PDN Article: Dec 6, 2013
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist who's well-known for her work on near-death studies and on death and dying, theorized that all human beings are composed of four quadrants. This four-quadrants model consists of the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual parts of the person.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist who's well-known for her work on near-death studies and on death and dying, theorized that all human beings are composed of four quadrants. This four-quadrants model consists of the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual parts of the person.
The
physical quadrant emphasizes one's physical body, health and the need for
physical, loving touches for growth and development throughout one's life. The
emotional quadrant includes one's emotions and feelings that allow one to
experience life.
The
intellectual quadrant is about cognition, ability to reason and the drive for
knowledge. The spiritual quadrant is the sense of self, set of values and
beliefs, quest for meaning in one's life and the capacity to reflect and
connect with the world.
All
four quadrants are important and the task is to maintain a balance between all
four. If one or more quadrants are neglected over a period of time, problems
may start surfacing for the individual.
A
particular quadrant that is often neglected and needs to be nurtured,
especially nowadays, is the spiritual quadrant. This quadrant is very important
in the young person's life. It is about making sense of one's life, having a
deep sense of worth and understanding one's unique role and how one fits with
others and the environment.
Spiritual
values
Spiritual
values were a key motivator for pioneer work with children and youths in the
19th and 20th centuries. Organizations such as the YMCA and the Boy Scouts and
Girls Scouts were founded on spiritual values and their leaders were motivated
to bring these understandings into young people's lives.
With
attention to spirituality, children and young people are able to develop an
integrated sense of self, self-respect and a healthy identity. Without this
opportunity, children and youths are more likely to be easily swayed by peers
and persuasive ideological approaches because they have no core beliefs and
value systems to act as a compass or provide direction.
Providing
opportunities for children and young people to express themselves through art,
poetry, music, sports, education and community events help inspire them to
focus on the higher or deeper aspects of themselves and to explore and develop
their spiritual qualities.
Powerful
experiences
The
sense of achievement in conquering fear on a high-rope course or paddling a
canoe through difficult waters can be powerful experiences and, with skilled
instruction, can help children and young people gain a sense of worth and
self-esteem.
Children
and young people can learn to have a sense of calm within themselves by
providing them with opportunities to meditate, to pray, to reflect and
experience quiet moments. They can learn to experience these moments as
opportunities to retreat and recharge so that they can engage in life in a more
creative way.
This is
especially important for young people who may be distracted, distressed or
displaced, who need to find a substantial anchor within themselves.
We need
to teach the "butterfly effect" -- that a small action somewhere can
have massive results elsewhere and that people should never underestimate the
effect they have on each other. A person can transmit something through a
phrase, an action or a word, which can either help young people or turn them
away.
Spirituality
is about being fully human. It is allowing children and young people the
opportunity to learn about themselves at the deepest level, to acquire skills
to have calm and energy within themselves, and to discover their unique
contribution to those around them and to wider society.
Annie
F.B. Unpingco, LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta at the Guam Behavioral
Health and Wellness Center.
