The woman squatted in the hallway of a psychiatric ward with her head covered, her hands securing her masked aloneness, makes us wonder what we are about. The young man with his hands strapped to his waist will likely never embrace. The tiny man beneath the white sheet has surrendered hope. Those who are caged are likely confined forever.

Gentle Teaching’s intention is to serve and support individuals with such needs, not to reject them or dump them. Hope is an essential aspect in a culture of gentleness. There are no miracles, but there can be healing.

 

A hallmark of Gentle Teaching is to ally ourselves with the most alienated, marginalized, and the downtrodden. We find our joy in making companionship and forming community with those who no one else wants to serve. It is a joyful process to give the gifts of feeling safe and loved to those who have only known confinement, punishment, and despair.