Looking into the eyes of someone grieving, you see into yourself. Listening to someone who is grieving, you hear yourself. Grief is a Law of One. Grief is an equalizer. You will die. People you love will die. People you don't know are dying at this minute.

Experiencing grief is to perceive impermanence.

And.

Grief is collective.

Yet, the ego cannot tolerate mortality, so it objectifies and abuses grief.

When ego sees grief reflected in another, it believes it has choice and control, feeling and agency, understanding, and solutions. Coach, counselor, family, and friend—assumptions are ego on the defensive.

Grief generates transformation, whether we surrender or resist. Witnessed or not.

And.

Grief is collective.

Witnesses, who is your ego protecting from grief?

Holly Margl is the award-winning author of Witnessing Grief; Inviting Trauma and Loss to Our Coaching Conversations, An Enneagram Perspective, coach, coach mentor, and trainer specializing in grief, trauma, and the Enneagram.