This is a great article! Thanks for sharing your ideas. I like your comparison of demon possession to how ideas infect people and that makes sense to me - you can see how that plays out especially in radical views. But my question is how do we exorcise these demons? People are so sure of their viewpoints it seems pointless to argue with logic. Is it just being a loving presence in their lives - listening without judging? I wondered if you had any more concrete suggestions on that part. Thanks again!
I think that the deep healing always begins with feeling heard. That's why it's so important to create safe spaces for people to express themselves without judgment. This requires a genuine interest in the humanity of the other by the person who's doing the listening and creating the safe (I would call it sacred) space.
The goal isn't to make someone heal, but to open the door and invite them into that possibility.
I also believe there is a law of readiness that comes into play. People are not going to heal or grow spiritually until they are ready. That means a lot of patience with an understanding that it's possible for nothing to change.
Since the healing opportunity requires someone to have the ability to sit with them gracefully, that means helping others to heal requires people to engage their own healing process enough to become that person for them. Which goes back to engaging in one's own personal healing before trying to lead others into theirs.
Well thought. We must love humanity while also being willing to be that supervisor on the playground that reminds the bully of common boundaries, that allow peace among all
This is a great article! Thanks for sharing your ideas. I like your comparison of demon possession to how ideas infect people and that makes sense to me - you can see how that plays out especially in radical views. But my question is how do we exorcise these demons? People are so sure of their viewpoints it seems pointless to argue with logic. Is it just being a loving presence in their lives - listening without judging? I wondered if you had any more concrete suggestions on that part. Thanks again!
Thank you for your kind words. Great question.
I think that the deep healing always begins with feeling heard. That's why it's so important to create safe spaces for people to express themselves without judgment. This requires a genuine interest in the humanity of the other by the person who's doing the listening and creating the safe (I would call it sacred) space.
The goal isn't to make someone heal, but to open the door and invite them into that possibility.
I also believe there is a law of readiness that comes into play. People are not going to heal or grow spiritually until they are ready. That means a lot of patience with an understanding that it's possible for nothing to change.
Since the healing opportunity requires someone to have the ability to sit with them gracefully, that means helping others to heal requires people to engage their own healing process enough to become that person for them. Which goes back to engaging in one's own personal healing before trying to lead others into theirs.
That's where I'm at right now anyway.
Well thought. We must love humanity while also being willing to be that supervisor on the playground that reminds the bully of common boundaries, that allow peace among all
Thank you.