A faith related or spiritual issue which I am currently being affected by and has impacted my mental or emotional well being is preparing for the death of a loved one. The effect of context has been that letting go of grief is a process that takes time, gentleness, compassion and courage. Having lost significant relations including my dad and thoughts about my own mortality has taught me respect for the process of grieving and loss and going at my own pace and living peacefully. Willingness of individuals to openly reveal information about themselves affects pastoral counseling practices. I have learned that religious practices are grounded on the foundation for people "to give our gifts to God and to put ourselves entirely in his hands, body and soul" Elkins (1998). Through faith and prayer, I have learned that human understanding alone cannot know God who makes him known by faith.

Now that I have seen my role as the counselee, I have more practical applications of counseling in the spiritual dimension. To be effective, spiritual counselors should have respect for the person being counseled, self awareness, cultural awareness, empathy and credibility. Successful counseling requires preparation in having a suitable place, organizing information, planning the counseling strategy and establishing the right atmosphere and identifying a method for achieving desired results. Christian counseling helps individuals to learn how to lovingly submit to God's will. In applications pastoral counseling can take place between people of different religions. Interfaith and multicultural counseling can be directed to individuals, families, small groups, race, religion, or cultural background. Of great importance is the presence and willingness of tolerance, compassion, understanding and learning how to live together and overcome problems.

The spiritual dimension on counseling grief can be determined by the effectiveness and appropriateness of the counselor and counselee relationship. Pastoral counseling takes place if there is consistency, timeliness, accuracy, and constructiveness. To counsel those grieving, a counselor makes possible a trusting environment where a client can share what has been held "secretly" or privately. Yes, pastoral counseling can take place between people of different religions. Counselors show empathy by allowing or seeing situations from the counselee's point of view as it provides a plan of action achievable from the perspective of the counselee.

Reference

Elkins, D (1998) Beyond religion: A personal program for building a spiritual life outside the walls of traditional religion. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books.