Swinging between two poles. Henri Nouwen’s unique metaphor for spiritual transformation

The Nature of Spiritual Transformation

Spiritual Transformation After Near-Death Experiences

Traumatic events may lead to dramatic changes in spirituality. The objective of this study was to explore whether posttraumatic spiritual transformation results not just from the traumatic event, but from spiritual experience during the crisis. The hypothesis tested was that survivors of a brush with death who had spiritual “near-death experiences” have greater spiritual growth and lesser spiri...

Two Poles and a Compass

Rho GTPases control fundamental aspects of neutrophil chemotaxis: establishment of front and back and orientation toward the chemoattractant. Two reports in this issue show that activated Cdc42 at the leading edge helps orient the cell's axis in a signaling complex with G beta gamma, PAK1, and PIX alpha; while Rho, activated via G alpha 13, mediates formation of the uropod, which then interacts...

Being Diagnosed with HIV as a Trigger for Spiritual Transformation

How can the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS result in a positive spiritual transformation (ST)? The purpose of this sub-study is to identify special features of the experiences of individuals in whom HIV/AIDS diagnosis triggered a positive ST. We found ST triggered by HIV/AIDS to develop gradually, with a key adaptation phase after diagnosis in which the patient develops an individualized spirituality. M...

Monastic Medicine: A Unique Dualism Between Natural Science and Spiritual Healing

Unique Dualism Between Natural Science and Spiritual Healing Benjamin C. Silverman In the early Middle Ages, the excessive prevalence of illness and disease guided the practice and development of medical care. As a result of poor living conditions and the technical inadequacies of medieval medicine, disease was a constant menace in Europe and often controlled people’s daily lives. In response t...