Many of us feel the need to read self-help books or spiritual writings on regular basis. We do it early in the morning or before bed time. We feel a sense of peace inside of us and somehow stronger to face the world. Some of us can cite beautiful citations from holy books or even know by heart the story of Buddha. Can this knowledge bring spiritual well being? Let's explore this.
Knowledge is generally a buildup of info. When we collect expertise, we could happily point out that we "understand".
Having said that, the spiritual path is somehow different. Spiritual well being is not rooted in knowledge; it is your experience as it is really happening from within. What does that mean?
You can be joyfully having a chat with a person about what Buddha has shared with his disciples, feel good for a few minutes yet still you know the worry that is awaiting you as soon as you leave this talk. Your spouse, your boss or your troublesome kid is not too far and you know you cannot escape them! In this situation, we could claim that what is happening in the background, behind your "desire" of well being -by sharing beautiful stories- is your real experience. Your problems did not disappear, they're just on stand-by.
You might try to hide that experience with beautiful thoughts, drugs or work but it will never last. Sooner or later you will fall down and experience sadness or whatever emotion you have been bottling inside of you.
To answer the concern: Can knowledge deliver me spiritual well being? Yes to start with, yet on its own, it would definitely never ever bring you to it. Interest and the yearning have most definitely their place on the spiritual path. However the actual yearning is the one of liberation. Knowledge does not free you for too long. Over time it might actually get you far from the spiritual path.
So if you are in a place where you are trying to feel better by learning more, you're still in a good place. There's never a "bad" place to be. You have a desire, that's for sure. You want more. Imagine how it would be if you can experience what you actually know. Imagine if you can make that feeling of liberation last for minutes, hours and days at a time. Imagine how it would be to actually know from within.
Exactly how will it be if you're in touch with a continuous "knowing", a moment to moment "understanding", constantly there in your experience, no matter what inconceivable scenario is occurring in your life?
Knowledge is generally a buildup of info. When we collect expertise, we could happily point out that we "understand".
Having said that, the spiritual path is somehow different. Spiritual well being is not rooted in knowledge; it is your experience as it is really happening from within. What does that mean?
You can be joyfully having a chat with a person about what Buddha has shared with his disciples, feel good for a few minutes yet still you know the worry that is awaiting you as soon as you leave this talk. Your spouse, your boss or your troublesome kid is not too far and you know you cannot escape them! In this situation, we could claim that what is happening in the background, behind your "desire" of well being -by sharing beautiful stories- is your real experience. Your problems did not disappear, they're just on stand-by.
You might try to hide that experience with beautiful thoughts, drugs or work but it will never last. Sooner or later you will fall down and experience sadness or whatever emotion you have been bottling inside of you.
To answer the concern: Can knowledge deliver me spiritual well being? Yes to start with, yet on its own, it would definitely never ever bring you to it. Interest and the yearning have most definitely their place on the spiritual path. However the actual yearning is the one of liberation. Knowledge does not free you for too long. Over time it might actually get you far from the spiritual path.
So if you are in a place where you are trying to feel better by learning more, you're still in a good place. There's never a "bad" place to be. You have a desire, that's for sure. You want more. Imagine how it would be if you can experience what you actually know. Imagine if you can make that feeling of liberation last for minutes, hours and days at a time. Imagine how it would be to actually know from within.
Exactly how will it be if you're in touch with a continuous "knowing", a moment to moment "understanding", constantly there in your experience, no matter what inconceivable scenario is occurring in your life?
About the Author:
Carl Serapian is an innovator in the field of personal growth with over a decade of research. For a limited time and for free, he's sharing his discovery of a simple yet powerful meditation rooted deeply in the yogic science of the spiritual path. You can find it on his latest website that teaches exploring and sustaining the spiritual path without having to change your current lifestyle.
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