A few weeks ago, our family shared the movie "Avatar" with a friend who had never seen it. It was wonderful to see the spectacular visual effects of the film again, and the story line was compelling.
Although some would look askance at me for even watching a film that glorifies a 'mother-earth' type religion, I find the connection that The Na'vi have with their deity Eywa extremely real; it touches every aspect of their lives. The Na'vi come to accept Jake (the hero) as one of them - but not without some misunderstanding. Jake is a paraplegic, but when he sleeps, his consciousness is in his Avatar body - in which he can interact with the Na'vi. They know from the outset that he is a 'dream-walker' - a human in Na'vi form, and yet because Eywa has chosen him (a powerful scene that literally saves his life), he is brought to the village and assigned a Na'vi guide or teacher so that he may learn their language and their ways (in other words, their culture).
One of the most striking things about the culture of the Na'vi is their greeting for each other: "I see you." As one of Jake's cultural mentors tells him when he is awake, this is not merely physical vision but a seeing of the person, the spirit inside, the individual's heart or character, all that makes them who they are. It implies an intimacy that in our culture is usually only reserved for family and close friends, but there is something inherently real and right about this kind of connection with each other that resonates with me. There are no barriers, no pretenses, no fake smiles. They feel what they feel when they feel it and they are open with each other. I think it is all a part of how they interact with Eywa and with the world around them. As Jake learns to interact with Eywa as well as with his Na'vi teacher, he begins to "see" the Na'vi, and consider himself one of them, one of "the people."
The greeting "I see you" is one I have adopted in my relationship with my Creator. Prayer has now become for me more of a heart attitude or focus, a knowing that I am loved and heard, more like petals opening in the sunlight than a spewing volcano of pleading words, eyes tightly closed and fearing destruction or refusal.
In the middle of the night, when I awake and all is dark, all I need to do now is to acknowledge the fact of His presence and of His love for me. I know in my deepest heart that He "sees" me - knows me intimately, loves me passionately and completely - and my desire is to know Him progressively, to "see" Him in the same way. All that really stands in the way of that "seeing" is my own difficulty in becoming consistently aware of that vital connection.
I've also started to use this expression with my family (that is, my husband and my daughter) from time to time. It always brings a smile because they know what it means! It means that I understand them, accept them completely, love to spend time with them, and so much more.
Over the past year or so, my life has become so much more about experiencing and reflecting love, and so much less about rules and obligations. That's not to say I don't relapse into the Abyss Of The Should, but when I spend time meditating on His love, I find that there is no need for The Should. I naturally want to live every moment of my life in the light of that all-seeing, all-accepting, no-holds-barred love.
Although some would look askance at me for even watching a film that glorifies a 'mother-earth' type religion, I find the connection that The Na'vi have with their deity Eywa extremely real; it touches every aspect of their lives. The Na'vi come to accept Jake (the hero) as one of them - but not without some misunderstanding. Jake is a paraplegic, but when he sleeps, his consciousness is in his Avatar body - in which he can interact with the Na'vi. They know from the outset that he is a 'dream-walker' - a human in Na'vi form, and yet because Eywa has chosen him (a powerful scene that literally saves his life), he is brought to the village and assigned a Na'vi guide or teacher so that he may learn their language and their ways (in other words, their culture).
One of the most striking things about the culture of the Na'vi is their greeting for each other: "I see you." As one of Jake's cultural mentors tells him when he is awake, this is not merely physical vision but a seeing of the person, the spirit inside, the individual's heart or character, all that makes them who they are. It implies an intimacy that in our culture is usually only reserved for family and close friends, but there is something inherently real and right about this kind of connection with each other that resonates with me. There are no barriers, no pretenses, no fake smiles. They feel what they feel when they feel it and they are open with each other. I think it is all a part of how they interact with Eywa and with the world around them. As Jake learns to interact with Eywa as well as with his Na'vi teacher, he begins to "see" the Na'vi, and consider himself one of them, one of "the people."
 |
| Photo "Eye" courtesy of graur codrin at www.freedigitalphotos.net |
In the middle of the night, when I awake and all is dark, all I need to do now is to acknowledge the fact of His presence and of His love for me. I know in my deepest heart that He "sees" me - knows me intimately, loves me passionately and completely - and my desire is to know Him progressively, to "see" Him in the same way. All that really stands in the way of that "seeing" is my own difficulty in becoming consistently aware of that vital connection.
I've also started to use this expression with my family (that is, my husband and my daughter) from time to time. It always brings a smile because they know what it means! It means that I understand them, accept them completely, love to spend time with them, and so much more.
Over the past year or so, my life has become so much more about experiencing and reflecting love, and so much less about rules and obligations. That's not to say I don't relapse into the Abyss Of The Should, but when I spend time meditating on His love, I find that there is no need for The Should. I naturally want to live every moment of my life in the light of that all-seeing, all-accepting, no-holds-barred love.
Beautiful. Just beautiful. I have so much more to say. . .this falls right in line with something I was reading the other day. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteWe need to have a chat sometime soon, my friend. I've missed you!! <3
Delete