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Category Archives: Spirituality

The role of spirituality in health care

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In 2002, Dr. Donald Moss, then president of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), decided to devote his entire annual meeting to exploring the role of spirituality in health care. Given the growing interest in the subject at that time, this seemed like a good idea just not one that was unanimously embraced. One member of the association resigned immediately following the conference.

His point of view was that the word spirit or the word religion shouldnt even be mentioned in the same sentence with science, said Moss during a recent conversation, which I think is a very archaic attitude.

Times have changed.

With more than 75 percent of all medical schools in the U.S. having integrated spirituality into their training programs up from just three schools 20 years ago its safe to say that this once marginalized subject has made it into the mainstream of modern medicine.

What remains to be seen, however, is what role spirituality might play going forward.

NOT SO NEW

Moss points out science-based investigations of the confluence between spirituality and health are not particularly new, citing the work of 19th-century scientist Francis Galton, cousin of Charles Darwin and father of modern statistical analysis who, in 1872, wrote an article probing the health effects of intercessory prayer.

Heres a man who was certainly respected by scientists, and he thought it was an interesting question, said Moss. He even said, since so much of the worlds population believes that prayer is effective, isnt that in itself some evidence?

According to Christina Puchalski, professor of medicine and health sciences at George Washington School of Medicine and director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWISH), the number of people asking these kinds of questions began to drop right about the time Galton died.

Spirituality has been foundational in health care for centuries but became overshadowed by early 20th-century technological advances in diagnosis and treatment, wrote Puchalski in a recent article. Though these advances were dramatic and resulted in countless lives saved, the scientific focus moved the culture of medicine away from a holistic, service-oriented model

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The role of spirituality in health care

Good News Old age, new spirit

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In my work with the elderly, I have noticed how spirituality affects them.

Every person has spiritual hunger, but many dont see it as such. Some come into old age with the traditional model of faith and find satisfaction and security in it. Others are like old Nicodemus who was curious and asked questions and was not satisfied with the status quo. He was transformed.

Old age provides opportunity to reopen and regain interest in spiritual things. In her book TOUGH TRANSITIONS, the author, Elizabeth Harper Neeld, Ph.D., summarizes the final transitions, and it sounds like a crescendo of spiritual discovery: Thriving, reaching hope, continuing from hope to faith and creating joy.

There you have it. Have faith again. Dance again for joy. Live again in the Spirit. Old age brings a tremendous chance to revive, renew, and rediscover true spiritual life.

The spiritual values of your childhood will resurface from the waters of old age. Those values will float and they will come near you again and be tossed by the waves toward you. Reach out your hand and draw them in. And even though the spirituality of old age is seasoned with the experiences and wisdom of many years, the Spirit is ever ready for fresh things, new discoveries, and novel adventures.

Eyes are wide open, and ears are straining to hear fresh revelations from the scriptures.

Old age can be full of new discoveries of truth that have laid silent in the heart. Old age is a time to reexamine faith that is there from confirmation time and has been waiting, like an old gold mine, to be found and mined. Old age is a time to turn the page and read the stories of yesterday, again, with new glasses.

Mysteries can be solved. Questions that beg for solutions can be asked again. Life can be reviewed and reexamined in the light of new truth. Experiences can be revisited and reinterpreted. Memories can be reborn from the darkness of yesterday and the confusion of tomorrow and brought into perspective. Forgiveness can flow and be received. Relationships can be healed. Anger can be dissolved, and love can splash again in the waters of joy and compassion. Hurts can be resolved, and chasms can be bridged with love and grace.

The garden of old age can bloom again with all the flowers of your imagination and fill the life of children and grandchildren with a legacy that can never be surpassed by money, fame of fortunes. Let old age be your friend that brings you to decisions you have postponed for a lifetime but now are again knocking on your door.

A great source of peace and harmony comes from the spiritual discipline of reflection, reflecting on life, on past successes and triumphs, but also on challenges, failures, and mistakes. In a recent newspaper article (Star Tribune, Thursday, March 20) entitled, Why older often means wiser, Phyllis Korkki writes, one must take time to gain insights and perspective from ones cognitive knowledge.

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Good News Old age, new spirit

Playing outside could make kids more spiritual

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Children who spend significant time outdoors could have a stronger sense of self-fulfillment and purpose than those who don't, according to new Michigan State University research linking children's experiences in nature with how they define spirituality.

In the study, published recently in the Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, children who played outside five to 10 hours per week said they felt a spiritual connection with the earth, and felt their role is to protect it.

"These values are incredibly important to human development and well-being," said Gretel Van Wieren, assistant professor of religious studies. "We were surprised by the results. Before we did the study, we asked, 'Is it just a myth that children have this deep connection with nature?' But we found it to be true in pretty profound ways."

