YOUR COMPASSIONImam Faisal Abdul Rauf combines the teachings of the Qur’an, the stories of Rumi, and the examples of Muhammad and Jesus, to demonstrate that only one obstacle stands between each of us and absolute compassion -- ourselves.

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http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/imam_feisal_abdul_rauf.html

DISCUSSION BOARD

• For this week’s Discussion Board, you will investigate how an awareness of your own cultural and spiritual values can lead toward better understanding of your clients.

• First, you will answer the questions on page 116 of your book to complete a spiritual and cultural self-assessment.

• Then, you will look for hidden biases that may be interfering with your ability to provide spiritually competent care.

• Finally, you will identify one or two steps you could take to dissolve this bias.

• Remember to place two more comments in response to other students’ posts.

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WIKI ACTIVITY:PRAYER FLAGS

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• Create a personal prayer flag. You must have at least 8 flags of a

minimum of 3 colors measuring 5 inches by 5 inches or larger,

connected in a line with string.

• Take at least 3 photographs from several angles and submit them

to the Group WIKI.

• Post three thoughtful comments to your classmates’ submissions.

REMINDERS. . .

• Be sure to complete the Quiz, the Discussion Board, and the Group WIKI activity this week.

• Remember: To receive credit for Discussion Boards and WIKIs, you must comment on other students’ posts.

• The due date for all assignments from the fourth module is September 23.

• The due date for all assignments from the fifth module is September 30.

• If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Thanks!

Valerie©Valerie Lis 2012 13

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I learned to think of God as a woman and by that simple experience I could begin to think of God.

~ Jane O’Reilly

We may explore the universe and find ourselves, or we may explore ourselves and find the universe. It matters not which of these paths we choose.

~ Diana Robertson

You may be the answer to my prayers. But you’re not the answer I was hoping for.

~ Ashleigh Brilliant

There is a life-force within your soul, seek that life. There is a gem in the mountain of your body, seek that mine. O traveler, if you are in search of That. Don’t look outside, look inside yourself and seek That.

~ Rumi

Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods.

~ Christopher Hitchens, The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever