WelcometothisCaringScience,MindfulPracticeIntensive.

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Duringourtimetogether,IwillintroduceyoutoJeanWatson’sCaringScienceandmindfulnessinthetraditionofThichNhatHanh.Wewillthenexplorepracticalwaystoincorporatecaringscienceandmindfulnesspracticesintoeverydaylifeandwork.

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Thecontentwillhelpyouenvisionpersonalizedwaysthatyoucanincorporatedailymindfulcaringforyourselfandthepeoplearoundyou.

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TherearemanystudiesthatvalidatetheefficacyofaCaringScienceapproachintermsofstaffsatisfactionandperformance,andtherearealsomanystudiesthatvalidatethepositiveeffectofCaringScienceapproachesonstudentandpatientlearningandsatisfaction.Hereisjustasamplingofthesestudies.

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Therearemanymorestudiesrelatedtothistopic.Ifyouareinterestedinfindingthem,usesearchtermssuchasCaringScience,Watson’sCaringScience,Watson’sTheoryofHumanCaring,andCaritasProcesses.

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ThebasictoolsneededtosupportengagedprofessionalcaringincludeWatson’sCaritaspractice,mindfulness,personalreflection,andacommittedintenttocareforself,colleagues,clients,thecommunity,yourorganizationalsystem,andbeyond.

Beforewemoveforward,Iwanttobesureandclarifythatmindfulnessisnotareligion.Itisapracticethatisapplicablewithinanyspiritualorreligioustradition,orintheabsenceofspiritualtradition.Itisapersonalpracticemeanttosupportahealthyinnerlife.

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Herearethespecificsaboutwhatwewillcovertoday.

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HereabitofinformationaboutThichNhatHanhandmindfulnessincaseyouareunfamiliarwiththiswork:ThichNhatHanhisaVietnameseZenmasterwhoestablishedacontemplativecommunityinPlumVillage(France).Hehastouredallovertheworldtoteachpeopleofvariedculturesandfaithsaboutmindfulness.

Mindfulnesspracticeismeanttohelpusbefullyawareofthehereandnow.Thissoundssimplebutitcanbechallengingtodobecauseweareconditioned toparkourbodiesinthepresentandthenengageourmindsandheartsinthoughtsofwhathasbeenandwhatwillbe.Indoingthis,weoftenmisswhatisrightinfrontofus.Watson’sTranspersonalCaringMomentsdwellinthepresentmoment,momenttomoment,breathtobreath,touch totouch,heartbeattoheartbeat.MindfulnesshelpsustoenactTranspersonalCaringMomentswithinCaritaspractice,andindailylife.

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IhaveworkedcloselywithDr.Watsonformanyyearstodevelopknowledgeaboutengagedprofessionalcaring,andconveying/sustainingcaringinonlineclassroomsandthecontentsofthispresentationarebaseduponherCaringScienceTheory.

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Solet’stalkaboutTranspersonalCaringMomentsfirst,sincetheyarethecruxofwhatwearetryingtoaccomplish:TranspersonalCaringismadeupofstreamsoftranspersonalcaringmomentsthatradiateinalldirectionsbeyondthespecificmoment,throughspace,time,spirit,andthephysicalplanetocreateendlesspossibilitiesofcaringinfluence.Droppingapebbleinapondisagoodillustrationofthissimpleyetprofoundphenomenon.Sprayandsplashfromthepebbleenterstheairandripplesinthewaterfromthesurfacetodeepbelowradiateinalldirections.Energymovesin-among-aroundwithwideningimpactofallinproximity(whichisobvious),andtheneverythingelsewithincreasingsubtletyastheenergymovesoutwardintotheuniverse(notsoobvious).

Energydoesnotdissipatesomuchasitsimplymovesandflowsin-among-though-around…

ThisPebbleinpondmodelontheslideshowslayersofinteractionthatweallengageineverydayatwork.Theselfisatthecenterbecauseitisthefoundationuponwhichallotherinteractionsrest,therefore,conscious,mindfulcareoftheselfiscriticaltoproductiveandlife-affirmingworkintheotherlayers.Mindfulnesspractice,simplyconsciouslybreathingthroughlife’sexperiences,payingattentiontowhatishappeninginandimmediatelyaroundYOUwillsupportcaringpracticesinthecirclesofworkandinfluencearoundyou.Yourcalmanddeliberateawarenesswillemanate fromyourmindfulcenterandaffectothers,peers,leaders,communities,theenvironment,thevirtualworld,andbeyond.Haveyoueverhadanexperienceofprofoundcalmandfocuswithinaworksituationthatallowedyouhaverapidinsightsregardingwhatshouldbedoneinthatexactmoment?(Showlove,mercy, support,compassion,ORsensedanger,dishonesty,urgency,orneedforimmediatesafety).Thisismindfulnessinactionanditcanbeconsciouslycultivatedthroughthesimpleactsofconsciousbreathingandcomingbacktothepresentmomentoverandover(evenwhenmonkeymindcontinuallydistracts.)

