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)