The Practice of Witness

Rabia's practice involved witnessing the Divine in all things with reverence and acceptance. In adult relationships with children, witnessing means seeing who they are becoming—their struggles, choices, growth, and even failures—without the reflex to intervene or improve. Many parents remain in the helper role long past its usefulness, offering solutions before they're requested. True witnessing involves listening deeply, asking genuine questions, and holding space for their adult child's autonomy and learning. This is particularly powerful when an adult child faces hardship; the parent's role shifts from rescuer to compassionate observer who trusts the child's capacity to navigate their own life. Witnessing also means seeing and acknowledging effort, growth, and character—not just external success. This attentive presence often heals long-standing relational wounds and builds the genuine respect that mature relationships require.