Of Monasteries and Caregiver Confines: The Agency of the Caregiving Framework on Caregiver Spirituality and Belonging

Long-term caregivers comprise one of the most isolated marginal groups in society, and ‘Of Monasteries and Caregiver Confines’ references this as it explores the caregiving framework itself as an agent of spirituality, and, subsequently, of belonging. 
This paper draws on Br David Steindl-Rast’s explanation of how the Benedictine monastic environment is constructed to focus on particular facets that promote the ‘releasing’ necessary for peak experiences.
It goes on to posit that the caregiving environment is in exact alignment with that of a monastery and thus also structured to promote a caregiver spirituality. It then examines this spirituality, proposing that while its impact on caregiver health and well-being may not be all-positive, it might ultimately restore a sense of belonging.