Rabia's contemplative practice of truly seeing the Divine teaches adoptive parents to witness their child's complete self—wounds, gifts, and potential—without trying to fix or transcend their story.
Central to Rabia's spiritual practice was witnessing—being present to the Divine presence within all things without attempting to change or control it. This becomes a crucial skill in adoptive parenting: truly seeing the child as they are, including their trauma history, grief, attachment patterns, and resilience. Many adoptive parents unconsciously attempt to rewrite their child's narrative or "heal" them through love alone. Rabia's wisdom invites a different approach: the practice of witnessing the child's full humanity—their past losses, their current struggles, their unique gifts—without needing to fix or transcend these realities. This witnessing creates profound safety and allows authentic healing to unfold. When a child feels truly seen in their wholeness, not just in their potential or in how they reflect parental success, genuine belonging becomes possible. Witnessing is the spiritual work that precedes and enables all other healing.
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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