How Do We See the Other
A new song, August 14, 2024
At the most basic level, war, politics, greed, and fear all depend on seeing the “other” as “other,” or making the other into an object, not like us, not as someone with whom we have connection. This is basic Golden Rule territory about the other: Luke 6.31: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Or taking the Good Samaritan definition of neighbor, along with this summary from Galatians 5.14: For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Clearly some people thrive on “othering,” or fear mongering using the other as a target. But even those of us who don’t want to be fear mongers can slip into “othering” if we are not mindful.
This new song came out of my morning reflection on “the other,” as found in these verses: Ecclesiastes 7:14-18, Isaiah 41:6, Luke 6:31, Luke 18:9-14, 1 Corinthians 10:23-24.
How Do We See the Other by Nancy Willbanks
How do we see the other in ourselves? When do we see them? How do we know them? How do we hear the others for ourselves? When do we hear them? What do we owe them? How do we love the others as ourselves? When do we love them? How will we show them?
Notes on this song:
This song started with the first two questions: “How do we see the other in ourselves?When do we see them?” I realized that it could be a zipper song, substituting words like hear or love for see. But then I realized it could be a round, so I wanted to write it out with all those words inserted. As a round, however, it needed another measure to work, so I added another question. And to finish off with a fun harmony, the top part gets to repeat the last question.
This still could be a zipper song with other words, I think. What words or even phrases can you think of, and where would you substitute them?
Reflection
This song provides a set of reflection questions: How do we see the other in ourselves, and ourselves in the other? When do we truly see the other as people, not objects, as beloved children of God? How do we come to know people? What helps you get to really know people?
How do we hear the others for ourselves, rather than relying on someone else’s interpretation of what they said? When do we hear them, that is when do we listen carefully and attentively to those who are not like us, or even to those whom we assume are like us, but may not be? What do we owe each other as human beings, like basic rights and expectations?
How do we love others as we love ourselves? Do we love ourselves? When do we make that love for others, or for ourselves, apparent or obvious? How do we show people that we love them?
I’d love to hear from you. Was there a line from this song that caught your attention? How often do you catch yourself talking about “them” and then do you realize that you are othering “those people”?
I’m taking a break in August from writing longer reflections, and that’s making space for other creative endeavors. But if you’re not already on my MailChimp list to receive those longer reflections, you can subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/ilgIE9.
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Next Contemplative Nature Walk
We are looking at September 28, 10 a.m., for our autumn walk, and since a couple of our walkers in June came from the Worcester area, they recommended Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary for our next location. More details to come in early September. Message me if you want to get more details directly via email.
Book Group Gathering
I'm hosting a multi-session book group on zoom, to read Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation by Daniel Wolpert. We will start September 5 at noon Eastern, and continue on Thursdays every other week. Let me know if you can join us, so that I can send you the zoom link.