Page 261 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

H uma n ExP Er i E ncE s: HE a l t H , HE a l in g , a n d C a r i t a s N ur s iN g
HealiNg our relatioNsHip witH
self / otHer / plaNet eartH / uNiverse
Within this framework, we now realize, more than ever, that before
we can engage in healing practices, including medical and nursing
practice, we have to deal with healing our relationship with self and
Other, in that it all begins with self and radiates out to the universe.
Within the field of health care, and nursing in particular, there is a
long history of being unkind, if not cruel among ourselves; likewise,
there are stories and research studies that condemn medical educa-
tion and authoritarian practices that perpetuate unkind, cruel, and in
some instances, abusive practices in health professional education and
practice field. Yet, we are charged with moral and social expectations
to care and to be healers.
This focus on healing our relationships becomes very personal,
yet it affects, if not informs, our professional practices. This basic task
of being human and becoming more humane intersects with our pro-
fessional focus in caring-healing. We forget that our health care work
is greater than we have acknowledged; the human nature of our work
has been too small and limited in its scope in relation to the rich, com-
plex nature of this deeply human work.
To engage in healing our self and our relationship with each
other and beyond, the practices of Forgiveness, Offering Gratitude, and
Surrendering to higher/deeper source for consolation, creativity, insight
and heart-centered action, is a way to begin. It seems that our rela-
tionship with our self is most critical to all other aspects of healing
work, including our own personal health. It starts with self and moves
in concentric radiating circles out to all whom we touch physically,
locally, non-locally, and energetically. We return again and again to
these basic human practices to stay alive, awake, and to sustain our
humanity. As Rumi put it:

It doesn’t matter that you’ve broken
your vow a thousand times, still
come, and yet again, come.

AND his reminder/rejoinder for our living/Being/Becoming:

233