The Spirit and the Body | Kerry Egan

The Doctor's Art

"All dying is a spiritual process," says our guest on this episode, hospice chaplain Kerry Egan. By this, she means that each person's death is more than just a biological event; it's an opportunity to reflect on the culmination of our human experiences, the lessons we’ve learned, and the impact we've had on others. The recognition of our impermanence prompts us to grapple with questions of legacy and purpose, infusing our mortal existence with depth and significance. Over the course of our conversation, Kerry describes how she became a chaplain, how she supports patients and other clinicians through difficult times, and the process of reconciling the strength of the human spirit with the limitations of the body.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• An overview of hospice care and the role of the chaplain - 1:53
• The difference between hospital chaplaincy and hospice chaplaincy, and what led Kerry to this work - 7:15
• A discussion of the distinction between the person’s physical body and their intangible soul, consciousness, or spirit - 26:00
• How a chaplain offers spiritual counseling to clinicians in addition to patients - 32:51
• How years of being a chaplain has taught Kerry to love her own body - 34:20
• Why viewing the body as a machine and the physician as a mechanic leads to harm - 39:01
• Kerry’s advice to doctors for keeping compassion alive - 49:08

Kerry Egan is the author of On Living, a memoir about her experiences as a hospice chaplain.

You can follow Kerry Egan on Instagram @KerryEganWriter.

Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.

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