We are drawn to pleasurable experiences and away from painful ones as fundamental, hard-wired survival behavior. But is there a benefit in risking some pain, more than a momentary displeasure, for our individual growth and spiritual evolution? And if we can’t engage our own pain, then how can we expect to experience empathy for another?
A native of Washington, DC, Gary Strichartz was educated at Antioch College (BS Physics, 1965) and The University of Pennsylvania (PhD Biophysics, 1970). After 40 years studying the mechanisms of chronic pain he retired as Professor Emeritus, Harvard University in 2022. Research in pain mechanisms evolved into a wish to more directly ameliorate suffering and a commitment to hospital chaplaincy. Having graduated from Andover Newton Theological School (MDiv 2014), Rev Strichartz served as a chaplain at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for 10 years before transferring this role to Milford Regional Medical Center, Milford MA. He is also active in the Restorative Justice movement at MCI Norfolk and is an affiliated minister of the Unitarian Universalist Area Church at Sherborn MA.Gary and wife Linnea Löf have 5 children and 7 grandchildren and live in Upton MA, where he also serves as the chaplain for the Fire and EMS departments and chairs the Lakes, Ponds and Streams Committee