Reimaging field instruction from a spiritually sensitive perspective: An alternative approach

Field work is a major component of social work training embedded in our gra duate training process. This article proposes incorporating some wisdom of Eastern traditions and spirituality, which moves the vertical "line" of hie rarchy into a circular, interactional approach to field work instruction. T he concepts presented for discussion and application are Sacred Space, karm a, interrelation-emptiness, process dedicated to process-no goal, and Taois t harmony. The. authors conclude by using the concepts of power and authori ty to demonstrate the interconnectedness of the concepts. They argue that t he Eastern alternative presented supports an environment more conducive to the promotion of natural authority, whereas the traditional models promote the exercise of power. The authors urge field instructors and students to i ncorporate this alternative paradigm into their educational experiences to maximize their opportunities for professional development and open the proc ess of field work supervision to the upper limits of its potential.