Teachers

Karen Scott Barss

6 Teachers

The inner journey, pursued faithfully and well,

always takes us back to the world of action.

But when we return to that world,

we find ourselves in a different place

than before we took the inner journey.

– Parker J. Palmer

This chapter focuses on the spiritual ‘teachers’ that we can continue to draw upon – and that we can become – as we move forward on our personal and/or professional path. Spiritual ‘teachers’ present themselves in a multitude of creative forms: our own inner resources and spiritual strengths that emerge as we learn to listen deeply for these gifts; material resources that arise out of many ways of knowing to inform our exploration; and human resources that come in the form of companions and mentors along the way (Barss, 2012a).

As we move toward the end of this handbook, particular emphasis is placed on identifying and accessing the kind of mentorship from ‘external teachers’ that you may wish to have as you continue on your spiritual or inner journey. An invitation is also offered to envision the kinds of mentorship and companionship you might feel called to offer, whether this be continuing in existing such roles and/or taking on new ones. The wish to do the latter often arises out of the renewed sense of meaning and purpose that can emerge from a cycle of spiritual searching. Whether giving and/or receiving spiritual mentorship, such soul-level companionship can deeply nourish our universal spiritual need for enriching and supportive interconnection with others.

Our Interior ‘Teachers’

Interior teachers or spiritual strengths may be described as ‘strengths of the human spirit’ or ‘strengths of character’, the very finest of qualities within each of us that can foster positivity and ‘right relationships’ in our daily living (Niemiec, 2020; Seven Sacred Teachings, 2024).

Discerning our Inner Strengths

To begin, you are invited to spend contemplative time with the above image and each of its words, noticing …

… ‘what comes up’ within you.

… which words you feel drawn to and any insights as to why.

… words that describe your spiritual strengths.

… any additional words, phrases, or resources you would use to describe your spiritual strengths.

… any sustaining ‘understandings’/beliefs you hold that help you mobilize your identified strengths.

… ways that your spiritual strengths and sustaining beliefs help you to address your current spiritual needs, enhance your overall wellness, and navigate the ups and downs of daily living.

Inner Strengths and Well-Being:

Recognizing, deepening and mobilizing our intrinsic spiritual strengths can enhance our capacity to cope with a variety of life and health challenges, particularly those involving spiritual struggle such as moral injury and trauma (Littman-Ovedia & David, 2022; Winklejohn Black & Klinger, 2022). As such, it is vital that intentional time is spent discovering, affirming, and actively applying those ‘strengths of spirit’ as we work toward reconciliation and assist others to do the same (Niemiec, 2020). In the face of such difficult work, our inner strengths cannot flourish without the connection and support found in the meaningful, trustworthy companionship of our extrinsic ‘teachers’.

Our Extrinsic ‘Teachers’

Our spiritual ‘teachers’ are the resources, mentors, leaders, and companions we draw into our personal and/or professional support system throughout our lives (Scott Barss, 2012).

Discerning our Individual Spiritual Mentors and Companions:

Individual spiritual mentors may be clergy/leaders within a particular faith or traditional community for those who belong to one. Some faith communities also employ Parish Nurses. Below is information about their Canadian Association and the role that they play in helping to promote individuals’ and communities’ well-being.

About Us – CAPNM (Canadian Association of Parish Nursing)

Our spiritual mentors and companions may be those we look up to in any community or workplace. If we are receiving health care in a hospital, there may be specialized spiritual care providers (SCPs) to whom we can be referred. Here is information about their Canadian association:

CASC/ACSS (spiritualcare.ca)

It can be much harder to find spiritual mentorship or companionship in the wider community. This is where spiritual directors or companions are an option. Here is their international association’s website where you may be able to find spiritual directors/companions in your area (whether you are a health care recipient and/or provider):

SDI – The Home of Spiritual Direction and Companionship (sdicompanions.org)

Spiritual Mentorship and Companionship in a Group Setting:

You may be someone who enjoys exploring your spirituality within a group (instead of or in addition to individual companionship). Here are some related guidelines that you/your group can adapt to your own agreed-upon needs and practices:

Courage & Renewal Approach | Center for Courage & Renewal (couragerenewal.org) (Scroll down to ‘Touchstones for Creating Trustworthy Space’ and draw upon other resources as preferred)

The Circle Way (Scroll down to ‘Circle Guidelines’ and draw upon other resources as preferred)

(See also ‘Essentials of Contemplative Conversation’ in Chapter 1.)

Our spiritual mentors and companions can help us find material resources that are the most relevant to our exploration. Those that you’ve explored in this handbook may lead you to many others, too, as might your engagement with the reflective questions in our last ‘Contemplation & Community’.

The final chapter offers some closing reflections from the perspective of the author. These, too, may be supportive as you engage in your own closure process and discern your next steps.

Contemplation & Community: Teachers

Additional discernment around your inner and outer sources of strength may be informed by these questions:

Are there people/groups/groups/resources you find helpful in exploring spiritual questions? How can they be involved in your healing process?

Whom do you consider to be your spiritual teachers/mentors/leaders/companions?

What readings and activities do you find personally inspiring or comforting? How might they contribute to your healing? How can you draw these resources into your regular rhythm/routine?

What new mentors, readings, activities and events would you like to access?

What spiritual strengths/resources within yourself can you name and draw on? What additional spiritual strengths/internal resources would you like to deepen or develop? Who and what can assist?

***

When you are able to treat yourself to some open space, you are encouraged to spend some spacious, contemplative time reflecting on your journey through this little book. Allowing some silence and/or stillness, at least initially, may be beneficial in seeing what surfaces. Spending contemplative time with ‘Appendix C: References & Resources’ is also encouraged, as is reflection on any of the below questions that you find relevant:

What was the most challenging aspect of exploring this handbook? The most life-giving?

What are the most important insights that have arisen? What do you want to do with them?

Have you noticed any changes in your well-being? What, if any, follow-up is needed?

Where to from here? How? With whom? What resources and supports do you need? Who can help you access them?

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

The Spiritual Dimension of Health Care Copyright © 2025 by Saskatchewan Polytechnic is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.