February 8, 2022
There is no one “right way” to be with dying…
Following up on my reading of Roshi Joan Halifax’s “Being with Dying,” Chapter 12 delves into wounded healers and the shadow side of caregiving. The shadow side emerges when we forget that there is no “I” in doing good for another but simply choiceless responsiveness. The right hand is taking care of the left. Nonduality.
Roshi Joan provides examples of the pitfalls that can emerge. The Hero is when someone goes far beyond what is sensible. Their identity forged on the anvil of good acts. The Martyr, who is just a late-stage, burned out hero. There is the intrusive Parent, thinking they know what’s best. The Expert is an overextended medical professional. And more…