This document discusses Jean Watson's theory of human caring and 10 Caritas Processes that guide nurses in applying her theoretical constructs. The theory is based on beliefs that humans possess souls that transcend the physical body and exist throughout time and space. The soul connects one to a higher source and allows for expanded consciousness. Watson's 10 Caritas Processes provide a framework for cultivating caring moments and establishing caring relationships through practices like sustaining humanistic values, being authentically present, developing trusting relationships, and creating a healing environment.

1. CHAP'I'$TT 6
Nature of Human Life as
Subject Matter of Nursing
"Ihe rnost beauti,-ful thi,ng we can erperience i,s the
mystertous. It i,s
the source of all trtr,e art anld, scieruce.,,
-ANoNYMoUS
BASIC BELIEFS
My theory of human care begins with my view of personhood
and human
existence; that in itself becomes metaphysical. What is essential
in human exis-
tence is that the human has transcended nature-yet remains a
part of it. The
human can go for-ward, through the use of the mind, to higher
levels of con-
sciousness by finding meaning and harmony in existence.
My conception of life and personhood is tied to notions that
one's soul pos-
sesses a body that is not confined by objective time and space.
The lived world
of the experiencing person is not distinguished by external and
internal notions
of tirne and space but shapes its own time and space, which is
unconstrained by
linearity. Notions of personhood, then, transcend the here and

2. now, and one has
the capacif to coexist with past, present, and future, all at once.
As a result of
this view, there is a great deal of regard, respect, and awe given
to the concept
of a human soul (spirit or higher sense of self) that is greater
than the physical,
mental, and ernotional existence of a person at any given point
in time. The indi-
vidual spirit of a person or of collective humanity may continue
to exist
throughout tirne, keeping alive a higher sense of humankind.
Although a body
may die, be murdered, kill itself, be diseased, be infirmed, and
so on, the soul or
spirit continues to live on. However, the soui can be
underdeveloped, dormant,
and in need o1 reawakening.
According to Jung (1968, p. 99),
People will clo anything, no matter how absurd, in order to
avoid facing their own
soul. They will practice yoga and all its exercises, observe a
strict regime of diet,
learn theosclphy by heaft, or mechanically repeat mystic texts
from the literature
of the wholer world-all because they cannot get on with
themselves and have not
the slightesl, faith that an''thing usefi:l could ever come out of
their own sor_r_I.
The belief that a person possesses a soul is to be regarded as
sacred, to honor
with the deepest respect, dignity, mystery and awe because of
the continuing,

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yet unlcrown, journey throughout time and Space' irrfinite
and externa]. The soul
thenexistsforsomethinglarger,greater,andmorepowerfulthanphysi
callife
as we lorow it and could lcrow it for time past' time
present, and time future'
Theconcept,ofthesoul,asusedhere,referstothegeist'spirit'innerself
'or
essence of the person, which is connected to higher source
of infinity, of the
cosmos, and is tied to a greater sense of self-awaxeness,
a higher degree of con-
sciousness, an irmer ,rr"igth, and a power that can expand
human
capacities and
allowapersontotranscendhisorherusualself'Thehighersenseofcon-
sciousness and vaiuing of irurer self can cultivate a fuller

4. access to the intuitive
and even sometimes aio* t car,ny, mystical, or miraculous
experiences, modes
ofthought,feelings,andactionsthatwehaveallexperiencedatsomep
ointsin
our life but from which our rational, scientific cultures
bar us, The terms "soul,"
,,inner Self," "spiritual Self," and "geist" all refer to the same
phenomenon and tend
to be used intercha:rgeablY.
one,s ability to trarrscend time and Space occus in a similar
marrrrer
through
one,s mind, imagination, ancl emotions. Our bodies may
be physically present in
a given location or situation, but our minds and related feelings
may be located
elsewhere.
For example, I have a body but I am not just my body' I have
emotions and
thouglrts, but I am not my emotiors and thoughts. we transcencl
and exist beyond
body,emotional,andmentalexperience;ourtrueself'higherself'tran
spersonal
selfisbeyond'Thetranspersonalperspectivea]IowsuStogobeyondp

5. hysical-
ego self to quiet depths of the soul, beneath the turbulent waves
of the passing
experiences, and connect with that which is timeless and
etemal-the
etet'nal
mimmtthat Whitehead wrote about (Watson, 2011)'
Each of the assumptions underlying the view of human life is
that
each of us
is a magnificent spirituat being who has often been
unclemourished
and reduced
to a physical, materialistic being. we know both rationaily and
intuitively,
how-
u.,".,thutaperson'shumanpredicamentmaynotberelatedtotheextern
al,
physical world as much as to the pelson's inner worlcl as lived
arld erperienced'
Awareness of one's self as a spiritual being opens up infinite
possibilities.
poets, sages, and philosoirrers ti'oughout time have refe.red to
the spiritual
side of life and living and have advocated that self-knowledge,
self-revelence'

6. self-control, ancl even self-healing come from the inner,
spiritual self' from
an
inner process that, connects one with the life source throu$h the
miracle of
breathing in spint and source of life. The notion of a spiritual
self and irner
power that connect us with a universal source requires a
different starting point
for how we view people, existence, Iife, the world, and our
universe. The
idea
of transcendence is fairly alien lo the westem world with its
mind-body
schism'
yet ancient civilizations, philosophers, ancl poets have iong
believed, practiced,
and written about the transcenclence of self, higher
consciousness, over-soul,
spiritual experience, miracles, mystical experiences, alrd so on'
Watson’s 10 Caritas Processes
The word “Caritas” is Latin. It means cherish, appreciate, and
give special or loving attention with charity, compassion, and
generosity of spirit. Caritas is very fine and precious, and must

7. be actively cultivated to be sustained (Watson, 2008).
Over the years, Watson has developed and refined 10 Caritas
Processes to guide nurses and others in applying her theoretical
constructs, and cultivating caring moments and caring occasions
in their own professional practices. They may also be used to
form philosophical and professional practice foundations at
broader levels in clinical and academic settings. The list of 10
Caritas Processes presented here will form the basis of study for
the remainder of this book. They will be addressed in more
detail in subsequent chapters:
1. Sustaining humanistic-altruistic values by practice of loving
kindness, compassion, and equanimity with self/others.
2. Being authentically present, enabling faith/hope/belief
system; honoring subjective inner, life-world of self/others.
3. Being sensitive to self and others by cultivating own spiritual
practices; beyond ego-self to transpersonal presence.
4. Developing and sustaining loving, trusting–caring
relationships.
5. Allowing for expression of positive and negative feelings –
authentically listening to another person’s story.
6. Creatively problem-solving-“solution-seeking” through
caring process; full use of self and artistry of caring-healing
practices via use of all ways of knowing/being/doing/
becoming.
7. Engaging in transpersonal teaching and learning within
context of caring relationship; staying within other’s frame of
reference – shift toward coaching model for expanded
health/wellness.
8. Creating a healing environment at all levels; subtle
environment for energetic authentic caring presence.
9. Reverentially assisting with basic needs as sacred acts,
touching mindbodyspirit of
other; sustaining human dignity.
10. Opening to spiritual, mystery, unknowns – allowing for

8. miracles (WatsonCaringScience.org)
Source: Sitzmann, K. & Watson, J. (2014). Caring science,
mindful practice: Implementing Watson’s human
caring theory. New York: Springer Publishing