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.
An examination of the nature and structure
of existence and the place of human beings within that
scheme reveals how the inside/out approach actually
works. Modern physics tells us that everyone and everything
is one with the Unified Field, i.e., the underlying
basis of all existence. The Unified Field is the source
of all the intelligence, harmony, power, and creativity
that brought this universe into manifestation. It follows
that contained within everyone and everything lies unbounded
knowledge. The crux of the matter is that because we
are human beings, we have the ability to directly access
from within that source of infinite grandeur-the storehouse
of all knowledge.
The technique of unveiling that inner
potential is profoundly subtle. Its pursuit is the foundation
of what has become known as spirituality. However, through
the years, it has become inundated with dogma and even
fanaticism. Its elusive nature has shrouded the understanding
in a garb of mystery and mysticism. The subtlety required
to attain this "true knowledge" has resulted
in it being referred to as traversing
the razor's edge or passing through the eye of the
needle.
A rational approach is required to
filter out any distortions or misconceptions encountered
along the path of learning. Throughout the ages, such
discernment has been recognized as absolutely essential
in the attainment of true knowledge. We live in an age
when rational thought has become the norm. For that
reason, we now have the potential (not just as isolated,
rare individuals, but as an entire species) to traverse
that razor's edge and pass through the eye of the needle,
attaining true knowledge. In other words, the inside/out
approach is now at our fingertips. This rationality
is certainly not to be employed at the exclusion of
our spirituality. In fact, the opposite is true. The
seamless mergence of heart and mind is fundamental to
this path-it is the next great step in human development.
That integration of heart and mind results in wisdom
which is the fruit of true learning. As we attain wisdom,
we naturally live in harmony with nature.
The process of true learning is two-fold.
On the one hand, it involves a specific meditation
technique where the awareness awakens to, and integrates
with, the foundation of all existence, i.e., the Unified
Field. Secondly, it involves a release
of mental and emotional conditioning that has imposed
constraints, restrictions, and limitations upon individuals.
These conditionings sometimes die hard. We have become
entranced by them. Our conditionings overpower us. We
become so thoroughly identified with them that we come
to believe they are our deepest truth and most heartfelt
longings. The art of moving beyond such conditionings,
while at the same time not succumbing to another set
of conditionings, is subtle indeed.
Navigating the waters of life is not
a simple matter. It cannot be reduced down to a finite
set of laws or concepts. The bottom line, "give
it to me in a nutshell" approach modern society
is so fond of, is grossly inadequate. Though fleetingly
refreshing, it merely births a new dogma.
© Michael Mamas, 8/06 |
