On Being Seen
I cannot begin to tell you how important being seen is. And by being seen, I mean the seeing of the soul. The piece of us that lies beyond all stories and notions of identity. The piece of us that lies beyond all of our conclusions.
… the Soul.
There is a good chance that being seen at such a depth may not yet have been experienced. There is also a good chance that this is the most profound yearning that any person may possess. Albeit unrecognized, or at least unnamed.
Over years with the camera, I’ve noticed that the consequence of such an experience can cause a felt sense of being at peace in one’s own skin. And of unconditional belonging, a point at which one’s very operating system may change.
This was filmed in a room full of people, a hallowed collective witnessing. It and many similar haunting experiences have left me with the deep interior sense that I must get out into the world and undertake such collective witnessing with gatherings of people far and wide, in all four corners of the world. Whether they be in rooms of just a handful of people, or in auditoriums of many more. The point being to demonstrate that the revealing of one’s very soul is far simpler than one could ever imagine and that such an act has profound consequence to everything and everyone.
I’m not entirely certain how to fund the endeavor I have in my current imagination, but I’m working on a plan.
Thank you to Mary for the words. And to Chalon Bridges, the Co-Creator of this. Co-Creator meaning the essential role of inviting, gathering and hosting film subjects courageous enough to reveal themselves, ensuring they felt unconditionally welcome, and engaged in the hallowed experience of self-revelation, the gathering of funding for the films and more.
If this is a role you might be interested in see here
This film appears on the Substack Blog. You can comment there.
Transcript
It’s not so easy being seen.
It’s like two things at once.
Feeling vulnerable, and at the same time feeling something exhilarating about it.
The part of me knows that if we could, each allow ourselves to be seen the world would be such a better place.
It’s something I know.
And it’s something I feel.
But it’s so easy to forget.
It’s like mass amnesia.
I know it’s not just me.
But of one person and one moment
remembers, then there’s a chance.
So I know it starts here.
Right here.
one same heartbeat