Highlighted in the December 2010 newsletter of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWISH) which is led by Dr. Christina Puchalski, the following definition of spirituality applies to the role of spiritual care in patient-centered, compassionate care.
"Spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose, and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred."
The aforementioned definition stems from an interdisciplinary group from the National Consensus Conference (NCC) convened in February 2009. Consideration was given to the complexity of both the human spirit and the transcendent, whether religious or non-religious.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Follow Your Path, "Bee" on Your Journey
A compelling book, The Shamanic Way of the Bee: Ancient Wisdom and Healing Practices of the Bee Masters by Simon Buxton, discloses a journey which culminates in complete immersion. While very real, rest assured that the furtherance of your journey does not require following such a path. With that understood, the read, is unmistakably illuminating.
I was “led” to read it after encounters with 3 different individuals in quick succession with bee stories. One was stung repeatedly by bees … after looking for the hive. Another was using bees for health reasons. Another was explaining a bee hive as “big medicine” in response to someone else talking about throwing one out. Further, 2 of these individuals indicated that the book just “presented itself” to them shortly thereafter. So, I decided that perhaps it was me that was supposed to read it.
While completely unique in its’ revelation of the author’s experience, I found it to articulate and confirm the following realities.
• There are multiple paths to the divine and/or all that is.
• Everyone has their own path which others can learn from, however, it is surely
not as simple as 1 size fits all.
• Transformation takes courage and surrender.
• With power … comes responsibility.
Let me not fail to mention that there are references to sexuality which are woven within the author’s journey.
As books are read, people are encountered and/or moments are experienced which push or pull us forward, it is the calling of our own journeys. All the best for continuing on yours!!
I was “led” to read it after encounters with 3 different individuals in quick succession with bee stories. One was stung repeatedly by bees … after looking for the hive. Another was using bees for health reasons. Another was explaining a bee hive as “big medicine” in response to someone else talking about throwing one out. Further, 2 of these individuals indicated that the book just “presented itself” to them shortly thereafter. So, I decided that perhaps it was me that was supposed to read it.
While completely unique in its’ revelation of the author’s experience, I found it to articulate and confirm the following realities.
• There are multiple paths to the divine and/or all that is.
• Everyone has their own path which others can learn from, however, it is surely
not as simple as 1 size fits all.
• Transformation takes courage and surrender.
• With power … comes responsibility.
Let me not fail to mention that there are references to sexuality which are woven within the author’s journey.
As books are read, people are encountered and/or moments are experienced which push or pull us forward, it is the calling of our own journeys. All the best for continuing on yours!!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Remembering The Four Agreements
Today I was reminded of a book that I read years ago, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by don Miguel Ruiz. The Four Agreements discussed therein are:
Be Impeccable With Your Word,
Don't Take Anything Personally,
Don't Make Assumptions and
Always Do Your Best.
These agreements represent the core teachings which are expounded upon in this Toltec Wisdom Book.
Be Impeccable With Your Word,
Don't Take Anything Personally,
Don't Make Assumptions and
Always Do Your Best.
These agreements represent the core teachings which are expounded upon in this Toltec Wisdom Book.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Cross-Cultural Yearning ... to Be Well
Valuing self-care and originally following the referral of a colleague, I have become a regular patron of Spa World in Centreville, VA. Spa World is identified as a 24/7 Asian-style spa promoting health, beauty, leisure and life. All word of mouth communication that I have received references a Korean-inspired spa with a clear focus on preventive health.
While there is definitely a beautiful grounding in and relationship with Korean culture, recently shared conversation in the "Ice Poultice Room" was amongst those with heritage from the United States, the Ukraine, the Sudan and Afghanistan. It spoke to the cross-cultural significance of well-being. Wherever we are from ... whatever our ancestral roots ... we all yearn ... to be well.
To learn more, visit www.spaworldusa.com . In the interest of advance disclosure, please know that along with the unisex, fully clothed/uniformed services such as in the wonderful poultice rooms, relaxation great room, foot massage room, fitness center, restaurant and juice bar, the single gender water massage therapy and body scrub/massage services within the bade pool area require each recipient to be fully unclothed.
