The way this Loten's Sunbird rests on the laves for nectar gathering surprised me ! The leaves are thin, fragile and look weak in appearance. Yet, the weight of the Sunbird does not cause the leaves to droop!
The Sunbird by practice has learned to be present on the leaves lightly and restfully!
The magic of being!
Being present without exerting the weight of presence!
When I view the entourage associated with the travel of highly placed officials in the government, I notice that the regular traffic stops, car of the official is sandwiched between the cars before and behind. It is a weighty presence.
The contrast to this is the way the Pope Leo anonymously walks in the streets of Vatican, meeting people and greeting them. Even those whom he greets takes time to recognise him.
There is a way of being present where we are positioned or located.
The heavy security around people in authority might be necessary in a terror driven world. And yet Pope Leo's approach is to overcome the distance between him and people!
The presence is for nearness !
We become present to others emotionally and socially when the other person becomes important to us. Those who live obsessed with the halo around them because of their position will stay distant from others.
When we become aware of others and the gift of presence we can offer to them, the attention is on others, their needs, aspirations or difficulties.
The presence is for growing in awareness of others!
It is because the Sunbird practiced to be present lightly and mindfully on the leaves, it can bend to draw nectar. It uses the support of the leaves for meeting its need.
The presence is to seek the help of others gratefully!
The way of being present reflects our attitude to ourself and others! It is when we think soberly about ourselves and honourably about others we build relationships!
I remember several occasions of walking with Professor Malathi Jadhav along the corridors of CMC while going between wards for ward consultations during my short first term in CMC between 1980 and 1982. At every few streps, she would stop to greet people whom she knew. A smile, a shake hand and a quick exchange of greetings would happen most of the time. For her others mattered significantly.
In a recent recollection of the history of the department of Child Health at CMC Vellore, a retired professor said about Dr Malathi, that she knew most of the staff in the hospital by name and even their children and she carried them in her thoughts'. One routine habit of hers was to visit any staff who happened to be admitted in the hospital the previous day. I heard once Dr Jacob Abraham, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital say to her, ' You visit the staff when admitted, even before I visit them' !
A way of presence, mindfully of others!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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