Spirituality as a factor of well lived life

Introduction Human beings constantly assert that there is only one life to live. This thus compels them to make the most out of it as it is considered to be short. The cornerstone to a good life is happiness which according to the dictionary, is the expression of intense joy and contentment usually classified by most as an emotion, a notion which religious experts sharply differ with. They instead classify happiness as the sum of all factors considered as constituting a good life.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Spirituality as a factor of well lived life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Indicators of a good life In determining the factors that constitute a well lived life, different indicators are used which vary from individual to individual. While some may consider happiness as the leading indicator, others consider spirituality. In deciding whether a person leads a good life or not, Abraham Maslow, i n his 1943 paper, A Theory of Human Motivation (Harriman, 1946), suggested a hierarchical classification of needs. His research was solely based on the assessment of mentally healthy people who were achievers of their generation. These ‘specimens’ were chosen as they were role models and seemed to be the most content with their ways of life. The most basic needs were at the bottom of the pyramid which was of a physiological nature, fundamental to the survival of the human body. Others that followed were safety, love, esteem and self-actualization. The epitome of this classification was the desire of a person to be something more he already is. In this level of needs, lies the desire to be spiritual. Understanding spirituality Spirituality is defined as immaterial reality, a notion that allows a human being to understand the essence of his existence. The practices of prayer and meditation are the ways in which people connect to the spiritual world and grow their inner se lf. They are thus more contented with their own lives and the measure of this contentment is beyond that encompassed in mere happiness. It summary, spirituality is a level higher than normal happiness; in the broadest meaning of the word. People who are spiritual are at peace and co-exist harmoniously with fellow humans, nature, the entire universe and the divine realm. They unequivocally believe in immateriality and their needs transcend those Maslow described in his hierarchy. Spirituality has largely been associated with a religious experience; however, with the changing patterns and shift to secularism in the western culture (Burkhardt and Nagai-Jacobson, 2002), there has been a push to dissociate the two.Advertising Looking for research paper on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This has led to the emergence of lay spirituality which captures all experiences which make up the human world but attempting to distan ce itself with the acquisitive views. This concept accepts all practices of meditation which they rank as very useful for human development but do not associate with prayers as there is no belief in God or any other supernatural being. This notion thus encompasses pluralism, personalized beliefs and openness to newer ideas that may not be tolerated by any particular religious doctrine. Spirituality, therefore, goes beyond religion as even atheists who are skeptic towards the existence of spirits also subscribe to it. The new definition of the term details the connection of a human to some force or energy which leads them to a deep self. Conclusion Spirituality, according to the above discussion is understood in many different ways depending on personal translation. The only point of convergence is that all those who have achieved spirituality are at the highest level of the human needs realization. They have achieved peace between themselves and their surroundings and that concludes that they are happy with the way they lead their lives. Contentment with life, as a consequence of spirituality, points to happiness and hence a good life. In conclusion, spirituality is the best indicator of a well lived life in comparison to the other indicators. References Burkhardt, M. A and Nagai-Jacobson, M. G. (2002). Spirituality: living our connectedness. New York. Delmar, Thomson Learning Inc. Harriman, P. L. (1946). Twentieth century psychology: recent developments in psychology. The philosophical library, Inc. This research paper on Spirituality as a factor of well lived life was written and submitted by user Zoie C. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The power of the fist essays

The power of the fist essays * Black Power is a phrase that has instilled both pride and hope *into the souls of black people, while simultaneously striking fear into *the hearts of whites. 'No two words in contemporary American society have *been more controversial or misunderstood than Black Power' (Fager, cover). *This "misunderstanding" is what made the Black Power Movement so receptive *among African-Americans, but threatening to whites. After *African-Americans became disenchanted with the Civil Rights Movement, a *new concept rose to the forefront of black ideology. The Black Power *Movement began to reshape black consciousness during the mid-sixties, and *left an everlasting impression on American society. According to Maulana *Karenga, The Black Power Movement can be " divided into three basic *tendencies or thrusts: 1) the religious thrusts; 2) the cultural thrust; *and 3) the political thrust" (Karenga, pg.172). These three thrusts *united a mass of black people, who shared a common struggle, common *concerns, and a common consciousness. Throughout this paper I will *explore these indispensable components of The Black Power Movement, *focusing on each ones theories and contributions to the struggle for *economic, political, and social change. * The strong religious content within the Black Power Movement is *what really allowed this social movement to appeal to the masses. Without *this religious element, it is very difficult to assembly a mass movement. *A key component in the Movements success was its redefining of the current *world order and providing a moral justification for the struggle. At the *forefront of this new perspective was both Christian and Islamic *leadership. The most vocal religious leader during The Black Power *Movement was the Nation of Islam's' Malcolm X. Malcolm preached Elijah *Muhammads bold gospel, which painted God black and labeled *African-Americans as Gods cho...