While there is definitely a beautiful grounding in and relationship with Korean culture, recently shared conversation in the "Ice Poultice Room" was amongst those with heritage from the United States, the Ukraine, the Sudan and Afghanistan. It spoke to the cross-cultural significance of well-being. Wherever we are from ... whatever our ancestral roots ... we all yearn ... to be well.
To learn more, visit www.spaworldusa.com . In the interest of advance disclosure, please know that along with the unisex, fully clothed/uniformed services such as in the wonderful poultice rooms, relaxation great room, foot massage room, fitness center, restaurant and juice bar, the single gender water massage therapy and body scrub/massage services within the bade pool area require each recipient to be fully unclothed.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Ancestral Lineage Work - POTENT!
In mid-2009 I posed the following question to an Inspirationalist that I had the Divine Blessing to communicate with, “What do you mean, and why do you say “my ancestors thank you”. I was asking this question both to ensure that I received the message in its’ full context as intended, and because I was engaged in some POTENT ancestral lineage work.
The inspirational response that I received was “Ok, the statement meant that in as much as my Ancestors, those actually in my lineage - mother and father - of good character as well as my Guardian Angels and Protective Spirits are always looking out for my best interest and opening doors (and closing others) that will ultimately assist me in living this life fully, joyfully, and completely. So, when I say that I thank you and my Ancestors do also I mean that these Divine, positive forces will employ, collaborate with, and work through multiple channels including the voices of others to assist me on my way. To illuminate the best and brightest path for me to take at any given time.”
Following the gentle encouragement of my Energy Medicine Apprenticeship Teacher, a year later I again ventured to the land of my maternal ancestors. This time I was there with a definite purpose – to further my ancestral lineage work. POTENT!!
I will be writing more about this journey at another time ... and in another place.
Namaste: The Divine in Me Greets the Divine in You.
The inspirational response that I received was “Ok, the statement meant that in as much as my Ancestors, those actually in my lineage - mother and father - of good character as well as my Guardian Angels and Protective Spirits are always looking out for my best interest and opening doors (and closing others) that will ultimately assist me in living this life fully, joyfully, and completely. So, when I say that I thank you and my Ancestors do also I mean that these Divine, positive forces will employ, collaborate with, and work through multiple channels including the voices of others to assist me on my way. To illuminate the best and brightest path for me to take at any given time.”
Following the gentle encouragement of my Energy Medicine Apprenticeship Teacher, a year later I again ventured to the land of my maternal ancestors. This time I was there with a definite purpose – to further my ancestral lineage work. POTENT!!
I will be writing more about this journey at another time ... and in another place.
Namaste: The Divine in Me Greets the Divine in You.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Inner Knowing - "Intuition's Legacy"
With reading being a central part of learning along this journey ... there are often communications which resonate with the work. The following poem comes directly from the highly recommended book, Earth Medicine: Ancestors’ Ways of Harmony for Many Moons by Jamie Sams. It is truly an honoring of "inner knowing".
Intuition’s Legacy
There is a place inside us
Where we feel what we know.
If we act on that intuition,
Doors open, urging us to grow.
The legacy of inner knowing
Comes from Great Mystery’s grace;
Learning to trust these feelings
Is a talent we develop and embrace,
Ultimate trust of the Self,
And inspiration’s guiding light,
Allows humankind to develop
The rare gifts of second sight.
When we embrace growth potential,
Feeling -- with all that we are --
Then the legacy of intuition
Allows us to reach for the stars.
Nothing outreaches our senses,
Nothing is too hard to attain,
We serve the truth through healing
The limitations our minds contain.
Intuition is born from reflecting all the senses that we can feel,
Then implicitly trusting that knowing
Gives the guidance that allows us to heal.
Above Poem By Jamie Sams
On August 21, 2008, there was a posting on this blog entitled, "An Inner Voice". An excerpt stated, "Within us lies an inner voice committed to directing us towards a more exceptional existence. Within us lies a choice to be made regarding whether or not to listen. The "sounds" of life sometimes get in the way thereby either drowning out the voice or distracting us from its' power. The choice, however, is each of ours to make ... to decide to reconnect, to decide to pay attention and/or to decide to live a full life in harmony with our spirit. Even when difficult ... there is value in the struggle. Even when difficult ... "Wellness Lies Within" (TM).
Intuition’s Legacy
There is a place inside us
Where we feel what we know.
If we act on that intuition,
Doors open, urging us to grow.
