Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University, was a guest on the ‘Misafirimiz Var’ (We Have a Guest) program with Reyhan Sevinç on Diyanet Radio. Making evaluations on the topic of “Spiritual Counseling and Its Importance”, Tarhan stated that one should live without forgetting that humans have a purpose. Stating that humans are by nature in search of meaning, Tarhan expressed that the most reasonable belief is the belief in tawhid (oneness of God). Tarhan also emphasized that a person's intention governs their conscience.
“I try to live by thinking about the meaning of existence”
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that one should live without forgetting that humans have a purpose, began his words by saying; “As Rumi said, 'We are not living in the world, we are passing through the world.' Life flows on. In this era, life passes much differently and faster than in previous centuries. Because the concept of day and night has disappeared. Previously, a person in their village, while their father worked, married the neighbor's daughter, went to bed early when the electricity was cut; now, day and night have merged. A fast-paced life is at hand. People's expectation levels have risen, and so has their stress level. In such a period, people have become worldly, secularized, and egocentric. This reflects in our daily lives. As psychiatrists, we also encounter cases related to this more frequently. This is also an important situation in terms of predicting the world's direction. From my perspective, I try to live by contemplating the meaning of existence. If a person lives by questioning their existence and without forgetting that life has a purpose, and if they have a solid world of faith and a good value system, they try to evaluate their day within the criteria of this era or by creating a new tradition with what the era brings. There are things we can do, and things we cannot. In situations where we cannot change things with our hands, we try to change them with our words, at least we strive to speak out. As Fuzuli said, 'If I speak, there's no benefit; if I don't, my heart is not content.' These are the kinds of situations we encounter. Life goes on like this.”
“Just like physical organs, we also have spiritual organs”
Tarhan stated that humans have the freedom to choose between good and evil; “Humans have physical organs. We have 6 basic systems such as the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, immune system, digestive system, and excretory system. Similarly, just like physical organs, we also have spiritual organs. Psychiatry has reached an important stage, especially after brain sciences began to be understood. Topics such as happiness chemicals in the brain, hormones, and when they are secreted more or less, began to be researched in an evidence-based manner by measuring brain functions. These developments also brought with them the idea that the human soul must be a part beyond space and time. We also see this when we compare it with other living beings. Plants are alive, and animals have a soul, but this soul is variable. Among spiritual beings, there is consciousness but no reason. For example, devils have consciousness, as do angels, but they lack reason. Humans, however, have both consciousness and reason. Most importantly, reason possesses the freedom to choose between good and evil. Humans are the only beings capable of doing this. The anterior region of our brain, the frontal lobe, is like the bridge of the brain. The anterior cingulate cortex, located just behind it, is where emotions are regulated. In this respect, humans are not identical to other living beings apart from basic needs such as eating, drinking, reproducing, and sheltering. Because humans are different. Humans have the freedom to distinguish between good and evil and to choose one.” he said.
“Conscience is governed by one's intention”
Tarhan stated that a balance can be established between the heart and the 'nafs' (ego/self); “There are approximately 4,300 religions in the world. Among them, the closest to reason is the belief in tawhid (oneness of God). Tawhid can be found through reason. To convey this knowledge, perhaps some things need to be understood first. For example, 50 or 100 years ago, finding God through reason was much more difficult. Now, with the help of our databases and the contribution of neuroscience, it has begun to be understood that humans are different from other living beings in their search for meaning. As we said before, humans have spiritual organs. At the very center of these spiritual organs is conscience. Other living beings do not have such a conscience. Right in the middle of conscience is intention. That is, what governs conscience is a person's intention. On one side of these spiritual organs is the 'nafs'. The nafs is an immediate, insatiable, irresponsible, unlimited part. And there is the heart. The heart is where a person takes pleasure when doing good, right, and beautiful things. There must be a measure here. Will a person follow their nafs or their heart? Reason provides this measure. The soul, on the other hand, is the part through which we connect with God. Imagine a sailboat. The engine of this ship is the heart. The wind that gives it energy is the soul. The captain's bridge is reason, but the heart has an invisible command. The heart is actually the most important part of our soul. Along with conscience, it is the center of the connection established with the Creator. That is why hearts are under God's command. We can control our nafs with our reason. We can develop the ability to establish a balance between our heart and our nafs. Therefore, the soul is our most important spiritual organ that makes us human,” he said.
