Caroline, I have been a very long time fan of yours, have gobbled up your books..This lecture on the Holy witness has helped so much in witnessing my little brother in his dying. To sit with him, allow him to find his own peace in trust and comfort. Thank you and blessings galore.
Oh Caroline, I have been searching for 12 years on how to explain this need. The only thing I came up with was to form a group called "Hear Me Heal". A person would get up and tell their story and everyone had to give their complete attention, no snacks, no coffee, no writing, no phones....nothing but to listen. I put a man in prison for 6 lifetimes, plus 800 years plus 400 years...the worst case of child pornography in our county. My 5 year old daughter told me and I didn't stop until it was finished. No one will hear me. They say, "I can't deal with that". I so want to tell my story and let it go. Thank you for giving this kind of soul yearning some dignity. I have dreams of helping others....I get it...I've been there. Thank you again.❤️
Caroline, I am at a stage in my spiritual journey where I left my spiritual community because our community leader engages in what I describe as spiritual happy talk. Yes, Rev, I understand the spiritual underpinnings of our teachings, but why are so many of us unconscious and hurting one another? And I now find myself in a place of wanting and telling myself that I need a new guru to help me on this journey of understanding why we must endure so many painful experiences, such as the victim and saboteur archetypes, two roommates who I invited into my life long ago and remain with me. This brings me to this series you're leading on the role of archetypes. At the end of today's video, you said, "I hope you're all enjoying this. I am." I cannot express the depth of my gratitude to you for this series. Listening to this series, I am reminded of the words so often quoted by Rumi, "we're all walking each other home." Thank you, Caroline, for your hand to us all. Please keep these videos coming. I've always understood that the hand that has wounded me most is my own. But these messages, from which I am gaining a greater understanding of the spiritual being having a human incarnation journey, remind me that my hands can also heal me. Peace and many, many blessings. I've got this! Oh, and I now know how to find my witness!
‘Light Supremacy’ is the humorous term being used to describe the ‘spiritual happy talk’ you mentioned. Positive thinking is essential, but it’s only half the battle.
Also "spiritual bypassing" is another term for it. We are our own gurus! When we look to another/others, we disempower our true natures. Hence the disappointment (or outright ugliness) in 'spiritual' communities.
I have been a witness many times. I listen without judgment and keep confidences. But I sometimes offer advice after. I’m sometimes asked, and I give the advice I think they would give themselves if they could (this for people I know deeply). After listening to you, I realize I can do better. So much better. I think I mesh together a witness, a comforter, and an advisor. And while the feedback is always hugely positive, I see now the price. Instead of reclaiming their soul and rebuilding their confidence, I become their crutch. The are ultimately not empowered, but instead dependent. I see the wisdom in The Witness just being a Witness! I can do so much better Thank you, Caroline!
Thank you for this! My Holy Witness is my 12-step group. The rule is no cross talk or interrupting or referencing our share. It's been a powerful teaching to learn how to LISTEN and to feel safe sharing my vulnerable self.
This is indeed a time and energy exchange practice. I am a Spiritual Listener have been all my life. Total Strangers everywhere I go start conversations with me about their sadness. I do now how to place Akashic Experiences on the book shelf of life for others. I have a meditataive practice and a Mediumship connection system. I have many days when the soul heartache of another can affect my own energy as I have Witnessed!! Their emotional sadness. This type of Healer can help shift a persons life dramatically and unless you ask the person what would they like to do, you break the universal laws of being their librarian. Energy is Time, Time is Energy, Energy is Money, Money is Energy. There are two exchanges in the practice of Spiritual Witness. The first is the exchange of the Soul Burden that is done in the spiritual plain. (I have not been able to get to the push a button and it's transported to the Akashic and releases from both parties but Im working on it lol ). The other stage ? Well in this time of spiritual shift its takes either a Religious Career where you are supported financially OR if your calling has been working with people Inner Child and Medical Intuitive work it does need the second stage of Energy is Money, Time is Money. Its sad that there aren't enough places of TRUST, to have people load up the weight of the Dark Night of the Soul experiences (which I have been through and may continue to do so, ) through the Spiritual Witness and then the Witness sends this experience up top the cosmos for cleansing. Not to be put on the shelf for someone else to take out of the library. Some experiences should not be repeated. Thats my wish for everyone that they have a witness that listens but also someone who has shamanic knowledge of retrieving the soul and replace the light. Thanks for shaking my cage. Its always good and helpful to not get stuck in our own ego of how, what, where, I should proceed.
