The theme of my sabbatical is, The Quest for Disillusionment. The disillusionment I seek is a positive thing. I spend energy seeking a sense of security through the illusion that I have control over my life. Trying to maintain this illusion often does not foster security or contentment. It can actually be a barrier in my spiritual life.

I am effective as a chaplain because I have learned to be with people in crisis without trying to fix things for them. By learning meditation as a tool for prayer, I hope to gain the ability to do the same for myself. I will travel to a Buddhist center to study methods of meditation that I will then incorporate into my own practice of Christian prayer. In practicing the art of being still, I believe I will experience both greater spiritual maturity and a deeper well to draw from when I am called on to embody God's presence and care for people facing health crises.