August 17 2020

By: Jackie Naginey Hook
Monday, August 17, 2020

As we continue discussing what fills our souls, over the next three weeks I’m going to share a piece I wrote on this theme that was printed in the August 6 through 12 Centre County Gazette:

I love French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s quote, “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.” I love it because it conceives of spirituality as a part of everything. Spirituality is what brings us fully alive and fills our soul. Imagine toddlers so full of excitement they could burst – that is being fully alive. Now imagine the same toddlers feeling sadness in every cell of their body – that is being fully alive too. Spirituality encompasses both these experiences and everything in between.

​After I received my Master’s degree in wellness, I was drawn to learn more about spirituality and the spiritual dimension of wellness. Some say the spiritual dimension is the most important part of wellness and has a part in all the other wellness dimensions - emotional, occupational, physical, social and intellectual. This yearning led me to three years of training in spiritual direction with Oasis Ministries where I learned to welcome and listen to others’ souls.
(First printed in August 6 through 12 Centre County Gazette)

I treasure the work I do listening to others’ souls as a spiritual director, celebrant and end-of-life doula.

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