Recently I had a wonderful conversation with a hospital chaplain. She told me about her work. She said she is there “to walk the walk” with patients. They may be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or someone of no church experience, but they are there, wanting someone to talk to. As she listens to them, she is “walking their walk” - supporting and comforting.
She told me of an experience she had that day: A physician asked her to talk with an individual who had received quite a devastating diagnosis. The patient was very fearful and unable to face the treatment decisions she had to make. The doctor asked the patient if she would like to talk to the chaplain. When the patient consented, the doctor asked the chaplain to visit the patient. She did. They had a good talk, and the patient became less fearful, and able to make her own decisions as to the treatment she should undertake. The chaplain said her job is not to make decisions for anyone, but to be a “comforting, listening, presence” so that individuals can make their own decisions with dignity. She stated, “Together, we walk the walk.”
The purpose of this blog is to show how spirituality and health are related. But how do we talk about spirituality to those of other faiths or even those of no faith? That is the quandary I face. I want to write in terms that speak to everyone. Is there a definition of spirituality that can address the hearts of Christians, as well as Muslims? How about a definition that speaks to Jews and Hindus? And to me, maybe most importantly, is there a definition of spirituality that speaks to those who no longer attend church or synagogue or mosque, or never have attended worship or do not believe in a higher power? I long to find a definition of spirituality that we can all feel comfortable with and so, “walk the walk” together.
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I think I have found my answer. I was out walking early one morning. It was still dark and I was pondering about this dilemma. Then a group of words came to me that I think define spirituality pretty well. They are: love, peace, joy, patience, goodness, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance. I like these terms. I think they can speak to everyone. You may have a slight variation on these terms. That is fine. Use what you find helpful. Some of you may already know that I have found these terms in the writings of St. Paul (Galatians 5: 22, 23). I hope that does not turn you off. Find the words that you are comfortable with. It’s the living of those terms – not the words themselves - that is important. Let’s grow in our spirituality.
I think that each of those terms has a definite connection with health. I am going to research this and share my results in this blog. I hope you will “walk this walk” with me. Let’s make each day one of increased spirituality and health!
