Ravneet is a 26-year-old college student who has been in a same-sex relationship for three years. Originally from Punjab, India, she says her traditional family is not supportive. Ravneet seeks the advice of the Rev. Ed Bacon when the two meet in Venice Beach on "Help Desk" and asks if she should cut ties.
"Do I divorce my family, or do I stick around … keeping in mind that I will always be criticized and judged?" she asks in the above clip.
"I think it's important for you not to ever cut off from your family because cutting off from your family deprives you and them of really important energy," Rev. Bacon says. "They have the opportunity to change and grow, also."
Rev. Bacon goes on to share two essential things Ravneet can do to find inner peace with her situation.
First: "You have to find a way for you to meditate," he says.
"That's always the answer," Ravneet says, smiling.
Rev. Bacon laughs. "It's not the only answer, but it's a huge part of it. Whenever any of us gives ourselves the opportunity to be still and know that inside is the great 'I Am' or the great God or the great spirit of the universe, ... we are accessing the greatest power in the world," he says.
The second essential piece, Rev. Bacon says, is to find "some form of meaningful, empowering community -- with your partner, with your chosen family. All of us have chosen family and friends, you know what I'm talking about? You have to keep saying to yourself and knowing that you are beautiful the way you were made, and that you have a unique gift to offer."
After hearing Rev. Bacon's advice, Ravneet shares her next step. "What I plan on doing with the advice is putting it into action and plugging into my community and keeping my lines of communication open with my family, and just maintaining a positive outlook and being myself," she says.
Learn more about "Help Desk" on OWN.
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