Grief Coach | Portland, OR

Excerpt from the YouTube video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsS_JrWiLi8&t=2s

 Hello, everyone! I am so happy to be here with you today, and if we have not met before, I am Benaz, your Compassionate Coach on this journey of personal growth and healing. I want you to know that I’ve walked through some of life’s toughest challenges myself. Whether you’re handling the heartache of divorce, the pain of separation, the loss of a dear one, or facing the fear of health issues, I understand the weight of these sufferings. I’ve been in your shoes, and I know how scary it can be to navigate such difficult moments without support or guidance.

What I’m here to share on this YouTube channel are personal tools that have guided me through the setbacks, and now it could guide you when it feels as if sadness or anger is consuming you.

The techniques I share with you in this video, and others are practical tools that are not only for navigating the challenging road of grief and loss but also for steering you toward a journey of healing and transformation. So, please stay with me as we dive into how to meet Grief with Compassion during times of adversity. These skills could be powerful tools that can shine a light on your path to recovery as you face the darkest moment. We’ll wrap up with a guided meditation to support your healing journey.

Before we dive into how compassion heals, let me tell you a story of “The Healing Heart of Mother Teresa.”

In the heart of Calcutta, a woman with a heart as boundless as the ocean lived. She was called Mother Teresa, a beacon of compassion and empathy. She made it her life’s mission to bring comfort and healing to the sick and needy.

One afternoon, in their humble hospice, she met a young man named Raj, ravaged by tuberculosis. Mother Teresa didn’t offer miracles but something more profound. She offered compassion and empathy.

Every day, she would sit beside Raj, holding his hand and listening to his stories. Her unwavering presence filled him with a sense of hope. She often said, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

Mother Teresa knew how to understand her patients’ unique needs and fears. She would offer them small comforts and her undivided attention.

Remarkable transformations took place in the hospice. Patients regained their will to live. The compassion and empathy shown by Mother Teresa greatly impacted patients, staff, and volunteers.

The word of her work spread, attracting support worldwide. Her mission expanded, and she established more homes for needy people, extending her healing touch to countless souls.

Raj, though never fully recovering, found peace in his final days, surrounded by his new family. Mother Teresa’s compassion and empathy had healed his spirit, even when his body could not be recovered.

Her legacy is a testament to the power of compassion and empathy to heal the body and soul. She proved that the greatest medicine one can offer is love and understanding, bringing hope and healing to those who have lost both.

As I mentioned before, I will discuss how a compassionate approach to loss of any kind can positively impact emotional healing and a sense of well-being.

First, let’s understand grief:

Grief is an intense and natural human emotion that:

Arises in response to loss, whether it is the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a significant life change, or facing chronic health issues. It can be emotionally overwhelming. It is also critical to understand that grief doesn’t follow a linear path or has a schedule. It is as unique as each one of us. And there’s no right or wrong way to experience it. It comes from the depth of our connections to the things we care about deeply,,, but have lost.

Compassion is one of our inner tools to help us face grief.

But What is Compassion, and what does “Compassion in Action” mean?

Compassion is a powerful force. It’s not just a passive feeling; it’s an action, an energetic force that causes us to move forward toward self-discovery and emotional well-being. When we approach grief compassionately, we extend kindness, empathy, and understanding to ourselves and others. It’s about the understanding that we all have our own struggles and vulnerabilities, and by embracing our struggles and weaknesses, we connect to the depth of who we are, which is love, that can be extended to ourselves as kindness and to others as empathy.

We can cultivate this powerful force to transform our lives for the better and see the effect of healing and connection that extends far beyond ourselves. So, let’s see what Science says about the “compassionate approach to grief”.

Research has shown that a compassionate approach to grief releases oxytocin, often called the “love hormone.” This hormone promotes social bonding and emotional connection. In times of grief, isolation can be painful. A compassionate approach encourages us to connect with others and ask for support. These connections can be very important in the healing process.

  • First: it Reduces Stress and Anxiety:

Grief, which is a response to loss, can increase the level of stress and anxiety. Compassion-based practices, such as Mindfulness and meditation, have been scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety. Meditation and Mindfulness allow us to stay present with our thoughts and emotions, not worry about the past and fear of what will happen in the future. This helps us to let go of anxious or stressful thoughts, which helps to reduce mental and emotional tension.

  • Second: Meeting Grief with Compassion plays a vital role in enhancing Emotional Regulation:

Grief often brings a flood of overwhelming emotions; on the other hand, compassion helps us observe these emotions without judgment, creating a space between our feelings and reactions and giving us more control over how we respond.

  • Third, it fosters resilience:

Compassion doesn’t just aid in emotional healing; it also cultivates resilience. By acknowledging our pain with kindness and understanding, we develop the capacity to bounce back from adversity and adapt to life’s challenges

In future videos, I will discuss how to enhance emotional regulation and to foster resilience.”

So, let’s take some time for ourselves and meditate together. I’ll be here to gently guide you through the process of creating a peaceful and calming space for both of us.

As I end today’s talk, I want to thank everyone for sharing this time with me. Your presence here means so much to me, and I genuinely appreciate your trust and engagement. Remember, the setbacks you face today are opportunities for growth and transformation. You have within you:

  1. The resilience to endure.
  2. The strength to overcome.
  3. The potential to thrive.

As we end this video, I want to remind you that we’re on a journey of ongoing self-discovery and empowerment, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.

I’m excited to share more insightful content, inspiring stories, and practical tools on our channel. This is a place where we learn and grow together.

I have included the link to my YouTube channel and the website (grief-coach.com) below in the description.

Don’t forget to subscribe, hit that like button, and leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. If you have any questions, need support, or want a friendly chat, please get in touch with me by visiting my website. I’m here to support and guide you through it all!

Let’s continue this incredible journey together, lifting each other and creating positive change in our lives. Thank you for being a cherished part of our community. Until next time, take good care of yourselves and keep shining brightly, my dear friends.

I end with a quote from Rumi- A Persian Poet, Sufi philosopher, and scholar – “In the midst of suffering, when you are able to find the light within, you not only heal yourself but become a beacon of hope for others. Remember, your strength and resilience shine the brightest in the darkest moments.” — Rumi

See you next time.