“Healing presence is the condition of being consciously and compassionately in the present moment with another or with others, believing in and affirming their potential for wholeness, wherever they are in life.”
A volunteer visits a man whose wife has Alzheimer’s disease. The husband talks about the stress of his full-time care giving responsibilities. He voices his sadness, anger and loneliness, as well as his guilt for having some of these feelings. The volunteer listens thoughtfully, nodding from time to time. When he finally speaks, he acknowledges the husband’s feelings, then reports what he is witnessing: a loving husband who provides excellent care in very trying circumstances. Tears of relief and appreciation form in the husband’s eyes as the two sit quietly. That is healing presence.
A healing presence doesn’t involve much activity. In fact, as it’s taking place, it may appear that very little is happening. It simply requires your time and your attention…and it can make a major difference in people’s lives.
You can be a healing presence as you are caring for another, while working beside someone or as you just enjoy another’s company.
Adapted from The Art of Being a Healing Presence, James E. Miller and Susan C. Cutshall, Willowgreen Publishing, Fort Wayne, IN, 2001.
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