Oh, Discernment

Discernment. n.

1. The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment

2. Keenness of insight and judgment

3. The act of discerning.

4. The ability to judge people and things well, involving the skill of understanding and applying knowledge to separate truth from error and right from wrong.

One of these definitions comes from an AI bot. Do you know which one?

Sometimes, we can’t always tell where the wolf in sheep’s clothing got his new outfit.

There is a tremendous amount of content out in the world today: not just across social media but in print of all kinds. The vast field of information, misinformation, and disinformation is wide enough as it is, while AI-generated content is only heaping drivel onto the excessive debris pile that is the modern Information Age.

Also, much of what is printed has also been lost to time, either due to the text fading into irrelevance as the cultural standards that once normalized them have shifted, lost to a shifting curriculum that renders yesterday’s standard unrecognizable today (and today’s equally foreign to yesterday), or purposefully destroyed so that the truth can remain hidden.

Discernment, it seems, is a challenging concept when confronting this morass of well-dressed sheep amidst the disheveled wolves.

And here I am, attempting to add to the din, while also struggling to find exactly what it is that others want to consume. But then again, maybe that’s not the point? Maybe the point is to feel brave enough to be able to put yourself out into the unknown, awaiting criticism, ridicule, and embarrassment. Maybe the point is to discover which voices ring true, thus bubbling up and out of the rubble.

There are diamonds in the rough, yet.

Discernment is the application of the skill of intuition. Upon properly applying intuition, one gains clarity. Once one gains clarity, understanding begins to set in. Sometimes, that understanding comes with unexpected emotions. Memories. Subtle body sensations. Seeing repeating numbers, 11:11, 10:23, 11:33, 4:44, as even The Universe attempts to snag our attentions away from the constant barrage of distractions. Discernment is your body trying to get you to notice something that may be important to know, to experience, to realize, to create.

Ironically, the only definition of Discernment that is compiled by AI is the one that considers some people may not know what the word “judgment” actually means. It also is the only definition that appreciates the word “understanding” in the context of it being a skill one must hone. Some humans have to train their ability to understand the difference between right and wrong or truth from error. Some humans intrinsically have it backwards most of the time. It’s not their fault, but it does make for challenging and difficult Holiday dinners.

But again: the great voices of our time will always rise above, even if initially drowned out by your belligerent relative bloviating from their seat whilst swigging back copious wine.

I just believe that I’m one of those great voices.

I know that’s definitely a personal challenge of mine, one where I have felt how difficult it is to speak your Inner Truth, with the desire to stand out against the crowds. Now, don’t get me wrong - those who know me personally would never consider me the silent type! I can speak of a vast trove of topics, both intellectually and personally; work, relationships, what I sense about the world, and can do so from the heart of who I am as an energetic human amongst other energetic humans collectively trying to survive this current existence!

But the reality is this: using my voice in this way, speaking my Truth in a public forum, is scary. Bullies and inner child sufferings aside, even well-intentioned family and friends have rattled this cage, triggering micro-traumas, self-doubt, and causing trepidation and hesitation.

I believe what I am here to give to others is exactly that: Discernment. Discernment in the form of intuitive clarity, which sometimes includes having to dive inwards, and into Shadow territory.

[ Chiron has now entered the chat.]

Continued in: Chiron and Our Inner Wounds (coming soon)