Letter from the President and CEO October 2024
Dear Reader,
Over the last two weeks, I have found myself in several interesting situations in which I was exposed to the ideas and perspectives of thought leaders from disparate sectors. These profound encounters deepened my understanding of the relationship between spirituality and health, and I’d like to share them with you.
First, following the Institute’s work to empower faith leaders to more effectively address substance use disorders within their communities, I traveled to New York to attend the 2024 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting. Global leaders convened around the theme, “What’s Working,” describing recent successes in various philanthropic areas, from clean water to mental health to women’s rights and more. One of the most striking presenters was Jane Goodall, who described lessons from her famous career in zoology, primatology, and anthropology. She remarked that at some point, her experience of the work transformed from a scientific enterprise into a spiritual one. Experiencing the work this way allowed her to see and begin to understand the connection between all things, eventually leading to expanded work on economic empowerment and agriculture. In short – her spiritual lens and the resulting sense of connection propelled innovation beyond what she thought was possible.
Next, last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet one of the great rappers of our time, André 3000, co-founder of the highly decorated, 3 x Grammy-winning hip-hop duo, OutKast. He came to Houston to perform songs from his new instrumental flute-based album, New Blue Sun. At the reception, I asked him if he could reflect on the connection between creativity and healing. He responded that true creativity allows us to connect with and express our most authentic selves, helping us to become more familiar with our wholeness – the joyful parts, the sorrowful parts, and everything in between. Ultimately, he suggested, creativity is a kind of spiritual enterprise that reveals our Selves to ourselves and opens up pathways to healing. This strongly resonated with the Institute’s efforts to address whole-person health through the Greater Houston Healing Collaborative.
Finally, earlier this week, Rev. Charles Millikan, ISH Trustee and Vice President for Spiritual Care and Values Integration at Houston Methodist, graciously invited me to sit at his table at the annual Faith & Medicine Luncheon. The program was rich, and I was especially moved by the remarks by Dr. Jenny Chang, Director of Houston Methodist’s Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center. Dr. Chang humbly noted that she can easily talk about the most cutting-edge technical developments in cancer research but finds it difficult to talk about how her strong Christian faith weaves through her work. This, she clarified, is not because faith and medicine aren’t compatible but rather because they are inseparable. There is much that lies beyond our understanding, she noted, and her faith acts as a resource to carry her through the mysteries of the highs and lows of life. For her, one of the most esteemed scientists in the country, faith is essential.
Though these three individuals’ lives and work vastly differ, their perspectives contain a common thread. That is, spirituality and faith propel us beyond the limits of the ordinary, framing this life as one with boundless potential for love, connection, and healing.
The Institute for Spirituality and Health advances its work with this conviction, and I am grateful to those of you who share in it. May the fall season bring you peace and grace.
Warmly,
Stuart
Stuart C. Nelson,
President and CEO