The ability to self-calm is crucial not only to our own health but also to our ability to be present to our directees as they bring their experiences of public tragedy into the direction space. Self-calming may involve:
- Breathing exercises
- Physical relaxation exercises
- Slowly sipping water or tea while holding the cup with both hands
- Practicing gratitude
- Blessing the abilities of the body and mind to alert us to danger
- Using structured liturgies or prayers to help find words
As we are able to calm ourselves, we create space into which directees can begin to explore safely what practices help them regain a sense of calm and peace. From this place, moving towards acknowledging grief or perhaps even working together to create a lament can flow easily. It may also be the case that our calm can create enough space for healing silence. That our directees may need only to light a candle and be with someone as they ponder what has taken place.
If a shooting has taken place close to home, and your directee (or you) finds themselves more heavily impacted by being familiar with the place or victims, or perhaps even the perpetrator, not only personal calming, but assistance from other care professionals will be helpful in tending to directees.
The ability to self-calm is crucial not only to our own health but also to our ability to be present to our directees as they bring their experiences of public tragedy into the direction space.
Oh God! Again we find our hearts shattered.
We are shocked at the breaking of public trust.
We are dismayed by the loss of the innocent.
We are sickened by the cheap treatment and disregard for human life and dignity.
We ask that you watch over the souls of those we lost.
Take them in your safe keeping.
We ask that you watch over our souls who remain, but feel lost.
Guide us back. Give us endurance. Help us to trust.
Restore to us our public and familiar places.
Guide us as we seek meaningful and effective ways to ensure safety.
Envelop us in your nurturing arms as we grieve.
With every breath, fill us with your Presence.
Help us to experience Peace that goes beyond what we can understand.
Knit us together as a people so that we may look on others with compassion and trust.
Thank you that we have nothing to fear from You.
Attach us securely to You, that we may fully sense safety.
Restore our hearts O God.
It's an in-depth training manual for trauma preparedness and response for Spiritual Directors. It includes restorative strategies to expand care and provide safety for traumatized people to heal and thrive. Preview the guide here.
Erin Jantz received her Master’s Degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute for Spiritual Formation. She also holds a B.A. in developmental psychology and has furthered her education with trainings in trauma care from Boston University and intensives with Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk. She has been practicing spiritual direction since 2012, helped to author ICTG's Spiritual Formation Resource Guide, and also teaches and speaks on a variety of spiritual formation topics. Erin lives in Southern California with her husband and their four marvelous children. |