Let’s Talk About Death, Maybe
Vidette Todaro-Franceschi, RN, PhD, FT
Presented at the Society of Rogerian Scholars Conference, October 2010
"There is a pattern in all this which I begin slowly to understand and which I am trying to codify. The problem is that I lack the vocabulary." The World is Made of Glass, Morris West, 1983, p. 47.
Slide 1: Rogers’ Early Thoughts on Death
“Pattern evolves with kaleidoscopic uncertainty coordinate with the nature of the man-environment energy exchange taking place through space time. Growing complexity of organization is an outgrowth of the multiple interactions occurring along the continuum of life. When pattern and organization no longer exist, the integrity of the human field is destroyed and death ensues.
Death is postulated to represent a transformation of energy. In whatever way one may perceive events subsequent to death, relevant testable hypotheses are yet to be proposed. At the same time, the passing of a human life has its own objective reality. At death, the human field ceases to exist, and identity as a human being is gone. The process of dying may be of long or short duration. It is a period of transition in which the integrity of the human field as such, diminishes and dies” (1970, p. 91).
Slide 2: Rogers On Death (A Little Bit
Later)
Rogers (1986) noted, “Unitary human and environmental rhythms find expression in the rhythmicities of the living-dying process. Just as aging is deemed developmental, so too is dying hypothesized to be developmental” (p. 8).
When I was grappling with these seemingly directional ideas as a doctoral student engaged in philosophic inquiry on ideas of energy, John Phillips (personal communication June 12, 1997; Todaro-Franceschi, 1997, p. 230) pointed out that Rogers later replaced the term developmental with that of change because she thought developmental might be construed as linear. This would mean then that dying = changing; death = change.
Slide 3: Rogers Later Thoughts on Death
“ …with the idea of fields, anatomy becomes irrelevant” (Rogers, 1988, p. 132).
Sarter (1988) noted “ I know you say that patterning continues beyond death—what we call death” (p. 133). To which Rogers responded “ I talk about dying. What I say is that field patterning is continuous, and is not determined by something called death or nondeath, or by living or nonliving” (p. 133).
Slide 4: My Transformation of Rogers
Early Thoughts on Death in Light of the New
“Pattern evolves with kaleidoscopic uncertainty coordinate
with the nature of the
human-environment
energy exchange
mutual
process taking place through space time
pandimensionally and
manifesting in the relative present. Growing
complexity of organization is an outgrowth of the multiple interactions
changes
occurring along the continuum of life
throughout life.
When pattern
and organization no longer exist, the integrity of the human field is destroyed
and death ensues.
Death is postulated to represent a
transformation of energy. In whatever way one may perceive events subsequent to
death, relevant testable hypotheses are yet to be proposed. At the same time,
the passing of a human life has its own objective reality.
At death, the
human field ceases to exist, and identity as a human being is gone.
The process of dying may be of long or short
duration. It is a period of transition in which the integrity of the human field
as such, diminishes and dies”
(1970, p. 91).
Slide 5: Key Premises of the Science of
Unitary Human Beings (Rogers, 1992)
• Human beings and their environments are energy fields that are integral-inseparable.
• Change is acausal and occurs all at once and all the time; it emerges from the human-environmental whole.
