Dr. Bagus Riyono, M.A., Psikolog, faculty member at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has once again received an international invitation. After his book Tazkiya Therapy in Islamic Psychotherapy was published by Routledge, the work has now become a subject of discussion in the Islamic Spirituality class at Respect Graduate School, Pennsylvania, United States.
The invitation came from Prof. Suleyman Eris, a Turkish-origin academic teaching at the school. In his course, MA students were tasked with reading and discussing Tazkiya Therapy. Impressed by the book, Prof. Eris then invited Dr. Bagus to join the class as a guest lecturer in the Islamic Spirituality course for MA students, which will discuss his book on August 15th, Friday, from 9:00 to 10:30 am (local time).
Tazkiya Therapy is a contemporary psychotherapeutic approach that integrates the Islamic principle of tazkiyah al-nafs (purification of the soul) with the Maqasid Ushul Fiqh methodology. It views human beings as holistic entities—physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual. The therapy provides structured protocols aimed at overcoming anxiety, depression, and personality issues by balancing spiritual values with scientific practice.
Initially, Dr. Bagus thought he would simply observe classroom discussions. Instead, he was asked to deliver a comprehensive lecture lasting around ninety minutes, explaining the concept of tazkiyah and its application in modern psychology.
The students’ response was overwhelmingly positive. They showed great enthusiasm, actively asking questions on how Tazkiya Therapy can be applied in real-life cases and how it integrates with contemporary psychology. According to Dr. Bagus, the book has been appreciated because it demonstrates a strong and unique integration of Islamic spiritual values with scientific psychology.
For Dr. Bagus, this experience was especially meaningful. The invitation came purely on the merit of his book, not through personal networks. This shows that Indonesian scholarship can transcend borders and gain recognition in the global academic community.
His involvement at Respect Graduate School highlights the continuing relevance of Tazkiya Therapy as an important contribution of Islamic Psychology to global academic discourse. From Yogyakarta, the idea of soul purification has entered international classrooms, strengthening Indonesia’s presence in the global academic arena.
Writer: Raden Roro Anisa Anggi Dinda