Self-transcendence: a resource for healing at the end of life

Abstract

An emerging body of theoretical and empirical knowledge links the concepts of self-transcendence and healing in persons facing end-of-life issues related to aging or life-threatening illness. Self-transcendence is postulated to be a resource for healing in that reaching beyond self-boundaries may lead to a sense of well-being derived from an intensified awareness of wholeness and integration among all dimensions of one's being. This paper proposes a link between self-transcendence and healing, based on clinical and empirical literature. Suggestions for approaches nurses may use to facilitate self-transcendence are included.