Okay—somindfulnessandawarenessoftranspersonalcaringmaybegenerallyhelpful,butwhataboutpracticalapplicationinrelationtospecificdailyevents,feelings,andsituations?Hereisonewaytoenvisionprofessionalpracticeinawaythatsupportsfocusandclarity:Watson’sCoreandTrim

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1. ThisCore andTrimModel illustrates themicrocosm ofprofessional practice2. Theconstant coreofpractice isdeliberative caring inall itsforms anditerations (sections of

theorange). Thisremains continuous over timeandrepresents astance, aninner resolve,from which trim activities originate.

3. Thetrim ofnursing iscomposed ofprofessional knowledge, technologies, skills, andactivitiesthat changeovertime. (Looksdrastically different in1800 thanit doesnow, anditwill lookverydifferent inthefuture).

4. Envision thecore and trim asanorange, with theinside consumable partofthe orange beingthecore andthe peeling being thetrim. Eachneedsthe other tosurvive buteach servingadistinct purpose.

5. EachCaritas that wewill talkabout today isasection ofthe inside oftheorange (the core).6. Thecoreisthe partthat is meant tonourish the life forceofthe orange.Itcontains the

seeds forfuture treestogrow.Itensures survival ofthe species (orinthis case,theprofession).

7. Thetrim, orthe peel oftheorange hasgreatutility asitprotects the inner nourishing partofthe orange.Itis what isseenfirst, andit ishow the orangeisinitially judgedin termsoffitness toconsume. And soitis with professional life—the external covering of workactivities, technologies, skills, training, processes, etc.support and protect thetrue innerpurpose ofwhythe profession exists atall—which iscaring, sustaining, and providingnourishment forourselves,clients, each other,and thecommunity.

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ThemostimportantthingtorememberaboutCaritas1isthatitisnotastyleofbehavior.Itisanattitude,anintention,andaninternallyheldstance.Itisthewilltocareinwhateverwaysaremeaningfulandhelpfulwithinagivenmoment,andwithinagivensituation.Thetemperamentofthepractitioner,temperamentoftheclient,andothersituation-specificfactorswillinfluencewhattheoutwardexpressionofcaringwillbe(theorangepeel!),whiletheinnerresolveofthepractitionertocareandtoloveremainsconstant(thenutrientcenter).

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Mymanyyearsofresearchhaveshownthatcaringatadistanceispossible—onthephone,ine-mails,texts,andinonlineclassrooms.Ihaveanexamplefroma24/7callcenter- thisisaWCSICaritasCoachprojectfromtheCaringScience,MindfulPracticebook:

AsCaringSciencewasintegratedthroughoutthemedicalcenter,oftentimesthestaffcouldnotseehowthismodelcouldbeusedineverydaypracticeinthecallcenter.Acallcenterprogramentitled“Imaynotseeyou, Istillcare”wasbegunbecausestudieshaveshownfirstimpressionsareformedspontaneouslywithinthefirstfewmomentsofspeakingbasedontoneandspeech.Thecallcenterworkerswantedeachcallertoknowthattheywereimportantandcaredforbecausetheywerecommittedtoprovidingcareonatranspersonallevel—theyestablishedafirmintenttocareandthenexpressedthatinwaysthatweremeaningfulwithintheirspecificworkenvironment.Thepurposeofthis“Imaynotseeyou, Istillcare”projectwastoshowstaffmembersthatitispossibletoprovidetranspersonalcaringusingthetelephone.Sincetheonly tangiblecontactwasthroughthephone,theytriedtoconsciouslyexudecaringinconversationswithourcallersthroughkindnessandlovingspeech.Thisprojectwasremindertoeveryonethatthecallcenter’sstaffmainpurposewastoconnectwithpeopleincaringandmeaningfulways.

