Spirituality and Spiritual Intelligence from a Religious Perspective and Its Role in Promoting Health

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Retired Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Artesh University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Community Medicine, Professor of community medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,

3 Prevention Department, Specialist in community and preventive medicine, Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center (JMERC), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Given the global nature of religion and spirituality and its impact on behavior and health, the organization and critique of empirical research in this area is of particular importance. This article examines the definitions of "spirituality" and "spiritual health" using evidence from Qurānic insights, psychology and neurology, and explores the role of religious activities in promoting health. Scientists have identified circuits in the brain that play a role in our understanding of God, feeling safe, or reducing fear / anger. Spiritual actions affect different parts of the brain by activating the transcendental part of the brain (neocortex) and promote human social behaviors. The energy fields of the heart (cardiac energy) are connected to the field of consciousness, which receives and processes information about future events before they occur, so that the heart receives intuitive information before the brain. Scientific research in this area shows that spiritual practices such as pilgrimage, remembrance of God, and prayer, alter the function of brain neurons and promote physical, mental, social and emotional health.

Keywords


The Holy Qurān
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