Spiritual Care Group Sessions
I arrange the space in a circle, and set up a small sacred altar (cloth, candle and a bell). The flow of the session usually has this sequence:
- Briefly explain what the group is all about and share the role of a chaplain. Most will not know what a chaplain is or does. I keep this part short by simply saying that our work here is to listen to each other's stories and journey.
- I invite everyone to share their name, and a prompt usually related to the story (example: "Share the name of someone in your life who has guided you out of danger," "Name a memory of an event of the best meal you've ever had, wherein you felt nourished.")
- Light the candle: "We light up this candle to mark this circle as a sacred space, and to honor the light that is in each one of us."
- A blessing to get ready: Shalom My Friend
- Godly Play / Spirit Play
- Wonderings / Sharing of Reflections
- Embodied Gesture
- The Work - Art Activity (10 minutes)
- Quick group share about their work
- Sharing of Prayers / Intentions for Healing
- Closing Ritual or Blessing
Spirit Play / Godly Play in Spiritual Care Groups
I utilize Godly Play (aka Spirit Play) storytelling method as a way to invite participants to reflect about their lived experience. Jerome Berryman, the founder of the Godly Play storytelling modality, valued the participants' capacity to articulate their inner wisdom and insight into the story. As opposed to pouring in knowledge, the pedagogical approach is to draw out the inner wisdom and insight that is already in each participant. The Godly Play storyteller's role is to support the participant's work of articulating insights and making connections - the mirroring of one's inner life into the story being shared.
Below are some of the mythologies from different cultures that I have utilized in my Spiritual Care Groups:
1. The Cracked Jar (South Asia / Theme: seeing gifts/strengths not in our awareness)
2. The Warrior and the Monk (East Asia / Theme: emotional regulation)
3. Punchinello (American / Theme: judgment of others - seeing ourselves as special and beloved)
4. Peace Be Still - The Teacher on a Boat in the Storm (Christian / Theme: peace during crisis)
5. Parable of the Good Shepherd (Christian / Theme: faith in the love of our Creator)
6. Brother Bear (Alaskan / Theme: obstacles of our healing, and receiving support from others)
7. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Christian / Theme: growth)
8. The Parable of the Leaven (Christian / Theme: the process of being kneaded to become living bread)
9. What is my Song (African / Theme: our sacred call/vocation)
10. The Woman who Outshone the Sun (Mexican / Theme: judgment from community & reconciliation)
11. The Six Blind Men & the Elephant (Buddhist / Theme: Truth is relative)
12. The Master and a Cup of Tea (Buddhist / Theme: The Learner's Mind)
13. Maybe - The Old Farmer, his Horses and Sons (Taoist / Theme: Staying in the present, and go with the flow)
14. Francisco Rowed His Canoe Into the Stormy Sea (Filipino / Theme: Riding the crest and troughs of the wave)
15. The Last Airbender (Pop Anime Series / Theme: Personality assessment - water, fire, air, earth)
Below are some of the mythologies from different cultures that I have utilized in my Spiritual Care Groups:
1. The Cracked Jar (South Asia / Theme: seeing gifts/strengths not in our awareness)
2. The Warrior and the Monk (East Asia / Theme: emotional regulation)
3. Punchinello (American / Theme: judgment of others - seeing ourselves as special and beloved)
4. Peace Be Still - The Teacher on a Boat in the Storm (Christian / Theme: peace during crisis)
5. Parable of the Good Shepherd (Christian / Theme: faith in the love of our Creator)
6. Brother Bear (Alaskan / Theme: obstacles of our healing, and receiving support from others)
7. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Christian / Theme: growth)
8. The Parable of the Leaven (Christian / Theme: the process of being kneaded to become living bread)
9. What is my Song (African / Theme: our sacred call/vocation)
10. The Woman who Outshone the Sun (Mexican / Theme: judgment from community & reconciliation)
11. The Six Blind Men & the Elephant (Buddhist / Theme: Truth is relative)
12. The Master and a Cup of Tea (Buddhist / Theme: The Learner's Mind)
13. Maybe - The Old Farmer, his Horses and Sons (Taoist / Theme: Staying in the present, and go with the flow)
14. Francisco Rowed His Canoe Into the Stormy Sea (Filipino / Theme: Riding the crest and troughs of the wave)
15. The Last Airbender (Pop Anime Series / Theme: Personality assessment - water, fire, air, earth)
In spiritual care groups that I facilitate, I make sure participants have the opportunity to process their human experience not just through talking, but also nonverbally through art, embodied movements, dance and song/music, and occasionally through technological media.
Art Projects for Healing
1. Coloring Sheets (Related to Spirit Play Above): The Tree of Life, Boat on the Storm, Cracked Jar, Crossing Obstacles
2. Community Mandala - Giving & Receiving Hands (Prayer by Francis of Assisi)
3. Releasing Burdens on Bird Wings
4. Transformation - From Caterpillar to a Butterfly
5. Kintsugi - The Art of Embracing Cracks
6. The Hero/Heroine's Journey (Joseph Campbell on Mythology)
2. Community Mandala - Giving & Receiving Hands (Prayer by Francis of Assisi)
3. Releasing Burdens on Bird Wings
4. Transformation - From Caterpillar to a Butterfly
5. Kintsugi - The Art of Embracing Cracks
6. The Hero/Heroine's Journey (Joseph Campbell on Mythology)
Mindful Physical Gestures + Breathing Tool
ARTICLE: "Seeing the Sacred in Everyday Movements" (by Adriene Thorne)
1. Receiving the Gift of Peace: Above, Below, Around and Within
2. Release, Wait, Receive, Serve / Towards the 4 Directions
3. Tai Chi Moves with Jake Mace or Tai Chi with David Wong
4. Walking the Labyrinth (short documentary) / pdf Guide about labyrinths
2. Release, Wait, Receive, Serve / Towards the 4 Directions
3. Tai Chi Moves with Jake Mace or Tai Chi with David Wong
4. Walking the Labyrinth (short documentary) / pdf Guide about labyrinths
Paperless Community Singing
1. Shalom My Friend
2. Peace Salaam Shalom
3. I Am Here in the Heart of Love (Peace, Hope)
4. Open My Heart
5. The Only Way Through Is Through
6. This Is Home Where I Belong
7. Dwelling in the Present Moment
8. The Way Knows the Way
2. Peace Salaam Shalom
3. I Am Here in the Heart of Love (Peace, Hope)
4. Open My Heart
5. The Only Way Through Is Through
6. This Is Home Where I Belong
7. Dwelling in the Present Moment
8. The Way Knows the Way
Community Dancing
1. Jerusalema (theme: Dancing Towards Unity & Healing) 2. Community Circle Dance Steps for "Shalom My Friend"
