Why is the coordination of science, spirituality, and human consciousness necessary in education?

 Why is the coordination of science, spirituality, and human consciousness necessary in education?

We have a rich Eastern knowledge tradition, but the ability to communicate with modern science is also developing.

Why is the coordination of science, spirituality, and human consciousness necessary in education?

It is essential to include the human and psychological aspects in health education, including palliative care and the experience of the last stages of life.

Nepal's education system is currently at a critical juncture of change. Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, neuroscience, mental health, and global social change have changed the situation. Education can no longer be just a means of passing exams, getting jobs, or teaching technical skills.

Today's generation needs not only knowledge, but also the ability to understand life, mental strength, moral decision-making ability, compassion, self-discipline, and the skill of remaining balanced in uncertain situations.

Many countries around the world have begun to recognize this need. Mindfulness, stress management, socio-emotional learning, palliative care, positive psychology, end-of-life care, and consciousness-related studies are gradually expanding in schools and universities. Modern science is also studying the relationship between the body, brain, emotions, and behavior in greater depth than ever before.

In such a situation, an important question arises—can Nepal develop an education system that establishes a balanced dialogue between its own knowledge tradition and modern science?

Nepal is not only a country of mountains and natural beauty; it is also an important center of Vedic, Upanishadic, Yogic, and Buddhist knowledge traditions. Thousands of years ago, sages and sages deeply pondered on the fundamental questions of human life, nature, consciousness, health, ethics, and the universe.

The ideas developed in the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Ayurveda, and other ancient texts about the body, mind, breath, self-discipline, meditation, compassion, life, and death have enriched the knowledge tradition. These texts are still studied today as important sources for understanding the development of philosophy, history, culture, and human thought.

Similarly, yoga is not just a method of physical exercise; it has traditionally been interpreted as a holistic way of life that disciplines the body, mind, and behavior. Practices such as pranayama, meditation, introspection, restraint, and compassion emphasize the inner development of the individual. Modern science has begun to study some aspects of these practices—especially meditation, mindfulness, and controlled breathing exercises—and the potential health effects of these practices. While positive evidence has been found in some areas, many questions are still the subject of research.

Therefore, the need today is not to accept ancient knowledge as superstition or to completely reject it in the name of modern science. What is needed is to conduct critical and evidence-based studies of these knowledge traditions in dialogue with history, philosophy, culture, and contemporary scientific research. It is necessary to creatively connect the wealth of knowledge developed by the sages and sages with modern research, neuroscience, psychology, medical science, and pedagogy. If this can be done, it will give a new direction to the national education system and create the possibility of establishing Nepal's unique identity in the global knowledge community.

This does not mean making religious/religious education mandatory in the curriculum. Nor does it mean presenting any religious or spiritual belief as scientific truth. Rather, it is about creating an environment where the various perspectives that human civilization has developed on life, health, consciousness, and death are studied based on evidence, history, philosophy, and critical thinking.

For example, thousands of scientific studies have been published on meditation and controlled breathing exercises in the last three decades. Some studies have shown that regular meditation practice can help reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional imbalance. There is also increasing evidence that controlled breathing exercises can have a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability, and physical responses to stress. However, not all claims of all types of yoga or pranayama have been scientifically confirmed.

Therefore, where the evidence is strong, it should be taught based on evidence; where research is ongoing, it should be presented as a subject of open research.

Another important aspect is health education. Today, most students studying medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, physiotherapy, etc. receive education focused on the diagnosis, treatment and life-saving skills of disease. This is very necessary. But not every treatment is successful, and every human life ends in death one day. Therefore, future health workers need to understand death not only as a biological event, but also as a deeply human, psychological, social and cultural experience for the patient and his family.

In many universities around the world, subjects such as palliative care, grief management, sensitive communication with patients, end-of-life decisions and death studies are gradually being made an important part of health education. It is time for Nepal to think about including such subjects according to its own cultural context.

Similarly, the body is not only a biological structure that can get sick It is not enough to understand only the brain. Science has proven that thousands of biochemical reactions are taking place inside the body every moment. Chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins, cortisol, melatonin affect our emotions, thinking, memory, sleep, immune system and behavior.

Nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, social relationships and lifestyle also affect these biochemical processes. This is why the concept of ‘holistic health’ is becoming important again in health science today.

Eastern yoga and meditation traditions have also emphasized breathing, self-discipline, diet, meditation and mental balance for thousands of years. The relationship between modern science and these traditions is not yet fully established, but the field of dialogue and research is expanding rapidly. Nepalese students should have the opportunity to study both sides from a critical, evidence-based and open perspective.

Another interesting topic is consciousness. Modern neuroscience is studying the brain processes related to consciousness, while philosophy, psychology, Vedanta, and Buddhist thought offer different explanations about the nature of consciousness. So far, a complete scientific explanation of consciousness is not available. For this reason, consciousness studies are developing as an interdisciplinary research field in prestigious universities around the world. Nepal can also explore the possibilities of research, dialogue, and educational development in this area.

Some may understand such a proposal as an attempt to expand religious education. But that is not the real purpose. The basis of the education system should always be the scientific method, critical thinking, evaluation of evidence, and intellectual freedom. No philosophical or spiritual concept should be studied as the ultimate truth, but as ideas developed by human civilization. Similarly, claims that are not confirmed by science should not be presented as scientific facts. This balance makes the education system credible.

