What I’ve learned about spirituality in healthcare: Part 2

How does it show up?

Many people live life where spirituality is something separate from everyday life.

They may see religion as sacred texts or formal spiritual practices. Conversations about death and suffering are often not part of their everyday lives. 

One image I find helpful is to imagine spirituality as something that is papered over during the busyness of everyday life.

When life is going well, many of us move through our days without spending much time reflecting on life’s biggest questions. We are occupied with work, family responsibilities, future plans and daily routines.

Then a healthcare crisis occurs.

An illness, injury, disability or significant loss can suddenly interrupt the life we expected to have.

It is often at these moments that deeper questions emerge.

People may ask why this is happening to them. They may wonder whether their suffering has meaning or whether it feels random and unfair. They may find themselves questioning assumptions about life, faith, hope or the future.

Healthcare situations can also challenge identity.

A person who has always defined themselves through work may no longer be able to continue in that role. Someone who has always been independent may need to rely on others. Families may find themselves adjusting to responsibilities and realities they never anticipated.

Questions about values often come to the surface as well.

What matters most now? What am I willing to endure? What treatments align with my beliefs and priorities? How do I balance hope, acceptance and quality of life?

Connection is another important aspect of spirituality.

During difficult times, people often become acutely aware of the relationships and communities around them. They may discover who they can rely on, who provides support, and what places help them feel safe, grounded or restored.

At the same time, spirituality is not only revealed through struggle. It is also revealed through the resources people draw upon to cope.

For some, this includes prayer, meditation, religious rituals or faith communities. For others, it may include family relationships, cultural traditions, nature, personal values, creativity or meaningful occupations.

These sources of strength can provide stability during periods of uncertainty and change.

Perhaps this is why spirituality becomes particularly visible during healthcare journeys. Difficult circumstances often expose both the questions we carry and the resources we rely upon.

When viewed this way, spirituality is not a specialised topic reserved for a select few. It is part of being human. It emerges whenever people seek meaning, connection, identity, hope or strength in the face of life’s challenges.

Healthcare situations do not create spirituality. They simply have a way of revealing what was already there.

Our spirituality often becomes more visible when life changes during a healthcare situation.

“…spirituality has to do with how we understand ultimate meaning and make meaning of our experiences…” (p. 1525)

Lasair, S. (2020). A Narrative Approach to Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Health Care. Journal of Religion and Health, 59(3), 1524-1540. doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00912-9

Next up in this series: Why don’t we talk about it?

I’m Heather So, and my work centres around making space for spirituality in healthcare conversations. I offer workshops and training for health professionals, talks for people navigating a healthcare journey, and I am the author of The Suffering of a Child, now available for purchase.

Feel free to get in touch with me.