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                        Posts: 1

                        1. DAILY OM

                          19.Jul.07, 19:34 EDT
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                          DAILY OM Mystery of transformation. During the time that a caterpillar egg is an egg, it looks nothing like a caterpillar, and the butterfly seems a far cry from the larva that precedes it. Do caterpillars recognize butterflies as their future selves? Do butterflies identify caterpillars as past relations? The most mysterious phase of this shape-shifting creature’s process is the chrysalis, the jade green cocoon in which the crawling leaf eating caterpillar transforms into a floating, nectar eating butterfly. In our human lives, we sometimes find ourselves in the chrysalis state. During those times we don’t have much to offer the outside world because, weather we realize it or not, much of our energy is consumed with an inner transition. We might feel sluggish or disinterested in the outside world. We might feel impatient with ourselves, wondering why we don’t have the energy we used to for our usual routines. But if we remember the chrysalis- the dark, inner sanctum that provides the environment for a remarkable conversion, we can relax and let our selves be, finding ways to support our process rather than cajoling ourselves out of it. If you see a butterfly emerging from it’s chrysalis, the temptation may be to help it break out. But the physical challenge of this part of the process is necessary for the butterfly to build its strength so that it can survive outside it’s chrysalis. The same is true for us. Sometimes we have to labor on our own to discover the force we need to be our new selves in the world. Similarly, when seeing friends of family members struggling, it is easy to become impatient and want to help with their emergence, but we have to learn to let others make their own way. Taking on the challenge of liberating ourselves directly enables us to thrive in our new freedom. Sometimes the greatest support we can offer others and ourselves are patience and quiet confidence in the process unfolding, along with faith and the result will be extraordinary.