For example, the children in her study expressed feelings of peacefulness and some believed that a higher power had created the natural world around them. They also reported feeling awestruck and humbled by nature's power, such as storms, while also feeling happy and a sense of belonging in the world.

The study also measured children's aesthetic values, finding that those who engage in free play outside on a regular basis have a deep appreciation for beauty (i.e., balance, symmetry and color), order and wonder (i.e., curiosity, imagination and creativity). For example: lush green bushes, pattern-like blue spots in water and fascination with bees' nests.

Van Wieren and co-researcher Stephen Kellert, from Yale University, used a mix of research methods, including in-depth interviews, drawings, diaries and observation, as well as conversations with parents. Seven of the 10 children in the study -- who were 7 to 8 years old -- were from families with a Christian background.

The researchers also found parents of the children who expressed the highest affinity toward nature and the strongest spirituality spent significant time outdoors during their childhoods. And many of the parents believed such experiences shaped their adult lives and spirituality.

So what is it about nature?

It offers a diverse display of colors, sights and sounds; uncertainty; multisensory qualities; and above all, aliveness, Van Wieren said. Nature is usually in a state of flux, which fosters problem-solving opportunities that build self-confidence.

But we could be in trouble if kids continue their technology habits, she said.

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Playing outside could make kids more spiritual

Outdoor Play Can Enhance Kids Spirituality

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By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on May 2, 2014

New research suggests playing outside for five-10 hours a week can increase a childs spiritual connection with the environment.

Michigan State University investigators found children who spend significant time outdoors have a stronger sense of self-fulfillment and purpose than those who do not.

As discussed in the Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, children who played outside said they felt a connection with the earth, and felt their role is to protect it.

These values are incredibly important to human development and well-being, said Dr. Gretel Van Wieren, assistant professor of religious studies.

We were surprised by the results. Before we did the study, we asked, Is it just a myth that children have this deep connection with nature? But we found it to be true in pretty profound ways.

For example, the children in her study expressed feelings of peacefulness and some believed that a higher power had created the natural world around them.

They also reported feeling awestruck and humbled by natures power, such as storms, while also feeling happy and a sense of belonging in the world.

Investigators also measured childrens aesthetic values, finding that those who engage in free play outside on a regular basis have a deep appreciation for beauty (i.e., balance, symmetry, and color), order and wonder (i.e., curiosity, imagination, and creativity).

For example: lush green bushes, pattern-like blue spots in water, and fascination with bees nests.

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Outdoor Play Can Enhance Kids Spirituality

Review: Quasi-religious dance Overworld at The Substation in Newport

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Dance

Overworld is an ambitious new project by local dance-makers Sarah Aiken and Rebecca Jensen.

Reviewer rating:

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Overworld Choreographed By Sarah Aiken and Rebecca Jensen Next Wave Festival The Substation, Newport Until May 11

A search for spirituality among the muck heap of digital media, Overworld is an ambitious new project by local dance-makers Sarah Aiken and Rebecca Jensen.

Drawing on ideas developed in their Deep Soulful Sweats yoga-dance workout sessions, Aiken and Jensen mangle together multiple movement styles and concepts.

The performance requires the audience to move about the cavernous Substation building.

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At the first stop, we are looking down upon the dancers. Four young women lie in formation, dressed in filmy white costumes, their bodies creating a circle in a wide, colourful mandala constructed from clothing.

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Review: Quasi-religious dance Overworld at The Substation in Newport

Streetwise Spirituality For The 21st Century & Beyond – Mark Passio – Part 2 of 2 – March 22, 2014 – Video

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Streetwise Spirituality For The 21st Century Beyond - Mark Passio - Part 2 of 2 - March 22, 2014
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfznB0h6iUA Mark Passio #39;s website - http://whatonearthishappening.com/ (donations welcome) Mark Passio - WOEIH playlist - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

By: matrixcutter

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Streetwise Spirituality For The 21st Century & Beyond - Mark Passio - Part 2 of 2 - March 22, 2014 - Video

Streetwise Spirituality For The 21st Century & Beyond – Mark Passio – Part 1 of 2 – March 22, 2014 – Video

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Streetwise Spirituality For The 21st Century Beyond - Mark Passio - Part 1 of 2 - March 22, 2014
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AJkRKF0RBo Mark Passio #39;s website - http://whatonearthishappening.com/ (donations welcome) Mark Passio - WOEIH playlist - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

By: matrixcutter

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Streetwise Spirituality For The 21st Century & Beyond - Mark Passio - Part 1 of 2 - March 22, 2014 - Video


  1. Spirituality