"ESSENCE"

I pulled a Tarot Card "Dolphins" this morning and got the energy of "Essence"....Here's what they had to say- it's so valid for us all in so many ways.

Dolphins have no contrivances or worries about who they are. They have no concern with their self-image, as they are already real, genuine, and spontaneous. They most likely never think about their weight, height, skin color or appearance.

When we see the essence and energy of someone, we sometimes become enamored with their pure beingness, only to feel disappointed or betrayed later by their lack of perfection. Their very humanness can make us angry or disappointed. Somehow they didn't live up to our expectations.

In human beings, "uneven" development is inevitable. Some aspects of an individual may seem highly evolved, clear and integrated. Other aspects are not.

The "sometimes enlightened one" falls from our grace when we discover in them unethical, insensitive, or hurtful behavior. We wonder how we could be so deceived. Why did we perceive this individual or group in such a pure way? Are we naive...or are we learning about "abuse of power"- won't we, ourselves, never abuse our own power or positions of power?

It is important to have compassion for ourselves when it comes to discernment in our relationships. We are encouraged not to be critical or judgemental of our fellow beings and that includes ourselves, too. Gradually, we learn the art of discernment, which is the ability to see objectively and clearly. Discernment is only developed through experience and consciousness. This takes time and at times, some bumpy adventures. The seeming contradiction of essence and energy, versus personality and behavior patterns shows us that the beautiful part of a person is still partially obscured. Discernment also comes from developing our intuitive gifts through our own inner stillness. We may pray, meditate, contemplate, or spend quiet time in nature to open up these gifts.

The essence of a person is already perfected, and already wondrously full of light. The energy can be expansive and beautiful, and sometimes, even seductive. But with "uneven" development, some aspects of the person's behavior patterns and personality have not been perfected or integrated into the already pure nature of essence. Some aspects of ourselves have been damaged, through pain, and seem "broken off" from the rest of us. Ths can be confusing, because we think someone is a "beautiful person." Later they may shock, hurt, or disappoint us with what seems to be, some outrageous breach of character.

If we stand back with a little perspective, we can see that these hurtful actions are unintegrated and unrefined aspects of a personality and patterns "acting out"...like surface debris on top of an amazingly brilliant light. The essence is still pure. Eventually, essence itself will burn away the debris. Each being is encoded with its own timing and unfoldment. We cannot rush someone else's process. We may become impatient, but our time is better spent looking within, to our own process. We can abide in the light of our own essence and strengthen its radiance.

We can learn to compassionately tolerate some of the immature aspects of these personality patterns in our friends, family, or teachers. What is more important is that we can still see, feel and love their true essence and energy, as well as our own.