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 215 – What We Can Do

August 3, 2009

Do what you can on this planet to relieve suffering by constantly working on yourself to be an instrument for the cessation of suffering. – Ram Dass (below)

Neuro Intensive Care nurse Deadre Hall is already doing the best she can to follow Ram Dass's command. She has spent more than thirty years comforting those struck down by strokes, knocked unconcious in auto accidents, or paralyzed by disease. In her personal life, she does the same kind of thing bringing her love to family and friends.

As a woman of faith, Deadre is one of those rare Christians who actually practices what she believes. She doesn't just talk about the need to relieve the suffering of others, she does it all the time.

Like Deadre, Lisa Graham, a home care nurse at Alive Hospice, is committed to bringing comfort to those who are in their last days. The recent documentary, A Place Called Alive, chronicles some of Lisa's efforts to deliver loving care to her patients, including those disfigured by the ravages of cancer.

Since we all know people who are profiles of caring like Deadre and Lisa, why do we need instruction from Dass? I feel chronically inadequate in this respect since I am too often inclined to choose my own comfort over relieving the suffering of others.

When Mother Theresa was asked why God allows suffering she pointed out that people and society had more than enough resources and potential to relieve starvation, thirst, and many diseases. The problem was the lack of human will to commit to relieving the agony of others.

Perhaps, becoming an instrument to relieve suffering is about much more than acquiring skills. Maybe, it has to do with our personal choice to listen for the call of need (which is always present) and to meet it with Love's healing embrace.

What do you think?

-Erie Chapman

Posted in Health Care

5 responses to “Day 215 – What We Can Do”

~liz Wessel

August 3, 2009

I don’t think you are alone in the feelings you describe when it comes to relieving the suffering of others. I appreciate the honesty of your expressions and I too would like to honor and acknowledge Lisa Graham and Deidre Hall and the caregivers who seek to be kind and Loving healers.
Funny, I gave a copy of the book “Be Here Now” many years ago when my brother Johnny when he was going through a difficult period in his life. It seemed to influence his philosophy of life significantly. I’d like to read this other book that you reference by Ram Dass. I think our thoughts are powerful and what we think leads to how we act and how we act creates how we live and creates our reality. Therefore, spiritual readings, this Journal, help to fill my mind with Loving thoughts and help to create the life I wish to live. The act of responding to the Journal writing by commenting is another way to better integrate these teachings and to internalize them.
Contemplative prayer opens a door into communication with the Divine presence. A listening heart enables one to receive direction and respond acoordingly. I will not get discouraged because I falter and fail so often, each day (moment) offers a chance to see anew and to make the only sane choice there is.

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Karen York

August 3, 2009

I appreciate your last paragraph as I often feel inadequate to help others. However, I am working on my observation of needs around me and being quick to respond. I read a book several years ago entitled “Life as a Daymaker” by David Wagner. Basically it’s a lesson on being intentional about sharing kindness and helpfulness. Each of us can do this, no matter what our calling.

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Victoria Facey

August 3, 2009

If we each share a little time, giving comfort and support – or just acceptance and understanding to someone who is suffering from an affliction or challenge, the world we heal better. I am not in a setting where I encounter patients, but I work with clinical staff who go above the norm to give exemplary support to those patients we serve. They bring me closer to feeling as though I’m part of that caring team.

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Diana Gallaher

August 3, 2009

And you can’t uncouple love from justice. If we were to wake up one day and find babies floating in the Cumberland River (Cumberland river for the Nashvillians), we would need to rush to pull them out of the water to safety. But we also need to go upstream and find out why they are ending up in the river to start with.
I love Be Here Now. Several years ago I saw a documentary about Ram Dass post stroke. I’ve not read Still Here.

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Carolyn Olney

August 3, 2009

The zen practice of focusing on the moment you are in is very helpful as a family caregiver. You can do that one thing in that one moment, that if someone told you what was needed over a certain period of time would seem impossible. As someone who usually goes up the river to help, the practice of focusing on the moment of need, when there is no river to go up in this case, allows me to be present for that moment.

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