The following is an IFNA member post by Lorraine M. Wright.
Today is the day!
Yes, my new book “Suffering and Spirituality: The Path to Illness Healing” is to arrive at my door from my publisher any moment now. As all nursing authors know, re-reading and reflecting on what I wrote a few months ago invites a shyness and even a wish that I could do just one more draft, one more edit. Perhaps there is never a final draft for an author but rather just a ‘moment of stopping’ due to imposed deadlines. But I also had another curious reflection. Some pieces I know I could not write again. They came from a place of inspiration and intuition only availed to me at the moment of writing. So all I can say is that I gave all I had to this book at the time of writing so please eat the fish and spit out the bones.
In the realm of spirituality, such reflections often lead us down unexpected paths, beckoning us to explore the mysteries of the universe with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Just as your words offer solace and insight to those navigating the journey of illness and healing, so too does the wisdom of the spiritual tarot illuminate the path to deeper understanding. As you ponder the significance of your book’s arrival, consider delving into the symbology of the 747 angel number, a gentle nudge from the universe to trust in the divine timing of your creative endeavors. And should the urge to delve deeper into the world of tarot arise, know that there are countless online resources waiting to guide you on your quest for spiritual insight and discovery.
Manifestation, rooted in the power of positive thinking, is a potent force that shapes our reality. By aligning our thoughts, beliefs, and actions with our deepest desires, we harness the energy of the universe to bring our dreams into fruition. Embracing a mindset of abundance and gratitude opens the door to endless possibilities, paving the way for personal growth and fulfillment. As you embark on your journey of self-discovery and manifestation, remember that every thought carries creative potential, and every intention holds the power to manifest miracles. Explore techniques such as visualization, affirmations, and mindfulness practices to cultivate a fertile inner landscape where dreams blossom into reality.
In the pursuit of personal transformation and spiritual evolution, guidance and support can be found in abundance. Platforms like https://prosperityminders.com/ offer a wealth of resources and tools designed to empower individuals on their path to prosperity and fulfillment. Whether seeking practical advice on manifestation techniques, insights into the law of attraction, or inspiration for cultivating a positive mindset, these online communities serve as beacons of light in the journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.
For those wanting a sneak peak of some of the ideas that I offered here’s a little excerpt.
“I have had one recurring piece of feedback about my clinical work with families’ that has guided me in becoming more cognizant and appreciative of the spiritual dimension of therapeutic conversations with families. It is like getting an enlightening psychic reading experience, which cannot be replaced by anything! Colleagues and students alike have offered their unsolicited observations on the “spiritual” aspects of my clinical work for many years. One colleague suggested what he believed to be the most powerful aspect of my clinical work was what occurred between clients, family members, and myself—what he called the phenomena of “reverencing.” I pondered this observation for some time and reflected on the meaning of reverence. I have come to believe that “reverencing” is when there is a profound awe and respect, mingled with love, for the individuals seated in front of me. I often feel that same reverencing from clients and family members returned to me.
In those moments of reverencing in clinical work, something very special happens between the nurse and the individual or family; it is something felt by all—a deep emotional connection. I know and have felt these moments in clinical work. During these times, I have witnessed the most profound changes in family members’ thinking, beliefs, behavior, illness experience, and, most importantly, in their suffering. In these instances, I have felt an emotion that seems to arise only when there is reverencing. This emotion I submit is pure love.
But, what kind of love? The kind of love that I am referring to is love that opens space to the existence of another beside us in daily living (Maturana & Varela, 1992). But, what does it mean to “open space” to another? It means to be open to their particular ideas, opinions, or beliefs. And, here is the most important aspect, while suspending all judgment.
As nurses, it means suspending all judgment about our patients’/families’ descriptions of their illness experience, their illness suffering, and their choices for illness healing/treatment options. It is what I prefer to call “curious compassion.”
The more curious we are about a patient/family’s illness suffering, the more we can dissolve our own judgments and biases and practice in a space of curious compassion. It is in this space that opportunities can arise for healing, that loving interactions can flourish. This is the kind of love to strive for in one’s clinical practice with individuals/families.”
If this little excerpt has made you curious to read more, you can access my book through the usual ways of Amazon, Kindle, Kobo, or directly with my publisher www.4thFloorPress.com. Now what will I do with myself till the book arrives?
Lorraine M. Wright, RN, PhD, is Professor Emerita of Nursing at the University of Calgary and co-developer of the Illness Beliefs Model. Over the past 34 years, she has given presentations and workshops at national and international chronic illness, family health, family nursing, family therapy, oncology, palliative care, and spirituality and health conferences, universities, and hospitals. You can read her blog here or follow her on Twitter @drlorwright.