Applying Social Influence Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Applying Social Influence Theories - Essay Example The message chosen to advertise this product is based on people’s need to confirm to their self – assigned roles of conservationist, environment conscious person; green warrior; or providing care-giver. It would go something thus: â€Å"You are amongst those people who are attempting to help the environment in so many small and big ways. You love the planet; and so do we. You want to make the world a better place; and so do we. Our little contribution is this range of organic snacks; developed from sustainable products all through. These recipes draw inspiration from age old traditional snacks across ethnicities. Our snacks are healthier, more nutritious, while being just as tasty as other competing brands. And as a bonus; they will help you protect the environment as well. Even the wrapping is eco-friendly! Yes, they have a shorter shelf life; but that won’t matter sine they will be long gone before that date. So help us help you make this world a better place. Question 2 Social influence is the process of affecting the opinions, attitudes, behaviors and desires of a number of people through the use of persuasive messages. This influence need not always be exerted in the first person; and can be done through the media in order to reach a large number of people.

Business Process Integration Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Business Process Integration - Coursework Example In fact, the Internet offers the businesses a lot of opportunities to grow. It allows the businesses to reach the international markets and the worldwide customers without facing geographical restrictions and cost issues, improve business service and support, access to worldwide communications, reform associations, streamline internal procedures, share private data and information and run applications (Simpande & Jakovljevic, 2003; Norton, 2001; Shelly et al., 2005) Basically, the most excellent method to deal with determined business software issues is to remove the old stuff and bring in the innovation. In spite of the demand to put extra messes on the legacy or traditional enterprise resource planning (ERP) technology based system and keep the software applications and projects for another day, the idea is that software technology evolves very quickly as well as innovative EP tools emerges in critical regions like that accessibility, corporate process automation, business intellig ence and integration with new tools like that social CRM or mobile devices can help business organizations to improve their business processes. In this scenario, the latest delivery models like that software as a service (or simply SaaS), hosted Enterprise Resource Planning or innovative technologies like that open source ERP systems can dramatically change IT procedures as well as positively influence corporate performance. Though, latest business software applications and their deployments are for all time a major concern, however they come with a wide variety of risks, mainly when we are talking about our ERP systems. In addition, they are not small systems as they are corporate mission critical technologies that communicate nearly with each transaction in the corporation (gotERP, 2012; Weston, 1998; Simpande & Jakovljevic, 2003). In light of the above discussed facts, the selection of suitable Enterprise Resource Planning system is no longer simply a matter of choosing the corre ct vendor similar to SAP vs Microsoft vs. Sage etc. In the past, there was a standard process to get business licenses for software and then obtain the software services installation disks via email. On the other hand, at the present, we have a wide variety of delivery models of ERP technology. In addition, all the models do not support all the services however the majority can focus simply on one (gotERP, 2012; Weston, 1998; Simpande & Jakovljevic, 2003). In this scenario, one of the latest Internet supported ERP systems is cloud computing. Basically, the cloud computing is a most latest information technology fashion that many business organizations are adopting because of its environmental aspects, money savings, mobility, scalability and energy effectiveness. Basically, the cloud computing allows organizations or individuals to access all their tools, applications and files from anyplace on the earth, as a result releasing them from the limitations of the desktop and allowing wi despread group partnership (Modavi, 2010; Miller, 2009). In addition, a public cloud based ERP solution is possessed and remotely hosted by the vendor. In many cases, instead of taking the license for the entire software, organizations pay a fee for the services they want to use, it is a software licensing model known as SaaS. In this scenario,

