Faculty Articles
Suffering and Compassion
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
ISSN
1557-9085
Publication Date
4-1-2019
Abstract
Suffering is a natural part of life and without moments or periods of pain, we tend not to appreciate the joys and the beauty of life as deeply as we might otherwise. Our wounds, I believe (suffering is one of those), offer us personal power, but not until we are open to understanding their message. We may not know the exact answer or message right away or ever, but we can be open, live the question and the journey.
Compassion and awareness go hand in hand with any suffering journey, for once we have been stung, hurt and full of despair, we are better able to understand others' pain with an open heart. I believe that it is only when our hearts are pierced to the core that we can begin to understand that there is always a possibility of grace in that process. The following essays explore the challenges of suffering and the deeper meaning that it may possess for both personal and professional revelation. These essays offer wisdom to help us find that deeper grace and provide examples of innovative programming and complementary therapies that help clinicians address and ease patients' suffering.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1089/act.2019.29212.jlr
Volume
25
Issue
2
NSUWorks Citation
Roseman-Halsband, J. L.,
Ding, J. J.,
Thompson, E. S.
(2019). Suffering and Compassion. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 25(2).
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/1741
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