The concept of total pain has been embedded in the worldwide hospice movement for some time. However, latterly, there has been some concern that with our busier, scheduled approach to work and life, this more holistic approach to care can be overlooked, writes Sylvia Thompson
'HOSPICE WORK is steeped in the values of spiritual care but we run the risk of losing that element in busy times," says Deborah Hayden, nurse tutor at Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross, Dublin.
"From a palliative care point of view, it is very difficult to address physical pain unless you are mindful of the psychological, the social and the spiritual aspects of the person's life. The pharmacological interventions are hugely important but not in isolation. Physical pain can be exacerbated by what happens on other levels," she adds.
To gain a deeper understanding of holistic care, Our Lady's Hospice has organised that up to 15 per cent of its clinical staff partake in workshops on spiritual pain next year. These workshops will be led by Prof Richard Groves, pastoral counsellor and hospice chaplain who, together with his wife, Mary Groves, founded the Sacred Art of Living Centre in Bend, Oregon, US.
Groves, who is a regular visitor to Ireland, will come to Dublin four times over the coming 18 months to facilitate the courses at Our Lady's Hospice in Dublin.
Speaking from his home in Oregon, Groves says: "Dr Cicely Saunders, the founder of St Christopher's Hospice in London, said that spiritual pain was the most overlooked factor in relieving pain and suffering.
"Sometimes we try to snuff out pain with psychotherapy and drugs but by leaning into your pain, you can get through it rather than trying to get around it," he explains.
"The idea of leaning into your pain is an old Celtic instinct that depth psychology now confirms," he adds.
The coupling of ancient wisdoms from different religious and spiritual traditions with modern-day psychological techniques is a key feature of the Sacred Art of Living and Dying courses that Groves runs.
Over the past 10 years or so, more than 15,000 healthcare professionals have completed the training in various parts of the world. "At the start, the programme became successful in North America and in the past five years we have started teaching in Europe and Asia," says Groves. Initially linked to the hospice movement, the courses were called the Sacred Art of Dying but now the Groves have changed the course title to The Sacred Art of Living and Dying with the aim of reaching wider audiences.
"The techniques and tools were first used in the hospice movement but we're realising that other losses in life - through illness, job loss and divorce - require the same kind of perspectives. They are particularly useful for people in the second half of their life," he says.
Groves will deliver the course in two-day modules, starting in January. The aim of the course is to train people to become "contemplative care givers" and the time in between the modules is deemed to be just as important in terms of experiential learning, as the workshops themselves.
"Busyness and speed are the cultural demons of now and our modern approach to life doesn't leave time for reflection," says Groves.
With degrees in theology, bio-ethics, world religions and law, Groves is as much a spiritual seeker himself as a teacher.
He mentions personal mentors such as the aforementioned Saunders and Celtic scholars including the late Irish philosopher and poet, John O'Donohue.
"We devised our current Anam Cara project with John's help. It blends the wisdom of the medieval monastic Ars Moriendi tradition with Celtic cultural perspectives on healing and spirituality," explains Groves.
Dr Michael Kearney, former medical director of Our Lady's Hospice, is now the chief medical adviser to the Anam Cara project.
The course which Groves will teach in Dublin next year will explore differences between pain and suffering, curing and healing and spirituality and religious practice. It will also study the experiences of spiritual abuse, religious addiction and explore the qualities of hope, meaning and forgiveness.
"Today, we brush these qualities aside and often there is an annoying discontent around the qualities of meaning, hope and forgiveness, yet if you learn how to deal with these issues at a personal level, it gives you the edge to help someone else," he says.
Groves suggests that currently there is a lack of one-to-one support in faith communities and that in many ways, people are hungry for that support. "We also teach our courses in seminaries of all faith traditions because it would be great if priests and ministers learnt the importance of being and having an anam cara or soul friend," he says.
In their courses, the Groves also draw on various theories and practices from complementary and psychological therapies. These include Jungian dream analysis, music and art therapies, guided imagery, meditation using labyrinth and breathwork.
"We also look at emotion-centred therapies and how they can reframe traumatic experiences for people who have experienced physical or sexual abuse. And, we look at how forgiveness can enhance the body's immune system," he explains.
• The Sacred Art of Living and Dying Series will take place in Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross, Dublin on January 8th and 9th, May 21st and 22nd, December 3rd and 4th 2009 and May 13th and 14th 2010. Each two-day workshop costs €300. For more details, e-mail education@olh.ie or tel: 01-406 8806. See also www.sacredartofliving.org