Shuhari

I’m going to paint you a portrait
you will not want to look upon.

Why not?

Because it is yours.

But I know myself. 

You know a sketch of yourself.
I cannot tell you who you are,
but I can help you discover your true nature 
as we paint your portrait together.

I can paint my own portrait. 

Only through reflection,
your relationship with others, 
are you introduced to yourself. 
“YOU,” the External.
“I,” the Internal.
And the “SELF.”
Only through “You” and “I” 
can the Self be realized.

Do you know yourself? 

You have shown me many things 
I did not know.

What could I possibly teach you?

Everyone is a student,
everyone is a teacher,
and all are learning
in this eternal dance with one another.

Tell me about this dance. 

It is the relationship you share 
with the world around you.
The foundation of all relationships 
is communication, 
the art of expression.
If you are to dance,
you must be able to lead. 
And in return…
follow.

I am not capable of such expression.

Of course you are. 
You hide it out of fear.

Am I afraid to communicate? 

You are afraid to be vulnerable. 
You will, of course,
paint your own portrait.
But it will be enriched 
by the color of those
with whom you surround yourself.

I am ready.
I am ready to paint my portrait.

You are not,
but none of us are.
The journey begins with desire. 
Knowledge cannot be given;
it can only be accepted.