Free Sample Chapter 1-4 of In the Cleft

About Me

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Speaker, author and grief counsellor Dana Goodman lives in Kamloops British Columbia. Dana has a passion for helping people navigate through their grief journeys. Her memoir, In the Cleft Joy Comes in the Mourning, written four years after the deaths of her husband, son and mother-in-law to cancer, recently won top novel at the Wildsound Writing Festival in January. Dana's heart's desire is that In the Cleft will help her readers embrace their own profound losses and find hope in the midst of their pain. Renewal, meaning and purpose can be unearthed even after unthinkable tragedy. Dana loves being outside with her family and especially loves mountain biking, running and listening to worship music. She feels content in her everyday life if she has read an inspiring story, connected with her husband, son and friends and spent time in the outdoors with her dog.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Companioning the Bereaved


Companioning the Bereaved
January 6, 2015

I had the privilege of attending a grief seminar put on by Alan Wolfelt.  I wanted to share his 11 tenants of companioning the bereaved that I found to be profound teachings:

  • Companioning is about honoring the spirit; it is not about focusing on intellect.
  • Companioning is about curiosity; it is not about expertise.
  • Companioning is about learning from others, it is not about teaching.
  • Companioning is about walking alongside; it is not about leading or being led.
  • Companioning is about being still; it is not about frantic movement forward.
  • Companioning is about discovering the gifts of sacred silence it is not about a f
    illing every painful moment with talk.
  • Companioning is about listening with the heart. It is not about analyzing with the head.
  • Companioning is about bearing witness to the struggles of others; it is not about judging or directing those struggles.
  • Companioning is about being present to another person’s pain; it is not about taking away or relieving the pain.
  • Companioning is about respecting disorder and confusion; it is not about imposing order and logic.
  • Companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being; it is not about thinking you are responsible for finding the way out.


If we are going to come alongside those who are mourning, these principals are critical in their healing process.
  • For more articles by Alan Wolfelt visit www.griefhealingblog.com



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