Foundations of Healing #3
My integrated cancer care community,
InspireHealth, names "Spiritual Connection" as the third
"Foundation of Healing" in their integrated approach to cancer care.
This is an important part of my own cancer journey and begins with the simple awareness that I am a spiritual being. I have personal awareness and experience of this dimension of my being through practices such as prayer, meditation, worship, study and reflection, and service.
While I may be cognizant of a "realized spirituality" in my own life, I am also aware that this is a deeply personal matter and not true for all people. In studying the types of religious and spiritual experiences of people with chronic illness one study identified the following three groups
- Religious individuals who highly value religious faith, spiritual well-being, and the meaning of life.
- Existential individuals who highly value spiritual well-being but not religious faith.
- Nonspiritual individuals who have little value for religiousness, spirituality, or a sense of the meaning of life.
Religion vs Spirituality
That there are differences between religion and spirituality is generally accepted. What those differences are is a matter of interpretation. My good friend and colleague Don Grayston, drew this diagram to help me see his understanding of the relationship between religion and spirituality.
In this schematic we can understand "religion" as more defined and "structured". It has order, beliefs, specific practices, and organization. Spirituality on the other hand is a little less ordered, more free-flowing, less defined and less structured.
From this diagram we can also see that there would be those who are "spiritual but NOT religious" as well as those who are "religious but NOT spiritual". Some would assume that to be "religious" would naturally involve "spirituality". Personally, I think not. I believe that you could be involved in all of the "outward forms" of religion but realize no "spiritual life", no love of neighbour, no inner peace, no transformation, no enlightenment of consciousness, no relationship with God, nada.
Personally, I view the structure and practices of "religion" as a helpful means to realize a healthy "spirituality". "Religion" provides me with the community, traditions, accountablity, beliefs, discipline, and practices that help to nurture and sustain my faith.
Spirituality and Healing
The relationship between spirituality and healing has been known by the world's religious traditions since time immemorial. From ancient shamanic practices to modern medicine the role of religion and faith in healing has been recognized and affirmed. Contemporary research has confirmed the significance of faith and spirituality in the quality of life and health of cancer patients.
"Religion and spirituality have been shown to be significantly associated with measures of adjustment and with the management of symptoms in cancer patients. Religious and spiritual coping have been associated with lower levels of patient discomfort as well as reduced hostility, anxiety, and social isolation in cancer patients and in family caregivers. Specific characteristics of strong religious beliefs, including hope, optimism, freedom from regret, and life satisfaction, have also been associated with improved adjustment in individuals diagnosed with cancer." National Cancer Institute
Personal Approach
My own personal approach to living with cancer includes prayer, meditation, healing touch, tai chi, worship, and spiritual reading and study. This in addition to chemo, surgery, radiation, exercise, supplements, etc...
Be well... Rob; in Vancouver
"Spiritual healing plays a vitally important role in the healing process, creating a solid foundation for recovery. By reclaiming this connection, we live life more fully, maximize our immune response, and become actively engaged in the process of recovery." Inspirehealth
See all "Foundations of Healing" posts... Here
