What Are The Solace Teachings?

 

The Solace Teachings provide a comprehensive foundation of hospice and palliative care education based on a series of 12 documentary films that explore the rich human landscape of living and dying.  The Solace Teachings offer balance to clinical and regulatory compliance based training and support professional development and enrichment required for excellence in hospice and palliative care.

Through carefully crafted narration and interviews, hospice nurse educator and filmmaker, Camille Adair, weaves lessons in being with dying along with the wisdom of nationally recognized hospice and palliative care experts, members of a local hospice team, hospice patients and the beauty of nature into an experiential learning opportunity.  The first documentary in the series is the award winning movie, Solace: Wisdom of the Dying, which has been distributed internationally and has been incorporated into schools of nursing, medicine, social work and chaplaincy, including Fred Hutchinson Oncology Fellowship training in Seattle Washington and the University of New Mexico School of Medicine’s Geriatric training.

For many hospice and palliative care programs, the challenges of doing business can be overwhelming due to increases in census, caseload assignments and regulatory requirements that intersect the rapidly expanding aging and dying population.  The juxtaposition of the shrinking workforce through attrition and burnout give rise for concern.  The Solace Teachings bring the heart of hospice to organizations through education, exploration and inspiration offering quality content to those who serve the dying.  The benefits of this program are extended to patients, co-workers and employers through the people who participate.

Benefits of the Solace Teachings

·         Increase empathy

·         Promote clinical excellence

·         Enhance individual competence

·         Develop an integrative understanding of aging, the life cycle and the process of dying

·         Increase communication skills with patients and families

·         Increase cultural competence in working with patients

·         Increase self-awareness

·         Reinforce appropriate professional boundaries

·         Enhance critical thinking skills

·         Develop a self-care plan

·         Understand the role of trust and accountability in team building

·         Renew professional commitment  and motivation

·         Understand the components that lead to increased employee satisfaction, retention and           productivity in the healthcare setting

 

The Solace Teachings Experts

The Solace Teachings include interviews with close to 40 hospice and palliative care professionals and experts.  They include Stephen Levine, Ondrea Levine, Frank Ostaseski, Ira Byock, Larry Dossey, Barbara Dossey, Joan Halifax, Michael Stillwater, Gregg Braden, Scott Eberle, Patrick Clary and many more.

TRAILERS

 

The following are the individual titles and descriptions of the Teachings Videos:

1)  Humanizing Healthcare: A Hospice & Palliative Care Perspective

Humanizing Healthcare addresses the demographic shift of the aging population or the “Silver Tsunami,” and the support that the hospice and palliative care movement offer in approach, philosophy and practice.  Through raising awareness of the realities that were marked by the 1st babyboomers turning 65 in 2011, the experts interviewed share their experience, insights and vulnerable stories of caring for those with a life limiting illness. (68 minutes)
Participants:

Camille Adair, RN
Bruce (B.J.) Miller, MD
Denise Waugh, MD
Ira Byock, MD
Karin Thron, MD
Chris Calloway
Patrick Clary, MD
Deny Cope, RN
Jan Jahner, RN
Holly Yang, MD
Kathy Stanwick

 

2)  Living into Dying

When we wake up to the reality of impermanence we are given the opportunity to live in the present moment with greater intention and awareness of our choices and priorities. Living into Dying speaks to the human condition through some of the most notable experts in the field of death and dying as well as through hospice patients and members of a hospice team. The intimacy of the human condition is expressed through the poetry of a physician and the photography of a hospice patient.

We are reminded of the four things that are most important to say before we die and how a life limiting illness is rich with opportunity. (56 minutes)
Participants:

John Monroe Cassel, Hospice Chaplain
Ondrea Levine, Author
Barbara Dossey, RN, PhD
Larry Dossey, MD
Scott Eberle, MD
Meredith Little, Author
Chizuko Tasaka
Ricardo Vidort
Kathy Stanwick
Michael Stillwater
Joan Halifax, Author
Stephen Levin, Author
Patrick Clary, MD
Ira Byock, MD
Karin Thron, MD
Virginia Gilstrap, RN
Thomas Vorce
Tony Sager

 

3)  Softening into Surrender

Softening into Surrender offers a doorway into ways of being that contrast modern culture. Stephen Levine shares the healing of his soft belly meditation and others share contemplative wisdom and the safety of kindness. Hospice patient Thomas Vorce explores his relationship to poetry, prayer and the power of being on a spiritual path.  We see that life unfolds more gracefully when we practice acceptance.  This is one of the greatest gifts we can offer to those we care for and to ourselves. (49 minutes)
Participants:

Michael Stillwater
Stephen Levine, Author
Ondrea Levine, Author
Benito Concha
Thomas Vorce
Virginia Gilstrap, RN

 

4)  Truth in Compassion

This film takes a look at compassion beyond the buzzword, which has been overused in healthcare marketing and advertising, cutting us off from one of the most important practices we have available to us.  Hospice patients share personal stories of joy and suffering, offering the viewer an opportunity to listen with a connected heart.  Long time practitioners of compassion offer perceptions and understanding that support this vital human ability. (57 minutes)
Participants:

Scott Eberle, MD
Camille Adair, RN
Karen Schanche, MSW
Chizuko Tasaka
Randy Sandoval
Anne Dasburg
Richard Erdoes
Father Roca
Karin Thron, MD
Virginia Gilstrap, RN
Joan Halifax, Author
John Monroe Castle, Hospice Chaplain
Frank Ostaseski

