“I see you.” “I am here to be seen.” Dive into the four parts of these powerful phrases that build connection.
“I see you.” A famous line from the 2009 science fiction film, Avatar, is a phrase that still resonates a decade later. It comes from the Zulu people of South Africa.
For centuries, the tribe has greeted each other in a special way. The greeting is spoken in two parts. One being Sawubona – I see you. The other part is Sikhona – I am here to be seen.
Sawubona generates a transformative experience of seeing and being seen. When we really see another (Sawubona) , we see their humanity – our common humanity – and we sense our mutual vulnerability. When we really see people, we feel compassion and can no longer treat them indifferently or inhumanely.
To truly appreciate the power of this Zulu greeting, it is helpful to look at it in four parts:
- It begins with two people looking into each other’s eyes. It is a powerful depth of connection that is established. Akin to soul contact, this creates a sense of oneness and inspires better communication.
- The Zulu people believe that when a person says, “I am here to be seen,” it means “I will be honest with you,” and they are engaging with integrity.
- To say “I see you” offers an intention to release any preconceptions and judgements, and to hear “I see you” is an affirmation that you do exist, you are both equal, and you have a person’s respect.
- This greeting represents the Zulu philosophy ubuntu – which roughly translates to “humanity toward all.” Ubuntu teaches us that our purpose is to be a true friend to one another.
We can greet and treat people in a way that communicates the feeling of the Zulu greeting. When we are seen, we feel good—we know that we exist. We know that it is good to do for others, too. May we bring ourselves into encounters with our hearts open.
Source:
https://exploringyourmind.com/sawubona-african-tribe-greeting/
https://nickfield.com/about/i-see-you-i-am-here-to-be-seen/I See You, I Am Here: The Secret to Heartfelt Communication – Lion’s Roar (lionsroar.com)