Conclusions

The fundamental conclusion to be reached at the summit regarding spirituality and coaching seems to relate to the matter of context. It is not so much a matter of bringing a “spiritual perspective” to one’s coaching. It is more a matter of choosing specific topics and framing specific questions that invite exploration of issues related to “spirituality” – issues such as personal integrity, interpersonal caring, focusing on personal and organizational purpose. The coaching dialogue should lean into the future and promote “learning into the future”.

I suspect that my own secular perspective on spirituality is similarly topic specific. As Matt Friedman would suggest, I am “spiritual” in my caring concern about the welfare of family members and friends. I assume a spiritual frame of reference when I think about my own legacy (as a 82 year old man) and as I consider the important (“bucket-list”) things I have yet to accomplish in my life. I must sort out priorities and fully nurture the relationships that are truly important to me. As Erik Erikson would remind me, this is the time in my life to bring together all the disparate elements that are important (Friedman’s spiritual assemblage) –and to care deeply about and take deep care of these elements.

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References

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Klein, George (1967) Peremptory Ideation: Structure and Force in Motivated Ideas, Psychological Issues, vol. V, No. 2-3. New York: International Universities Press, pp. 78-128.

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