Tributaries to the River of Grief
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Grief can be highly personal and unique but this quote comes close to a universal definition:
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.”
― Jamie Anderson
It's important to recognize that grief is a natural response to loss, and it can manifest in various ways even when there hasn't been a direct loss of a loved one. The collective emotional and psychological impact of war and violence can be profound and long-lasting, and support, understanding, and caring for mental health are essential for anyone affected by these experiences and events.
Additionally, addressing the broader societal and systemic factors that contribute to international crises can help mitigate the widespread grief and trauma associated with such situations.
Some individuals may experience grief related to the moral and ethical dilemmas they face during political turmoil. Witnessing or participating in acts or positions that go against their values and beliefs can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and moral distress.
Mass violence can prompt individuals to confront profound existential questions about the nature of human conflict, suffering, and the meaning of life. This can lead to a form of existential grief as people grapple with these complex issues.
Grief, like life, is complex and multi-dimensional. I think it is another invisible thread that is tied to the whole human tapestry. The way it intersects with all other social fabric results in ebbs and flows like a soulful song interspersed with minor chords. Grief is a shadow that appears unexpectedly on any side and reminds of the light of love.
This episode explores some prominent psychological theories and alternative metaphysical interpretations of this profound human sense.
(original episode artwork on podcast website)