 

5)  The Natural Process of Dying

The human body is of part of the natural world and because of this has an innate wisdom about its own natural cycles, including birth and death.  The Natural Process of Dying takes an in-depth look into these normal physical, emotional and spiritual processes and explains how healthcare’s view of death as failure can increase suffering. (46 minutes)
Participants:

Frank Ostaseski
Karin Thron, MD
Scott Eberle, MD
Holly Yang, MD
Denys Cope, RN
Ruben Wexler
Kathy Stanwick
Stephen Levine
Mary Burford
Anne McCormick
Jan Jahner, RN
Ray Olson, MD

 

6)  Orbitas: The Experience of Grief

Orbitas is the latin word for bereavement and offers a holistic understanding of grief based on connectedness and process.  Through the integration of this larger concept of grief we understand the circular, transformative process that has the power to change who we are. The dual nature of grief is explored along with the relationship between grief, trauma and resiliency.  The importance of ritual and the potential for growth are explored in the natural and sacred process of orbitas. (64 minutes)
Participants:

Karin Thron, MD
Laurie Leitch
Janet Schreiber
Michael Munson
Meredith Little
Owen Kunkle

 

7)  Embracing the Shadow: The Wounded Healer Archetype

The archetype of Chiron, the wounded healer is explored as a way of increasing ones self–awareness which is critical to a responsible, professional practice.  We see that when we don’t look at our own stories and patterns, we can easily move into coping mechanisms such as horizontal hostility, vertical violence and the classic bullying that contribute to toxic work environments and caregiver burnout.  Ultimately, the deeper reasons that draw one to the helping professions can also hold the keys to our healing. (47 minutes)
Participants:

Ira Byock, MD
Frank Ostaseski
Camille Adair, RN
Ray Olson, MD
Owen Kunkle
Virginia Gilstrap, RN
Denise Waugh, MD
Patrick Clary, MD
Jan Jahner, RN
Scott Eberle, MD
Janet Schreiber
Barbara Dossey
Karin Thron, MDD
Bruce (B.J.) Miller, MD

 

8)  Self Care for Best Care

Self Care for Best Care supports the film Embracing the Shadow: The Wounded Healer Archetype by taking a deep look at the importance of self-care for caregivers. Through self-care we are better equipped to be agents for positive change within healthcare and within our lives.  Camille Adair guides members of a hospice team in writing personal stories that are shared publically at a hospice conference.  Hospice professionals share how the arts, ritual, solitary retreats, vulnerability, physical exercise and humor can be supportive components to self-care. (62 minutes)
Particpants:

Scott Eberle, MD
Frank Ostaseski
Camille Adair, RN
Laurie Pugsley
Wendy Byrne
Bob Chavtl
Karin Thron, MD
Virginia Gilstrap, RN
Patrick Clary, MD
Denise Waugh, MD
Meredith Little
Janet Schreiber
Barbara Dossey
Ira Byock, MD
Holly Yang, MD
Owen Kunkle

 

9)  Green Burial & Home Funerals

Experts in the death care and home funeral industry share a historical perspective that reminds us of times not long ago when the dying and the dead were cared for in a natural and sacred manner that is consistent with the profound nature of death. Stories of these rituals are shared as healing guideposts for how we can empower and reclaim the care of our dead. Education in Green Burial and Home Funerals is a component to Green Hospice, which is part of FairCare Sustainable Healthcare Certification program developed by Camille Adair in partnership with the Green Burial Council. (48 minutes)
Participants:

Zenith Virago
Joe Sehee
Donna Belk
Juliet Armstrong Sehee
Michael Munson

 

10)  People of the Shoreline: Wisdom of the Hospice Workers

People of the Shoreline refer to those people who inhabit the thin strip between land and water.  The people who work with the dying inhabit this tender and unique landscape.  This film brings the reflections and wisdom of hospice and palliative care professionals who share how their own lives and perspectives have been impacted by their work. There is no greater informant of how to live well than the wisdom that is gained in working with the dying. (24 minutes)
Partcipants:

Ondrea Levine, Author
Camille Adair, RN
John Monroe Cassel
Ira Byock, MD
Scott Eberle, MD
Virginia Gilstrap, RN
Karin Thron, MD
Stephen Levine, Author
Zenith Virago
Frank Ostaseski
Meredith Little
Barbara Dossey, RN, PhD
Ray Olson
Larry Dossey, MD

 

11)  Science, Spirituality & Healing: In the New Paradigm

We are on the brink of a new paradigm, where science, spirituality and ancient wisdom traditions merge, offering new ways of approaching ourselves, our connectedness to one another, to the planet and to the universe. Current science offers the knowledge and ancient wisdom traditions show us how to apply the knowledge that we need for a sustainable future. Science, Spirituality & Healing investigates how healthcare might experience positive change through the integration of the new paradigm and how near death experiences, working with people in comas and non-physical connections have transformed peoples relationships to living and dying. Experts in science, medicine, consciousness, spirituality and healthcare sustainability invite you to join a global movement of coherence in transforming our healing potential through the powerful messages in this film. (60 minutes)
Participants:

Camille Adair, RN
Larry Dossey, MC
Gregg Braden
Barbara Dossey, RN, PhD
Donna Belk
Mary Bouquet
Karin Thron, MC
Ondrea Levine
Stephen Levine
Janet Schreiber
Virginia Gilstrap