Thursday, April 9, 2020

Nouwen Meditation: Do You Own Your Own Pain?

"Now and Then" Podcast
In this week's episode of Now & Then, Karen Pascal, Executive Director of the Henri Nouwen Society, talks with an old friend of Henri Nouwen's - best-selling author and activist Parker J. Palmer.

DAILY MEDITATION | APRIL 9, 2020
Do You Own Your Own Pain?
The main question is: “Do you own your pain?” As long as you do not own your pain—that is, integrate your pain into your way of being in the world—the danger exists that you will use the other to seek healing for yourself. When you speak to others about your pain without fully owning it, you expect something from them that they cannot give. As a result, you will feel frustrated, and those you wanted to help will feel confused, disappointed, or even further burdened.

But when you fully own your pain and do not expect those to whom you minister to alleviate it, you can speak about it in true freedom. Then sharing your struggle can become a service; then your openness about yourself can offer courage and hope to others.
"You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart."

PSALM 51:6 (NRSV)
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