Boundless Moments

Rev. Mary Myoku Remington, a Buddhist Chaplain and Director of the Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program at Upaya, takes us back to her very first day in clinical training. What began as a harried and judgment-laden handoff of a “difficult” patient quickly unfolded into a frightening moment. As a novice chaplain, with no script to follow, Mary chose to stay and listen and be interested. What emerges is a story about the slow unraveling of anger into grief, of distance into understanding. In bearing witness to her patient’s pain, Mary discovered an early and enduring truth of her calling: that beneath even the most volatile exteriors may lie a tender, wounded heart, and that the simple act of staying can lead to a closing of the chasm between two individuals.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

In his reflections, Dr. Dale Nikkel traces the origins of a calling that emerged through an interruption—an unexpected pager sounding in the midst of an ordinary evening, opening a pathway to extraordinary purpose. Drawn by a longing he could not yet name, he stepped into the sacred space of spiritual care, where his very first encounter was marked not by expertise, but by humility and missteps. At the bedside of a dying man, stripped of training and pretense, he discovered that healing presence can begin simply with one human being willing to sit with another. In these tender, imperfect, and profoundly real moments, he found that the calling is less about knowing what to do, and more about being willing to show up, with an open heart, during life’s most fragile thresholds.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

We as humans don't always appreciate the incredible automatic work our bodies do to keep us alive, like the silent rhythmic symphony of our heartbeat. In this episode, Naomi Zikmund-Fisher shares two deeply personal stories from her pregnancy that reveal what it's like when the body suddenly feels unsafe, when the symphony becomes chaotic. From an abruptly racing heartbeat that left her questioning whether her body could sustain her unborn child to an emergency treatment that temporarily stopped her heart, Naomi invites listeners into the emotional landscape patients often experience in healthcare. She talks about the importance of validation even when symptoms are uncertain or evolving, the power of small acts of support, and the value in preparing patients for what medical interventions may feel like. I loved how each of her stories ends with the sound of a heartbeat.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

Dr. Brian Zikmund-Fisher opens with a personal story from the bone marrow transplant ward, where he underwent chemotherapy and confronted the daily realities of serious illness. He describes his connection with Steve, another patient who had begun the same treatment path a week earlier, and their silent pledge to each other and to themselves. Following his story, Dr. Zikmund-Fisher reflects on how patients may create a personal space in the hospital through meaningful and humanizing objects. He notes that patients need not be endlessly patient but can control parts of their experience. He explores fear as a motivator, the importance of understanding risk and making a commitment, the value of acceptance of one’s circumstances, and how shared experiences can build community—reminding us that in healthcare, the human experience matters just as much as the science.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

So far in Boundless Moments, we have heard from healthcare and mental healthcare providers who have shared their reflections on what it means to experience sacred moments with patients, clients, colleagues, or even mentees. It's time then to explore how sacred moments may unfold from the patient's perspective. And perhaps there's no more fitting segue than by hearing from a person who has experienced both the physician and the patient roles. Dr. Raj Mangrulkar shares with me the very personal moment he realized he was having a stroke, transitioning from caregiver to patient, from independent to relying on others. He shares parts of his health care journey in the hospital and later in the rehab center, reflecting on the value of being seen and heard in a holistic way, the emotional rollercoaster of recovery, and how the eyes can be a window to the soul. The sacred moments in his story are abundant and arise from his intense personal vulnerability and willingness to share his story with others, as well as his reliance on so many people in his community to heal and return to what he loves to do, and how his experience allowed him to grow closer to the Veterans for whom he cares. I left the conversation feeling uplifted and inspired, and I very much hope you do the same. Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

Dr. Arlene MacDougall shares her profound experience with dreams, healing, and the transforming power of the sweat lodge. She reflects on a terrifying dream from her youth that became a symbol of her journey through pain and hardship. In her work as a psychiatrist, she highlights the importance of mindfulness in learning to sit with suffering and how connecting to something greater than herself led to deep connection with a client through their shared dream.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

