Original Research
The obstacles of the spiritual journey in Serat Jatimurti and the Exodus Homily of Origen
Submitted: 29 August 2022 | Published: 06 March 2023
About the author(s)
Robby I. Chandra, Faculty of Theology, Cipanas Theological Seminary, Cianjur, Indonesia; and, The Indonesian Christian Church, Jakarta, IndonesiaVeronika S.S. Nugraheni, Faculty of Theology, Cipanas Theological Seminary, Cianjur, Indonesia; and, Suluh Insani Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
A C. Jonch, Faculty of Theology, Cipanas Theological Seminary, Cianjur, Indonesia; and, Faculty of Theology, Sekolah Tinggi Theologia Iman Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
Budiman Widjaja, Cipanas Theological Seminary, Cianjur, Jakarta, Indonesia
Abstract
Many religions use figurative language to convey their teachings on the spiritual journey. Identifying their similarities and differences might deepen the recognition of each core faith and create mutual appreciation. This article compared Serat Jatimurti, a Javanese indigenous spirituality text with the Exodus Homily of Origen, a text from antiquity. This article is a qualitative study to compare their teachings on the stages of the spiritual journey and the obstacles. The finding showed that both Serat Jatimurti and the Exodus Homily of Origen teach that there are several stages of the spiritual journey. It also found out that the main obstacle of the spiritual journey lies in the human inner tendency to rely on self-centred perception that prevents them from recognizing reality and the will of God for them. Both texts differ significantly in their views concerning the human capability to start a spiritual journey.
Contribution: This study offers clues on the path to having mutual understanding between people who embrace different spiritual journey concepts and their obstacles. It also gives the voice of indigenous spirituality proper appreciation. Such an understanding might serve as a starting point for a deeper appreciation of each other and to development of further dialogues while deepening one’s recognition of the core of their faith.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
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