Page 266 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

Hu ma n ExPE ri En cEs: HE a l t H , HE a l in g , a n d C ar i t a s N ur s iN g
most suffering, but by watching it move beyond, and through, me; by
staying still with the process, it became some sort of a miracle. That is
only one small example of physical pain, but the same process can be
explored and discovered for life itself, as well as other forms of pain,
be they psychic, emotional, mental. These become part of our entire
journey toward greater health and healing/wholeness of being.

deepeNiNg aNd expaNdiNg our uNderstaNdiNg of liviNg
aNd dyiNg: aCkNowledgiNg tHe sHadow/ligHt CyCle of tHe
great saCred CirCle of life
While we adhere to health and curing/caring and healing as our pri-
mary mission in this health care work, we also now have to acknowl-
edge that we work within the great circle of life-death. This reality
recognizes that we all share this common task of facing our humanity
at a deep level, both personally and professionally. What we do is not
without consequences, in that one way or another we are contribut-
ing to and co-participating within the web of life. In all of our work
and actions we are working within the universal energy field of infin-
ity that enfolds and surrounds and upholds all of life—time, past, pres-
ent, future; time before and time after the earth plane of existence;
spirit transcending physical body transcending death as we know it.
So, making-meaning, and seeking-meaning about understandings of
life and living and dying; deepening our view and appreciation for all
of life is part of our human quest. David Bohm proposed that meaning
is a form of Being (Weber 1986:18); that is, it is realizing that through
our meanings we change nature’s being. Humans’ meaning-making
capacity turns us into nature’s partner in shaping our evolution. Bohm
suggests that what we are actually doing by engaging in dialogue with
the cosmos is changing its idea of itself (Weber 1986). This perspective
is quite awesome and humbling to consider the majesty of the uni-
verse and our relationship with it in a deeper way.
Renee Weber believes this deeper diminution is activated in all the
participants through dialogue whereby our own world-line/song-line
intersects with and forms part of the process. This song-line of rela-
tionship and intersecting web of life “continues and carries over from
the cosmos into our own spiritual journey” (Weber 1986:18).

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