“Gathering should be seen as a way to humanize ourselves once again. A liberated soul is one that is not controlled by desires, and this is the key to preventing disease,” emphasized Dr. Zaenal Muttaqien Sofro, Circ&Med, AIFM, lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FKKMK) UGM. He delivered this statement during a health lecture titled “Wellness from a Liberated Soul” held at the L1 Seminar Room, UGM Library and Archives, on Saturday (September 13, 2025).
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Arif Surachman, SIP., M.B.A., Head of UGM Library and Archives, and was attended by the leadership team and staff of the library and archives, including librarians and archivists from various faculties across UGM.
In his lecture, Dr. Zaenal highlighted the importance of mental health as the foundation of physical well-being and workplace productivity. “People often focus solely on physical health, yet the root of many illnesses comes from an unsettled soul. A liberated soul is one that can resist excessive desires and the pressures of life,” he explained.
The program continued with a fun gathering led by Dr. Heri Santoso, lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy UGM. Through a series of group games, participants were trained to sharpen intelligence, accuracy, and attentiveness—skills essential for their daily professional tasks. “Through games, we learn to become educational staff who are not only intellectually capable but also precise and responsive in facing challenges,” said Dr. Heri.
This activity supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-beingand Goal 4: Quality Education, by fostering human resources who are both physically and mentally healthy as well as professionally competent.
Concluding in an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie, the event closed with a joint reflection session. The moment reminded participants that mental health, spirituality, and collaboration are vital pillars in creating a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable academic environment.
Contributor: Michael Dafa Bala Putra