Treating the spiritual dimension through educational imagery

Abstract

Recently, health educators have shown an interest in the spiritual dimension of health. Despite this interest, most health educators have taken the "safe" approach and avoided the discussion of spiritual issues in the classroom. The problem with this avoidance position is that sensitive issues such as sexuality, drug use, and death and dying are laden with spiritual implications, particularly when students are asked to make personal decisions regarding these issues. The present article suggests the use of Educational Imagery as a method for incorporating the spiritual dimension into the health lesson. When certain simple precautions are taken, the educational imagery technique applied to the spiritual dimension can be both useful in meeting educational objectives and in making the classroom exciting and interesting for the students. The reader is provided with a definition of the spiritual dimension, along with a complete description of Educational Imagery. In addition, specific strategies for incorporating spiritual health in the classroom are given. The final section of the article includes implications and precautions for the teacher.