Page 175 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

Fr o m C a r at i v e FaC to r 9 to C a r i ta s P r o C e s s 9
• The need for achievement—self-efficacy, self-esteem,
self-concept
• The need for affiliation—family, love, and belonging
• The need for knowledge—understanding, making meaning (of
life situation)
• The need for beauty-aesthetics
• The need for self-expression, creativity
• The need for play and relaxation
• The need for an evolving self-actualization that is spiritually
meaningful
• The need to connect with that which is greater than self—to sur-
render to a higher source with a sense of awe toward the mys-
tery and wonder of life, whether humanity itself, nature, God,
Spirit, or a Divine universe.

Nevertheless, while all these needs are holographic in nature, each
one embodies and affects all the others. Without attending to the most
basic physical human needs, one’s physical survival is vulnerable, pre-
venting deeper evolution. Any basic need on the physical plane can be
considered a need of the embodied soul.
In the past, it was generally assumed that a person can take care of,
or assist another with, basic physical needs, separate from the whole
of his or her humanity and the energetic field of the individual’s life
force. In this evolved model of Caritas Consciousness, we realize that
this is not possible. Soul care as well as physical care is required to
respond to each and all needs, in that the whole of spirit/soul is in
each physical and nonphysical need and is embodied in the physical
plane of the body.
When one touches another’s body, as mentioned, the individual is
touching not only the physical body but also the person’s mind, heart,
and soul at some level. A Caritas Nurse is conscious and aware of this
perspective in assisting another with basic needs, at whatever level of
need is presenting. The nurse responds to these needs as a privilege,
an honor, and a sacred act in assisting this person. The Caritas Nurse
appreciates that in this one act, he or she is connecting with and con-
tributing both to the spirit of that person and to oneself.

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