The Sacred Space of Authentic Connection

Have you ever thought about how others experience you – either as your role or your human self?   

In a professional setting, we think people usually see us as our role – and connect with us based on the expectations of that role. 

Being a chaplain in a hospital may blur that distinction, as Simcha Zevit, Coach, Rabbi and former Chaplain explained in my recent podcast.  She describes how she connected with people “human to human”, as opposed to approaching them as her role. 

I think my own comfort in my own skin in that role –  and just greeting people, just human to human  – as opposed to role to role, caretaker to patient or, you know, just heart to heart, human to human.

What’s especially interesting is that she was aware of how her presence manifested in these encounters – the fact that her comfort being in that role enabled her to connect “heart to heart.” 

It’s quite moving to hear how she – and perhaps the patient – experienced that connection:

There’s a sacredness to it – to create that space where people can be very real.

That sacredness is also a signal for both of us, that “we feel a deep privilege that somebody’s sharing something with us that’s so important to them.”

Get comfy and watch the 30 minute interview.