From the Gill Tarot, the Three of Cups; from The Circle, "Origin:"
The red wine from a silver cup, filled beyond its brim, spills over into two gold cups. This card reminded me of hearing a laugh the other day from a person I didn't know. His laugh wasn't particularly boisterous or loud, but it was so genuine that I found myself smiling in response. His joy was infectious and spilled over to me. What is it in us that touches us so? The Origin card seems to ask the same sort of question: "What is your essence?" Buddhists speak of the noble heart (or soft spot) within each of us. It can't be destroyed, but we often put armor around it because we mistakenly think it will protect us. Yet when we allow that soft spot to be vulnerable, we find a boundless supply of tenderness, openness and clarity.
We already have everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement. All these trips that we lay on ourselves—the heavy-duty fearing that we’re bad and hoping that we’re good, the identities that we so dearly cling to, the rage, the jealousy and the addictions of all kinds—never touch our basic wealth. They are like clouds that temporarily block the sun. But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here. This is who we really are. We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake. ~ Pema Chodron
Ah Pema.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely pair today Bev. (I see you are getting some use out of the tiny cards.)
Pema does have a way of drilling right to the pith of things. :)
DeleteUnbelieveable there are any decks I haven't had at some point, but both fall in that slot, interesting and fun. If I remember correctly the Circle deck was by a Seattle artist.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know he was from Seattle. I tried to contact him a few years ago to see if he was still selling this deck, but never heard back from him. I wound up buying one from a trade thread. I like the cards, but they are MUCH smaller than the scans suggest!
DeleteI've been listening to a few of her talks and I absolutely love this woman. Her wisdom is so profound and down to earth at the same time
ReplyDeleteThat is precisely why I like her so much - her wisdom is so practical!
DeleteI love hearing how you experienced a stranger's laugh and then followed your reaction somatically. Your use of the world 'spill' is so wonderfully aligned with the Three of Cups and to make the connection between this kind of inter-connected Joy and our original self is just lovely. A beautiful and uplifting post, Bev.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rose. :) It was nice to remember that there are wonderful things I can open my heart and mind to that can help me keep that soft spot open!
DeleteOh, I love that last line from Pema Chödrön! And isn't it wonderful that we humans can infect one another with joy, as well as with hate and disease :)
ReplyDeleteChodron is a gem! And I like the idea of joy being contagious. :)
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