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ThissecondCaritasProcessisaboutbefullyandauthenticallypresentineachmoment.Thereisawiderangeofstructures,beliefs,andpracticesthatsupporthopeandfaith.ThisCaritasasksustocarefullydeterminewhatinstillsfaithandhopeinourselvesandotherswiththeunderstandingthateachindividualisuniqueandwillrequiredifferentthingstofeelattendedtoandhonored.

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HereisanexampleofCaritasProcess2inaction:• AHospitalrestructureditsnursingunits,whichresultedinsignificantchangesin

environment,roleandworkgroupsformanyemployees,leadingtoincreasedjobpressure,insecurityandstress(lossoffaithandhoperelatedtothejobenvironment).

• Despitestressfulchanges,careproviderswereexpectedtoprovidecompassionatecaretoclientswhileatthesametimetryingtocopewiththeuncertaintyandanxietythataccompanyorganizationalchange.

• Itwasimportanttosustainhelping-trustingrelationshipsandtoencouragetrust/hopeamongnursesexperiencingstressandanxietyduringorganizationalrestructuring.

• TheICUstaffinthishospitalreinforcedthefoundationofCaringSciencefortheICUstaffbypublishinga“CaritasCorner”sectionofthemonthly,inhouseCriticalCareNewsletter.

• ThisnewsletterprovidedopportunitiesforreflectionandcenteringasameansofsustainingCaritasrelationships.

• Apracticeofdailycenteringprayer/reflectionbetweenshiftswasbegun.• Developing/strengtheningrelationships,andenhancedself-carewassupportedby

formingateamtotrainforandruna5Kmcharityrace.This“TeamICUCouch-to-5KProgram”beganwithmotivatingandrecruitingteammembers,trainingschedulesandinformationalemailsweresenttoallICUstaff,andfellownurses

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whowereexperiencedrunnerswererecruitedtoserveascoachesfornewrunners.

• AnotheractivitywasinresponsetoanunforeseenrestructuringeventthatinvolvedasignificantnumberofPCUnurseswhowereinvoluntarilytransferredtothemedicalfloor,andseveralICUnurseswhowereaskedtoconsidertransferringeithertomedical/surgicalortoanotherhospitalwithinoursystem.Nursesbeganquestioningtheirownworth,andanxietyandstresswerehigh.Personalletterstoacknowledgeeachnurse’suniquevalue,eachcontainingtwopocket-sizedstoneswithaninspirationalwordsuchas“love,”“caring,”“healing,”or“faith”engravedonitwillbesent.Thenursewhoreceivesaletterwillbeaskedtokeeponestoneandpasstheotheroneontoanursewhomightneedsomeencouragement.Nursesoftendonottakethetimetoacknowledgetheexcellentcaringtheywitnessintheirwork.Byrecognizingeachother,staffmemberscanbuildeachotherupfromtheinside,instillingfaithandhopeinoneanother.“Caringandlovebegetcaringandlove”(Watson,2008,p.87).

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Spiritualpracticecanmeananumberofthingsdependingontheindividual.Thekey,regardlessofthetypeofspiritual/innerpractice,iscultivationofmindful,patient,compassionatecuriosityinrelationtoselfandothers.Engaginginsimplecuriosityratherthanjudgingordrawingimmediateconclusionsopenspossibilitiesandcultivatesunderstanding&compassionthatwouldnothavebeenpossibleotherwise.

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Hereisanexampleofhowcultivatingcuriositymightunfold:• Aco-workertellsyouthatshedislikestheunitmanager.• Yousaylittleandwalkaway.Youhappentotrulylikeandrespecttheunitmanagerandinitiallyfeel

angeranddefensiveness,butyouletthatgoanddecidetocultivatecuriosity.• Overthenextfewweeks,youquietlyobserve(withunfettered curiosity)interactions betweenthe

unitmanagerandco-workerwhomadethenegativeremarks.• Youfindthattheco-workerbitesherlipnervouslyandfidgetswhenevershetalkstotheunit

manager.• Theco-workeralsocommentsrepeatedlythatsheisafraidthatshewillmakeamistakeandthe

unitmanagerwillbeharshbecausesheissomuchmoreexperiencedthantheco-worker.• Youmakeaconsciousefforttomentor andsupporttheco-worker.• Youdrawherintonon-threatening conversationswiththeunitmanagersothatshecanbecome

morefamiliarwiththeunitmanagerasaperson.• Afterafewweeks,theco-workerseemsmoreateaseandmentionsthatsheisbeginningtolike

theunitmanagerafterall.• Cultivatingcuriosityprovidescalm,clearopeningstopositivepossibilities inchallengingsituations.

