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DISCOVERING THE BEAUTY AND POWER OF OUR SOUL ESSENCE
by Shari Rhodes
What is true consciousness? Is the soul or core essence of self the same as the personality,
social conditioning and the emotional response? Are we the basis of mind and human emotion?
Are we defined by the bounds of the body? What defines the soul at the ground floor or root
level? What is fact rather than the fabricated story of the mind? How do we know what is true
versus simply perception? Who are we really?
If we stand back and recognize the cultural, religious and political imprints reinforced by the
family, media and educational system, we would recognize that everyone carries within them the
seed of their social conditioning. We are born into what we think we are. We buy into our
conditioning and identify or try to become what we are taught. Often our parents have a model
carried from their ancestral lineage of how life should be and what defines a proper adult. We are
inundated with the global mass consciousness of what we should do, be or become. It is easy to
lose ourselves in the perceptions of others and think that somehow we are not ok just as we are.
Through the years of conditioning, the core or essential self can becomes severed from
conscious awareness and we feel disconnected, unfulfilled and lost. Internal conflict becomes
magnified if who we are on a core level is in opposition to what we have been conditioned to
become or believe about the world and ourselves. It then becomes our challenge to penetrate
the layers of social and media conditioning to discover the deeper self beyond other people’s
opinions and judgments. Many people have an opinion about how life should be lived and want
to judge when someone makes a choice different from their own. We all have our own ideas
about how life should be played. I think wars or political strife is sometimes created by people
wanting to be right, needing to be in power or have the final say or authority over how “it is”.
Some policians or religious leaders endorse a singular belief system and that is the only way. But
we forget we are each born into our own unique story that is reinforced by our culture that we live
in. Each religious tradition carries its own story and we are raised by that faith. All have their
validity in the cosmic whole. Who actually knows what the deeper story is? Perhaps beyond the
conditioning, we really know nothing. Life is just a game, a fabricated story educating people
through karmic lesson. If we could go deeper and recognize we are not the game or our cultural
paradigms, we can seek counsel in the internal silence.
It is important to recognize the mind for what it is. Often we place too much importance on our
perception of things. We dance in the turbulent mind and think what we perceive is real. But the
world is colored by our judgments and interpretations of what we think are true. However
everyone has a different perception. We sometimes assume our subjective conclusions and
emotional responses hold absolute authority of what is. It is important to listen to the heart and
trust our inner guidance, to recognize the value of tuning into the internal silence and recognize
the deeper self underneath the rantings of the mind. Cognition is an instrument of logical
assessment, but does not hold authority of absolute truth or higher awareness. The mind or ego
holds its own conclusions to assert a false sense of control or understanding.
It is important to recognize the mind for what it is. Often we place too much importance on our
perception of things. We dance in the turbulent mind and think what we perceive is real. But the
world is colored by our judgments and interpretations of what we think are true. However
everyone has a different perception. We sometimes assume our subjective conclusions and
emotional responses hold absolute authority of what is. It is important to listen to the heart and
trust our inner guidance, to recognize the value of tuning into the internal silence and recognize
the deeper self underneath the rantings of the mind. Cognition is an instrument of logical
assessment, but does not hold authority of absolute truth or higher awareness. The mind or ego
holds its own conclusions to assert a false sense of control or understanding.
Each of us has our own healing journey of choreographed experiences for soul growth and
learning. It is important to play out these mapped karmic lessons scripted in our soul contracts.
The purpose of the human experience is to resolve childhood and emotional issues and move
forward in our consciousness and soul evolution. However we are not these experiences. It is
easy to lose our sense of identity thinking we are these karmic playouts and belief systems.
Recognizing our true soul essence goes beyond what is presented on the external screen. It is
about holding the balance between being fully present in the game of life while remaining
connected to the core self. It is not necessary to pull out of life in order to achieve heightened
consciousness. But rather holding the intention of self-awareness moment by moment.
According to the famous quote, “before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After
enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” It is acknowledging both parts of the whole. The way to
achieve this balance is by becoming consciously aware of our circumstances from a detached
point of view that we are in the world, but not identified with it. We can remain
Connected to our higher selves through conscious focus, discernment and intention while
engaging in daily activities. It is about choosing to be aware in our day-to-day focus. By putting
energy into our awareness of core self, this connection gets stronger. It is like a muscle that can
be developed. Techniques to support this connection include, meditation, prayer, breath work,
being silent, listening and communing in nature, creative expression, play, opening the heart in
relationship, choosing to drop into our vulnerability, showing ourselves and being fully present in
the moment.
So what are we at our core essence? What if all life experience could be seen as water pouring
through the hands, formless and seamless without true structure, separate from the true soul? We would become a no thing, non-linear, undefined without shape, texture or pattern, simply a
presence in which the moment just happens without frames. No longer identified with the
external need of reinforcement, acceptance or validation, we could become neutral and
unattached, free from the pressure to fit in or be accepted. We could be fully present, able to
move through relationships and experiences with clearer communication and less drama because
we would be more connected to our true core allowing others to be more of who they are as well.
There would be less likelihood of hooking into other people’s dramas because from greater self-awareness,
there would be more of a “live and let live” attitude. Though there is learning in
karmic play-outs, we would connect to the bigger picture of the soul’s plan and not need to react
so unconsciously. Transcending the parameters of physicality and mind, there would be no need
to hold onto anything or any particular outcome, because the soul would be solid in the root of
self, “the I am that I am”. We would be free to express our own intrinsic aliveness and originality,
recognizing it is enough. There would be no need to reach out for anything because the self to
the self is everything in connection to the divine and all there is.
I believe the soul essence goes beyond the physical form. Beyond social conditioning and
labels, we begin to see we are not even the body itself. But rather a series of sub molecular
crystalline particles stored in the infrastructure of the physical form that serves as a host. When
we are in our true power, authority and autonomy, connected to our core self, life simply becomes
an “is” thing. We can leave ourselves alone and allow life to be what it is. The natural flow of life
can take a shape of its own. We become free in our own skin to follow the gentle pulse of our
intrinsic being and celebrate the light we authentically are without the need of anything else.
Beyond the illusion of the human story, the soul emerges free to simply be and enjoy the moving
scenes and the ride in its own natural enfoldment. Without becoming the ride and simply moving
inside the motion, we can merge with the momentum and thus become enough, joyous and full
within ourselves. Expressing from the core self, we become the divine spark that breathes life
into everything igniting the sacredness in each other helping the cells to remember where we
come from at the source.
All articles are copyright to Shari Rhodes and are provided solely for personal use..
These articles may not be reproduced without the permission of the author.
Please contact Shari Rhodes if you wish to make commercial use of her writing.
Shari Rhodes has been an international Intuitive Reader for the past 30 years. She is currently a citizen of both the United States and New Zealand. Shari’s purpose is to support people to grow and move forward in a positive direction with greater clarity, self-empowerment and self-confidence. She offers readings, workshops and public talks. She is available for sessions in person or over the phone at (027) 6295469 You can email Shari at home@sharirhodes.com,, or visit her website at www.intuitivereadings.co.nz |