DBYES, Nairobi, 9 Mar 2013.
“God in the City” is one of the weekend programmes offered by DBYES in the current year. This weekend (8th-9th March) 28 youth from Upperhill Parish, accompanied by two brothers from Utume, participated in God in the City. They were led in the 24-hour retreat by Selvam. The topics included: What is the city like; the role of silence in today’s world; Jesus Prayer – praying continually; Journaling – as a means to transform events into experiences; Recognising God in nature; Prayer-Garden Experience; God in the web – websites and apps useful for prayer. The participants were also given opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. The programme concluded with the Eucharistic Celebration. What the youth, most of who were university students, enjoyed most during this weekend was silence!
Author: selvam
The Role of Religion in the Reviewing of the Tanzanian Constitution
The Role of Religion in the Reviewing of the Tanzanian Constitution
Dr Sahaya G. Selvam, sdb
A talk given to the annual philosophical symposium of Moshi-Arusha on 2 Feb 2013
Abstract
Taking a perspective of the scientific study of religion, the paper lays the foundations for deriving the guiding principles for the involvement of religion in the review process of the Tanzanian constitutions. It discusses the following aspects: the interaction between the sacred and the secular in Africa; the type of religion that is suitable to create an authentic interaction between religion and society; and the nature of this interaction itself. Having delineated the basic principles, the paper concludes by briefly listing some possible contribution of religions to the constitution reviewing process in Tanzania.
The president of the Republic of Tanzania has constituted a commission of 30 members, representing different political parties, religious organizations, NGO’s and other interested parties, to review the Fourth Constitution. The […]
Now and Hereafter: The Psychology of Hope from the Perspective of Religion
Selvam, S.G. & Poulsom, M. (2012), Now and hereafter: The psychology of Hope from the perspective of Religion. Journal of Dharma 37(4), 393-410.
Faced with the harsh reality of death, human beings have often drawn a sense of hope from a belief in life after death. Religions have earnestly supported this faith and hope. As Paul Tillich put it, “Without hope, the tension of our life toward the future would vanish, and with it, life itself.” In recent times, hope has also become a subject matter for psychology. Does psychology risk separating hope from religion, focussing too narrowly on the immediate future? Or could the treatment of hope offered by psychology give a sense of meaning to life similar to that provided by religion? This article examines recent developments in the psychology of hope from the perspective of religion.
DOWNLOAD OUR ARTICLE published in the Journal of Dharma (December 2012).
Jesus Experience Weekend Retreat 1
“Jesus Experience” is one of the weekend retreats that will be offered every fourth weekend of the month at DBYES, starting from January 2013. This weekend (2-4 Nov 2012) the staff of DBYES and Bosco Boys were given a foretaste of the 7-Step Youth Retreat. On Sunday, the Generation Christ (GXt) group from Upperhill also joined the reflections.
How do I move from away asking favours, to a deeper conversation with God in prayer?
Father Selvam,
I very much enjoy your sermons and reflections. I have been used to praying by asking God for favours, but as you often invite your readers to, I would like to experience having a deeper connection and conversation with God. I was told that one can experience this by sitting quietly and focusing on the Holy Eucharist, I have tried this for a few short times and find other thoughts creeping into my mind and getting distracted. Would you please share with me how I can pray effectively, and particularly the Jesus prayer.
Thanks and best regards, B.
Dear B,
Thank you very much for your interest in prayer, and taking the time to write a query to me. It is really the grace of God (Spirit of God) that leads us in prayer. Therefore, I would like to invite you to appreciate the presence of the Spirit in your decision to move […]