“Every negative event has a threat aspect as well as an opportunity aspect”
Tarhan stated that one should focus on the opportunity aspect of life events, not the threat aspect; “In a spring storm, it rains, floods occur, trees fall, branches break, but then all the flowers bloom, and abundance comes. That is, this process is painful. However, instead of complaining about the pain, we should focus on how we will respond to it. We must try to turn this pain into an opportunity. Every negative event has a threat aspect as well as an opportunity aspect. Fate does not make people experience these to oppress them. In fact, it tells us, ‘Do not remain in the understanding of the old era anymore.’ That is, do not be anachronistic. Anachronism is taking the truths of Rumi and Imam Al-Ghazali from 200 years ago and carrying them to today as they are. However, what we need to do is to bring Imam Al-Ghazali, Imam Rabbani, and Rumi to today and explain their truths in today's language. If we cannot do this, we fall into pessimism. We think every day is getting worse. However, this is not the case. These pains we are experiencing are harbingers of a new birth,” he said.
“Humans are inherently in search of meaning”
Tarhan pointed out that religious people have high psychological well-being; “Spiritual counseling has now entered the field of psychiatry. Because its results have begun to emerge visibly. For example, a decrease in suicidal tendencies was observed among religious people. At the same time, psychological well-being is measured at higher levels in religious individuals. It was also determined that many psychiatric diseases are less common in these individuals. For instance, if a patient is mumbling prayers as they enter surgery, that surgery generally goes better. If a person enters with fears like ‘Will the operating room be cold? Will there be complications?’, the likelihood of complications increases. Humans are inherently in search of meaning. They are beings capable of questioning the meaning of life and existence. In a religious person, the uncertainty arising from this questioning is less. Because faith provides them with a framework,” he said.
“It is very important to keep the feeling of hope alive”
Tarhan discussed ways to increase the psychological resilience of prisoners; “The most important message to give them is to ensure they keep their feelings of hope high. It is very important to keep the feeling of hope alive. Patience is also a very valuable concept here. Patience occurs in two ways. First, enduring evil, which we call negative patience. Second, showing resilience against difficulties encountered while pursuing a goal, which we call positive patience. Third is the feeling of gratitude. The feeling of gratefulness strengthens a person's inner world. Fourth are religious practices. Especially prayer. When a person prays, they say, 'I am not alone. There is someone who hears me, who knows me. There is someone who knows what is in my heart, who sees what I think.' This feeling reduces the sense of loneliness. Therefore, prayer is the area of value most needed by those in prison. That is, if these four things – ‘hope, patience, gratitude, and prayer’ – can be implemented together, the psychological resilience of prisoners will largely increase,” he said.
“Spirituality is giving meaning to life and to the work you do”
Tarhan explained what the word ‘Spirituality’ evokes in him; “The literal equivalent of spirituality is spiritual. Actually, this means meaningful. For example, let's imagine we have a pen. This pen has a material aspect and a meaning aspect. If there is no meaning aspect, the pen, even if it's covered in diamonds, means nothing. Its meaning aspect is writing; the function of writing is its spiritual dimension. I approach spirituality in this sense. However, in our culture, spirituality is often wrongly perceived only in a religious sense. This is not correct. Spirituality is giving meaning to life and to the work you do. I evaluate spirituality from this perspective,” he said.
“Wisdom is attributing meaning to knowledge and adding value to life”
Tarhan explained what the word ‘Wise’ evokes in him; “Wisdom, in our language, corresponds to 'hikmet' (divine wisdom). Now there is 'ilim' (knowledge), 'irfan' (gnosis), and 'hikmet'. 'Hikmet' comes into play at this point. For example, Hagia Sophia... Fatih did not change the name of Hagia Sophia. Because ‘Aya’ means high, and ‘Sofya’ means 'hikmet' or wisdom. So, Hagia Sophia is actually the ‘Mosque of High Wisdom’. There has been an understanding dating back to Socrates. Socrates said that the reason for human existence is virtues. Wisdom is attributing meaning to knowledge and adding value to life,” he said.
“The greatest spiritual guide is the Messenger of Allah”
Tarhan explained what the word ‘Guide’ evokes in him; “The greatest guides in a person's life are their parents. Afterward, those who guide are their teachers. The human brain is not programmed to live without a guide. It absolutely needs a reference point, something from which it draws knowledge and relies on. When guiding their children, people should be like a pilot captain. Because we see that mothers and and fathers put their children at the helm of life. We should not deify our own ego. Therefore, the greatest spiritual guide is the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him),” he said.
Finally, addressing Diyanet Radio listeners, Tarhan concluded his words by saying; “He who sees beautifully thinks beautifully. He who thinks beautifully enjoys his life.”