Yes! I feel so seen. Sometimes I worry I am not doing enough to be of service. But I do recognize my deep listening skills and the exercise of holding back advice giving, etc. And in this moment I am inspired to be proud of my holy witness skills that I give freely.
The retelling of the story over and over turns us into a victim. I think that's avoided by quickly going into "so now what?" mode. Thank you for your very enlightening talks 🦋🙏
Thank you for this talk. This depth of listening is rare. I was taught by my late, esteemed teacher Irene Smith, who pioneered the field of hospice massage, to listen in the absence of agenda, opinion, judgment, and advice. She was a master! I didn't know how heavy and burdensome those elements were until I practiced checking them at the door. Lightness and joy exist in the absence of those burdens. Having done this for others in practice, and in support group settings, I have longed to receive this listening in return. For that reason, I especially appreciate your discussion of surveying friends and asking for this kind of listening where it might be appropriate and safe. It has inspired me to ask for this kind of listening. Thank you.
I admire you Caroline and am grateful for all your teachings. For some reason when you did this talk on the Holy Witness, you seem to be in deep peace and your very kind, soft side is very apparent. I sensed you speaking from down deep in your heart. The Holy Witness resonates with you. OX
I didn't realize your other videos ,I just watched the vampire power of archetypes, I explained about the spirit of God with in me and how I trust it 🙏 because God is truth 🙏 I just want to say I am blessed by your messages 🙏 bless you too🙏
This was an epiphany and a clarification for me. Each one of your talks on the archetypes is one gold nugget after the other, a treasure chest of knowledge and wisdom. But this one is a golden and bejewelled chalice of precious gems that truly attempts to call the soul back home. Thank you. ❤
Such beautiful words and so true.. Thank you. I have seeked many of my friends to be the holy witness. I don't want the story to take over my spirit but I think it has. The pain has made my spirit lost.
That was so fantastic. I have never heard the archetype but I am it and now understand. What an aha moment. ❤ that you Carolyn. I have been listening and growing with you for decades.
WOW, this has truly been on my mind since I watched it a week ago. So insightful! I see it now in my relationship, my friends who have this archetype, and in my work. What a gift it is to have this new perspective, thank you. ❤
FYI: Painting from Dreams: the visionary art of Navajo painter David Chethlahe Paladin by David Chethlahe Paladin / still available - check second hand copies
What a powerful & heart-wrenching story about your Navajo friend. Wow. I am repeatedly humbled by the Spiritual perception of the Native Americans and their ability to forgive after everything they have been through. That was profoundly moving about the power of the Witness and all the depths to this archetype. Thank you for sharing your work Caroline 🙏 #decolonize
Ms. Caroline, these series are soo eye-opening and needed so much! Thank you for these and everything you share, it is always so profound, thank you...
writing is really a good way to 'expel' the 'story' or victimizedness from the system, so that it's not imprisoned in the system, also so that u don't have to be the 'asserter' for it, having it be written and published (through a book, blog, etc.) allows it to 'speak for itself', so u become free from that 'job'. People who went through severe trauma find a lot of healing in writing. If all 7B of humans just take the time to just sit, and write all their traumas down, acknowledge, not reject, acknowledge the unquestionable validity and belongingness of the experience of helplessness and disempoweredness in the human experience, earth will change. Because when it's still in the system, people just keeps on projecting, acting out/lashing out for the sense of disempowerment that happened long ago that they still couldn't accept up till this day, going into addiction and passing the trauma from generation to generation. The ego has a HUGE problem with the experience of helplessness and disempowerment, that it doesn't want to see/face its reality. It's the EGO after all, that which is obsessed with power and control. Hence, the mass repression of woundedness and trauma, if only humans see that the way to go about it is to just acknowledge, that yeah, I was a child, helpless, dependent and disempowered and taken advantage of, I didn't know better then, yep, I wasn't capable of defending myself. How could I? It wasn't possible at the level of development/maturity I was in back then. There, done and done, but no, the ego just has to deny and resist and repress until death, and the cycle continues. it will prolly take another thousand years for humans to get this
I am a retire d substance use counselor and learned over time how starved people are for someone to just listen. In AA, people tell their stories but then the AA groups, the 12 steps, their sponsors, and other coping tools devised by AA helped them free their spirits from the story of their addiction. You were talking about New Palestine Ohio.
