Beauty Quote by Don Richard Riso
““As I turned my head and looked out the window, I saw that everything around me was glowing from within. The sunlight on the trees, the swaying of the leaves in the wind, the slight rattle of the panes of glass in the old window frame, were too beautiful for words. I was enthralled at how miraculous everything was. Absolutely everything was beautiful. . . . I saw clearly that everyone is made of light—that we are like forms of light—but that a crust has formed over it. The crust is black and rubbery like tar and has obscured the inner light that is everyone’s real, inner self. Some blotches of tar are very thick; other areas are thinner and more transparent. Those who have worked on themselves for longer have less tar and they radiate more of their inner light. Because of their personal history, others are covered with more tar and need a great deal of work to get free of it. . . If we observe ourselves truthfully and non-judgmentally, seeing the mechanisms of our personality in action, we can wake up, and our lives can be a miraculous unfolding of beauty and joy.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery, 1995
The quote likens the inner self to light obscured by a tar‑like crust formed by personal history; self‑observation and non‑judgmental awareness can thin the crust, allowing inner light to shine and life to become beautiful and joyful.
In simple terms: We all have inner light hidden by past experiences; awareness can reveal it.
Observe yourself honestly to uncover inner light.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- meditation practice
- journaling
- coaching
- spiritual retreats
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice non‑judgmental self‑observation?
- What “tar” in your life limits your inner light?
The metaphor may oversimplify complex trauma and suggest quick fixes.