Article Title: The Spiritual Dimension In Psychiatry
Author(s): Andrew Sims
Institute(s): Department of Psychiatry, University of Leeds
Journal: Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society, 2007
It is a great pleasure, and an honour, to be writing for the Journal of the Pakistan Psychiatric Society on this important subject. It is my opinion that Pakistani psychiatrists could be one of the most influential groups in Britain today. Taking spiritual issues seriously is something we have in common. Muslim and Christian psychiatrists both believe, passionately, in the spiritual dimension. Ahmed Okasha, former President of the World Psychiatric Association, an Egyptian Muslim, has written: “The emphasis of all religions and their spirituality focuses not on the person but on the role of the person in relation to God and the family”. The three monotheistic religions share the creed of the Old Testament prophet, Micah: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
