Psychoneuroimmunology and spiritual healing . . . I think they share common ground. For psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) researchers, it’s important to work with the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – and not just a single biological system. Here’s some research that shows the connection between PNI and spiritual health. Ruth Tanyi, DrPH and her […]
The Courage of Surrender
Sometimes, it feels like we’re fighting for control in our lives. Maybe we’re afraid to surrender. Caroline Myss, PhD thinks it’s time to be brave. In this video, Caroline reveals the miraculous power of surrender. You might find yourself changing your approach to some of the most important things in your life. It’s only 3 […]
Spirituality in Practice – Why Training Matters
Spiritual healing – we know our patients need it . . . and we want to give it to them. But it can be tough to combine spirituality and practice. If you haven’t talked with your patients about spiritual health before, how do you begin? A pair of researchers in Norway held focus groups with […]
Can Prayer Play a Part in Modern Medicine?
The theme of healing prayer is very common in the history of spirituality, but what about in the technical, scientific field of modern medicine? There has been incredible debate in the medical community over whether or not prayer can impact healing. While some studies seem to demonstrate that prayer can enhance healing, others show that […]
An Eye-Opening Look at the Power of Prayer
If you’ve ever wondered about the healing power of prayer, you might want to hear what Larry Dossey, MD has to say. He was a skeptic – until he found research he couldn’t ignore. Larry believes that distance healing is possible, whether through prayer, general well-wishes, or other interventions – even when patients don’t know […]
An Energy-Boosting Spiritual Lesson
What if patients had a “do-it-yourself” method for developing spiritually that could also help manage chronic disease? It sounds like a good idea, but how realistic is it? Jeanne McCauley, MD and her research team from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have found a cost-effective way for older adults suffering from chronic diseases to […]
Reclaiming Control: Spirituality and Aging
We know spirituality matters throughout the course of life. Both young and old benefit from spiritual and religious beliefs in so many ways. But we’re always discovering new ways that spirituality can make a difference. For instance, a team of researchers at the University of Notre Dame think it’s about control. In a recent study […]
The Whisper of Wisdom
Wisdom. It can be hard to define. But when you hear it, you know. And when teachers share spiritual wisdom, everyone around them benefits. Spiritual teaching helps the heart, mind, and body in so many ways. In fact, a team of researchers at Calvin College systematically reviewed 75 studies of spirituality and mental health in […]
Ram Dass – Responding to Challenge with Grace
Disease and aging are natural parts of life. We can’t keep our patients free from illness or forever young. But we can help them respond to challenging life events with grace. When Ram Dass, PhD, experienced a life-changing stroke, he focused on the grace his experience brought him. He found kindness from strangers, and used […]
Do Patients Want to Talk about Spirituality?
It’s an important question to ask yourself: do my patients want to talk about their spiritual concerns? A recent study may help shed light on the topic. Farr Curlin, MD and his team at the University of Chicago analyzed data from 3,141 hospitalized patients looking to answer these questions. Patients who had a spiritual conversation […]