"Companioning"
A note from Dr. Alan Wolfelt
The word 'companion,' when broken down into its original Latin roots, means 'com' for “with” and 'pan' for “bread.” Someone you would share a meal with. A friend. An equal.
Companioning is about honoring the spirit;
it is not about focusing on the intellect.
Companioning is about curiosity;
it is not about expertise.
Companioning is about learning from others;
it is not about teaching them.
Companioning is about walking alongside;
it is not about leading or being led.
Companioning is about being still;
it is not about frantic movement forward.
Companioning is about discovering gifts of sacred silence;
it is not about filling every painful moment with talk.
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 those struggles.
Companioning is about being present to another person’s path;
it is not about taking away or relieving the pain.
Companioning is about respecting disorder and confusion;
it is not about imposing order and logic.
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.