You have been raised to think a certain way. Influences include your parents, your culture, your schooling, your friends, and your associates.
People love to learn. But few are willing to change their world view. They neatly tuck away new information they gain that does not conform to their world view. It is like they stuff it away in a shoebox in their closet, labeling it as an ‘interesting philosophy’ or worse.
Some may even live by the new philosophy (or tell themselves and others that they do) until it is time to live up to those principles in a pressure situation. Then they fall back onto the old belief system they have been indoctrinated into.
When you ask yourself what you really believe, do not look to times when all is wonderful. Look to times when you have been put under pressure. Recall how you behaved and learn about yourself from that. Do not use it to judge yourself. Use it to learn about yourself. But do learn.
Real change, real evolution, is a gradual process. Far too many rush to find more information to pack into their notebooks and call that learning. True learning requires courage.
I know so much more than I am able to share. To say too much… to try to help people transform too fast… is to have the knowledge bounce off and galvanize the listener. It makes little sense to try to teach calculus to those that doubt the validity of arithmetic. At best, your knowledge is tucked away in that box, labeled ‘interesting philosophy.’ It bothers me to think anyone would do that to my teachings.
For those willing and able to truly learn, the future is bright. For others, the day will come when they mourn over what might have been.
Please do not take this as an ominous warning. Instead, take it as inspiration to reflect deeply, and wisely move forward with your life. For the ostrich to take his head out of the ground, courage is required. To not bury your head, you must be a true hero.
Be that hero. Move forward, forward, always forward. Growth means change.
To ‘know about’ is a nice beginning. To ‘become’ requires fundamental transformation. Who are you really? Are the philosophies you adhere to simplistic, or are they profound? They must be profound, because I assure you that life is not simplistic… it is profound.
After a year in the ashram, looking back at myself then. Not even the same person, but yet more me than I’ve ever been. One step in front of the other, always moving forward. Thank you for everything Brahmarishi.
“For the ostrich to take his head out of the ground, courage is required. To not bury your head, you must be a true hero.” Courage is what I need to summon, to make that leap. Lorna has said it to me many times. It feels like your timely message is directed to me. Yes, I hear you loudly and clear. Thank you Brahmarshi! I don’t want to mourn over what might have been.
How wonderful it was to hear you speak this blog first and now to read it for myself.I have printed many blogs to share with others…this time I am printing for me. Thank you for another powerful class. Three days of knowledge..a lifetime of application.
Lifetimes of gratitude
Brahmarshi, Your words bring such needed contemplation as always. It is a beautiful gift to be able to live my life in times like these when such exploration of our human nature is possible. I must admit I have been caught up in the desire to learn, learn, learn about my nature and in my case, about Christ, and in the process continue to loose site of the beingness that it is all about. True fundamental change is hard, but I believe that what you are doing and giving provides such a profound direction and example for the world to follow. What I see and am learning most from you is by your example and I believe generations to come will look upon your Life as the profound teaching that it is. You have presented your life, your humanity, as a profound gift. In my opinion, what it means to be a saint, to be Christ-like is exactly that, to give your life for the salvation of others. We have great suffering and catastrophe currently surrounding us, but it is presenting me with more opportunity than ever to be a gift to others and through that expression of my Self I am learning more than any class or book could ever do for me. Thank you for being such a guiding light for all who follow you and are influenced by your spirit.
Erik
This blog really means a lot to me. Thank you.
Erik..elegantly written. Thank you for commenting how I feel..only better than my ability:)