A framework that validates a child's yearning for the deceased as an ongoing form of relationship and presence, not absence.
In bhakti tradition, longing (viraha) is the fuel of devotion—the ache of separation deepens connection to the beloved. Mirabai's poems overflow with longing for Krishna, transforming absence into intimate presence. This offers grieving children a profound reorientation: the pain of missing someone can be understood as proof of the bond's reality. A child who longs for a deceased parent is actively maintaining relationship. Rather than encouraging children to 'move on' or 'let go,' this framework suggests that longing is how we honor love across time. Adults can help children express their longing through ritual, art, storytelling, or continued conversation about the deceased. This transforms grief work from 'getting over it' to 'keeping them with us,' which many children experience as more true to their lived experience of ongoing love.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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