Humanity

I was reading an entry from “The Book of Awakening,” by Mark Nepo one morning recently and came across the word Ubuntu. It wasn’t one I had heard before and was fascinated to discover its meaning. Ubunt_u-I am because you are , you are because I am…_ (A Deep African Way of Being) In only the way that Mark Nepo can, his short entry on this topic moved me to want to find out more about this philosophy. Ubuntu has its origins in Africa. It comes from the Nguni Bantu phrase “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, which roughly translated means “humanity towards others.” Most religions, cultures, countries and peoples throughout the ages have always advocated for oneness, brotherhood, interconnectedness, and respect among peoples - human decency. ...

There are always names we have heard of in connection with one thing or the other but never get to find out what they have said or done - until it seems, the time is right. I was familiar with the name “Frederick Buechner” but never read anything he said. Just today I was reading a blog post on the internet in which the blogger referenced a quote by Frederick Buechner that resonated with what I was feeling at that particular moment in time. As one who seems to have been groomed for the “rescuer” role, the quote resonated with me. ...