Metaphorical Interpretations of Human Nature in Serat Jatimurti: Implications for Mental and Spiritual Well-being

Dr. R. C. Andrade

Abstract:

This article explores Serat Jatimurti, a mystical Kejawen text to uncover its teaching on reality and human nature. The result shows that Serat Jatimurti conveys a hidden teaching through its
textual form consists of metaphors, abstract terms and contradicting statements. The teaching
states that there are two realities but human beings are unable to distinguish them as their perceptions dominate their lives. Yet, humans possess an innate capability to overcome the
bondage and move toward divine union as God resides in their substance. Those findings potentially enrich dialogues between Kejawen spirituality with major religions in Indonesia
that did not originate from Asia. The possibility of using similar dialectical teaching and forms
of expression might become the best method in mutual enrichment process of dialogues meaning to identify similarities, irreconcilable differences, and to redefine each core spirituality in language that the dialogue partners could understand comfortably.