The Power of Attention and Witnessing in Suffering

Attention is an undervalued form of love. People experiencing suffering often don't need fixing but just a witness. Attention is the act of being seen and known, and it involves being held by someone without trying to rush the process or fix things. The ability to witness without reacting and wanting to fix quickly is what makes individuals feel not alone. Throughout history, people have understood that suffering is meant to be shared in the presence of others, but modern loneliness stems from an increased tendency to endure suffering alone due to a lack of communal spaces and societal support.