In this episode, we hear from a renowned PhD clinical psychologist, adjunct professor in psychiatry and psychology, and research scientist. Our guest begins with a brief guided meditation. Using gentle reflection, she helps us envision a metaphorical treasure chest of our most precious memories. This treasure chest meditation may allow us to revisit and hold close a boundless moment from our lives, a moment that brings comfort, meaning, or connection. She then shares the story of her client who found healing through sacred moments. Thereafter, we explore the significance of these moments in therapy, their role as counterweights to trauma, and how they can serve as anchors of hope and purpose. She talks about the importance of creating a safe space for clients to explore their spiritual dimensions, as well as the potential for sacred moments – sometimes called a ray of sunshine or a calling home – to heal.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

Dr. Adam Marks shares a profound story from his experience as an early career palliative care physician, focusing on the delicate balance between truth telling and maintaining hope for patients and their families. He discusses the emotional complexities involved in delivering serious news, the importance of fostering vulnerability and connection, and the transformative power of sacred moments. He reminds us that grief and joy can and do coexist, especially at the end of life. Through his reflections, he emphasizes the significance of authenticity and the privilege of being present during pivotal moments in patients' lives.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

Dr. Heather Gilmartin shares her evolution from nursing to leadership coaching. She talks about how a highly challenging moment in her professional life led to her desire to pursue guidance from a coach, and she describes the transformative moment in which her coach was silent, present, and without judgment. She makes linkages between coaching and the nursing profession, between the state of relational flow and sacred moments. Dr. Gilmartin highlights her personal mindfulness practice, elements from sports psychology she uses in her coaching strategies, and the ways her patient care could have been different by using a coaching lens. We touch on the significance of building trust, emotional intelligence, and attunement in coaching relationships. As an added bonus, Dr. Gilmartin helps to uncover a bit of my own psychology – how I can’t make a decision about dinner, how too many options paralyzes me with indecision, and how familial influences impacted my ability to recognize and access my own emotions.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

Dr. Andrew Kim shares a deeply moving story of unspoken reconciliation between a patient and his estranged mother. As they navigate the complexities of family estrangement, Dr. Kim reflects on the powerful moments of connection and forgiveness that transcend words. Join us as we explore the themes of love, acceptance, and the healing power of presence in the face of life's most challenging circumstances. Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

Dr. Kristin Collier shares a deeply personal story about her friend Jake, a talented physician whose battle with cancer profoundly impacted her understanding of medicine, suffering, and spirituality. Through her reflections, she explores the limits of medicine, the importance of recognizing the humanity in patients, and the need for healthcare professionals to engage with their own emotional and spiritual well-being. Dr. Collier emphasizes the significance of creating sacred moments in healthcare, where deep connections can foster healing and understanding amidst suffering.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

Dr. Kenneth Pargament shares the story of Alice, a woman who struggled with severe mental health issues and found solace in a sacred moment during therapy. In our conversation, he explores the concept of sacred moments, their characteristics, and their significance in therapeutic settings. Dr. Pargament emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and trust in fostering these moments, which can lead to profound healing and connection. He discusses his early work observing a colleague in the chaplaincy, the impact of sacred moments on therapeutic outcomes for clients, and the concept of wholeness.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216

Welcome to Boundless Moments, the storytelling podcast that brings sacred moments to life through the voices of those who lived them. In this trailer episode, host Nathan Houchens, MD introduces the podcast, its relationship to a greater humanistic initiative, and its mission to explore sacred moments—those profound instances that weave us together and connect us to something greater. Through personal stories of empathy, compassion, and transcendence, Boundless Moments celebrates the transformative power of sacred moment experiences. If you have experienced a moment of awe or grace that changed you, we invite you to submit it for consideration to be shared on Boundless Moments. By sharing, you not only contribute to a collective celebration of human connection, you may also inspire others to recognize and cherish the sacred moments in their own lives. To discover more about sacred moments and to share your own story, please visit sacredmomentsinitiative.org.Join us as we delve into those brief moments that uncover the power of compassion, the beauty of vulnerability, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through heartfelt tales and the conversations that follow, discover how ordinary encounters become extraordinary.Sacred Moments Initiative2800 Plymouth RoadNorth Campus Research ComplexBuilding 16, Room 430WAnn Arbor, MI 48109-2800734-936-5216