Short Contemplation - Self-Love - Sawubona

In today's short contemplation,

I would like for us to think about seeing yourself.

This is a short poem by Jennifer Williamson.

It's called,

Serve Yourself Tea.

You've stuck around this long,

Walking through the treacherous rain with me,

Pointing to the moon when I forgot to see.

You've guided me this far.

You've travelled very far,

My dear heart.

Come in.

Rest.

Take off your coat.

Let me serve you tea.

In a Zulu greeting,

One would say,

Sowubona.

Sowubona.

Which literally means,

I see you.

The response would be,

Ngigona.

Ngigona.

Which means,

I am here.

Do you see yourself?

Do you take time to really see yourself?

Your heart,

All that is in there.

Do you see you?

Are you here for yourself?

Are you kind and gentle and loving with yourself?

Are you here for you?

Close your eyes for a moment and breathe deeply through the nose and out through the mouth with a sigh.

And again a couple more times.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Inhale.

Place your hand gently over your heart.

Come in.

Rest.

Take off your coat.

Let me serve you tea.

Come in.

And rest.

And say to yourself silently,

Sowubona.

I see you.

Sowubona.

I see you.

Ngigona.

I am here for you.

Ngigona.

I am here.

This is a short practice in self-love.

Sowubona.

Thank you.