Thisapproachissubtle, simple,andveryeffective.Itdoesnotrequire grandgesturesorovertinterventions—just simplecuriositytemperedwithlovingkindness.

• Consistent, mindful,compassion-basedspiritualpractice supportsthecultivationofcuriosity, andisthefoundationforcaring,lovingkindness,compassion,andgenuineconnection.

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CaritasProcess4isallaboutshiftingfroma“youandme”mentalitytoa“weandus”mentality.

Itisabouttheprocessofbecomingmoreawareofthefactthatweallsharethesamehumandilemma—thatweareallvulnerable,thatlifeisunpredictable,andthatnobodyhasalltheanswers.Weareinthistogetherandmustmakeourwayforwardinthemostcaringandproductivewaypossible.

Thebestwaytocreatecaringrelationshipsistopayattention.

TheexampleforthisCaritasProcesscomesfromaresearchstudyIdidmanyyearsago.TheresultswereunexpectedandthelessonsIlearnedhavestayedwithmemyentirecareer.

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HereisoneexampleofhoweverydaypracticeofthisCaritasmightlook;severalyearsago,IdidasmallresearchstudyabouteffectivenursinginterventionsIhadobservedanoccupationalhealthnursedoingatalocalhospital.• Thisnurseassessedtheworkstationsofhospitalemployeestoseeif

improvementscouldbemadetoavoidmedicalconditionsrelatedtopoorlydesignedworkstations.

• ShehadanunusuallyhighsuccessraterelatedtocomplianceanddecreasedpainandinjuryandIwantedtoseewhatshedidwhensheinteractedwithclients.

• Iwonderedifcaringbehaviorshadsomethingtodowithhersuccess.• IsuspectedImightseeawarm,friendly,conversationalapproachbecause,atthis

timeinmycareer,Iequatedcaringwiththistypeofbehaviorandbelievedthatifitdidnotexist,thentruecaringcouldnotoccur.

• Iwaswrong.• Resultsofthisstudyshowedthat,inthiscase,clientsexpressedthattheyfelt

cared-forandinclinedtowardsfollowingprescribedinterventionsbecausethenursepaidfocusedandin-the-momentattentiontothemthroughmirroring,eye-contact,andverbalvalidationofthepresentingconcern(s).

• Theaveragetimerequiredforthesecaringexchangeswas24minutes.• Theresultswerenotableinthatthisnursedidnotevertouchtheclientdirectly,

nordidsheengageinanyconversationalbanterduringanyoftheobservedinterventions.

• Shedidnotdisplaypersonalwarmthorahighleveloffriendliness.

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• Theprimaryfeaturesofeveryobservedexchangeweremindfulness,immediacy,andapalpablesenseofbeingwhollyattentiveandfirmlypresentforeachclientinthatmoment(Sitzman,2001).

• Therewasastrongsenseof"Iamhereforyou, rightnow,inthismoment,andIwilldomybestasweworkthroughthistogether."

• Ilearnedsomethingveryvaluableaftercompletingthatstudyandithasguidedandinformedmysubsequentprofessionallife;Caring,love,andtrust,arebestsustainedthroughintention,presence,attentiveness,immediacy,andmindfulness.

• Friendliness,warmth,andmaternalaffectionmaybecomponentsoftranspersonalcaringmoments,buttheyarenotnecessities.

• Thispointcanbeparticularlyhelpfultorememberwhenworkingwithpeoplewhodonotrespondwelltowarmth,affection,orfriendliness,orwhenyoudon’tfeelinclinedtobeovertlywarm,affectionate,orfriendly!

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Feelingsareuniversalandimpermanent.Itisimportanttofocusonthissharedhumanity—especiallywhenworkingwithindifficultsituations.Inourjobs,wesharesomeoflife'smostpivotal,transformativemomentswithothers.Thesemomentsstirtheneedforexpressionofawiderangeoffeelingsandemotions.Wearenotourfeelings,andothers,whethertheyarepatients,families,coworkers,oradministrators,arenottheirfeelingseither.Expressionoffeelingsismostbeneficialandtherapeuticifviewedinthislight.

