Darshan is a beautiful term in Indian philosophy that literally means getting a glimpse or view. The clouds part, the fog lifts and we can see what had previously been hidden. Although darshan can mean seeing anything it’s connotation is almost always oriented to something sacred. It’s when we are in the presence of the guru, holy temple, or sacred ground. Darshan is multilayered because it deepens depending on the level of awareness we bring to any given situation. It’s not just being able to see and appreciate what inspires or moves us, it’s also about being seen by that which we reverence. It’s a powerful connection that requires surrender. Seeing the other and allowing ourselves to be seen creates a vital link to what’s most alive for and in us, it’s strips us down to our essentials in front of that other holding the mystery for us. To be able to stand in front of what we are awed by, that which we don’t completely understand the depths of, and fully be our self in that moment is the gift of darshan. It is the sacred act of seeing and being seen for the truth of who we are.

This may all sound very mystical and otherworldly, but I think darshan happens all the time in our daily round, we’re just not paying attention. A mother or father beholding their child for the first time is a sublime moment of darshan. Looking into the eyes of the one you love when getting married or making love can be a holy experience. Standing on the cool mountaintop with the mist rising as the sun breaks can be transformative. These are the times when we drop our defenses and see farther into another’s soul, or our own, than we thought possible. These moments can also catch us off guard, somehow we never see them coming. That’s why we need to be on the lookout for the small, sacred moments of our everyday lives. They hold the renewing energy that enlivens and heals us. These fragile gifts of seeing and being seen become more rare with each passing day. We are all so preoccupied with our own worlds, our jobs, endless to-do lists, e-mails, our phones, it’s not often we see deeply into anything, if we even see it at all. The human element of connection is missing, but yet this is what we endlessly search out. We all want to be seen and understood because it heals our soul.

Maybe we have so few of these moments because we have trouble convincing ourselves we deserve this kind of sacred self reverence. But the truth is we all do. Learning to see and value ourselves allows us to grow into the depths of who we are. The beauty of darshan is that it’s a gift we can give as well as receive, and when we do it allows us and others to open completely in the moment. But we must begin with ourselves. This is where all the seeing starts. If we can love the whole of ourselves, including the less than shiny parts, we can love others in the same way. This is where all the inner work comes into play, it’s another tool to help us be honest about what is really going on. At the heart of darshan is seeing and being seen with no pretense, no comparison. It’s the ground where we can recreate our life because being able to see and be seen reveals everything.

Here’s to looking at life through new eyes.

kb