Page 88 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

f r o M ca ra t i v e f a c to r 2 t o C a r i t a s P r o C e s s 2
upon their source of hope from their belief system. It seems as though
when people are ill or threatened or in crisis, they “go home” cultur-
ally and internally, subjectively resorting to their inner deep belief sys-
tem, regardless of whether it is “rational” or “irrational.”
Today, conventional Western medicine is using multiple modali-
ties as adjuncts to other scientific approaches or, at best, in conjunction
with allopathic practices. The growing field now commonly referred
to as Integrated Medicine, or mind-body-spirit medicine, is using such
holistic modalities as meditation, energy medicine, acupuncture,
Reiki treatments, biofeedback, homeopathy, diet, exercise, visualiza-
tion, intentional consciousness, touch–noncontact touch, relationship
therapy, and numerous other procedures and practices. Belief remains
at the heart of all practices. These approaches build upon, but also
extend and transcend, conventional allopathic medicine and at some
level draw upon and reinforce the deep belief system of the one being
cared for.
Many of these so-called holistic modalities are grounded in a dif-
ferent worldview than the Western belief system; they incorporate
spiritual-religious dimensions and other supernatural unknowns, thus
contributing all the more to the complexities and importance of hon-
oring deep beliefs, perceptions, and subjective meanings. Many of
these practices are ancient and pre-modern but have been rediscovered
as contributing to healing and wholeness and broad health outcomes.
Whether from ancient Greek and Chinese medicine or modern nurs-
ing founded by Nightingale, they are based on the wisdom that the
body has the power at some deep intrinsic level to heal itself. This
belief is often what people return to in calling upon their hope and
faith, their belief in miracles as a source of strength.
In Caritas Consciousness, the nurse honors and seeks to discover
what is meaningful and important for a particular person. The per-
son’s beliefs are never discarded or dismissed as insignificant in the
treatment and caring process. Indeed, they are encouraged, respected,
and enabled as significant in promoting healing and wholeness regard-
less of medical diagnosis, situation, and cure outcomes.
The nurse practicing within a Caring Science context knows that
the healing power of belief and hope can never be overlooked but

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