Actual Spirituality

After physicians have identified what is important. Help them consider this more difficult question invite them to examine their schedule and determine where they spend most of their time. Also, encourage them to examine their bank account to determine where they spend their money, and to think about their dreams and fantasies. These all serve as pointers to the spirituality that they actually live. In other words, these indicate how they try to acquire a sense of purpose and significance in life. Joining a new medical staff is a significant point of transition and therefore a good time to re-examine life direction.

Explore purpose

Invite the participants to use their journal again, asking: “Where do you find meaning and purpose in life?” A clarifying questions helps: “What is most important to you?” Use the pattern of journaling followed by dialogue as with the previous question. Answers to these questions come in two categories, connections and accomplishments. The connections refer to things like family, friends, social and political groups. The accomplishments are described differently but are examples of money, power, or prestige. Some participants will answer that faith or God is important and gives meaning to their lives. For some the faith response is about the social connections of their faith community. For others it is about personal faith practices and how they feel about the way that their faith accomplishments measure up. Most people answer this question based on their idea of what should be important in life.

Religion vs Spirituality

Physicians give a variety of answers, emphasizing the misunderstandings we have for each other’s spirituality. Many of the answers will describe spirituality as religion. This answer is the springboard for you to differentiate between spirituality and religion. One is tempted to launch a monologue as soon as one of the participants triggers this idea. Delay until all of the participants have spoken. For the physician champion these are useful definitions of religion and spirituality: Religion is a system of belief, worship, conduct, doctrine and governance to which a group of people adhere. Spirituality is that which gives meaning and purpose to life. In other words, spirituality is not so much something you achieve or a set of rules. It is something you are.