Caroline, I’m so thankful you spoke about this today! I had a brief moment to tell you in Sedona 2019 that “You had me at Chetlehey”. I was trying to thank you at that time but I think those are the only words that came out of my mouth. I’ve been following you since I heard you tell his story on PBS 30 years ago and it deeply imprinted on me then. You gave me a life map (through sharing his incredible life experience) for what I needed to do to call my spirit back. I am eternally grateful for your voice and wisdom through out my life. You’ve taught me so much. Much love and gratitude to you. ❤ Shauna
I have been a holy witness three times when it has been life altering. It has changed everything in a blink of an eye because the knowledge I have been entrusted with changes how I see harmful people in my own family circle. I cannot know what I now know about them as I absolutely believe the truth of what has been shared with me. I am not a disembodied spirit. I am flesh and blood with a sacred relationship and responsibility to the person who has chosen me as their holy witness. There have been grave consequences to my holy witnessing. In two of the cases I unwillingly became obligated to give testimony in criminal proceedings to protect the person who confided in me. In the third, I eventually chose to end a long-standing though always troubling relationship with family members. Being a holy witness requires courage for it often comes out of nowhere as a surprise and then you internalize the pain released by the other and have to figure out yourself, what do I do now, what next?
Great point; -”what are you going to do about it?” Because it is so easy to go in to all stories and make them to my own.. And its so painful to carry but now I can be a soul to open my ear and heart and be just a witness ✨🥰♥️🙏🇸🇪🌍🦋☘️🌸
Ms. Caroline Myss, thank you so much for spending the time to do this video. It almost brings tears to my eyes, do much pain from the past to deal with. It's like the dark night of the soul. Now, it's going to turn around for good. God bless.
This really resonates with me. I recently found a women’s circle that meets monthly and we do this for each other. I expressed thanks this past meeting for holding space for me and how it’s helped me hold space for others in my life. Thank you for sharing this series.
Wow. Now I really understand why the women’s group I was able to be a part of years ago fed my soul. We were able to go around the table and speak of our trauma without interruption. Everyone listened and integrated it. We didn’t need words for others, just understanding and compassion.
Yes, I enjoyed that very much. I found it quite Earthing. Grounding. I don't know about the rest of the world but where I am, it has become common for counsellors and psychologists to give advice and opinions, which saddens me. And I just journal now. But sometimes I find that very hard to brave. I still do it and it's empowering . Caroline, this has given me a deeper understanding about being my own holy witness. Perhaps the resistance to writing things out will look different when taking this perspective consciously. Thankyou very much. 🙂
This has to be my FAVORITE archetype! This moved me in so many ways. I totally agree with you when you say that the world is suffering in the absence of its presence. I'm looking forward to holding space for my collective in this manner. You just brought words to a part of my vision. Thank you for your wisdom! It always arrives at the right time. 🌱💞🙏🏽
The indigenous peoples of the Americas have traditions that we, as weak poor individuals, feel envy and compassion, they have been persecuted, ostracised and tortured while being totally discriminated against as a nation. I feel so ashamed. As silent witness I can only hope and pray for their healing. Where to from here?
Thank you Caroline. This was profound for me. As a healer I often hear peoples stories and I dont like people repeating after we have dealt with it unless they want to do something about it. I thought I wasnt a good listener because of that but I now see how it's important. I had repeated my own story too many times. Interesting that aboutc10vyears ago I was working with a Lakota man who needed to claim his spirit back. I had a vision of him in a deep pool with a rope and the men on the bank telling him to pull his spirit back. I didnt know about that story. That man died unexpectedly last year. It makes me think that your Navajo friends story was in the collective consciousness for me to see. Thank you for all you do. 🙏❤❤❤
I used to talk to my mother who passed on, it would be strange to talk to her; in friction with a romanticized image of her. In between de mystery and reality; I felt like she would understand everything because she embodies the above. But her body perspective from below was my godly image of her. Confusing but interesting! Thank you so much for these reinforcements
I do enjoy the teachings on archetypes. This one truly hit a chord with me. Most times Im thinking a person is looking for an answer or solution or an opinion. Thank you so much. This definitely helps me a WHOLE LOT in just being a better listener. I had a situation where I shared it with a friend. And they meant well when they said AWW with pity. It absolutely made me feel more pain. So this is helping me so much. Sometimes people don’t want your sympathy. Well sometimes they do but that’s no help especially when people tell their story a thousand times. Thanks so much.
