The Witnessing Practice

Rabia's devotion was characterized by deep witnessing—she saw the divine in all beings without needing to convert or change them. Parents of adult children often struggle to shift from director to witness. The witnessing practice means truly seeing your adult child's choices, struggles, and triumphs without the impulse to intervene, judge, or remind them of your role in their formation. When your daughter makes a different parenting choice than you did, can you witness it without correction? When your son fails, can you be present without saying 'I told you so'? This practice requires genuine humility—accepting that your adult child is the author of their own story. Rabia's loving gaze never sought to possess or control; it simply honored what was. When adult children feel truly witnessed rather than evaluated, they often become more open to genuine relationship.