Nepal has a rare opportunity. We have a rich Eastern knowledge tradition, but the ability to communicate with modern science is also developing. If these two can be connected on the basis of research, evidence, philosophy and critical thinking, Nepal can present a new educational model not only for its students, but also for the world.

The education of the future should not be just a means of producing good engineers, doctors, teachers or administrators. It should produce citizens who are scientifically minded, culturally aware, mentally strong, compassionate and able to maturely engage with the complex questions of life.

Education should teach technology, but also self-discipline. It should teach science, but also ethics. It should teach research, but also compassion. And along with preparation for life, it should also develop the ability to understand the final journey of life with dignity.

Where the ultimate goal of education is not just to produce successful professionals, but to produce holistically developed, responsible and humane citizens.

Has the role of the health system against gender-based violence been exhausted?

 Has the role of the health system against gender-based violence been exhausted?

One-stop crisis management centers are operating in 97 hospitals across the country to provide health care and legal assistance to victims of violence.

To make the campaign against gender-based violence effective, it needs to be permanently included in the organizational structure of the Ministry of Health and Population.

Any type of humiliating, painful or threatening behavior that occurs or may occur on the basis of gender is gender-based violence. The act of pressure, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of freedom also falls under gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence is deeply embedded in our society. It begins at the fetal stage. Abortion based on gender identity is the first stage of violence. Family and social discrimination during childhood and adolescence is the next stage.

After this, discrimination occurs at the reproductive age, sexual violence or discrimination is deprived of property and resources in old age.

A question that always arises in everyone's mind: Are only women victims of violence?

Answer: ‘No’.

Men and sexual and gender minorities are also victims, which is also confirmed by the data available in our regular health system. About 10 percent of those who seek services from one-stop crisis management centers due to gender-based violence are men. About 3-4 percent are sexual and gender minorities, while the rest are women. Even when analyzing this data, women are more likely to be affected.

Gender-based violence is an issue related to public health, human rights, and social justice. Domestic violence, sexual violence, child marriage, human trafficking, harmful traditional practices, and other forms of gender-based violence have long-term effects on women’s physical, mental, social, and sexual and reproductive health.

More than 60 percent of violence is perpetrated by acquaintances and acquaintances. Violence against women can occur in the public, private, and at any time in life.

There is a gender inequality gap in society. Different gender identities are also a major cause of discrimination. According to the Nepal Demographic Health Survey 2022, 23 percent of women aged 15 to 49 in Nepal have experienced physical violence.

The report states that 8 percent of women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. 27 percent have experienced physical, mental or sexual violence in their lifetime. 17 percent of women have experienced violence from their partners in the last 12 months. Of the women who have experienced sexual violence, 58 percent have neither told anyone about their pain nor sought any kind of help.

Similarly, the report shows that 14 percent do not seek help even if they tell someone, such as a friend or neighbor, about their pain. However, 28 percent of women seem to have sought help after violence. Since health institutions are the first contact and service center for victims of violence, the role of the health sector is not limited to treatment alone, but also includes psychosocial counseling, forensic evidence collection, safe referral, rehabilitation and multi-sectoral coordination, implemented by the Government of Nepal through the One-Stop Crisis Management Center (OCMC).

What is the One-Stop Crisis Management Center?

It is a multi-sectoral service system that provides free access to health care and other essential services to victims or affected persons through a single door. Through this, victims are provided with emergency health care, mental health and psychosocial counseling, forensic examination, legal aid, safe shelter, and effective referral services to the police, judicial bodies, and social rehabilitation services as needed.

The OCMC, which operates with the privacy, dignity, safety, and rights of the victim at the center, has been playing a significant role in making the health response to gender-based violence effective, accessible, and coordinated.

Is it necessary or not to provide the role of the health system against gender-based violence in the organizational structure of the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene?

Currently, 97 hospitals across the country have one-stop crisis management centers, which is a significant achievement. This achievement needs further strengthening of its leadership, coordination, monitoring, and program management in the federal structure. This issue does not seem to have found a place in the newly approved structure of the Ministry.

It is necessary to make policy arrangements to effectively implement the right to health, gender equality, the right to a life free from violence guaranteed by the constitution, and the commitments made by Nepal at the international level.

The main foundations of which are presented below:-

- The health sector is the first and most important service point for victims of gender-based violence, which cannot be done by other sectors.

- A permanent structure is necessary to make services including the One-Stop Crisis Management Center sustainable and institutionalized.

- There is a need for clear leadership and coordination of this issue and the One-Stop Crisis Management Center service between the federal, provincial, and local levels.

- It is necessary to coordinate the role of the policy level to provide integrated management of health services related to gender-based violence, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and forensic services, etc.

A health structure with clear responsibilities of the health sector is necessary for the implementation of national and international commitments, because since no single sector can cover the campaign against gender-based violence, it is called multi-sectoral.

Sarkar The response that the health sector has so far provided is only 28 percent of the access to the One-Stop Crisis Management Center, which is being provided by the health sector. This tells us that there is still work to be done.

To date, among the sectors that have presented some progress and achievements on behalf of Nepal in international forums on gender equality or gender-based violence, the One-Stop Crisis Management Center system and service is also a major achievement.

If this issue is not included in the structure of the health sector for a policy and coordinating role in the federal structure of such an important service, it will be a leadership crisis for this sector itself.

Health response to gender-based violence is an integral part of the health service system. Therefore, it is necessary to institutionalize it within the permanent organizational structure of the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene, not as a project or temporary program, with clear responsibilities, sufficient human resources, a sustainable budget, and an effective monitoring system.