Essential Aspects and the Wisdom of the Ancient Enneagram Part 6
February 27, 2026
Essential Aspects and the Wisdom of the Ancient Enneagram Part 6
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon, England in 1564. To this day, tourists visit his house and walk through each room imagining the life of the most famous writer in all of English-speaking history. A curious fact is that in 1775, Thomas Jefferson visited this house when touring England with his fellow statesman, John Adams. To this day, tour guides at Shakespeare's home point to the window upstairs, on which Thomas Jefferson etched his signature on one of the glass panes. Other people of note have also added their “John Hancock” to this set of windows.
What do we really leave behind? Even though such people as Shakespeare, Jefferson, Ann Frank, Rembrandt, Hellen Keller and Mother Teresa have left behind books, paintings, houses, laws, traditions, diaries and even their signatures, we still do not know these people. Though we have experienced the ethos and pathos of the bard, we have not fully experienced William Shakespeare because we have not been present with his soul. Similarly, we have not really known Mother Teresa because we have not shared presence within her.
The only part of us that really lasts is our essence, which is our true nature that shines through our every word and deed. Some essences have returned to God by life’s end and have been stored in the hearts of those who loved them. The only way we can really know another is through loving them. This was stated by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), “Other selves cannot be known directly by our will but only through love which is an act of will.” Yes, even though we have an inkling of what Jefferson and Keller and Shakespeare were like, we do not really know them. What remains of them, however grand or humble, does not put us in intimate touch with their smile, their fragrance, their laughter, their touch, their banter, their humor, their particular compassion, their tears, their gaze, their love, or their presence.
Spiritual practice: If you realize your essence, how would you describe it?
Self-inquiry: What are some ways you may know your essence in even deeper ways?
Prayer:
Dear God, Bring me nearer to the real qualities that my soul lives for. If I can be nearer these qualities, I can be nearer to you and all my brothers and sisters. This is my prayer today, dear God.
