How do we heal following a life-changing event, such as the death of a loved one, loss of a job, relationship break up or any other stressor?
Healing starts with the truth. We do this when we practice compassion with ourselves as well as others. We can start by observing our inner experience, as well as observing others without judgement, with genuine curiosity. Our curiosity can help us become aware of our own filters, which may be altering our perception. Coming to a less tainted understanding can help us accept reality and experience increased compassion.
Compassion doesn’t have to mean that we let others who have wronged us off the hook. It can mean quite the opposite. Our genuine curiosity can lead us to holding others responsible for the pain created, and letting ourselves heal, knowing we did our best to survive. Or it can mean understanding why we responded the way we did. We can come to realize that perhaps we did something wrong. This can help us figure out what we need in order to heal, such as make amends, and work towards self-forgiveness. Or it can lead to understanding a situation or someone’s perspective on a deeper level. We may understand the pattern of inter-generational trauma, and realize the chain of suffering that was handed down. Non-judgmental curiosity can help our perspective broaden. It can make it easier to grieve and lead us on a path to healing.