Banking and Finance Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Banking and Finance Law - Essay Example Because of the high profit margins and the resultant stiff competition, the financial services sector has been marred with a lot of confusions and complex regulatory and operational issues. In the United Kingdom, like in many other developed and developing countries, the financial services sector is quite a sophisticated one, making many a people to develop defensive attitudes towards it. Fortunately, the UK government has established several consumer-oriented policies, strategies, laws and agencies to help in regulating the financial services sector. These regulatory agencies and laws not only provide free and independent complaint services to the public and financial firms but also amicably solve grievances among financial institutions and their consumers (Francis, 2001). It has not been enough to merely enact financial laws; agencies such as the defunct FSA and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) were established to ensure that consumer-protection laws are adhered to by the financial institutions, more so regarding the protection of consumer savings and investments by authorized organisations (Xydias, 2007). This paper explores the structure and the methods of financial services regulation currently used in the United Kingdom and the extent to which these methods and the structure have been successful in achieving their objectives. Financial Services Regulation in the UK For financial accountability, reliability and the credibility of financial services, countries have established various organisations and implemented a number of methods by which the players in the financial and banking sectors are regulated (Andenas & Chiu, 2011). In the United Kingdom, the financial and banking sectors are regulated by various methods for several reasons. That is, there are certain objectives for which the UK government has established financial regulation structures, organisations and policies. Financial regulations refer to the guidelines and supervisory activities to which financial and banking institutions and individual professionals are subjected in the execution of their operations (Federal Trade Commission, 2007). These regulations give guidelines, restrictions, aims/objectives and integrity or accountability requirements and expectations for financial institutions and professionals as well (Davies & Green, 2008). In many a country, both governmental and non-governmental agencies are involved in the regulation and control of financial and banking sectors. Nonetheless, the objectives of these regulations and the concerned organisations are quite similar. In the UK for instance, financial regulations seek to enforce all the laws applicable to financial operations in a country. Second, financial regulations help in the maintaining of the public’s and investors’ confidence in UK’s financial system besides reducing the financial institutions’ violation of financial laws. The other activities checked by financial regulation mechanisms are market manipulation activities such as insider trading and money laundering (Gonzalo, 2010). Importantly, financial regulation protects clients through processes such as the investigation of customer/public complaints. In addition to the above objectives, financial regulation helps in ensuring that only legal and competent investors are

