Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

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Day 7 – Living Loving Relationships Through Sacred Encounters

January 7, 2008

To accomplish a Sacred Encounter, we must open to the divine in the other.

I read the story years ago in actor Liv Ullman’s memoir, Changing,and I have recalled it many times. The Golden Globe-winning actor (left) recounted a meeting she had one afternoon with another famous actor, Vanessa Redgrave. Redgrave seemed desperate to raise money for a cause she was supporting. She came to Ullman with a passionate plea for support.
Ullman wasn’t so sure about the cause, but she cared about her friend Vanessa so she offered a significant pledge. As soon as she had made her commitment, she reports that Redgrave abruptly dropped eye contact, excused herself, and left. Ullman felt used. She quickly called Redgrave and withdrew her pledge. Redgrave, of course, was outraged. Why did this encounter fail?…

Redgrave (left) thought the meeting was all about the cause. When Ullman fulfilled Redgrave’s personal goal, she moved on, ejecting Ullman like a spent cartridge.
For Ullman, the encounter with her friend was all about their relationship. When she felt used, she turned on Redgrave like a betrayed lover.
This is not to say that either woman was totally right. But it is to say that Love relies heavily on trust and respect in relationships. For example, it’s fine, of course, to approach friends to raise money. But the encounter works best when both sides are honest and respectful about motives.
Radical Loving Care is centered in relationships. The Sacred Encounter is the concept of engaging Love’s power to transform an ordinary meeting into a sacred one. As I wrote above, to accomplish a Sacred Encounter, we must be open to the divine in the other. When we objectify the other purely to accomplish our own needs, we have demeaned the encounter and robbed it of the potential for being sacred.
Living Love includes practicing Sacred Encounters. How are they created? What are they like when they happen? What do these encounters tell us about the presence of Love in the world?

-Erie Chapman

Posted in Meditations

6 responses to “Day 7 – Living Loving Relationships Through Sacred Encounters”

Victoria Facey

January 7, 2008

I can recall going through a similar situation; you feel hurt when the other person “abandons” you afterwards.
Although letting go from the anguish takes time, I have learned to recognize the initial intention as being sacred, as well as the outcome. This is because I (finally) realized that I responded in good faith and with optimism.

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Erie Chapman

January 7, 2008

Thanks, Victoria. This is a good insight

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Karen York

January 7, 2008

The simple, yet hard truth always rises to the forefront. For an encounter to be “sacred”, it must be free from expectation and open to whatever happens. Yes, we open ourselves to great hurt because the other party may not be entering the encounter with the same abandon. Yet, if we are to spread the loving care movement, isn’t it our role to continue spreading kindness without expectation of reward or acknowledgement? As you say, each of us carries the divine, yet we so seldom look for it in others. Sadly, we seldom find it within ourselves.

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liz Wessel

January 7, 2008

I believe that sacred encounters are most likely to occur in the in between spaces, the times when we pause, even momentarily, from the busyness, worries, and distractions of our day. Allowing space for “what is,” whether a positive or negative emotion, and to acknowledge our feelings with acceptance, and a softening of heart…our energy will transform.
Sacred encounters are likely to happen when we let go of resistance and control to accept the ever-changing flow in our lives. To ground ourselves in awareness and to be present in the moment with Loving intention is key.

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Diana Gallaher

January 7, 2008

It is all about awareness, presence for me. I don’t think sacred encounters are “created” – the encounter is sacred if (whether) we have eyes to see, ears to hear, etc. I agree, we must practice, practice, practice. love, Diana

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Tom Knowles-Bagwell

January 7, 2008

I think what you are saying here, Diana, is really important. I need to remember that the encounter is already sacred. How am I going to participate in that sacredness, nurture it, allow it to work in me and the other?

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