Thenextslidecontainsasimplemindfulnessvisualizationthatcanbeusedanytimewithselforothers.

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Sometimesitcanbechallengingtokeepthisinperspectiveasitiseasytogetattachedtoemotionsasiftheyaresomethingsubstantial,unchanging,andenduring.Overtheyears,Ihavepersonallyusedandtaughtthissimplevisualizationasareminderoftheimpermanentnatureoffeelings:• Closeyoureyesandenvisionthebluesky.• Yourcalm,unperturbed coreessenceisthebluesky.• Breatheinthefresh,coolsparklingair intheclearblueskythatisthetrue"you."• Nowenvisionafewpuffywhitecloudsdriftingbyintheskyofyourmind.• Reachout tograspacloud. • Itscoolmistfloatsbetweenyourfingersandyourhandcomesupempty.• Cloudsrepresentthemanyfeelingsthatpassbyyourbluecoreessence.• Cloudslooksolidandsubstantial,butifyoureachouttoholdontoacloud, itis

impossibletograspit.• Itisthesamewithfeelings.Theycontinuallygobyinthecalmblueskyofyour

mind,impermanent,alwaysmoving,changing, dissipating,and reforming.• Acknowledgetheflowofclouds.• Feelthecooldampnessastheyrollby.• Appreciateeachcloud forwhatcanbelearnedfromitspassingwithout tryingto

fruitlesslyhangon toanyonecloud.• Whetheritisnegativeorpositive,nonearepermanentorgraspable.• Thisapproachallowsforfreedomtoexperienceemotions,togrowand learn

fromthem,withoutthestressoftryingtohangontoorkeepsomethingthat

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wasnevermeanttobepermanent.• Usingthisvisualizationforselfandinrelation toothershelpstokeepthe

expressionofpositiveandnegativefeelingswithinperspective.

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Allscientificinquiryisdone inthepursuitofdeepenedunderstandingofvariousphenomena.Mindfulnessisalsomeanttodeepenunderstandingandsupportthefullhumanexperience.Mindfulnessistheultimateinunfetteredobservation,whichisrequiredinanygoodinquiryorproblem-solvingendeavor.

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Mindfulattentiontocommunicationpatternsindigitalsettingsiswhatdrivesmyresearch.Ihavecompleted9studiesinanefforttoclarifywhatcanbedone toconveyandsustaincaringindigitalsettings.Throughmindfulattentiontosubtletiesintone,rhythm,frequency,andchoiceofwords,IhavebeenabletodetermineagreatdealaboutthecaringneedsofstudentsandfacultydespitethefactthatIamnotinclosephysicalproximitywithmystudyparticipants.

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Teachingismuchmorethanconveyinginformationtoothers.Inorderforsignificantlearningtooccur,aconnectionmustbeestablishedthattakesintoaccountlearnerneeds,styles,andframeofreference.

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Inworkingwithstudents,IhavefoundoneofThichNhatHanh’steachingstobeparticularlyhelpful.Hedescribesthehumanmindasavastandopenfieldofconsciousnesswheremanydifferentkindsofseedsaredispersedandcultivatedbasedonwhatweareexposedtoandwhatwepayattentionto.

Forexamplethereareseedsofcompassion,joy,hope,sorrow,fear,pain,anddifficulties.Thereisavastarrayofwholesomeandunwholesomeseedsinourmind-field,sowneverydaybyourselves,ourparents,schooling,ancestors,andsociety.

Mindfulnesshelpsusrecognizetheseedsinourconsciousnesssothatwecanthenchoosetowateronlytheonesthataremostbeneficial.

Myroleasanurseandteacheristohelpmystudentsandpatientswatertheseedswithinthemselvesthatwillyieldease,wisdom,beauty,skill,healing,knowledge,andlove.

NowIamgoingtoshareasimplemindfulnessactivitythathasenrichedmyprofessionalpracticeovertheyears:Beforeeachofmyteachingactivities,Ienvisionafieldofconsciousnessfilledwithvibrantsunflowers.Ifeelthesunasitbatheseverythingwithwarmthandlight,andthenIdomybesttoradiatethatwarmthandlighttootherswhileweengageintheteachingandlearningprocesstogether.

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CaritasProcess8isaboutsupportingdignitywhencopingwithillness,loss,discouragement,grief,embarrassment,andvulnerabilitythatcanencompassphysical,emotional,social,andspiritualdimensions.

