The Michael Mamas Newsletter Archives:
September, 2005

What is True Knowledge?

I look back at my college years as a wonderful time of life. The knowledge I gained was fantastic. To this day, I totally enjoy the campus environment as a bastion of the knowledge humanity has attained. The traditional approach to gaining knowledge obviously has great value. It is responsible for the technological and cultural achievements humanity has attained over the past several hundred years. However, if we take a careful look, we realize that this traditional approach to gaining knowledge essentially amounts to memorization of facts and ideas as well as replication of techniques. It is sometimes referred to as an outside/in approach. That is to say, knowledge is viewed as something external that the individual takes into their being. In contrast, the inside/out approach is based on the notion that knowledge dwells within the individual. In that case, learning is the process of bringing one's awareness into contact with what dwells hidden within them.

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Join the fast track to the Surya Program!

A number of people who missed the first two weekends of the Surya Program (Surya 1A and 1B) this year have expressed the desire to join in. We have made this possible. By calling the office, you can receive CDs of the first two classes. We will then be offering a review the day or evening before the upcoming 2A. By getting the CDs, attending the review, and reading The Golden Frog and How to Be Your Own Best Psychotherapist (both can be purchased from Amazon.com or the office), you can get on board and start the program.

The cost for the CDs and review is $500 with $100 going toward the $550 tuition for the Surya 2A weekend, bringing the total to $950. This will also entitle you to attend a Surya 1A and a 1B weekend at no additional charge anytime they may be offered in the United States through 2007.

Upcoming Surya 2A Dates:

Learn More About the Surya Program

An Excerpt from The Golden Frog by Michael Mamas

At face value, The Golden Frog is a delightful story. Yet with each additional reading, ever-increasing insights into the profound mysteries of life are revealed.

This excerpt begins with Bruce asking Nathaniel a question.

From Chapter 27 - The Subtle Art

"What do you think of Buddhist philosophy?"

"Well, it's okay, but philosophy is philosophy." His eyes shifted to the television screen.

"What do you mean?"

"'Philosophizing about.' can only take you so far. Trying to figure things out is of only so much value."

"Oh, right, I agree!" I sat up and faced Nathaniel. "You need to feel it in your heart, not just philosophize about it in your head."

"Well, yes, feelings are good." A commercial had come on and Nathaniel got up and started changing channels.

"But.?" I crossed my arms.

"It's not only thoughts that are superficial. So are emotions." He flipped the channel back to Star Trek.

I was perplexed. "What else is there?"

Nathaniel turned to me and looked right into my eyes. "You have been thinking about 'it' and getting emotional over 'it' for years, but that 'it' you've been longing for cannot be attained through thoughts or emotions."

"Oh-h-h, like the sound of one hand clapping."

"That is what I call the 'I get it syndrome,' Bruce." Nathaniel's eyes were bright and intense as he returned to his chair. "We decide that we understand something simply because we intellectually understand it. For example, 'one hand clapping'."

I started to say, "Right" again, but caught myself. That would be the "I get it syndrome" all over again.

Learn more about The Golden Frog