Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America told this anecdote at his election. As a young monk he went to Mount Athos. While he was there, he encountered an old monk carrying a bag. The young monk, Tikhon, offered to carry the old man’s bag. The old man refused, saying, “No, I need to carry my own bag.” Metropolitan Tikhon said he learned a valuable lesson that day. He learned that he must carry his own bag. He also learned that he must allow others to carry their own bag. So, as a healing presence, we need to be present for others and allow them to carry their own bag and deal with their own issues, without trying to save them from their pain or control the outcome of their plight.

—Albert S. Rossi, Becoming a Healing Presence