I continue to be touched by the African concept of ubuntu, pronounced oo-BOON-too.
Ubuntu is a South African ethnic or ideology focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other. The word comes from the Zulu and Xhosa languages. Unbuntu is seen as a traditional African concept. A rough translation in English could be "humanity towards others." Another translation would be: "The belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity.[Wikipedia]
The formal attempts to put this concept into words somehow fall short. When you look to those who have stepped inside it, you find the idea of ubuntu comes to life and it makes a beautiful vision for a new more loving world. My two favorite perspective comes from Archbishop Desmond Tutu:
"In my part of the world, we have something called ubuntu. It is the essence of being human. We say a person is a person through other persons. I can’t be human in solation. I need you to be all you can be, so that I can become me and all that I can be. It is not “I think therefore I am.” It says rather: I am human because I belong. I participate. I share.” A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, and does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed or treated as if they were less than who they are." --- Desmond Tutu
Today, I envision a world that reflects ubuntu? Imagine the changes that would take place if each of our personal purpose was changed to be focused on contributing every day to live in oneness with our neighbors ---- to care about one another enough that we all were affirmed in peace. What if ubuntu were our standard for all actions and behaviors.
What changes do you see in a world filled with the beauty of ubuntu?
Love and gratitude Can Change the World!
Debbe Kennedy
Visit the Global Dialogue Center.
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