August 2009
The essence of a human being is a vibratory field of light that opens directly into realms of pure insight, inspiration, compassion, and wisdom. When we access this realm of perception and energy, we experience our bodies, personalities and world process from a completely different perspective. A sense of guidance and a capacity to see through veils of conditioning in ourselves and those around us arise spontaneously once we have begun to anchor our awareness in our essence. Essence is not a philosophical or religious construct. Essence is a vibratory field of connection that can be directly accessed and experienced.
— David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle passed away a little over a month ago at the age of 56 from complications of throat cancer. He was a beloved teacher and healer for many people and organizations for over thirty years. A prolific artist, he is known for his paintings of the hexagrams of the I Ching. A revised edition of his Hymn of Changes that he was working on was published shortly after his death. He created a series of photo collages inspired by the Zohar during the last year of his life.
An irrepressible healer, David could enter a person’s energy field and smooth the way for the movement of vital forces, expediting expansion of consciousness and integration of disparate components of the personality. He often did this by telling a story full of metaphor and imagery. He taught that each of us has a “soul signature,” a guiding light of self that if properly nurtured, will flower and serve the world. His medical clairvoyance gave him access to the flow of complex levels of existence.
Being “seen” by David was an out of the ordinary experience because he would point out essential information that you were not aware of previously but that resonated as accurate and deeply supportive. He could see your history through current and past lives, your emotional and mental tendencies, your body, and of course, your essence.
In 1984, David told me I needed “to love.” Not long after that he diagnosed me as suffering from “displaced religious function.” I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I knew he was right. I could feel the correctness in my bones. The sensation of simultaneously knowing and not knowing, agreement and resistance, was repeated in exchange after exchange with him over a period of twenty-five years.
His simple perception about my needing to love more was instrumental in causing a 180 degree turn in my life. Over a period of two years, everything changed——my primary relationship, my friends, my job, my alcoholic behavior, and my world view. Spirit entered my life and never left. I developed a conscious relationship with it and with the earth that I had not known was possible.
David’s way was gentle but penetrating. It was irresistible. His mind was sharp and creative, and he was able to find the appropriate approach to a large and diverse group of clients and students. He had a highly developed sense of humor and knew how to be playful. He loved and appreciated everyone.
No two people are the same, he taught. There is no one psychological or spiritual theory or technique for reaching everyone. Each person has unique qualities, experiences, and perceptions that deserve respect. Each needs to have their essence seen. He taught us to trust the web of life. I am blessed to have known this man, for he opened doors of perception and connection that made me a truer version of myself. I will hold him in my heart always.
— Linda Weber