The legacy of inner knowing
Comes from Great Mystery’s grace;
Learning to trust these feelings
Is a talent we develop and embrace,
Ultimate trust of the Self,
And inspiration’s guiding light,
Allows humankind to develop
The rare gifts of second sight.
When we embrace growth potential,
Feeling -- with all that we are --
Then the legacy of intuition
Allows us to reach for the stars.
Nothing outreaches our senses,
Nothing is too hard to attain,
We serve the truth through healing
The limitations our minds contain.
Intuition is born from reflecting all the senses that we can feel,
Then implicitly trusting that knowing
Gives the guidance that allows us to heal.
Above Poem By Jamie Sams
On August 21, 2008, there was a posting on this blog entitled, "An Inner Voice". An excerpt stated, "Within us lies an inner voice committed to directing us towards a more exceptional existence. Within us lies a choice to be made regarding whether or not to listen. The "sounds" of life sometimes get in the way thereby either drowning out the voice or distracting us from its' power. The choice, however, is each of ours to make ... to decide to reconnect, to decide to pay attention and/or to decide to live a full life in harmony with our spirit. Even when difficult ... there is value in the struggle. Even when difficult ... "Wellness Lies Within" (TM).
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
"Healed Healing" - Integrity in Energy Work
In the midst of steadfastly engaging in personal work, those similarly on a path of healthy transformation have the powerful potential to intentionally and/or naturally contribute to our journey. Alongside individual responsibility for one's own work and one's own well-being, is an interconnection wherein a shift in one can energetically impact another despite the distance between them. In the case of Well Part Coaching's (WPC) distance energy work, there is a mutually understood holding of intention.
From my vantage point the importance of my forging ahead with personal work serves a purpose for me and those with whom I am connected, however, there is a larger goal related to the advancement of integrity in healing facilitation.
In conversation with a shaman and sound healer, a perspective on the concept of the "wounded healer" as having outlived the "punch that it once had" was discussed. This was not to dishonor the authenticity, perspective and value that the challenges of life deliver, but to emphasize that what is really needed are "healed healers", healers who themselves are willing to do their work and practice on-going self-care so as to enhance their capacity to work with others who themselves are committed to their own healing journeys.
In thinking of my emerging energy work, I think of it in the following ways.
1. Personal Work.
2. Portrayal of Commitment to "Healed Healing".
3. Exemplification of Mindfulness and Integrity in Energy Work
4. Demonstration of Healing Practices that When Embraced Both Advance Personal
Work and Provide Lessons Learned Regarding the Facilitation of Healing in
Others.
I am blessed to have an ever-growing circle of like-minded and evolutionary people with whom I interact either casually or formally, circles holding sacred places and honoring sacred purposes.
Embracing the words of a great movie line, "You have to surf beyond your comfort zone to catch the next great wave of your life."
From my vantage point the importance of my forging ahead with personal work serves a purpose for me and those with whom I am connected, however, there is a larger goal related to the advancement of integrity in healing facilitation.
In conversation with a shaman and sound healer, a perspective on the concept of the "wounded healer" as having outlived the "punch that it once had" was discussed. This was not to dishonor the authenticity, perspective and value that the challenges of life deliver, but to emphasize that what is really needed are "healed healers", healers who themselves are willing to do their work and practice on-going self-care so as to enhance their capacity to work with others who themselves are committed to their own healing journeys.
In thinking of my emerging energy work, I think of it in the following ways.
1. Personal Work.
2. Portrayal of Commitment to "Healed Healing".
3. Exemplification of Mindfulness and Integrity in Energy Work
4. Demonstration of Healing Practices that When Embraced Both Advance Personal
Work and Provide Lessons Learned Regarding the Facilitation of Healing in
Others.
I am blessed to have an ever-growing circle of like-minded and evolutionary people with whom I interact either casually or formally, circles holding sacred places and honoring sacred purposes.
Embracing the words of a great movie line, "You have to surf beyond your comfort zone to catch the next great wave of your life."
The WPC Blog Resumes
Good evening all!
In short, my Blog-Break has now ended, and I look forward to the Divine blessings that lie ahead.
Be well,
Margaret
In short, my Blog-Break has now ended, and I look forward to the Divine blessings that lie ahead.
Be well,
Margaret
