Essence and Personality

In our last meeting we explored the concept of essence and personality. In short, essence is our being, the design and nature with which we are born. Personality is what is acquired--all our skills, and learned behavior. 

When our sense of identity is fixate in personality we are occupied with what is lacking and what is wrong with ourselves and in the world. When presence moves deeper into essence we are able to be with and transform what is. 

Ideally personality serves our essence, navigating our lives to nourish a steady growth of being. In practice, when identification with presentation and performance becomes dominant, personality stifles the essence. 

Our work is to allow personality to become more passive and translucent to enable attention to become rooted in essence, our genuine strength and unique nature. This is the hero's journey, step by step returning from exile to our true home. 

In this direction we are working with a practical exercise: Observe the tendency to criticize and find fault, and try not to give expression to criticism. Instead come into presence in the senses and sensation in the body -- be with what is. 

And as best you can, set aside some time each day, ideally first thing, for inner work with the contemplative exercise we have been practicing in our group meetings.