Page 201 - Creating Spiritual and Psychological Resilience

170 Creating Spiritual and Psychological Resilence

Before arrival in Pakistan, I asked Khalida Sheikh, our team’s Pakistani–
British psychotherapist, what Muslims may do spiritually to bring com-
fort in times of tragedy (personal correspondence, 2005). She replied that
a Muslim may repeat silently the Darood Sharif (or, Durood Shareef), a
spiritual formula well known to orthodox Muslims linking a person to
Allah and inducing peace. Furthermore, she informed me of a mystical
practice using imagery and meditation called Muraqba.
We adapted and piloted a 12-minute script of vocal instructions (Sheikh
& Shah, 2005). Our pilot subject found the script agreeable and suggested
some word changes for superior results. Our trainees and their beneficia-
ries were predominantly Muslim, still, we inquired whether a relaxation
technique using Darood Sharif and Muraqba would be welcome. Even
though the individuals had varying degrees of religiosity and types of
spiritual practice, everyone agreed to try the Noor Meditation.

Box 5: Noor Muraqba mEditation

1. Two minutes of progressive relaxation coordinated with inhalation and
exhalation
2. Two minutes of reciting a spiritual formula, such as Darood Sharif; or
a repeating a phrase like Allah Hoo coordinated with inhalation and
exhalation
3. Five minutes of Muraqba-guided imagery involving Noor (Divine
Light) making its way over each portion of the body and then gently
interpenetrating muscles, organs, and “spirit.” Noor is a prevalent posi-
tive symbol in Islamic mythology. Participants are told that this Divine
Light is healing and that contact with it gives a sense of peace and deep
comfort.

Throughout the PFA, EC, and VT/SC education modules, we attempted
to work the boundary across different care provision traditions—bringing
in useful Western views while leveraging and respecting local customs.
Those who gave verbal feedback expressed that being in touch with one’s
own spirituality was itself a therapeutic tool in their inner healing. The fol-
lowing are other subjective feedback transcribed from evaluation forms:

• I get very tired easily and feel mentally fatigued. Today’s sessions have
made me realize that to become an effective caregiver, I need to take
care of my own mental, psychological, and emotional needs. I found
learning breathing techniques and muraqba exercises very useful.