I see you

Reading from Wednesday, March 20, 2013 yoga class

The following is from the book "The book of awakening" by Mark Nepo.

I SEE YOU! I AM HERE! 

For centuries, African Bushman have greeted each other in this way.  When the one become aware of his brother or sister coming out of the brush, he exclaims, "I See You!" and then the one approaching rejoices, "I Am Here!" 

This timeless bearing witness is both simple and profound...to have who we are and where we've been, be seen.  For with this simple and direct affirmation, it is possible to claim our own presence, to say, "I Am Here."  Those people in our lives who have validated our personhood by seeing us and exclaiming so, are the foundations of our self-worth.  Think of who they are.  It is important to note that being seen enables us to claim our lives, and then it becomes possible to pass the gift on to others.  But just as important as bearing witness is the joy with which these Bushmen proclaim what they see.  It is the joy of first seeing and first knowing.  This is a gift of love.

In a culture that erases its humanity, that keeps the act of innocence and becoming invisible, we are sorely in need of being seen with joy, so we can proclaim with equal astonishment and innocence that of all the amazing things that could have been or not, We Are Here.

As far back as we can remember, people of the oldest tribes, unencumbered by civilization, have been rejoicing in being on earth together.  Not only can we do this each, it is essential.  For as stars need open space to be seen, as waves need shore to crest, as dew needs grass to soak into, our vitality depends on how we exclaim and rejoice, "I See You!" "I Am Here."