Freedom Of Expression Vs Censorship Policy Media Essay

Freedom Of Expression Vs Censorship Policy Media Essay That leads to the question: Is freedom of expression the opposite to censorship policy? Based on my understanding in Broadcasting Act 1988, Ive to disagree with the statement because freedom of expression and censorship policy are both essential to a countrys development and growth. Censorship policy is a necessity to media because contents that are published through the media must always be checked and filtered in order to prevent harmful and misleading contents to reach the public. Examples are sex-related scenes, violence and gore scenes, and some to the extent of causing racial controversy among the people. It is true that the contents found in media are not 100% true and authentic; However if too much truth and info are exposed to the public, then how certain are we that the public are ready to accept all the facts? Secondly, freedom of expression is essential for a democratic country to grow and develop succeedingly without the abuse of power. Freedom of expression also allow different views and opinions to be voiced out to the public and a country such as Malaysia that has citizens of diverse race, religion, and culture can share their beliefs and be more aware. In addition, freedom of expression has many beneficial effects to society. Freedom of expression also opens opportunity for citizens to take part in decision making of the country such as the rights to vote. Furthermore, citizens can voice out their thoughts and opinion freely without being judged. We refer to freedom of expression rather than freedom of speech because it is more accurately conveyed that it does not have to be words that is said but by the acts that we did. However, freedom of expression may cause harm to others and if it is not controlled properly, libel and slander might occur and conflict will happen. A good example will be the case of Wee Meng Chee aka Namewee that has caused a racial controversy by putting a video of our national anthem with racial slur in it. So this is why freedom of expression should be controlled even though it is necessary for a democratic society. As we can see, freedom of expression and censorship policy synchronizes together and a democratic country could not grow with just one and without the other. That boils up to the point, is all this restriction and limitation really necessary and needed? I will say its very important to be able to balance both freedom of expression and censorship policy. We need to have strong moral values in order to be able to filter contents that are useful and contents that may be harmful and malicious. We the people of the country are actually the cause of all the conflict and controversy that has happened in our nation. As long as we are not educated with proper moral values and ethics, there will always be issues regarding censorship policy and freedom expression. There is a saying: With great power, comes great responsibility. Based on that quote, I believe that both freedom of expression and censorship policy can be a very useful tool if we were to use it wisely but it can also be a very destructive weapon if we do not imply wisdom in using it. There must be boundaries and limitation concerning freedom of expression because more and more individual are starting to rise up and make a stand by voicing out their opinion. It is a good thing that we are able to listen and share different views and opinion. If freedom of expression is used with the intent of helping others and bringing unity then those kinds of acts and speeches should not be blocked and restricted. A very good example pertaining to good use of freedom of expression is the issue of Martin Luther King. Quoting from his speech, he said that we should face hostility with peace. If the public can have a mature and rational thinking like Martin Luther King then freedom of expression can lead to a good thing. The government should control the public from delivering hate speech but they shouldnt restrict and stop the public from expressing honest opinion or we as a nation would always be distorted and blinded with lies. The case of Irene Fernandez has sparked up a very sensitive issue among the public. Irene Fernandez published a report on the living conditions of the migrant workers entitled  Abuse, Torture and Dehumanized Conditions of Migrant Workers in Detention Centres and she was detained and charged for maliciously publishing false news. Do you think it is fair for a woman that merely defended the rights of migrant workers to be under the longest trial in Malaysia history? Malaysia is recognized as a democratic country with variety of races, religion, and culture and Malaysia supports freedom of expression but the charge of Irene Fernandez has bring about confusion to the public. It is said that we have the freedom of expression but the arrest of Irene Fernandez has proven that we do not really have the freedom of expression rather it is just a cover up done by the government. We the people make the government so henceforth if we can grow to be a wise and developed society, then freedom of expression and censorship policy can be a channel for us to share beliefs and opinion without worrying that conflicts might spark. I will end this essay with a question. Can our voices be heard fairly despite all this restriction and limitation?

Prejudice and Racism in The Jewel in the Crown and Heart of Darkness Es

Racism in The Jewel in the Crown and Heart of Darkness      Ã‚   The effects of British colonialism are reflected in literature from both early modernism and post colonialism. Racial discrimination tainted both eras portrayed in the British morale of white supremacy over non-European counties unfolded. Heart of Darkness exemplifies early modernism in the British explorers viewed African natives of the Congo as incapable of human equality due to perceived uncivilized savagery. Personal interaction between races was little to none, as the freshly conquered Africans were still viewed as alien. Likewise, Jewel in the Crown, exemplifies of post colonialism, echoes racism from the British Rule in India. Postcolonial literature evolved from early modernism as the focus was of the interactions between the British and the people they conquered in modernism. Racism was still prevalent in post colonialism, yet the literature offers a slightly lees subhuman view of the Indians. The characters in both literary works express reactions to " learned prej udice" as white people in "control of a black man's country" (Jewel of the Crown, P.150). Furthermore, the theme common human bonds between blacks and whites develop as British characters reject racism in " the critique of the traditional values of the culture" (Modern Literature handout, P.4). Through the recognized human bond, the need to bridge the gap between black and white people develops.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The modernism theory of British " awareness of primitiveness and savagery civilization built, and therefore an interest in the non-European peoples" (), was still evident in Post colonialism literature. The British explorer of uncivilzed Africa, Marlow in Heart of Darkness, has... ...ived in early Modernism and Postcolonial Literature. The British value of learned prejudice produced a fear of dark skin, especially when curious attraction and primitive instinct felt natural to the British. However, as values are questioned, and basic human emotion is shared, human bond become blind to skin color. The theme in both literary pieces reflect Carl Jung's theory that " all humans share a common spiritual/psychic heritage, collective unconsciousness, racial memories"(English 103 handout HofDEaarly Modernism, p., 2).      Works Cited Agatucci, Cora .Conrad Study Guide Damrosch, David, et al., ed.   The Longman Anthology of British Literature: Vol. B.   Compact ed.   New York: Longman - Addison Wesley Longman, 2000. Scott, Paul.   The Jewel in the Crown.   [1966.]   Vol. 1 of the Raj Quartet.   Rpt. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998.