This weekend, I had the fortune to sit and experience the human hearts of other men. I felt their brokenness and wholeness. I felt my own brokenness and wholeness. I shared in grief and joy. I became real. I experienced Ubuntu.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu explained Ubuntu in 2008:
"One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself."
This can be a hard concept for many of us to grasp, especially when we are knee deep in isolation. The idea of Ubuntu rocks the very foundation of the lifestyle that grounds itself in isolation, the American lifestyle endowed with technology, vast demographics (mom lives in florida and you live in san francisco) and a rich personal living environment (nice house) in lieu of a shared communal experience of humanity.
So what to do? Enjoy the isolation of the rugged individual life and all its private perks (ipads, mini coopers, smart phones, etc) or fight the tide and join an intentional community? Not necessarily.
Tutu goes on to say, "We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity."
So Ubuntu. Great concept. But is it real? How can it become real? Connect with others as much and as often as possible. Take lunches with friends. Be open to others. Work less. And get out into the world with people who want this connecting to be a part of their life. Attend a retreat. Most of all, be brave.
For a deeper glimpse into Tutu, check out this great piece in The Guardian.
