Do Healthcare Providers Have Lessons to Learn from Mysticism for Their Practice? Christian Mysticism and Healthcare as a Space for Intersubjective Encounters of Care
Caela Plantinga, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI and Alexandre Martins, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Our societies have experienced deep divisions that often appear impossible to see a path for reconciliation. Factors such as individualism, unwavering personal ideologies, a reluctance to engage in dialogue, and a lack of empathy for those with different viewpoints contribute to the divisions and polarization we witness today. Regrettably, the healthcare field is not immune to this reality. A lack of intersubjective connection between healthcare providers and patients is one of the consequences of these societal divisions. In the United States, healthcare systems often heavily rely on medical technology, even for routine health assessments. This over-reliance on tools tends to further erode the intersubjective relationship between providers and their patients and clients, a situation exacerbated by the emergence of AI in medicine.
Recognizing the deficit of intersubjectivity in healthcare and the need to reestablish connections between healthcare providers and patients, this paper will explore the insights of two Christian mystics: Saint Teresa of Avila and Edith Stein. Saint Teresa of Avila describes a soul's journey towards God, emphasizing self-examination, humility, and spiritual growth. Interestingly, despite being a mystic and a cloistered nun, she had a profound impact on her religious order and the broader Catholic Church. On the other hand, Edith Stein, coming from a philosophical background as a phenomenologist, emphasized the importance of encountering others without preconceptions, promoting empathy as a central concept. Her journey from philosophy to mysticism deepened her perspective on empathy and the value of "suffering with" (compassion) as a way to connect with the suffering of others.
Both Saint Teresa of Avila and Edith Stein exemplify deep experiences of intersubjectivity that bind individuals to themselves, to God, and to others with love and care. They illustrate the significance of intersubjectivity in creating transcendent, personal, and interpersonal connections. This concept paves the way for healing in mystical self-encounters and offers a space for encountering others as they truly are, fostering care and healing in an intersubjective relationship.
This paper will argue that healthcare providers can benefit from the mystic approach in creating intersubjective spaces that facilitate the caregiving process in a society marked by profound divisions.
Recognizing the deficit of intersubjectivity in healthcare and the need to reestablish connections between healthcare providers and patients, this paper will explore the insights of two Christian mystics: Saint Teresa of Avila and Edith Stein. Saint Teresa of Avila describes a soul's journey towards God, emphasizing self-examination, humility, and spiritual growth. Interestingly, despite being a mystic and a cloistered nun, she had a profound impact on her religious order and the broader Catholic Church. On the other hand, Edith Stein, coming from a philosophical background as a phenomenologist, emphasized the importance of encountering others without preconceptions, promoting empathy as a central concept. Her journey from philosophy to mysticism deepened her perspective on empathy and the value of "suffering with" (compassion) as a way to connect with the suffering of others.
Both Saint Teresa of Avila and Edith Stein exemplify deep experiences of intersubjectivity that bind individuals to themselves, to God, and to others with love and care. They illustrate the significance of intersubjectivity in creating transcendent, personal, and interpersonal connections. This concept paves the way for healing in mystical self-encounters and offers a space for encountering others as they truly are, fostering care and healing in an intersubjective relationship.
This paper will argue that healthcare providers can benefit from the mystic approach in creating intersubjective spaces that facilitate the caregiving process in a society marked by profound divisions.