• No dichotomies
Slide 6: Rogers (1992) Principles of
Homeodynamics
• Resonancy -The way change occurs; lower and higher wave frequencies; emerging pattern manifestations of wholeness
• Helicy - Nature of change; continuously innovative; increasingly diverse; unpredictable; occurs simultaneously for person & environment
• Integrality-WHOLENESS-Oneness Context of change; integral human-environmental field process; person and environment cannot be separated
•
Slide 7: Select
Work
(related to Ideas of death in the SUHB)
• 1977 Rawnsley- time perception among dying and non-dying
• 1979 Ference- time, creativity traits, differentiation, human field motion
• 1989 Ference- comforting the dying- practice according to SUHB
• 1990 McEvoy-dying, paranormal events and creativity
• 1990 Madrid- caring for the dying-practice
• 1996 McGaffic -death awareness field pattern coding (1998)
• 1987 Todaro-Franceschi concept clarification of energy (1992)
• 1997 Todaro-Franceschi philosophic inquiry of energy (mind-body, soul consciousness, cosmos, living-dying, NDE, synchronicity)
• 1999 synchronicity related to dead loved ones
• 2003 the use of synchronicity related to dead loved ones in focused group bereavement healing work
Slide 8: More Work
• 1998 Watson-beyond waking experience
• 2001 Johnston preferences related to audio enhancement in the dying environment (Human Field Image also significant for topic)
• 1993 Gueldner, Human Field Motion also significant for topic)
On a basic level all of the Science of Unitary Human Beings literature is related to the topic…
Slide 9 One of the
Most Significant: Comforting the Dying (Ference, 1989)
Dying- “is a multidimensional transformation of the human energy field in which patterning falls outside of the visible light wave spectrum” (p. 199).
Living-“That which we can see is the pattern of wave frequency that is within our visible light wave spectrum” (p. 199)
Slide 10: Energy
Field Pattern in Relative Space-Time
Both What is and is Not Discernible
Figure 18-3, p. 199. Adapted from Ference, H. M. (1989). Comforting the dying: Nursing practice according to the Rogerian model. In J. P. Riehl-Sisca (Ed.), Conceptual models for nursing practice (3rd ed.) (pp. 197-205). Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange
Slide 11:
Energy:
An Exercise in Concept Clarification
(Todaro-Franceschi 1987-1992)
Antecedent
Higher Order/form/entity
I
Defining Attributes
/ \
Different forms of energy , forms Evidenced in the purposeful activities
interconvertible; Autonomous of all living and non-living things.
existent; Integral invariant; never lost/destroyed
I
Consequences
I
Mechanical work
Potentiality & Actuality
Change (Transformation)
I
Uses
/ \
Mechanistic Dynamic
Being Becoming
Quantitative Qualitative
Slide 12: The Enigma of Energy
4 Premises
All is essentially one.
Change is an inherent characteristic of the one
Change is purposeful.
There is a reason for it all.
Slide 13:
What is Healing?
(Todaro-Franceschi,
1998, 1999)
Traditional View :
Energy as process
• Humans react to the environment in positive ways result-ing in improved well-being.
• Occurs by way of cause and effect.
• Death is the complete loss of energy. Absence of life
Unitary View : Energy as phenomenon
• Humans transform-change, in unique purposeful ways.
• Occurs by way of communal process.
• Death is another (different) manifestation of energy, another way of being/becoming
Slide 14: Applying A Unitary View of
Energy To Death & Dying (Todaro-Franceschi, 1999)
• Dying is a manifestation of energy transforming from a physical state of being to a nonphysical state of still being. In other words, we are always becoming (not simply being). Death is the transformation of one’s essence, not the cessation of life--just the end of physical life as we currently know it to be.
Slide 15: Unitary View of Death
…dying is a normal part of the human becoming process, in which the human energy field continues to exist after physical death. Indeed, Rogerians often say, “we don’t die, we only change our cosmic address.” Human beings are believed to be forever actualizing potentials in mutual process with the rest of the cosmos.
(Todaro-Franceschi, 1999, p. 84)
Living- human-environment transforming; Dying- human-environment transforming
Life = Death =Changing = Transforming = Becoming
Slide 16: Change occurs simultaneously as lower and higher wave frequencies. But they are all one….
Waves In An Ocean (As told by Morrie to Mitch Albom in Tuesdays with Morrie)
A
little wave was bobbing along in the ocean,
having a grand old time. He's enjoying the wind and the fresh air, until he
notices the other waves in front of him, crashing against the shore.
"My God, this is terrible," the wave says. "Look what's
going to happen to me!"
Then along comes another wave. It sees the first wave,
looking grim, and it says to him, "Why do you look so
sad?"