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• Iworked formanyyearsinahome healthcare agencythat focused oncare ofindigent andlowsocioeconomic status clients.

• Ivisited manypeople whohadpets fordesperately needed loveandcompanionship, howeverstruggled topurchase petfood during the period oftime that theyreceived homecare servicesdueto thefactthat theywere unable toworkor goout tocollect discarded food tofeed totheir pets.

• When Ivisitedthese clients, Iwould makeapoint ofbringing asmallbagofpet food tolastuntil mynextvisit andquietly leavingitbehind when Ileft.

• Ididnot want clients tofeel liketheyhadtothankmeoracknowledge this asIwanted tosupport dignity inthe situation.

• Iwasusuallyableto obtain donations from local businesses for this purpose.• Uponmyreturn, Iwould discreetly look atthe petfood bowl toseeifthere were remnants of

thefood Ihadpreviously brought toensure that Iwason theright track.• Inthis smallway,Iwould try tohelpclients with pets, who werestruggling financially, to

maintain ahealing, dignified, lovingenvironment.• After manyyearsofdoing this, Iraninto one ofmyold clients atagrocery store. Ihardly

recognized her.Shewassmiling, healthy, well-dressed, andhadacartfull ofgroceries. Shetold methatduring thetime Itookcareofher, theonlyspiritual, physical, andemotionalconnection shehadin theworld washer cat.Shewanted to healonlysothatIcould takecareofmycat.Shewasverygrateful for thecatfood Ibrought eachweek.Before Icame, thewoman bought catfood first andused whatever moneywasleftto feedherself. Sometimes itwasn't much andshewould gohungry.Shethankedmeforhelping herwithout makingabigissueout ofit.Aswesaidgood-bye, sheoffered to buyabagofcat foodfor metogivetosomeone elsein needandIaccepted. There wasdignity inboth receiving andgiving.

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Caritas9isaboutseeingthesacredinthemundane.Eachact,nomatterhowtrivialitmayseemtobe,effectseverythingelse,likedroppingapebbleintoapond.Onetextore-mailmessagecanhaveaprofoundimpactonthereceiver,whichinturneffectsthosewhointeractwiththereceiverandsoon.Onewell-madehospitalbedcanmakeaprofounddifferenceonfeelingsofcomfortandwell-beingforthepatient.Onekindwordofencouragementcantransformdiscouragementintohopeanddetermination.Everythingwedoaffectseverythingelseinwideningripplesofinfluence.Seeingthesacrednatureofouractionshelpstoputthetrueimpactofwhatwedointoperspective.

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Hereisanexample:• Iworkedforseveralyearsonawomenandnewbornunitinalargeurbanhospital.• WehadcareteamsthatconsistedofoneRegisteredNurse,oneLicensedPractical

nurse,andoneortwoNurse’sAids.• Wewouldworkinthesegroupstocareforwomenandtheirnewbornbabies.• EachtimeIcametowork,IwouldhopethataparticularNurse’sAidwouldbeon

myteambecauseshewassowonderfultoworkwith.Shealwaysmadesurethateverywaterpitcherwasfilledwithfresh,coldwater,commentingfrequentlythat“…thehumanbody ismostlymadeofwater,solet’smakesureit’sgoodwater!”

• Sheworkedtoensurethatallofthebedswerecleanandbeautifullymade,commentingthat“…nicebedsmakegoodnestsfortheailingsoul.”

• Sheofferedeachpatientattentiveness,patience,kindness,andrespect,saying“ItreatpeoplelikeIwouldwantsomeonetotreatmygrandma.”

• Whensheheldandrockedthenewborns,shewouldtalktoeachone,sayingthingslike,“Iamsoluckytobeoneofyourfirstfriends!Letmewhispersomewisdominyourear.Iknowyoudon’tknowthewords,butyou’llgettheidea:Yourlifeissacred.Thereisonlyoneofyouinthewholeuniverse.Imaginethat!Lovethisnewlifeyouhavebeengiven.Loveothersandyourself.Loveisthemostimportantthing.Rememberthat!”

• Shemeanteverywordandtriedtosharethesethoughtswitheverynewbornshecaredfor.

• Shetreatedeverymomentandhumanbeingasprecious.

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• Thisonenurse’saideraisedthelevelofcarefortheentireunitsimplybymakingitcleartoallthateachcaringactwassacred.

