Day 24 - "In this world there are several branches of learning such as physics, music, literature, mathematics and art. Of all the forms of knowledge, self-knowledge is the sovereign. Without its attainment one cannot enjoy any peace."
Though one may gain renown and recognition in the world, one will not experience happiness without self-knowledge. Self-knowledge is that knowledge by acquiring which everything else is known.
It is said that self-knowledge alone can help us cross the sea of sorrow. Anyone can strive for and attain self-knowledge. Men and women, rich and poor, all are eligible to kindle in themselves the flame of spiritual wisdom. Distinctions of race and religion, caste and creed do not come in the way. It does not matter if one has no education, no grounding in physical sciences or is not well versed in worldly affairs. So how can we attain it?
It seems that the key is "strive for" - go all-out, do your best, do your utmost, make every effort, do all you can. Therefore, there is an effort involve in attaining self-knowledge. And it is not just an effort - it has to be your utmost.
Most people look for physical proof of reward if they are going to put an utmost effort to do something. Like if they are going to get up early and go to the gym to exercise, they expect to see the outcome in their appearances. If they are to work hard earning money, they expect to spend their earning buying luxury items to enjoy and show off to others. If a student is going to exert an utmost effort, he/she expect a good grade or a medal to show for it.
Yes indeed - there is no physical proof or reward for striving to attain self-knowledge. That is why so few are interested in attaining it. Most would rather attain good body appearance, good salary to buy a plane, work extra hours of overtime to enjoy a grand vacation, a nice house in a nice neighborhood, a vacation house close to the beach.
And at times like this when the economy seems to be downhill and lots of people are losing their jobs, getting laid-off or force into early retirement, first thing to do is worry about the next paycheck and struggle to get another job. Some says "shovel shit with a toothpick" to make ends meet and pay the bills.
Yes indeed. Few people will think about going within and strive to attain self-knowledge first and all things will be added unto you. So how did I do it? How am I doing it?
Perhaps I was fortunate that I was born rebellious. Or maybe I wasn't, perhaps my experiences as I was growing up forced me to rebel. And having that attitude made me question most things and whenever I read or encounter a rule, a policy, a procedure, a law, a regulation - I have to rebel against it.
If people are getting in line and waiting for their turns, I will say, the hell with it - I will go within. If I am sad or lonely, I go within and ask myself why and when I figure out what causes me to be sad or lonely, I will keep repeating the incident that caused such emotions until I learn to control my responses. When I started on the spiritual path, I checked and reviewed my progress after 6 months, after a year, after 3 years and 5 and 10 years. If I am not happy or satisfied with my progress, I tried to figure out what can I do to speed up my progress. I keep asking and asking and asking WITHIN. I try not to stop asking till I get an answer and when I get an answer that I am not convinced or satisfied, I asked again and again.
That is my process. I get to know myself. I got acquainted with my inner self to the point that when they talk about meditation, I feel like I am meditating 24/7; when they talk about prayer, every moment is a prayer. I could be watching a movie, or driving or in the washroom or taking a bath or cracking jokes or chatting with my sisters or friends, or crying or resting or getting so tired doing something and still I feel I am communing within.
What is the peace, what is the happiness that comes from self-knowledge? If acquiring self-knowledge, everything else is known - what is that everything that is known? NOTHING.
EVERYTHING IS NOTHING and NOTHING IS EVERYTHING.
Though one may gain renown and recognition in the world, one will not experience happiness without self-knowledge. Self-knowledge is that knowledge by acquiring which everything else is known.
It is said that self-knowledge alone can help us cross the sea of sorrow. Anyone can strive for and attain self-knowledge. Men and women, rich and poor, all are eligible to kindle in themselves the flame of spiritual wisdom. Distinctions of race and religion, caste and creed do not come in the way. It does not matter if one has no education, no grounding in physical sciences or is not well versed in worldly affairs. So how can we attain it?
It seems that the key is "strive for" - go all-out, do your best, do your utmost, make every effort, do all you can. Therefore, there is an effort involve in attaining self-knowledge. And it is not just an effort - it has to be your utmost.
Most people look for physical proof of reward if they are going to put an utmost effort to do something. Like if they are going to get up early and go to the gym to exercise, they expect to see the outcome in their appearances. If they are to work hard earning money, they expect to spend their earning buying luxury items to enjoy and show off to others. If a student is going to exert an utmost effort, he/she expect a good grade or a medal to show for it.
Yes indeed - there is no physical proof or reward for striving to attain self-knowledge. That is why so few are interested in attaining it. Most would rather attain good body appearance, good salary to buy a plane, work extra hours of overtime to enjoy a grand vacation, a nice house in a nice neighborhood, a vacation house close to the beach.
And at times like this when the economy seems to be downhill and lots of people are losing their jobs, getting laid-off or force into early retirement, first thing to do is worry about the next paycheck and struggle to get another job. Some says "shovel shit with a toothpick" to make ends meet and pay the bills.
Yes indeed. Few people will think about going within and strive to attain self-knowledge first and all things will be added unto you. So how did I do it? How am I doing it?
Perhaps I was fortunate that I was born rebellious. Or maybe I wasn't, perhaps my experiences as I was growing up forced me to rebel. And having that attitude made me question most things and whenever I read or encounter a rule, a policy, a procedure, a law, a regulation - I have to rebel against it.
If people are getting in line and waiting for their turns, I will say, the hell with it - I will go within. If I am sad or lonely, I go within and ask myself why and when I figure out what causes me to be sad or lonely, I will keep repeating the incident that caused such emotions until I learn to control my responses. When I started on the spiritual path, I checked and reviewed my progress after 6 months, after a year, after 3 years and 5 and 10 years. If I am not happy or satisfied with my progress, I tried to figure out what can I do to speed up my progress. I keep asking and asking and asking WITHIN. I try not to stop asking till I get an answer and when I get an answer that I am not convinced or satisfied, I asked again and again.
That is my process. I get to know myself. I got acquainted with my inner self to the point that when they talk about meditation, I feel like I am meditating 24/7; when they talk about prayer, every moment is a prayer. I could be watching a movie, or driving or in the washroom or taking a bath or cracking jokes or chatting with my sisters or friends, or crying or resting or getting so tired doing something and still I feel I am communing within.
What is the peace, what is the happiness that comes from self-knowledge? If acquiring self-knowledge, everything else is known - what is that everything that is known? NOTHING.
EVERYTHING IS NOTHING and NOTHING IS EVERYTHING.
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