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On a recent excursion: Walking with... What is it to be human?
Amongst those steps in nature - emerged thoughts and feelings... Two of which are captured here: >>> "Alone together. Walking together In our special (or at least local) places. Admiring and appreciating what nature gives us - the trees, the oxygen, beauty. Noticing our human perceptions, and nature’s acceptance of the same places, thriving greenery. Noticing our initial annoyances, then moving through acceptance – and possibly past – into appreciation as we walk, talk and share. Share in the sounds, images or in stillness. How our environment (including the bees) support us in our ‘be-ing’ Being in nature, being moved to calmness. A reflection and gratitude for the way in which our life 'bee'ing supported by mother earth." >>> "I was struck by my internal struggle - wanting to be able to name what I saw and then letting go of this struggle and realising how distracting and time-consuming my need to know can be. Ultimately simply being there, in this case in nature, and in my unusual daily life with people who are grappling with all levels and shades of difficulty, knowing 'what' is of little concern. 'Being there' and 'being with' are much more important." One full year of human being: I stopped to celebrate, to commemorate... to be. ...to listen to that being, and to allow any echoes of existence to be heard alongside the presence of the new. What has served me well (in this life of and) especially in this period of human being - has been the recognition and invitation of these two friends:  That was the year that was; this is the year that is… Looking back before looking ahead…   Reflecting on the time since What is it to be human? was opened – another question arose:: “what have you experienced & learned?” The word that featured most in mind has been ‘space’ and something linked to the quality of that space was most striking. How this, above anything, has contributed to the experience and exploration of being human – and the humanness that has come out through those who decided to join in. There has been something significant about the space – something special – that has allowed for valuable expressions to emerge within and between humans. What has it been about this space – that made it feel ‘special’? What characteristics has it had?... Spaciousness. Acceptance. Freedom to roam within and without… Openness, care, kindness – emerging love. Listening: “letting it be”. Simultaneousness of holding and releasing… Contributing more so than consuming. Collective more so than individual A place for being – an invitation: To be oneself: to be together. To be human…  When asked about being in the space of What is it to be human? One human expressed this:
“I felt 'room', room to listen/hear, room to speak, room to grow. It's rare for there to be so much 'space' in such a short period of time. It was a space encapsulated in a web of calm, positive vibes the globe wide. Awareness of the stark realities of the past and present were laid bare but so too were the seeds of hope germinating for the future.” What is it to be human?... Let’s go forth - explore, experiment, experience some more… Human beings - be curious - the open invitation continues... Happy New Year!  Our meeting on the Quality of Our Presence still resonates strongly within. In those precious two hours, we have witnessed the power of opening up to our humanness and just being in presence with that – to see what would emerge... And what emerged has been an experience of what we can BE in that togetherness… Messy, beautiful, strong, sometimes clear, sometimes lost and tired, but always searching, within and without. Is there a better way of getting to know our humanness other than practicing it? Practicing it with all of our hearts and minds. We are so thankful for humans joining together in these spaces – being so open and present to create the space for us all to be. Thanks to our friend and fellow human (Mike) for this poem... reflecting on now and future. Also for contributing in heart, soul and writing to the question: What is it to be human? Endings and new beginnings What is normal, and what is not normal And what is the new normal? Some things are different But not everything Is reconnecting to what’s important, new? Or just a reset? How am I changing in these times? There is a deepening And a shedding of an old skin perhaps A sitting with the not knowing There is sadness and loss Grieving is part of the process And an opening up to new possibilities Time and space to think about what’s opening up Like a young bud. Who am I becoming? What is wanting to unfold in me And what might I need to let go of For something new to appear? There is a vulnerability And an excitement No need to rush To be still To breathe Embrace And wait… Mike Jones
What is it to be human?...
We might seem to accept that the meaning of the word explains itself and is universal, - but in practice, the meaning of the word is as complex – with as many possibilities - as we are as humans ourselves…. We find ourselves using the term "human" to describe a quality… of actions, emotions, behaviors and values of people… We distinguish ourselves and the systems we have created - and inhabit - organizations, companies, communities… governments, culture, society or any big system.  We are standing at a precipice… We have been for quite some time, Yet, together we didn’t notice – or chose not to see it Nor each other! (…Really) Humanity is at stake! …Our place in nature. What we do now matters… it always has! Now, never more. Adversity brought us together, here. As it does… As it often has. We stop, pause… become collective in catastrophe It’s beautiful – stark. In these moments, we see humankind at it’s best, and worst. We mark these times indelibly in our memories. And then we carry on regardless. Move on with fading conscience, Fading consciousness… What are we moving for?... To? Where are we going?... (and) Why? Can’t we stop now! Really consider: What next? Before we move. Let’s go inside… The precipice is huge; it’s scary! It may be easier to turn away, But we can’t – we have to go forward into it Take a deep breath… Let go… Be… - Become what is next We can’t go back – it won’t reverse We have to face it!... Look each other in the eyes Feel!... What do we see?… feel? How do we choose to see?… (and) be? Each moment we have a choice. To decide: “Why are we here?” “Why do we exist?” “What is our place?” Let’s start, just with one question… What is it to be human? Let’s begin. Chris Rekatas |