Seeing Seen Being
“What kind of being one comes to be is the product of how one sees
as well as how one is seen by other kinds of beings.”
December's time in Botswana was a journey into seeing and being seen. Within the complex mysteries of fragile intactness, the question of how we see and are seen becomes urgent. Thriving requires relationship. Relationship requires engagement. Engagement requires participation in ongoing mutuality. Extinction isn't the disappearance of a species, it's the rupture of relationships required to sustain and nourish the Whole.
Seeing involves regard: the literal ways we engage in looking as well as the regard we bring to beings beyond ourselves. The beyond-human world sees us differently than we see ourselves. Do we esteem them? Do we open ourselves to being seen by those whose way of seeing is distinct from our own?
Part of the beauty we witnessed in Botswana was the beauty of consciousness reflected in the intimate gaze of untamed, beyond-human eyes. This New Moon post is a visual conversation bearing witness to ephemeral moments of engagement made visible.
Hit play below to see the slideshow:
This New Moon post is also an invitation to participate in relational repair. Starting next Monday, March 11, a growing circle of Earth-lovers is going to be sending a message of love and appreciation to Earth and all beings via The Bells. These are a set of specific sound sequences designed to support Earth's well-being. Just open your windows and play them, or play them when you're outside. You don't need to listen, you just need to play the sounds so they're out there. Think of yourself like a radio station. If you want to sit down and listen, that's good too.
The Bells aren't necessarily musical, but they carry energy like music and this energy is full of love. This series of The Bells starts on March 11 and will be delivered at 12 noon PST every day for ten days, through March 20. Each session lasts up to thirty minutes. Each link will be 'live' for 24 hours so you can play the sequences at your convenience as much as you like. The following day, a new LiveStream link will appear with a fresh sequence.
Go to www.TheBells.world and click A3LiveStream to begin.
Each day builds on the previous one, so try to play the sequences every day. Even if you can only manage to participate for some of those days, that will make a difference.
We want to transmit The Bells to as many locations as possible. Please send this invitation and link to anyone and everyone who you think would want to take part. You can cut-and-paste this segment of the post and send it out.
You might notice positive things happening as you play the sequences and you might notice things changing afterwards. Also, if you live with animal companions, they will love this. If you want to know when more bells are coming, please check the site every once in a while. Everyone is welcome. Earth dances on!