We've never been so isolated since 2020. I never thought I would see these days. While we had to get away from each other with social distances and masks, we had a desire to connect and communicate more than in the past. Although we realize the value and importance of our connection with each other, we do not make enough effort to realize this. Unfortunately, most of us are far from being overwhelmed by the feeling of appreciating each other and being grateful for what we've done. No matter how much we feel connected and communicating, we cannot give up our habitual greeting routines.
"Hello", "Good evening", "Thank you", "Come easy", "What's up?", "Are you okay?" or "How are you?" Are our most basic words and questions loaded with their real meanings, or is it just because it is one of our habits? Can we really look into each other's eyes?
There is actually no obstacle to our habit of looking into each other's eyes while talking and listening. We can look at masks and distances, but we refrain from looking. We are always busy to stop, we don't have time to feel, and we are not always convenient to get to know someone who communicates with us.
Really seeing each other is the most basic form of respect. The word "respect" which comes from the Latin word respicere in English means "to see clearly". When we see it, we respect it. When we really see each other, we see our common humanity and feel our shared weaknesses.
When we really see each other, we no longer define and act as separate or other from us. We see who they are and create a shared compassionate space. We bring the light with our real vision; both the seer and the seen are inspired and empowered.
"I see you" is a phrase that originated in South Africa's Zulu tribe, which also inspired James Cameron's movie Avatar in 2009. It means: I see your soul, your true essence, what you really are, I respect you, greet, love, honor and notice. In response to this phrase, it is said, "I also see you." What would it be like if we said this to each other at work, at home, everywhere we meet?
"I see you" honors that we are both here now. Saying this in the group opens up space for everyone to integrate, to get together by lifting borders, in short, to experience a state of unity. Everyone feels that they are seen and valued with "I see you", which increases the warmth in the environment with the bond established between us. As a result, we come together in a space that will warm everyone, make faces smile, and accept each other with affection.
Words alone may not solve deep problems. Of course, everything will be very different if we express the words with sincere intention when saying the words. When we say the words, all we need is to express and value the existence of the other person with awareness.
With I See You, we can create a transformative effect of being seen and seeing as we greet people. In fact, there is a compassionate space at the heart of everything, where we accept each other as we are. As far as this is concerned, violent discrimination, judgments and criticisms are set aside. We can exist by opening our hearts to every eventuality.
We need more connection right now than ever before. We can create a peaceful, non-violent communication environment by saluting with awareness. We can create exactly this environment at our work, at school, with our spouse, family, friends and new acquaintances.
Nice one