The Storied Self

A Narrative Approach to the Spiritual Care of the Aged

We are multistoried; each story contributing to who we are – the storied self. A number of undeveloped stories are identified in this book. This includes the hidden story before language. Others include the lazy story, the trauma story, the messy story, the body story, the problem story and the dark story. The God story brings the spiritual realm into focus. The challenge in spiritual care is to help people find an integrative deep story which can be re-authored with new and exciting possibilities. This book draws on the insights of narrative gerontology for a natural, engaging and more comprehensive spiritual care of the aged – one that results in psychological and spiritual growth. This is a unique idea which will challenge the way we think about pastoral care.