Sacred Journeys

Spiritual needs are as ancient as humankind. Just as ancient is the impulse, the imperative, to respond to those in distress. The need for healing and the empowerment of love¬¬---for others, the self, and for God—is universal. The guidance in living lives of care and purpose, in finding the spiritual resources to heal life’s wounds, and to cope with adversity is a continuing challenge in every age. Humanity always confronts the deepest existential questions: Why do I exist? Why am I ill? Will I die? What will happen to me when I die?
Spirituality and religion for millennia were considered one and the same. This is not true in the modern era. Many reject formal religious dogmas and practices, but feel a deep need for connection, a relationship, with others, with nature, with some Higher Source, whatever that may be. The deepest human needs remain and so does the call to respond to those needs. The behaviors that reflect the deeper impulses of our spiritual selves include practicing altruism, praying, forgiving, and some form of contemplation or meditation. Our quest for meaning in life, our spirituality, provides us a real inner resilience that helps us cope with life’s challenges. Yet, whether an individual is actively engaged in organized religion or on their own spiritual journey, the great Abrahamic faiths-----Judaism, Christianity, and Islam---have profound lessons, rooted in deep spiritual understanding, for those who suffer and those who seek to bring a healing touch.
The concept of spiritual care is inherent in all three faiths. The need to listen to those suffering from whatever ailment afflicts them, and to respond with care, offering hope and spiritual consolation is at the heart of religious traditions that are millennia-old. All believers, not just clergy, are called to “love your neighbor” in practical and concrete ways. Caregiving is never easy. It challenges us to provide comfort, “coming alongside to lend support and instill courage in a hurting heart” (Kellemen and Edwards, Beyond Suffering, p. 32).
The essayists in this volume come from varied backgrounds and traditions. The stories they share are different, one from another. But the love and hope they share are a light in an often dark world. We will all benefit from their wisdom, experience, and compassion.