Companioning

Here I would like to share a beautiful text that I keep close to my heart as a doula, or birth companion: “Eleven Tenets of Companioning the Bereaved”, by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.

Companioning is about being present to another person’s pain; it is not about taking away the pain.

Companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being’ it is not about thinking you are responsible for finding the way out.

Companioning is about honoring the spirit; it is not about analyzing with the head.

Companioning is about listening with the heart’ it is not about analyzing with the head.

Companioning is about bearing witness to the struggles of others; it is not about judging or directing these struggles.

Companioning is about walking alongside; it is not about leading.

Companioning is about discovering the gifts of sacred silence; it does not mean filling up every moment with words.

Companioning is about being still; it is not about frantic movement forward.

Companioning is about respecting disorder and confusion it is not about imposing order and logic.

Companioning is about learning from others; it is not about teaching them.

Companioning is about compassionate curiosity; it is not about expertise.