• Itremindedtherestofustodothesame.Patients,families,andco-workersalikeweregratefulforherwisdomandcaringpresence.

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• CaritasProcess10isaboutthemiracleoflifeitself.NotjustabouttheBIGandimpressingmiraclesthatpeoplewritebooksaboutandmakemoviesabout.

• Itismostlyaboutthesumofallthesmallmiraclesthatanimateyourlifeandthelivesofthosearoundyou.

• ThisquotefromThichNhatHanhsaysitwell:• "Dearfriends,youarenothinglessthanamiracle.Theremaybetimes

whenyou feelthatyouareworthless.Butyouarenothinglessthanamiracle.Thefactthatyouarehere--aliveandcapableofbreathinginandout--isampleproofthatyouareamiracle.Onestringbeancontainsthewholecosmosinit:sunshine,rain,thewholeEarth,timespace,andconsciousness.You[andeveryonewhoreceivesyourcare]contain[s]thewholecosmos"(NhatHanh,2002a,pp.11-12).

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HereisThichNhatHanh’spapermeditationtohelpyouglimpsethemiraclesinlife:• Ifyouareapoet,youwillseeclearlythatthereisacloudfloatinginthissheetof

paper.• Withoutacloudtherewillbenowater;• withoutwater,thetreescannotgrow;andwithouttrees,youcannotmakepaper.• Sothecloudissurelyinthepaper.Theveryexistenceofthispaperisdependent

ontheexistenceofacloud.• Paperandcloudareintertwined.• Considerthesunshine.• Sunshineisveryimportantbecausetheforestcannotgrowwithoutsunshine,food

plantsneedsunshine,andwehumanscannotgrowwithoutsunshineeither.• Papercomesfromtrees.• Theloggerwhocutsthetreethatformsthepaperneedssunshineinordertolive

andwork.• Therefore,thereissurelysunshineinthissheetofpaper.• Andifyoulookmoredeeply,withmindfulness,withtheheartofawareness,you

seenotonly thecloudandthesunshineinit,butthateverythingishere;thefoodthatfedeveryonewhoworkedtoproducethesheetofpaper,theloggerandhisancestors,thepapermillworkersandtheirfamiliesandancestors,allofthepeopleandmaterialsthatwentintotheproductionofthepaper,andsoonandsoonuntilyouenduprealizingthattheexistenceofeverythingdependsupon theexistenceofeverythingelse.

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• So…inreality,everything isinthissheetofpaperandthatisamysteryandamiracleworthnoting.

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ThelastthingIwilldoistodayisleaveyouwithsomesimpleCaritasConsciousnessTouchstonesthatwillsupportafirmandongoingintenttocare.

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Ipresentthemtoyounowasameditation:• Beginthedaywithsilentgratitude;setyourintentionstobeopentogiveand

receiveallthatyouareheretogiveandreceivethisday;intendtobringyour fullself,intheday-to-daymomentsofthisday;cultivatingaloving,caringconsciousnesstowardyourselfandallotherswhoenteryourpath.

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• Takequietmomentsto“center,”toemptyout,tobestillwithyourselfbeforeenteringanynewsituation;

• cultivatealoving-caringconsciousnesstowardeachpersonandeachsituationyouencounterthroughouttheday;

• makeaneffort“tosee”whothespirit-filledpersonisbehindtheclient/colleague.• Returntotheseloving-centeredintentionsagainandagainthroughouttheday,

helpingyourselftorememberwhyyouarehere.• Inthemiddleofstressfulmoments,remembertobreathe;askforguidancewhen

unsure,confused,andfrightened;forgiveandblesseachsituation.• Letgoofthatwhichyoucannotcontrol.

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• Attheendoftheday,foldtheseintentionsintoyourheart;commityourselftocultivatingaloving-caringpracticeforyourself.

• Usewhateverhaspresenteditselftoyou thisdayaslessonstoteachyoutogrowmoredeeplyintoyourownhumanityandinnerwisdom.

• Attheendoftheday,offergratitudeforallthathasenteredthesacredcircleofyourlifeandworkthisday.

• Bless,release,anddedicatethedaytoahigher,deeperorderofthegreatsacredcircleoflife.

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•Createyourownintentions andyourownauthenticpractices toprepareyourCaritasConsciousness;

•findyourindividual

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spiritualpathtowardcultivatingcaringconsciousness andmeaningfulexperiences inyourlifeandworkandtheworld.

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