Page 73 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

fr om caratIve fact or 1 to C a r i t as Pr oC e s s 1
As part of the preparation for this practice of Caritas, I developed
“touchstones” for setting our intentionality and consciousness for caring-
healing. These touchstones were developed at the request of a hospital
that was using my theory as a practice model for nursing and wanted
to give the nurses something as a touchstone to prepare them for car-
ing but also to remind them to continue to care. I developed the card
shown as Table 4.1 for nurses, which is now more available to others.
These sayings can be affirmations or can serve as a tool of sorts to
begin to step more intentionally into the Caritas framework.
A preparatory practice such as the one set forth in Table 4.1 and the
accompanying CD is only one way to enter into this kind of evolved
awareness. It is only one entry into cultivating Caritas Consciousness. As
we each step more fully into such affirmative practices of intentional-
ity and evolving consciousness, we can expand and evolve into more
formal experiences and practices.

Beginning Centering exerCise*
Another exercise that goes to a more focused level is the practice of
“Centering.” This exercise is another way to enter into and cultivate
Loving-Kindness and Equanimity toward self and others. The exercise
can also serve as both a starting point and a continuing guide for sus-
taining such caring-healing practices.
Since the universe is holographic, so is our role in it. In develop-
ing our own caring-healing practices and Caritas Consciousness, we are
affecting the entire universe, from our own piece of personal and pro-
fessional work, wherever we are; we are participating in and contrib-
uting to the universal field of infinity that surrounds us all. We need
tools and skills to equip us to invoke and participate in becoming and
holding the radiating field of loving-caring consciousness that affects
the whole. Such cultivated preparatory work helps manifest Caritas
energy of love and compassion, elevating a higher/deeper awareness
and presence, transcending fear and low-energy, ego-dominated con-
trolling thoughts.

* The accompanying CD can serve as a guide to centering.

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