The spirit of healing: how to develop a spiritually based personal and professional practice.

The idea of healing must be considered within the context of a holistic approach to nursing practice. The authors put forth the premise that a Spirit of Healing enters into the nurse-client relationship or into any care-giving situation. This spirit is defined as a universal energy source that is accessed through imagery, therapeutic touch, Reiki, and other related interventions. Case studies are provided as illustrations, and the authors include self-help exercises and related definitions to enhance understanding and practice. The authors explore energetic techniques to treat and prevent burnout for nurses, identify specific ways to practice nursing from a holistic perspective, and consider the possibility of transforming nursing into a change agent that will redefine the healthcare system.