The first wave says, "You don't understand!
We're all going to crash! All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn't this
terrible?"
The second wave says, "No, YOU don't understand. You're not
a wave, you're part of the ocean."
Slide 17
Energy
All is essentially one;
change is an inherent characteristic of the one;
change is purposeful;
there is a reason for it all
/
l
\
Openness
Pattern
Pandimensionality
l
Resonancy
Helicy
Integrality
|
Living-Dying-Living
|
B ecoming (actualizing potentials purposefully)
Continuous transformation, always new, innovative
Slide 18: Living-Dying-Living
· No life after death. Life-Death-Life = ONE
• Just becoming=changing-transforming, always new
• Present, not absent
• Not physical, or non-physical
• You, me, we, all one.
• Becoming purposefully, actualizing potentials
Slide 19: Explaining Death
Para-Phenomena
No dichotomy of mind and matter: “They are two aspects of one and the same thing, energy….And it seems that as we die—as we transform from what seems to be a tangible form to an intangible state of still being—we become acutely aware of the fact that all is essentially one” (p. 86).
Near Death Experiences & After Death Communication are possible and perhaps even probable, from the viewpoint that energy is a phenomenon, which never stands still and is continually changing. From this view, nothing is ever lost, just changed. (Todaro-Franceschi, 1997, 1999)
Slide 20: Synchronicity
Assisting individuals through communal process to become more aware of the creative, purposeful nature of the universe, can enhance involvement in creating change.
Increasing awareness of synchronicity can assist individuals to further actualize their unique potentials
Synchronicity related to dead loved ones: A natural healing modality
Slide 21: What is
the experience of synchronicity related to the death of a loved one?
Do these experiences help to create opportunities for personal transformation and enhanced well being for the bereaved individual?
Does increased awareness and group discussion of synchronicity enhance the healing process?
2 Multiple Case Studies (N=9; N=5)Funded by two Professional Staff Congress , CUNY grants 1999, 2003
Synchronicity Related to Dead Loved Ones: A Natural Healing Modality
Slide 22: Death
Awareness Field Patterns
Cheryl
Mallernee McGaffic, 1996, 1998*
• Field pattern-Pragmatic= Death is the end of life
• Field pattern-Imaginative=Life beyond death
• Field pattern=Visionary= Death is a new existence
* Published and circulated as a handout during her presentation at the SRS conference at NYU
Slide 23: Death Awareness Field Pattern
Coding Dictionary (McGaffic, 1996, 1998)
Field Pattern Definition
Greater Diversity Continuous mutual living-dying process
Seems continuous Transformative, created reality
Seems continuous Living-dying fluctuations
Timelessness Living in past, present & future time
Visionary Death is a new existence
Beyond Waking Mystical Awareness
Slide 24: Pattern Seeing
• On April 11th 2002 Cheryl was the keynote of our annual spring forum; her presentation was on “Diversity in Dying: Culture and Meaning in End of Life Care.”
• At that same conference, I presented my first research study findings on “Exploring Synchronicity Related to Dead Loved Ones As A Natural Healing Modality.”
•
Our Hearts Are Naked, Cheryl
1958-2002
October 28th 2010
8th Year Anniversary of
Your Death
Slide
25: Pattern Awareness & Manifestations
Death Awareness Field Patterns Associated Living-Dying Pattern Manifestations
McGaffic, 1996, 1998) Todaro-Franceschi, 1999, 2010
|
Greater Diversity - Continuous mutual living-dying process |
Mortality awareness and appreciating life |
|
Seems continuous- Transformative, created reality |
Living the moment with attentiveness to the past and future |
|
Seems continuous -Living-dying fluctuations |
Recognizing meaning and purposeful change |
|
Timelessness - Living in past, present & future time |
Sensing connection and unity |
|
Visionary -Death is a new existence |
Ø Making visible the invisible |
|
Beyond Waking- Mystical Awareness |
Ø Seeing the unseeable |
|
|
Ø Knowing (acknowledging) the unknown |
|
|
Ø Pandimensional awareness |
Slide 26: A Unitary Theory of
Living-Dying-Living
From ideas inherent in the enigma of energy and the Science of Unitary Human Beings, a theory of living-dying-living indicative of the universal rhythm of unceasing becoming, has unfolded.
