Open AccessMindful energy and information flow: A reflective account of S.E.L.F connection during COVID-19
Author(s) -
James Lucas
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
qualitative social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.554
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1741-3117
pISSN - 1473-3250
DOI - 10.1177/1473325020973302
Subject(s) - meaning (existential) , covid-19 , compassion , pandemic , connection (principal bundle) , sociology , perspective (graphical) , information flow , energy (signal processing) , work (physics) , social work , psychology , epistemology , medicine , psychotherapist , computer science , philosophy , political science , theology , virology , mathematics , artificial intelligence , law , linguistics , structural engineering , pathology , outbreak , engineering , mechanical engineering , statistics , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Life during the COVID-19 pandemic is uncertain, intense, and traumatic. At the same time, there is room for hope, inspiration, and meaning for social workers through mindfully connecting with energy-information flow as it influences our Safety, Emotions, Loss, and Future - S.E.L.F. As adapted from the Sanctuary Model®, this S.E.L.F connection is an opportunity to discover within ourselves our unwavering core that is grounded, present, and connected and sustain an ethical and compassionate approach to social work practice, education, and research during this time of pandemic. The aim in this reflective essay is to provide an example of S.E.L.F. connection from the perspective of a Buddhist and social work academic at an Australian university during the COVID-19 pandemic. While beneficial, ongoing S.E.L.F. connections are necessary for social workers if we are to stay mindful of energy-information flow and steer this flow towards the creation of a story of relationship, compassion, and connection into the future.