Events
HINDU SPIRITUAL CARE PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
February 12th 12:30-1:30PM, ASGH Library
by
Satyajit Verma & Ravi Ayer
Please plan to attend a presentation on a very important outreach program that would enhance the offering of ASGH to the Houston community consistent with the 6th principle of Arya Samaj which states: “The main object of Arya Samaj is to do good to the world and to benefit the largest number of people.”
A chaplaincy / spiritual care program based on Hindu philosophy has long been overdue. Such a program, adequately staffed, would not only support the Hindu community in this country, but also provide a forum for generating an awareness about the Hindu perspective on spiritual support to the worldwide community. It would not only provide solace to the terminally ill patients, folks facing severe life challenges, but also support our college students who find themselves confronted with various aggressive religious organizations. Potential areas of application can be hospitals and hospice, schools/colleges/universities, military organizations, fire and police departments, prisons, and mass casualty situations.
The Hindu spiritual care course - so far at an introductory level - offers a student an opportunity to study and train in spiritual care process in which we draw wisdom from Hindu scriptures (mainly Geeta, Upanishads and Ramayana) and apply them in practical spiritual care settings. It trains students to the “mindfulness to Transcendence” framework of the clinical chaplaincy/spiritual care process. Empathic listening, non-judgmental and compassionate response without being patronizing, are some of the hallmarks of introductory training. The scope of care is clarified that it is not professional counselling or psychotherapy session. The spiritual care provider learns how to assess and refer the patients to other appropriate professionals. The care provider may not be versed in all aspects of care – rituals and other activities but would bring in people with the right expertise to help the care process. Strict confidentiality and other ethical boundaries must be maintained between the spiritual care provider and the patient.
The Chinmaya International Foundation offered an introductory course as a 120-hour course that ran from January 2021 to June 2021. Three-hour classes were held on Zoom every Wednesday and Saturday. Satyajit ji and Ravi Ayer ji attended this course and will be introducing the objectives and main facets of the program.
The intention is to join this course or something similar if there is enough interest among the ASGH congregation.