J.S. Park, hospital chaplain and author of The Voices We Carry, shares his powerful experiences in chaplaincy, coping with emotional toll of healthcare work, benefits of seminary and online courses, healing power of writing, and reflecting on grief and memory.
Chaplains need to prioritize self-awareness and self-care to address the physical and emotional symptoms that arise from witnessing others' pain.
Active listening and embracing silence are essential for chaplains to connect with individuals in their suffering, rather than providing quick answers or solutions.
Deep dives
Chaplaincy Experience: The Challenges and Rewards of Being a Hospital Chaplain
June Park, a hospital chaplain, reflects on his first day of chaplaincy and the intense experiences he faced, including witnessing chaotic scenes in the hospital and breaking the news of a loved one's death. He discusses how chaplaincy requires connecting with oneself to effectively connect with others, and shares his faith journey and how death and trauma have shaped his understanding of theology. June emphasizes the importance of being present in someone's suffering rather than rushing to provide answers or resolutions.
The Impact of Healthcare Work: Carrying Suffering in the Body
June Park discusses the profound impact that healthcare work can have on individuals, stating that every healthcare worker is affected by the suffering they witness. He explores the physical and emotional symptoms that can arise from carrying the weight of others' pain, such as disrupted sleep, involuntary weeping, and restlessness. June emphasizes the need for self-awareness and self-care in recognizing these symptoms and taking steps to address them.
The Tension of Chaplaincy: Listening and Restraint
June Park acknowledges the need for chaplains to restrain certain impulses in order to truly connect with people. He shares his personal struggle with bow-tying conversations and using humor as a coping mechanism to ease tension. June emphasizes the importance of active listening and embracing silence as a means of allowing discomfort to exist without rushing to resolve or smooth things over. He highlights that chaplaincy is about being present with others in their pain, rather than simply providing quick answers or solutions.
Writing as a Healing Outlet
June Park expresses his deep love for writing and how it serves as a healing outlet for him. He highlights the power of storytelling and making meaning out of personal experiences, noting that writing allows him to reflect and gain insight into his own journey. June also acknowledges that his writing on platforms like Twitter resonates with people because it opens up conversations about uncomfortable topics such as grief, loss, and death.
*Apologies for the crunchy audio at the beginning of the show*
J.S. (Joon) Park is a hospital chaplain and author of The Voices We Carry. Steve first encountered J.S. through his remarkable twitter feed which is well worth a follow here.
Joon talks through his first day as a chaplain, how verbatims help us grow and how to stay human in a world of constant suffering and death.
This was a remarkable interview!
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