“The Divine sees the whole picture. We only glimpse the edges. But in every moment, we are invited to look deeper—within ourselves, within others, and toward the sacred mystery.”

In the world of Chaplaincy, perception is not just a tool—it’s a sacred responsibility. Whether we are walking beside a patient in crisis, comforting a grieving family, or reflecting with a fellow Chaplain-in-training, how we see—and what we choose to see—matters deeply.

In 1955, two American psychologists—Joseph Luft (1916–2014) and Harrington Ingham (1916–1995)—created a powerful tool for understanding human interaction: the Johari Window. Combining their first names—Joseph and Harington—they crafted a model that has stood the test of time in psychology, corporate training, and, more recently, Chaplaincy and spiritual care.

At its heart, the Johari Window is about perception—how we see ourselves, how others see us, and the great spaces in between. For Chaplains and Chaplaincy Pro CPE students, this model opens a doorway to explore presence, authenticity, and the sacred unknown in our daily encounters.

The Four Quadrants of Awareness

1. 

Arena (Open Self)

 – 

Known to self and others

This is the shared space—the stories, traits, emotions, and behaviors that you acknowledge in yourself, and others also see. For example, “My name is John, and everyone knows that.” But it’s also the way John’s kindness shows when he greets patients, or how his team knows he’ll always stay an extra shift if needed.

This is where authentic connection thrives. Emotions here are visible—compassion, anxiety, joy, fatigue. When someone says, “You seem tired,” and we respond, “Yes, it’s been a heavy week,” we open the door to empathy and relational healing.

Chaplain Practice: Expand the Arena by practicing honest communication. In patient care: “I want to be present with you, and I also want to acknowledge I’m feeling a bit stretched today—so if I pause, I’m just catching my breath with you.”

Group Example: During group sessions, CPE students can share a word that describes how they feel today. This simple act builds trust and invites deeper sharing.

2. 

Façade (Hidden Self)

 – 

Known to self but not to others

This space holds our secrets, our silent thoughts, and unspoken pain. It is where we carry shame, fear, longing, and hope—all cloaked from public view. For John, this might include his fear of not being good enough as a Chaplain, or the grief he carries from his brother’s death that he rarely discusses.

These hidden pieces are not always deceptive—they can be protective. But healing often requires inviting the right people into these spaces, in the right time and with great care.

Chaplain Insight: Sometimes what is hidden isn’t just a secret—it’s sacred. And part of spiritual care is creating a space where someone can safely lay it down.

Example with a Patient: A patient may be smiling, but when asked gently, “Is there anything you’re holding inside that feels too heavy to say out loud?” they might finally share their fear of dying alone.

Student Reflection: Encourage journaling prompts like, “What part of me am I afraid others will reject if they truly knew?” Then discuss, not to fix, but to hold each other in spiritual community.

3. 

Blind Spot

 – 

Known to others but not to self

Here lies one of the most vulnerable truths: we do not fully see ourselves. This quadrant includes our habits, gifts, and shortcomings that others observe—but that we may deny, ignore, or underestimate.

Perhaps John believes he’s too quiet to lead, but others see him as a steady, calming force. Or he might be unaware that he unintentionally interrupts people when anxious. This area is ripe for growth, if we’re open to feedback—and feedback, when rooted in love, becomes revelation.

Chaplain Practice: Offer gentle reflections: “When you speak, people listen. You may not notice it, but your presence shifts the room.”

Supervision Tip: In CPE student groups, use reflective listening: “When you said that, did you notice how others leaned in?” This helps illuminate the unseen.

With Staff: Ask, “What’s something I do well that I might not see?” or “Is there anything I might be missing when I show up in these moments?”

4. 

Unknown

 – 

Unknown to self and others

This final quadrant holds the vast, sacred mystery—traumas unremembered, gifts undeveloped, callings unspoken. No one can see this part—not even us. Yet the Divine does.

This space is fertile with possibility. It’s the place where a patient surprises themselves by forgiving a loved one. Where a CPE student suddenly feels called to prison ministry. It’s where the Divine whispers through dreams, silence, or suffering.

Spiritual Invitation: “Is there something unknown that might be stirring in you today—something unexplainable, but meaningful?” Trust that you don’t need to understand everything to participate in grace.

Perceptions: Same Room, Different Realities

Even when we’re together—on a care team, in a CPE classroom, around a family bedside—we are not in the same experience. Perception is colored by memory, emotion, faith, fatigue, and longing. One may see a miracle; another sees abandonment. One may feel peace; another, disconnection.

Compassion begins with humility. Ask yourself: What don’t I know? What haven’t I seen yet?

Divine Awareness: Trusting the Unknown

As Chaplains, we are called not to know everything—but to stand reverently in the not knowing. We are not just listeners; we are sacred witnesses to what is becoming. The Unknown quadrant is not a void—it is the garden of becoming. And sometimes, what the Divine is growing in us is not visible yet to anyone—including ourselves.

Practices for Application

With a Patient:

• Open (Arena): “You’ve said you feel overwhelmed.”
• Hidden (Façade): “Is there something you haven’t said yet that you’d like to?”
• Blind Spot: “May I reflect something I’ve noticed about how others respond to you?”
• Unknown: “Sometimes what we can’t name still has meaning. Can we sit with that together?”

With a Family Member:

• Reflect their emotions gently, even if unspoken.

• Ask open-ended questions that respect their perspective.
• Acknowledge different perceptions with grace.
• Invite reflection: “What are you seeing or feeling that others might not be?”

With CPE Students:

• Lead a Johari reflection circle.
• Encourage safe sharing and feedback: “Here’s what I see in you…”

Facilitate small groups using Johari-inspired prompts.Encourage mutual feedback with warmth and care.Reflect together on spiritual moments of surprise or mystery.

With Staff:

• Ask for reflective feedback: “How did my presence impact the space today?”
• Affirm gifts others may not recognize in themselves.

Offer affirming observations: “Your presence calmed that patient.”Be open to feedback: “Is there anything I could have done differently today?”

Final Thought: The Invitation

The Johari Window is more than a model—it’s a spiritual compass. It teaches us to walk humbly with ourselves and others, to live bravely into what’s visible, to gently approach what’s hidden, and to trust the unfolding of what has not yet been revealed. It is a spiritual invitation—to expand our awareness, to explore the mystery of self and others, and to co-create sacred space where healing can emerge.

Are we available to let the Divine reveal us to ourselves? Because healing doesn’t always happen in what we know. Sometimes it begins in what we don’t.