Lessons From Mysticism For Healthcare Providers: Health Care As A Space For Intersubjetive Encounters of Care

Abstract

Society’s deep divisions, fueled by individualism, competition, consumerism, rigid ideologies, and limited dialogue, have impacted health care, leading to weakened connections between providers and patients. In the U.S., heavy reliance on medical technology and the rise of AI have further eroded these intersubjective bonds, reducing empathetic engagement in care. To address this challenge, the paper explores insights from Christian mystics Saint Teresa of Avila and Edith Stein. Teresa’s teachings on self-examination and humility, despite her life as a cloistered nun, influenced both her religious order and the broader Church. Meanwhile, Stein’s phenomenological approach emphasized empathy and "suffering with" others, viewing compassion as essential for genuine connections. Both mystics offer profound examples of intersubjectivity, fostering bonds of love and care with oneself, others, and the divine. Their insights provide healthcare professionals with a framework for creating intersubjective spaces that honor each patient’s unique experience. In a polarized society, insights from these mystics can help bridge divides, encouraging healthcare relationships grounded in empathy and compassion. This paper will argue that healthcare providers can benefit from the mystic approach in creating intersubjective spaces that facilitate the caregiving process in a society marked by profound divisions.