S ASTRARA
Step 5: Extracting general themes from all the interviews and making a composite summary
5.0 Introduction
5.3.4 The Employment Sector
Emotional intelligence includes self-awareness and self-control, as well as the ability to get along well with others. Gelling along with others implies an ability to listen, to communicate, to accept feedback, and to empathise with different points of view.
Spiritual intelligence is concerned with the inner life of mind and spirit and its relationship to being in the world. Spiritual intelligence implies a capacity for a deep understanding of existential questions and insight into multiple levels of consciousness. Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is often talked about as being a measure of success. In the workplace, however, it is often not just how intelligent you are, but how well you can handle stress.
Stress is anything that brings mental and emotional pressure that leads to fear, anxiety, worry, apprehensions, anger and even excitement and the body responds in a prompt, speedy and inefficient way. Today's professionals need to graduate from the IQ (Intelligence Quotient) through EQ (Emotional Quotient) and arrive at SQ (Spiritual Quotient). Daniel Goleman (2006), in Emotional Intelligence says that it is the lack of application of intelligence to emotions that makes one depressed, angry, unruly, prone to worry, more impulsive and aggressive. He argues that, the emotional mind is far quicker than the rational mind making split-second decisions without analytical reflection of the consequences which can be bewildering to the analytically
inclined rational mind. Spiritual teachers like Buddha and Jesus touched their disciples' hearts by speaking the language of emotions. Improving the emotional quotient (EQ) or imbibing (SQ) spiritual intelligence is important because it helps us deal with problems in a constructive manner. Spiritual intelligence is concerned with the inner life of mind and spirit and its relationship to being in the world. Spiritual intelligence implies a capacity for a deep understanding of existential questions and insight into multiple levels of consciousness (De Kalbermatten, 2003; Goleman, 2006).
One way of improving spiritual intelligence (SQ), enhancing one's emotional intelligence (EQ) and managing stress is through SY meditation. Stress is considered to be an occupational hazard, but with SY meditation, this need not necessarily be so. SY meditation programmes equip a person to open up a new dimension to management skills and achieve excellence at the workplace. It offers a paradigm shift from ·working hard" to "working smart" and to achieve the balance between meeting the demands of personal and professional lives. Practical and effective SY meditation stress management programmes empower managers and employees to experience calmness and inner clarity in the midst of challenges. It is engineered to build teamwork and leadership through processes of self-acceptance and awareness.
Greater understanding of oneself helps one to understand others. It is based on SY meditation and universally applicable values that contribute to self development and harminous interactions (http://www.sahajayogawa: corporate; Kumar, 2000).
5.3.5 The Health Sector
Mind-body medicine is at the forefront of current mental health research and treatment. and the introduction of this ancient technology of the mind into the equation is a major breakthrough in our understanding of improved treatment for a wide variety of psychiatric disorders. The chakra system is taught in many Oriental and Asian medical schools (Nelson. 1990). Recently. contemplative education has been introduced in medical studies at the Monash University medical faculty in Australia and at the National University of Medicine in Mexico. This training helps students to work at a radically deeper level (Nelson. 1996; Nelson. 1990).
SY meditation skillfully introduces this exciting new frontier. and equips psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers. and other clinicians (acupuncturists.
naturopaths. osteopaths, physical therapists. Reiki masters, chi gung and cranial sacral practitioners) with the tools and techniques necessary to incorporate yogic meditation into their practices, and bring hope and healing to their clients (http://www.sahajayogawa: medical).
While mainstream psycho-therapeutic systems largely ignored human spiritual and religious experience. except as sources for psychosocial support. transpersonal approaches are concerned not only with the diagnosis and treatment of psychopathology associated with the usual stages of human development from infancy through adulthood. but also with difficulties associated with developmental stages. beyond that of the adult ego. The ultimate goal is not merely to remove
psychopathology, but to foster higher human development. Some methods that can assist clinicians in optimising treatment are meditation, guided imagery and alterations in breathing patterns (http://www.sahajayogawa: medical).
SY meditation as a therapeutic tool has a wide utilitarian value. It can be preparation for therapy, it can constitute the main therapeutic process, or it can serve as an adjunct to therapy. It is amazing that so much can be offered merely from becoming self-aware and stilling oneself (Rowan, 1993). That imagery is a potent healer, has long been overlooked by practitioners of Western medicine. As advocates of imagery, Sahaja yogis contend that it can relieve pain, speed healing and help the body subdue hundreds of ailments, including depression, allergies and asthma (Taylor, 2007).
Breathwork is a technique derived from ancient shamanic healing. It is found in many cultural healing practices like SY, Sufi practice, Buddhist and Taoist meditation. The goal of breathwork is to enter a non-ordinary state through which mental, spiritual, emotional and physical wholeness can be achieved. At its simplest level, individuals decrease their rate of breathing, whilst concentrating on inner experiences. During this state, defenses are typically loosened and unconscious materials released.
Although SY meditation is straightforward and undemanding, the results can be profound and extremely healing (Taylor, 2007).
5.3.6 The social welfare sector
• Prison programs
Reduction in crime and other improvements in the quality of life in society have direct benefits for the individual by reducing collective stress and social disharmony, both of which are known to be major factors influencing health standards in the general population. SY meditation can provide prison inmates with opportunities to address issues of anger, rebelliousness, depression, fear and feelings of isolation, forgiveness and acceptance in a subtle ways through the meditation. The awakening of Kundalini automatically starts to put each person 'in touch' with his own true nature. This is a vital step in the healing process as it empowers prisoners to move forward and to view their lives in a new perspective. SY meditation has been applied very successfully in the rehabilitation of criminal offenders. Studies have shown improvements in mental health and behaviour in prison inmates, and substantially reduced rates of recidivism (http://www.sahajayoga.org).
• Children's homes and old age homes
SY meditation can empower those who suffer the trauma of separation and loneliness. The spiritual path is fun, it is joyful and simple. The chanting of mantras, singing of songs, reciting of affirmations, playing of musical instruments, chakra cleansing and balancing, enhance all aspects of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual personality of the young and the old. SY meditation techniques equip the young and the old to channelise negative emotions and to handle anger, fear, pain,
jealousy and insecurity. Group meditation has a calming effect. Both young and old can learn to respect themselves and others (http://www.sahajayoga.org).