Developing the capacity to truly see people typically rendered invisible, particularly those outside our preference networks, as a spiritual and ethical discipline.
To practice favoritism requires looking away—from those who don't compel our attention, those who ask too much, those we've decided don't matter. Rabia's devotional path demanded a different kind of seeing: witnessing God in all creation, extending full attention to whoever appeared before her. This concept transforms witnessing into an active practice: choosing to see the overlooked colleague, genuinely listening to the relative we normally dismiss, acknowledging the contribution of those outside our circles. Witnessing isn't sympathy or pity—it's the radical act of presence and recognition. In practice, this might mean asking questions that reveal invisible people's actual lives and concerns, rather than stereotypes. It means noticing when someone consistently goes unheard in meetings and creating space for their voice. It means remembering names and details for people we might otherwise blur together. Rabia's tradition teaches that witnessing is both spiritual practice and practical justice. When we truly see people, favoritism becomes harder to justify—we can't reduce them to our prejudices. Witnessing restores their humanity and our integrity.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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