Witnessing the Divine in the Other

Rabia's spiritual practice involved recognizing the presence of the Divine in every being. This was not sentimental; it was a disciplined practice of perception that transformed how she related to others. She did not love people because they were lovable or deserving; she loved them because she recognized the sacred in them. For adoptive children who may have internalized rejection, abandonment, or the belief that they are fundamentally unworthy, this concept offers profound healing. An adoptive parent who practices seeing the sacred in their child—not their accomplishments, not their behavior, not their likability, but their fundamental presence—creates the conditions for deep trust. This child learns that their worth is not conditional on performance. The parent's gaze becomes healing; the child begins to recognize their own inherent value. This is particularly important for children who experienced early neglect or abuse, who may have learned that they must earn belonging through compliance or excellence. Rabia's practice teaches parents to see beyond trauma symptoms, attachment behaviors, or difficult emotions to the sacred child underneath. This doesn't mean ignoring real problems or failing to set boundaries. Rather, it means holding both: the child's difficult behavior and the child's inherent worth can coexist. This dual vision allows parents to teach accountability while maintaining unconditional love.