Essentially, this is a Greek word from many centuries ago that describes someone who joins you in your struggle. It is a description of someone who sees you struggling with something and steps in to help pull or carry the weight of the burden that you are facing. When I first heard the word it was described in the class as, “to pull with someone against something that is trying to overtake or overwhelm them.”
Picture the classic tug-of-war scenario. On one side of the rope there are people or things that want to defeat you and on the other side of the rope is you doing your best to withstand the heavy pull from your opponent, using every bit of strength you can muster.
Like me, I’m guessing that many of you have lost the tug-of-war many times. Because of my illnesses, with the weaknesses and limitations that come with the territory, I’ve done my best to be strong, yet ended up being pulled into situations and circumstances that I had no viable coping skills for. As you may well know, It’s a deeply awful feeling.
BUT, now imagine the same tug of war scenario where the opponent is the same, but you have someone else, or even a team of people on your side of the field that are pulling with you on the rope against these things that threaten to defeat and destroy your well being....physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually.
That is what SUNANTILAMBANOMAI is all about. These forums within The Mighty that allow for open discussion with people who have had such similar struggles who can encourage and share information - this place is an example of what it means to experience Sunantilambanomai.
Some days I can join in with someone on their side to add some strength to the pull on their rope so they don’t get jerked out of their stance and lose to the enemy. Some days y’all interacting with me is just like you pulling with me, adding strength and therefore I can better withstand my opponent without losing the battle.
I think this whole website is incredibly valuable. We can relate and not feel so alone in this fight. We meet people who “get us” that we never would have met otherwise. This community makes me feel so much less alone. Thank you all.
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