Wellbeing and the Worshipper: Insights Into an Islamic Spiritual Order (Studies in Neuroscience, Consciousness and Spirituality, 7)

"This is a rare piece of empirical research, which reveals the workings of a spiritual order, its leadership, as well as their approaches, methods and tools. It demonstrates how the seekers, who were partly drug addicts and HIV patients, and the general segment of this Order, have been able to positively transform themselves. A multidisciplinary approach enlightens the analysis and discussion by bringing together spirituality, psychology, neuroscience as well as organisational development, to produce a rich tapestry of first hand insights. This book provides an integrated approach to understanding the landscape of a spiritual order primarily using a mixed method and a holistic approach with a particular focus on Islam. Qualitative examples include interpretivistic phenomenological approaches and neuro-linguistic programming. The book highlights the positive impact of worship by providing practical guidance and suggestions on how to spiritually improve oneself. This dualistic approach generated a working model for spiritual leadership and self-development. The unsuspecting but important link of spirituality to the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) is highlighted and discussed, which needs to be factored into the global development narrative. The text is primarily for researchers, yet has a secondary use for students and general readership given the comprehensive review establishing a conceptual framework for worship and morality"--Back cover Acknowledgements Contents About the Author 1 Introduction 1.1 Overview 1.2 Context 1.3 Value Addition 1.4 Knowledge Gaps 1.5 An Overview of the Structure References 2 Conceptual Framework for Worship (Ibadah) 2.1 Conceptual Framework for Worship: An Islamic Perspective with Reference to Self in Western Psychology 2.1.1 The Soul (Heart) and Its Attributes 2.1.2 Key Concepts 2.1.3 The Structure of the Soul (Nafs) and the Stages of Its Development 2.1.4 Illustrations of the Characteristics of the Soul 2.1.5 The Soul as a Special Vehicle 2.1.6 Disciplining of the Soul and Actions to Get Near to God 2.1.7 The Human Mind and Thoughts 2.1.8 Islamic and Western Psychological Perspectives 2.1.9 Discussion 2.2 Disease of the Soul and Treatment 2.2.1 Context 2.2.2 The Ruinous Traits-Emotions of the Heart 2.2.3 The Implications of the Ruinous Traits and Their Treatment 2.2.4 The Origins of Ruinous Traits 2.2.5 Discussion 2.3 Contemplative Framework and Practices: An Islamic Perspective 2.3.1 Introduction 2.3.2 Context 2.3.3 The Fundamentals of Contemplative Practice 2.3.4 Contemplative Practices in Islam 2.3.5 The Direction and Impact of Contemplative Practices 2.3.6 Discussion 2.4 Wellbeing and the Worshiper: A Neuroscience and Islamic Perspective 2.4.1 Introduction to Neuropsychology, Religious and Spiritual Experiences References 3 Conceptual Framework for Morality (Akhlāq) 3.1 Riazat or Efforts for Good Conduct in the Way of God 3.1.1 Introduction 3.1.2 Key Definitions and Dimensions of Morality 3.1.3 Inherent Qualities of Human Character and the Formation of a Child's Character 3.1.4 Can Nature be Changed? 3.1.5 Vices and Virtues and its Traits 3.1.6 The Functions of Prophethood and its Values 3.1.7 Types of Religious Exercises and Training 3.1.8 Discussion 3.2 The Spiritual Journey and the Leadership of Prophet Muhammad: Integrating Morality with Worship 3.2.1 Introduction 3.2.2 The Prophetic Model 3.2.3 The Prophet's Code of Conduct and Sense of Morality 3.2.4 The Prophet's Worship and his Spiritual Nature 3.2.5 ‘Ibādah (Acts of Worship) 3.2.6 States of the Prophet 3.2.7 Spiritual Leadership and the Prophet 3.2.8 Discussion References 4 Research Approach and Methodology 4.1 Research Objectives and Context 4.2 General Approach and Methodology: Within the Religious-Scientific Nexus 4.2.1 Qualitative Research Approach 4.2.2 The Interpretative Phenomenological Approach 4.2.3 Research Design and Strategy 4.2.4 Methodologies 4.3 Islamically Guided Methodology 4.4 Approach to Modelling 4.5 The Process of Modelling 4.5.1 Sampling Methods and Tools 4.5.2 Symbolic Modelling (SM) and Clean Language (CL) Questionnaire Model 4.6 Neuro-Semantic and Neuro-Linguistic Programming 4.7 Survey Approach 4.8 Sampling Method, Frame and Criteria of Selection of Organizations References 5 Case Study of a Spiritual Order, Malaysia 5.1 Introduction 5.2 General Overview of the Spiritual Orders and the Naqshabandiyyah ṭarīqa (Order) 5.2.1 The Evolution of Spiritual Orders 5.2.2 An Overview of Naqshabandiyyah ṭarīqa and Naqshabandiyyah Khālidiyyah 5.3 Results and Analysis 5.3.1 Case Study on the Naqshbandiyyah Khālidiyyah Ṭarīqa (Order) 5.4 General Organisational Framework 5.4.1 Organisational History 5.4.2 Ṭarīqa's Objectives 5.4.3 Organisational Perspective 5.5 The Spiritual Dimension of the Order 5.5.1 Spiritual Dimensions 5.5.2 The Foundational Aspects of Faith (Tawheed) 5.5.3 The Seekers, their Self-Realisation and Reflections 5.6 Spiritual Modelling 5.6.1 Modelling the Sheikh and the Change Process 5.6.2 The Sheikh as an Exemplar 5.6.3 Spiritual Modelling and Mode of Transmission of Practices and Knowledge 5.6.4 The Process of Modelling by the Seeker 5.7 Approaches, Methods and Tools for Self-Development 5.7.1 Tarqiyah (Spiritual Grooming) 5.7.2 Tarbiyah (Education) 5.7.3 Tazkiyah (Purification) 5.8 Wellbeing and the Worshipper 5.8.1 Impact on the Seeker 5.8.2 The Heart—Brain Connection 5.8.3 Impact of Worship on Self and Others 5.8.4 Spiritual Experiences References 6 Spiritual Leadership and Self-Development Model 6.1 Organisational Features of the Order 6.1.1 Creed and Direction of the Order 6.1.2 The Order and Its Methodology 6.1.3 Nature of the Order 6.2 Towards a Model of Spiritual Leadership and Self-Development 6.2.1 An Overview—Spiritual Dimension 6.2.2 The Spiritual Leadership and Self-Development Model 6.3 The Calling—Self-Realisation and Seekers' Need for Spiritual Survival 6.3.1 Calling 6.4 Efforts 6.5 The Spiritual Order—The Sheikh as Exemplar 6.5.1 Spiritual Leadership and Values 6.5.2 The Sheikh as the Exemplar 6.5.3 The Sheikh's Impact on the Seeker 6.5.4 Neuro-Semantic (NS) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Modeling of the Sheikh 6.6 The Membership of the Order 6.6.1 Approaches, Methods and Tools—Tarqiyah (Spiritual Grooming), Tarbiyah (Education), Tazkiyah (Purification) 6.7 The Performance of the Order 6.8 Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Impacting Self-Development 6.9 The Reward for the Seekers 6.10 The Outcomes of the Order—Wellbeing and the Worshipper 6.10.1 Outcomes of the Order 6.10.2 Spirituality and SDGs 6.10.3 Towards a Spiritual Learning Theory 6.10.4 The Nexus Between Worship ('Ibādah) and Morality (Akhlāq) 6.11 Spirituality Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence 6.11.1 Consciousness and Spirituality 6.11.2 Consciousness, Spirituality and Human Development 6.11.3 Spiritual Order (Ṭarīqa), Islamic Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Communities (TCs) References 7 Summary and Conclusion 7.1 Methodological Uniqueness 7.2 Conceptual Frameworks 7.3 Spirituality & SDGs 7.4 Spiritual Leadership 7.5 Ethical Dimension: Core-Values 7.6 Wellbeing and the Worshipper 7.7 The Heart-Brain Link 7.8 States of Consciousness and the Development of the Self 7.9 The Model for Spiritual Leadership and Self-Development 7.10 Islamic Spiritual Architecture References Appendices Appendix 1 Appendix 1A Clean Language Model Questionnaire Appendix 1B Appendix 1B1 Key Questions and Pointers for the Leader-Sheikh using Clean Language format Appendix 1B2 Key Questions and Pointers for the Seekers-Followers Using Clean Language Format Appendix 1C Template of Meta-Programmes Meta-Modelling Template for Leader-Sheikh Attachment 1C Appendix 1D INOVA Dashboard with Some Key Features Appendix 2: Personal Interviews Document Numbers and 97 Appendix 2A Bagian I – Karakteristik Responden Bahagian II – Konteks dan Hasil Bahagian III – Akhlak dan Tata-Perilaku (Adab) Bahagian IV – Ibadah Appendix 3: Personal Interviews Document Numbers and Names of Those Interviewed in the Naqshadandiyyah Khalidiyyah Spiritual Order Consolidated Appendix 3A Appendix 3B: Interview Details (Detailed Transcripts available on request—Interviews were carried out during the months on March–April 2015)