Living-dying-living is oneness unceasingly becoming, actualizing potential, purposefully changing.
The following poem Blue Against Blue written by Marjolein Bastin poignantly depicts the above unitary theory of living-dying-living:
Blue Against Blue
This heavenly blue butterfly
will fly high in the sky,
higher and higher.
The sunlight will touch the blue on its wings
until it seems to disappear.
We think it is gone, because the blue of the butterfly is the exact same blue of the sky.
We think it is gone, because our eyes are too weak to see—
and it is difficult to believe what we cannot see.
But the blue butterfly is not gone.
It is still flying,
higher and higher, near the sun.
Blue against blue.
For now and forever.
So, let’s not talk about death…let’s talk about life, maybe.
Slide
27: Walking This Talk
• “A new approach to studying the dying process is provided….The nature and continuity of field patterning subsequent to dying, while admittedly a difficult area to study, nonetheless is open to theoretical investigation” (Rogers, 1986, p. 8).
• From studies employing unitary ideas of living-dying emerge novel ways to assist, through mutual process, the actualization of human potentials.
Select References (there are others!)
Ference, H. M. (1979). The relationship of time experience, creativity traits, differentiation, and human field motion: An empirical investigation of Rogers’ correlates of synergistic human development. New York University doctoral dissertation.
Ference, H. M. (1989). Comforting the dying: Nursing practice according to the Rogerian model. In J. P. Riehl-Sisca (Ed.), Conceptual models for nursing practice (3rd ed.) (pp. 197-205). Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange.
Johnston, L. W. (2001). An exploration of individual preferences for audio enhancement of the dying environment. Visions: The Journal of Rogerian Nursing Science, 9, 20-26.
McGaffic, C. M.(1996, 1998). Death awareness field pattern coding dictionary. Handout given at 1998 NYU SRS Conference.
Madrid, M. (1994). Participating in the process of dying. In M. Madrid and E.A.M. Barrett (Eds.) Rogers’ scientific art of nursing practice (pp. 91-100). New York: NLN
McEvoy, M.D. (1990). The relationship among the experience of dying, the experience of paranormal events, and creativity in adults. IN E. A. M. Barrett (ed.) Visions of Rogers’ science-based nursing (pp. 209-228). New York: NLN.
Rawnsley, M. (1977, 1986). The relationship between the perception of the speed of time and the process of dying. In V. Malinski (Ed.), Explorations on Martha Rogers’ science of unitary human beings (pp. 77-83). Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Rogers, M. E. (1970). An introduction to the theoretical basis of nursing. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis.
Rogers, M. E. (1986). Science of unitary human beings. Pp. 3-8. In V. Malinski (Ed.) Explorations on Martha Rogers’ science of unitary human beings. Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Todaro-Franceschi, V. (1998). The enigma of energy: A philosophical inquiry. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation, New York University, New York, NY. (UMI No. 9819881)
Todaro-Franceschi, V. (1999). The enigma of energy: Where science and religion converge. New York: Crossroad Publishing Co.
Todaro-Franceschi, V. (2006a). Synchronicity related to dead loved ones as a natural healing modality. Spirituality and Health International, 7, 151-161.
Todaro-Franceschi, V. (2006b). Studying synchronicity related to dead loved ones AKA after-death communication: Martha, what do you think? Nursing Science Quarterly, 19, 297-299.
West, M. (1983). The world is made of glass. New York: William Morrow.
Watson, J. (1998). Exploring the concept of beyond waking experience. Visions: The Journal of Rogerian Nursing Science, 6, 39-46.
