The Nature of Being Seen
by Victoria McMahon
I grew up in the cultural meme, “children are to be seen and not heard”. So I tended to be quiet at school and in social settings. I noticed the world around me and felt awkward much of the time. As I progressed through school years, I found a way to engage through movement activities like dance, tennis and swimming. I definitely set myself into the comfort of this meme about being seen by participating in movement and at the same time …pretty quiet.
As life has progressed, I have given much attention to being heard. As an adult woman, I have explored the aspects of finding my voice and claiming my value in the world. I noticed the completion of this balancing act when I finally received an invitation to attend my 35th high school reunion. Suffice it to say, I had been the “wallflower” in a cast of 550 students in my graduating class. That weekend I was given the distinction of being “most blossomed”!
So, now I carry many experiences of being seen and heard. But, here’s where things get interesting. Up until recently, I had focused my attention on the idea of being seen and heard in work, friendships, partner relationships and social situations. What is clear about this focus is that it had continued to be related to the realm of human interactions and mostly about the roles and activity within those roles.
As I have become more and more immerse in the unity community and exploring the nature of my being, I have come to realize that a shift has occurred in my perception of “been seen”. This shift has been gradual with peak moments of clarity similar to what old paradigms would call the nature of change in oneself over time and the life-defining experiences that stand out through the decades of reflection. For me, this is now a recognition of an awakening into the nature of my being that I comprehend instead of changes that have happened to me!
So, why do I share all this with you? Well, the shift has become more and more evident as I steep and deepen into recognizing the recursions in my awakening into the nature of my being. And while my yoga and other practices have laid a foundation to support me, it is the Creation Exercises and being in the Unity Community that have catapulted me to this moment of comprehension. My cravings bring forward what is mine to have beyond what I even know is available for me to have.
One example that shows this for me is when I wrote a craving many months ago. I was craving connection with the nature beings on the land where I live in Ohio’s Hocking Hills region. It was mostly about being able to co-exist with all here and harmony would be a bonus. And, I have written observings about my joyful experiences of walking with my dog, Tara before she passed last year as well as the challenges of not wanting to walk in the trees without her. I have done observings about frustrations with tilling clay soil, co-existing with the insect kingdom and which plants thrive with being delicacies for the animal kingdom.
After many cravings and observings of interactions with the trees, the soil, the deer, the plethora of birds, the mosquitoes, ants and countless other bugs….I had an aha moment! I was sipping my morning cup of delight while sitting on the deck enjoying the birds visiting the feeder. This tufted titmouse was shifting between singing and munching away on suet. It became clear to me that he was singing to me. He was looking at me, interacting with me and I was being seen by nature as my nature!
Then, later that evening I was noticing pack leader mommy deer eating corn. She looked up and acknowledged me while I sent her loving greetings. She continue to look right at me…gazing with her glowing eyes. Again, she was looking at me, interacting with me and I was being seen by nature as my nature!
This is what happens when we crave and observe. Now, other animals are showing up…a walking stick two days ago and a blue heron yesterday. Excitement for life showing up for me to be seen as my nature of being is becoming the exquisite and magical norm!!
Take a moment to reflect on the cravings and observings you have been cultivating to expand into the nature of your being. What evidence do you have of being seen in the nature of your being?