The Faculty of Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Philosophy UGM) and the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Religious Studies (FUSA) at UIN Imam Bonjol Padang have strengthened their academic collaboration to refine the Jiwa Merdeka (Liberated Soul) Coaching model, grounded in philosophy and Sufism. The workshop, titled “Workshop Pengembangan Model Coaching Jiwa Merdeka Berbasis Filsafat dan Tasawuf” (Workshop on Developing the Jiwa Merdeka Coaching Model Based on Philosophy and Sufism), was held on Tuesday (July 28) at the FUSA Mini Hall. The model was previously developed in collaboration with Nahdlatul Ulama Al Ghazali University (UNUGHA) Cilacap.
Philosophy UGM lecturer Dr. Heri Santoso sparked the discussion by reflecting on a range of contemporary human challenges, including the mental health crisis, the loss of meaning in life, and the growing dominance of technology that increasingly distances people from themselves. Against this backdrop, Dr. Santoso chose coaching over training, mentoring, counseling, or therapy and explained his reasons.
“People today do not address their challenges simply by adding knowledge or solving problems. Instead, they must awaken their awareness to discover their own potential and find answers from within themselves,” he said in a statement issued on Monday (August 3).
Dr. Santoso explained that Jiwa Merdeka was chosen as the theme because it seeks to cultivate individuals who think clearly, manage themselves effectively, make conscious decisions, and take responsibility for their life choices. To achieve this, the model integrates philosophical reflection with the spiritual depth of Sufism as a path to self-awareness and closeness to Allah SWT. As part of the implementation, he introduced four coaching stages through reflective dialogue using Surah Al-Fatihah, the Quran, Asmaul Husna (the Beautiful Names of Allah), and conscience as instruments for reflection and personal transformation.
Responding to the presentation, Professor Widia Fitri, Professor of Philosophy at UIN Imam Bonjol Padang, expressed appreciation for the development of the Jiwa Merdeka Coaching model grounded in philosophy and Sufism. The model offers a fresh perspective on human development by integrating philosophical reflection with Sufi spirituality.
“This approach is conceptually compelling and deserves to be further developed within the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Religious Studies, particularly through the Sufism and Psychotherapy Study Program,” she said.
Similarly, Dr. Junizar Suratman, a Sufism scholar at UIN Imam Bonjol Padang, praised the Philosophy UGM Community Service Team for making Sufism one of the model’s central foundations. The choice is highly appropriate because the essence of Sufism lies in nurturing and liberating the soul closer to Allah SWT.
“In the Sufi tradition, the human journey is guided through the purification of the soul, progressing from nafs ammarah to nafs lawwamah and ultimately to nafs muthmainnah. Therefore, the Jiwa Merdeka Coaching model has a strong philosophical and spiritual foundation for continued development,” he explained.
The workshop brought together lecturers and experts in philosophy, Sufism, and human development. Imam Wahyudi, Head of the Philosophy UGM Community Service Team, explained that Philosophy UGM and UNUGHA Cilacap jointly developed the Jiwa Merdeka Coaching model and have already piloted it at the KH. Sofyan Tsauri Islamic Institute (INSIMA) Majenang. The workshop provided an important opportunity to gather feedback, criticism, and recommendations from philosophy and Sufism experts before implementing the model more broadly.
The discussion concluded with an engaging exchange of ideas, as participants, including Dr. Efendi, Jamaldi, Dr. Zulfis, and other lecturers, offered questions, appreciation, and scholarly perspectives. At the close of the workshop, participants expressed hope that academic collaboration between Philosophy UGM and the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Religious Studies at UIN Imam Bonjol Padang would continue to grow through Training of Trainers (ToT) programs, pilot implementation of the Jiwa Merdeka Coaching model for lecturers and students, and its further development as a community empowerment model in West Sumatra.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: UGM Faculty of Philosophy Documentation