Faith, Spirit, The Mayo Clinic

The past few day were spent in, around and travelling to and from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. I went with my partner Leigh who was going to support and advocate for her mother on some appointments there. I went with my eyes open, hoping to learn from my experience there and to find spirit on the road and around the clinics.

The Mayo Clinic



There a many things that strike you when you arrive into town. One is that all things revolve around the sprawling groups of hospitals and clinics in the town. Churches, shops, hotels, all operate in cooperation with this huge pilgrimage place, Leigh pointed out one very interesting fact,that even the grocery stores have spare oxygen tanks at the ready. Wheelchairs are everywhere and all hotels from the 4-star to the seediest dives all have shuttle service to the Mayo.





Downtown Rochester



The next thing you notice is that the elderly dwarf younger patients by a considerable degree from any cursory glance around the town. You also notice the subtle signs of religion that are everywhere. It isn’t blatant but the signs are there. From the numerous holy symbols around the necks of those treated to the small signs that offer chaplain service for those who need it, to the grand amount of art and installations that are meant to inspire and uplift the spirits of those who walk it’s halls.





Chihuly sculpture at the Mayo



On a personal level, I have spent my personal time reading “Why Christianity Must Change or Die” by John Shelby Spong (former Episcopal Bishop of Newark) which I found very thought-provoking. While I don’t walk lock-step with his line of reasoning, I did find a lot of useful information in my own evolving inner life at the moment. I also started reading Urban T. Holmes’ book “Ministry and Imagination” since Father Jake spoke so highly of it.

After a long drive home, we arrived at a weekly salon our household hosts every Friday. There I found myself talking about how important religion is in todays world and how we need to evolve our ways of thinking about “God” in our life. I end my trip still on a quest, but perhaps a few steps further down the road.

Tags: Neopaganism