This was wonderful. Thank you!!! As a therapist, I am a Holy Witness for my clients. I have felt the calling of the Holy Witness since childhood. Originally, I wanted to be a Catholic Priest. However, being a Licensed Professional Counselor fits perfectly for my life purpose. I am also a very strong believer in Universal healthcare so this would be free to all!!!
I can't say how this moves me. I am a holy witness for two souls in my family who couldn't hold on to life and it's agony anymore. One of them is my beloved mother. This is my hugest trustfall as I continue my life journey without them on the outside but connected on the inside.
Thank you ❤️ you have put into words my experience with my holy witness in a friendship that I have had since 2000. We did this for each other. She and I met as nurses together working in Detox Addictions where we listened to many experiences of our patients. I am so grateful.
I feel so fortunate to have you speaking so directly to the soul, my soul Caroline Myss. I first discovered you almost 25 years ago at a time when I needed it the most. I had no idea of the many things that were blocking me with these many archetypes. Every day in every way I give thanks and seek to bear more integrity, honor in being the Holy Witness. Your work uplifts while speaking such direct heartfelt inner enrichment with truth and wisdom beheld. ♾️🙏🏻💖🎆
Thank you so much, Caroline. It's very moving to hear what you have to share about your concept of "The Holy Witness." I wholeheartedly agree that as we live our lives, there is a deep need to share our stories. I also agree that both witnessing & being witnessed is a core part of the human experience. We as human beings want to make meaning out of what we have experienced. In addition to experiencing the power of being witnessed by another in a holy way through their profound ability to listen to us, as well as to have the honor of being another's Holy Witness, we can also be the Holy Witness to ourselves. This self-witnessing can take place during meditation as an example as we bring grace & compassion to ourselves as we witness painful memories & feelings. If we are fortunate, this Holy self-witnessing began in earlier years of our lives as children, teens or young adults where a part of us came to our aide in developing a self-knowing through divine witnessing. I believe that we can find &/ore develop this capacity of being a Holy Witness for ourselves as well as for others. This capacity is found deep within our souls..
Recently, 2 friends as confidences magically reappeared in my life the moment I needed holy witness. They are that roll. They don't know each other. I had no concept about Holy Witness until I just listened to this video, which, just as magically, appeared in my feed. The Universe/God is gracious. Your words have explained what just happened.
Definitely listening to this again right now . I listen . I try to be good at it . Not better than anyone else . But to allow someone to be heard . It mostly happens when I’m shopping in thrift stores . Sometimes in grocery stores . And I try to also let my experience be a tool instead of being a ‘wound licker ‘ what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger . That’s what I do with my stories . But there is always room for improvement . And Thank you . This was a jewel / is a jewel .
The very first book I read on spirituality was your book, 'Anatomy Of The Spirit'. It was such an eye opener. It was the epitome of my spiritual development. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this. I sat in a grief circle recently, which was profoundly healing. And now I have an understanding of why - we were all embodying this archetype.
We're in a awakening and many who have been programed are waking up. I visualize healing streams of grace to fill the hearts and souls towards those souls that have been filled and programed towards division instead of unity
Thank you, Caroline. We can only express the pain of our life in order to find our way to heal from the pain, the lesson shows us how incredibly strong our soul is to connect back to what I call God. Your teachings are so helpful. Namaste'.
This is so brilliant Caroline Myss! Your distortion of a good will when you listen you think you help when you give advice, but you are not. This was a needed reminder to me🙏🏻
Caroline, your wisdom is incredibly clear, vast and oh so needed. The timing to hear this for me personally is profound. Thank you for these insights on The Holy Witness, as well as all the ways in which you elevate our thoughts and hearts through your conscious content. Much love to you 💚🙏💚
Definitely enjoying this! This whole series is very helpful, indeed. With the holy witness, I have seen that once I was able to get my story out, it seemed to leave me without me even knowing, until I one day looked back and realized I had changed and the pent up emotion of the old story had no longer plagued my choices. ❤
Oh my gosh I’m soooo yesss about this because I have felt this so much and now it’s time to turn this on myself to take it and gooo Thank you Wow I just heard the intro and done ✅
Thank you so much for this Caroline. This was a teaching that I needed to hear today. Such perfect timing. It resonated so deeply for me and I know I will listen to it again and again call on the learnings often. I love this series you are gifting and the incredible insights and shifts that I am receiving. Sending much gratitude. 🙏🏽❤
