Takeaway
To support patients' healing, encourage simple, intentional practices—savoring memories, quiet reflection, and/or journaling. This may help them to access their inner resources, foster resilience, and strengthen hope.
Creative arts in medicine | March 24, 2026 | 1 min read
By John DeCarlo, MA, MDiv, Hofstra University
Inner sanctum
We all know this place:
It’s the inner space between all spaces
You savor the expanse of its place
Feel the grace of its lovely lace
Everyone has their own space
Feel its waves of consciousness
Contemplate its fullness
It embodies all of Us
Greet its glorious sunrise
Feel all its delightful surprise
Let it fill your eyes
Stroll along to its rhythmic beat
Feel the river flowing below your feet
Welcome the people you meet
Praise its creative fate
Save the timely date
Its Dharma is never late
Its day is divine
Drink its healthy wine
Walk its personal line
Sing its songs with others
Embrace sisters and brothers
Invite lonely lovers
Dance to its music and belly laugh
Forget all worries—enjoy its bubbly bath
Feel its bliss and all its aftermath
We all knew this place long before neurologists named it: the realm of memories and dreams. Researchers call it the default mode network—a specialized brain system (including the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and angular gyrus) that’s most active when the mind is at rest, daydreaming, or reflecting on the self. It supports internal cognition—autobiographical memory, future planning, and social understanding—essentially serving as the brain’s autopilot.
This network lets our minds wander, reshape memories, and sustain our truest sense of self. Above all, it’s where we imagine who we will become; it’s the buffer between the external world and our innermost dreams, hopes, and desires.
As clinicians, we can help patients and colleagues access these resources to support healing and resilience. Encourage practices that engage this system—savoring cherished memories, quiet meditation or prayer, guided imagery, or reflective journaling—especially for those under stress. These simple, intentional habits can foster hope, restore perspective, and inspire patients to move toward exceptional care and recovery.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.