Islamic spiritual clinic helps give meaning to life
Islamic spiritual clinic helps give meaning to life
JAKARTA (JP): If you are dying to become a devout Moslem but
are too caught up in the rat race to learn more about the
religion, try going to a new "clinic" which has been established
to help people like you.
Opened on Saturday, Dec. 19, Klinik Spiritual Islam (Islamic
Spiritual Clinic), was cofounded by Paramadina Mulya University
and the Indonesian Islamic Media Internet (IIMaN).
It offers help to those who are too busy with their daily
routines to satisfy their spiritual needs. On its first day of
operation, the clinic held eight sessions analyzing tasawuf
(Islamic mysticism).
"Many modern people are hooked to their daily routines of
doing business and playing politics. They tend to neglect their
thirst for spiritual needs, which is vital to develop their
humanity," Komaruddin Hidayat, an associate consultant at the
clinic, told The Jakarta Post.
In short, said the lecturer at Paramadina Mulya University,
the clinic is intended to guide modern people so that they would
not be alienated from religion.
"The clinic means to help people find the meaning of life,
which is not only measured by material accomplishments, but also
by their dedication to humanity," said Komaruddin, who is also an
executive at the Paramadina Islamic Foundation.
He said that apart from its standard programs, the clinic also
offers people the opportunity to satisfy their curiosity about
issues concerning Islamic spirituality.
Common questions, he said, revolve around things like what do
people really need in their lives? Why do people often feel
unsatisfied, angry or sad? Why does satisfaction not last very
long? Why do people feel they are losing orientation in their
lives, and feel bored and empty? Why is it difficult to reach
what one really wants? What is the essence of life?
These questions, he said, can be addressed either in a group
or private setting.
The maximum number of participants in a group session is 10,
with a price of Rp 400,000 (about US$50) for eight Saturday
sessions. Private sessions cost Rp 100,000 per session and are
held on Fridays.
In the private sessions, participants discuss their personal
problems with an associate consultant.
"At the private session, one can raise any question, about
problems at work, within the family, anything," Komaruddin said.
Some noted figures are listed among the clinic's associate
consultants. Among them are Ali Yafie, Alwi Shihab, Dadang
Hawari, Komaruddin Hidayat, Haidar Bagir, Nurcholish Madjid,
Quraish Shihab and Zakiah Daradjat.
Sessions are held at the clinic, located on the Paramadina
Mulya University campus in the Bina Sentra Building, Bidakara
complex, Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta. (ste)