Grief Companioning is Walking Side by Side with Someone Unconditionally - with Dr. Janice Lundy

End of Life Conversations

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In this episode we meet Dr. Janice Lundy, who is a grief support specialist and a grief educator. She is the founder of the Metta Center, which offers specialized training in spiritual direction, also known as spiritual companionship, including one-of-a-kind grief companionship training. Having experienced a great deal of loss in her own life, she knows firsthand the transformative power of healing through grief.
Jan is a celebrated author and lifelong educator who currently serves as the Gerald May Professor of Spiritual Direction and Counseling at the Graduate Theological Foundation. For the past 20 years, she has hosted a vibrant private client practice as well, specializing in spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, and grief companionship. She holds a Doctor of Psychology degree in Pastoral Logotherapy, which she incorporates into all her work.
Logotherapy is the therapy of meaning established by Dr. Victor Frankel, author of Man's Search for Meaning. Jan believes that navigating grief, loss, and life's many challenges with the support of a non -non-judgmental, compassionate companion can help us connect with greater meaning and purpose in life.
In our conversation, Jan shares her journey of becoming a grief companion after experiencing personal loss. She emphasizes the transformative power of grief and the importance of companioning others through their grief journeys. Jan explains that a grief companion walks alongside a grieving individual, offering deep listening, presence, and unconditional love. She distinguishes between grief companioning and grief counseling, highlighting the role of each in supporting those who are grieving. Jan also discusses the sacred nature of grief and the impact of grief work on our understanding of death.
Links
Grief Companion Center Website
Spiritual Guidance, Education & Counseling - www.JanLundy.com
Dr. Raymond Moody's Life after Life website
Dr. Alan Wolfelt - from the Center for Loss and Life Transition
Viktor Frankl's Books
George Bonanno's Website

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