Week 5 - Natalie Velazquez

This weeks reading of "You are here: locating spirituality on the map of the current medical world" by Parameshwaran Ramakrishnan, tied to this weeks theme of medicine and the religious/spiritual world. This article discussed how religious/spiritual institutions and their leaders have cared for the sick for ages. Today spiritual care is classified in two departments: complementary and alternative medicine. Clinical chaplaincy, phenomenology, mindfulness-meditation, empathy, embodied care, religion scriptures and theological studies are some fields of scientific inquiry into "spiritual care". This article also discusses the expansion of medicine into the realm of spirituality. A majority of physicians claim to be very religious and spiritual in their role as clinicians. Chaplain's spiritual care process for example, helps patients that are suffering find the meaning and purpose of their life's struggles. It helps patients connect with their self and reach a state of peace. I agree with the article that our understanding and definition of "spirituality" or spiritual care may be based off ones own self discovery. Thus by finding oneself it can help individuals find meaning and purpose to their struggles. Based off the article one question I have about spiritual healing involves Kinetic Body Therapy and if it falls under the category of spiritual healing?