Why I offer Spiritual Care

For me, spirituality is a word to describe the considerations of and sometimes special trusts in aspects of the ‘world’ beyond what all humans agree we observe with our senses to be true. Some aspects of this ‘world’ that have earned that special trust from me (for example) are love, interconnection, and unknowing. This special trust and spirituality arose for me out of careful and committed self-exploration (introspection and contemplation of my thoughts, feelings and beliefs about all facets of existence). I feel that all of us have our own loved parts of the ‘world’ beyond knowing and special trusts. I believe there can be major value to exploring these, so I offer a space, supported by my experience, education and practice, for others to do so.

Inter-faith and inter-belief

My beliefs and practices are inter-faith, inter-belief and inter-ideology. This means I believe in, practice and support from multiple faiths, spiritualities, and belief-systems (including philosophies, models of reasoning, and scientific worldviews). Key for me to living and practicing through this approach is a belief in a foundational paradox. This paradox opens space for me to honor contradictions with my full heart and mind. Living healthily and in balance with a belief in this paradox requires me to consistently return to a deep grounding in authenticity, humility, justice, cultural and religious sensitivity, carefulness and respect.

Ordination, Education and Practice

I am an Interfaith chaplain, ordained as a minister by the Order of Universal Interfaith. I chose to ordain Interfaith (rather than some religions I really love) because I believe we are at a time when the differing must find common ground and learn from each other, I believe we must move beyond boundaries that separate us and form greater circles of belonging, and I believe in the interdependent connection of all. I earned a Master of Divinity degree from Starr King School for the Ministry. I underwent spiritual care or chaplaincy training at John Muir Health in Concord as a part of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. I also offered Interfaith spiritual care in a Unitarian Universalist congregation called Mt. Diablo UU Church and on the streets of SF and San Rafael (supporting unhoused individuals and communities). I spent three years living and practicing as a Soto Zen Buddhist monastic practitioner, studying myself and existence with the support of mindfulness and meditation (at Green Gulch and Tassajara). 

If you want to know a bit more about me, feel free to check out this video of me speaking about some topics that deeply matter to me at Mt. Diablo UU Church.

Or feel free to check out this video in which I am speaking about making faith (or radical trust) more accessible.