Vinayasādhana

Integrating Psycho-Spiritual Interventions for Trauma-Based Counselling

Thomas Joseph Parayil — 2025-03-26

Emotional Intelligence and Contemporary Priestly Formation: A Psycho-Spiritual Perspective

Sanjit Kumar Kujur — 2025-03-26

The author of this article offers a psycho-spiritual perspective that integrates emotional awareness with spiritual development. It explores the significance of EI in shaping well-rounded, empathetic, and resilient priests capable of addressing the complex demands of modern ministry. It highlights how EI fosters self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, which are essential for effective pastoral care and leadership. By incorporating EI into priestly formation programmes, the Church can better prepare priests to direct personal and communal challenges, manage stress, and build meaningful relationships with people. This approach also emphasises the importance of mental and emotional well-being in sustaining a priest’s spiritual and pastoral life. Additionally, it addresses the need for ongoing formation and support to help priests adapt to the evolving needs of their communities. Through a psycho-spiritual lens, this article underscores the transformative potential of integrating emotional intelligence into priestly formation, ultimately contributing to the holistic development of clergy who can lead with compassion, integrity, and emotional maturity in a rapidly changing world.

Trauma-Informed Counselling Interventions: A Holistic Approach

Priya Treesa Thomas — 2025-03-26

Trauma-informed counselling is a comprehensive framework that integrates knowledge of trauma and its effects into clinical practice. This paper explores the nature of trauma, its impact on the brain and behavior, and the significance of trauma-informed care. The discussion includes trauma dimensions, its psychological and physiological consequences, and interventions that promote healing and post-traumatic growth. Additionally, key theoretical perspectives, including Trauma-Informed Care, are examined in relation to trauma recovery.

Ascend to Holiness: The Book of Steps The Syriac Liber Graduum

Francis Thonippara — 2025-03-26

This article introduces “The Book of Steps” (Liber Graduum), a 4th/5th century Syriac spiritual work, to a wider audience. It highlights the book’s significance as a collection of 30 discourses by an anonymous ascetic, offering insights into early Syriac Christian life and spirituality. Despite being overshadowed by other Syriac literature, it provides a unique perspective on the transition from pre-monastic asceticism to monastic influences, dividing Christians into “Upright” and “Perfect.” The article addresses the controversy surrounding potential Messalian influences, arguing that the book’s emphasis on church order and sacraments refutes such claims. It clarifies the book’s title origin and emphasizes its value as a holistic guide to spiritual growth.

Compassionate Trauma-Informed Counseling for Cancer Patients Based on Compassion-Focused Therapy in the Post-COVID Era

Shibu Kurian — 2025-03-26

This article looks at the role of compassionate trauma-informed counselling for cancer patients, with a particular focus on the application of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) in a post-COVID context. Cancer patients often face immense emotional and psychological challenges, made worse by the uncertainty and isolation brought on by the pandemic. CFT serves as a powerful therapeutic approach, fostering self-compassion, emotional regulation, and resilience skills that are significant for managing anxiety, depression, and trauma-related stress. By offering a holistic framework, CFT addresses not only the psychological and emotional dimensions of well-being but also the deep existential distress that accompanies life-threatening illnesses. The article further draws connections between CFT and biblical values such as compassion, healing, and justice, illustrating how these principles naturally join with trauma-informed counselling practices. These values provide additional layers of meaning and comfort for patients, enriching their healing process. The compassionate trauma-informed counselling rooted in CFT presents a comprehensive and empathetic approach to supporting cancer patients, promoting healing and improving their overall quality of life in the post-COVID era. This integrative approach underscores the importance of addressing the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, in their recovery and resilience-building process.

The Transformative Power of Prayer: Biblical Perspective in the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Peter Kochalumkal — 2025-03-26

Prayer, a sacred dialogue between humanity and the Divine, is a gift for spiritual growth, not a need of God. It is an innate human longing expressed in various forms throughout history. Abraham’s life exemplifies this, particularly his silent prayer, a profound act of trust and surrender. True prayer is not merely ritual or duty but a heartfelt response to divine will, a force that guides through uncertainty. It’s a connection with the divine beyond language, revealing God’s love and purpose. Prayer is not a transactional tool for material blessings but an unwavering faith in God’s infallible will, timing, and justice.

Spiritual Intelligence, Emotion Regulation, and Happiness in University vs. Religious Studies Students: A Comparative Study

Rosilin Dalphine Sophia — 2025-03-26

The current research aimed to comprehensively examine the differences in spiritual intelligence, emotion regulation, and happiness between university students pursuing secular degrees and those studying religious courses. The sample consisted of 192 students (95 from Religious Studies and 97 from Secular Studies) aged 18-25, selected through purposive sampling from various private colleges in Bangalore, Karnataka. Data was gathered using a personal information form and three standardized questionnaires: the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI-24), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ-10), and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS-4). Descriptive statistics and independent t-tests were used for data analysis. The study found significant differences in spiritual intelligence and happiness between students in religious and secular programs, with secular students reporting lower happiness scores. Additionally, expressive suppression—a strategy for regulating emotions—differed between the groups. The research suggests that incorporating spiritual teachings into the curriculum can enhance spiritual intelligence and happiness among students. These findings highlight the need for support services to improve college students’ well-being, though further studies are needed to understand the relationship between spiritual teachings, emotional regulation, and subjective well-being.

Beyond Betrayal: A Psycho-Spiritual Approach to Spouse Trauma

Vijay Kujur — 2025-03-26

Betrayal in a marriage constitutes a severe psychological trauma with extensive emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects. In addition to experiencing shock, rage, grief, and a crisis of identity, the betrayed spouse can experience symptoms similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Feelings of regret, shame, and self-doubt may plague the betrayer. Spiritual and moral frameworks for dealing with betrayal are provided by theological perspectives, especially in Christianity, which emphasises forgiveness as a means of healing and restoration. The article examines what betrayal in a marriage is, how it affects both parties psychologically, and how forgiving aids in healing. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are two examples of psychological and therapeutic approaches that are referred to, along with their significance.