The art and practice of blessing is explored through various cultural, religious, and experiential lenses. The “Blessing of the Hands” ritual offers an example of a practice offered by, and experienced by, holistic nurses and others in both clinical and educational settings. Consistent with holistic nursing values, the state evoked by a ritual of blessing can offer nurses a framework for heightened intentionality and presence, as well as appreciation for the sacredness of one’s work. It can also serve to enhance a sense of safety, protection, and belonging in patients or clients.
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