Originally posted on the Candler
School of Theology Enthused Blog:
My first
lessons on holistic living I learned running through in my grandparents’
gardens and shelling peas on the front porch while listening to my grandfather
read the Bible. It was in my grandmother’s kitchen that I cultivated the
understanding that what we ingest (food or words) and what we practice directly
affects how we feel and how we relate. For sure, the Bible, the garden, and
bodily movement provided the impetus for my theological and academic interest
in what I have come to know as holistic salvation.
For me,
holistic salvation is health and wholeness of the body, mind, and spirit, in
the community, the environment, and world systems. During my time at Candler,
soteriology—the doctrine of salvation—in all of its forms, became so much of an
interest for me that I was inspired to learn as much as I could and then share
it with others. Salvation for all of God’s people, throughout all of God’s
creation, in every aspect of life is an intentional, communal process.
Spirituality and health creates a vehicle through which salvation is realized.
The concept
of spirituality and health grows from the same garden of my childhood. By its
very definition, spirituality is about relationship—with God, self, others, and
the environment. Likewise, health encompasses the emotional, psychological,
physical, and spiritual aspects of our wellbeing, which is impacted by the
nature of our relationships. That is to say, spirituality and health is a
communal endeavor. Globally, COVID-19 shines a glaring light on the quality of
our relationships in every dimension, and therefore, underscores the importance
of understanding spirituality and health as interrelated and interconnected.
The following are some examples of the intersections of spirituality and health
during the pandemic:
In an
effort to cull the depths of spirituality and health, on April 7 I co-led a
workshop for the Candler community alongside Charles Howard Candler Professor
of Pastoral Theology and Spiritual Care Emmanuel Lartey and
Assistant Professor in the Practice of Practical Theology Ellen Shepard. This virtual gathering
allowed us to share insights on what spirituality is and its connection to
physical health, mental health, and spiritual practice.
We also
wanted to provide a space in which students could engage and share their own
spiritual practices that help to manage such extraordinary times. We were
reminded that together we make up the Body of Christ, and no one thrives
without the support of others. As spiritual caregivers, we must be vigilant in
our efforts to take care of ourselves. Suggestions from around our virtual
community include: cooking good food; listening to music; carve out time to
read for pleasure; light exercise; limit news intake; establish and maintain
appointments with one’s own pastor, counselor, or spiritual director. These are
just a few ways in which we can replenish ourselves as we take care of others.
Throughout
this Lenten season and into Easter, the concept of spirituality and health
typifies the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus, Christ
incarnate, models for us what it means to be deeply connected with God and with
our communities. Indeed, by the gift of God’s grace and the empowerment of the
Holy Spirit, healing and wholeness are available to us. To be clear, wholeness
does not mean perfect health or normative ideals on physical ability. It means
that we live fully as human beings created in the likeness and image
of God. In the midst of a global pandemic, physical, mental, and spiritual
health are our primary concerns. Furthermore, practices that facilitate health
and wellbeing inspire hope for ourselves and others for the days ahead.