Forgiveness as condition for mental wellbeing When the World Health Organisation redefined health as a state of physical, social and psychological wellbeing and not just the absence of infirmity, the business of health became more complex and inter-sectoral. It is important to know that fulfilment correlates more with psychic mental states than material possession. Sigmund Freud postulated a hypothesis on how the mind operates in both illness and health. The conscious mind according to him is the tip of the iceberg that we see while the subconscious part has been submerged. This shows that the human mind is complex and has capacity to record past traumatic events that may invariably cause mental and physical illness. The mind and the body are intricately linked in a way that science has not exhaustively unveiled. This has conditioned man into the practice of religion and philosophy as rational attempts at modulating the activities of the mind. Evidence abound that spirituality as opposed to sick religiosity correlates with sound mental health. The human mind is capable of being injured, especially in relationship to others. The science of society; sociology, shows that human beings are complex animals that construct communities through social interactions that involve rules and processes. The reality is that these interactions expose us to hurt and offence. Marriage is the most basic relationship unit in the society that involves coming together of two selfish individuals attempting to build a selfless project. Partners may come from different backgrounds with different temperamental make-ups and values; conflict is inevitable which could be prolonged thereby festering deeply. In the process, immature defence mechanisms are employed where irrational generalisations and deductions are made, to nail the partner. Parenting is another form of interaction with deep-seated emotional implications because they take decisions for their children, which may traumatise their minds resulting in mental health implications in future. A good number of young ones, who seek succour in psychoactive substances, may suffer emotional traumas if it is not managed. This becomes very important in our culture where there are sanctions, subtle repressions and violations of the psychological space of others without necessary feedbacks of apology.Terrorism is a by-product of reckless violation of the growing minds of the underprivileged. There are numerous unreported accounts of psychological violation of employees in their workplace. As a nation, cumulative evidence of gross violations of fundamental human rights of the citizenry abounds over the years. Farmlands and natural vegetation of communities degraded without commensurate compensation just as pensioners who had invested the most productive part of their lifetime in the service of the nation are not duly compensated.There are psychological databanks of abuse across life span over the years with socio-political manifestations in the polity. There is a need to address this not only at a personal level but also as a nation, which necessitates the urgent need for the creation of an independent administrative department of mental health both at the federal and state levels of government. The ultimate prescription is to seek forgiveness and grant pardon. Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness. When you forgive, you do not gloss over or deny the seriousness of an offence against you. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting nor does it mean condoning or excusing offences. Instead, forgiveness brings the forgiver peace of mind and frees him or her from corrosive anger.It is letting go of deeply held negative feelings in a way that empowers you to recognise the pain you suffered without letting it define you as you heal and move on with your life. Forgiveness may also include forgiving oneself of past mistakes and misdeeds as you turn a new leaf. In most contexts, forgiveness will have to be granted without restorative justice and without any response on the part of the offended, that may be dead, incommunicado or cannot admit he or she did any wrong. This is where religion comes in as an arbiter through the concept of divine forgiveness as a template to offer forgiveness for others. Studies show that people who forgive are happier and healthier than those who hold resentments. Forgiveness has been empirically demonstrated to improve functioning of cardiovascular and nervous systems. In three separate studies, including one with Catholics and Protestants from Northern Ireland whose family members were murdered in political violence; people taught how to forgive as a skill became less angry, less hurt, more optimistic and more self-confident. Let us ensure that we do not enter the New Year with bitterness that can damage our mental and physical health. SUN
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 04:13:53 +0000
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