On some deep level of your being you long for new knowledge. New knowledge fascinates, enlivens, and thrills us all. However, there is one huge obstacle to gaining knowledge that requires attention. That is, namely, your current world view.
On the one hand, your current world view is essential to your life. It is through your world view that you evaluate anything and everything. It is the rudder with which you navigate the waters of life. It is the net result of all the life experiences that you have had. It, in a sense, defines you.
On the other hand, your current world view is what limits you. It is only natural to fear and doubt that which challenges your current world view. It is much easier to embrace new knowledge if it reinforces and conforms to your world view. Otherwise, new knowledge can feel threatening.
This is particularly true when a whole new body of knowledge is introduced all at once… especially if the conclusion of that arena of knowledge is radically foreign to you. Perhaps if it was offered in a step-by-step logical sequence, instead of all at once, it could be understood and digested gradually with the logical conclusions then received with enthusiasm and fascination.
Sometimes I take a step back and look at the knowledge I have gained over the years. I realize how much my world view has changed since I was a teenager. If I were introduced to what I know now all at once then, conclusions and all, I would have rejected it immediately. I would likely not have even been willing to start with step one to follow the logical sequences that led me to where I am now.
That lack of willingness is epidemic, not only for individuals, but even more so for societies. New knowledge progresses slowly and is more often rejected than considered. I do understand that when a person who has never considered Vedic knowledge sees, for example, a statue of Hanuman, the experience can cause them to not want to consider step one of the understanding. I also understand that when a person was raised with an understanding of Vedic knowledge, looking deeper into a new perspective may be viewed as incorrect or unnecessary. In either case, knowledge is lost, discarded, set aside.
Every individual would do well to consider where they are with all of this… how they live their life… what their relationship with new knowledge is. How frozen are you into your current world view? How open are you to new knowledge? In this world where we are bombarded with so many different world views, how do you go about discerning what to consider and what to ignore? There is no cookbook of how to go about this. However, for sure, the answer lies within you.
It is up to you to take an honest look within.
I have had the thought many times that if I Came to mnt Soma now I most likely would not be able to embrace it ……. I am so thankful that when Michaelji started hands on healing and meditation in 2000, he barely mentioned the Veda, but we were stepped very slowly over 10 years in this direction which now just seems like a knowledge that makes so much sense.
Recently I was at the Austin Hindu Temple for the Ganesha Celebration. I wandered into the larger temple and was struck by a goddess I didn’t know. She spoke to me not in words,I stayed for a little while, some call this darshan. An Indian friend only knew that she is revered in the Tamil part of India…so I have ventured down the path of finding out more about her, why there is this connection. Gazing at a statue in it’s simplest terms and yet looking into the face and reflection of God. I know and don’t know…more exploration and discernment.
What a great blog for describing a mechanic of human functioning, maybe a mechanic of all nature. Like Brahmarshi describes, I remember rejecting something and, later, embracing it. Always look in the mirror, then look deeper, deeper…
Brahmarshi’s blogs are all home runs in my book, but this one is an out-of-the-park grand slam.
Interesting observation that “new knowledge progresses slowly”. I suspect this holds true historically. Cases of scientists and visionaries being persecuted come to mind. But, what is remarkable to me is that we live in an age of information. You would think that valuable ideas and true knowledge would disseminate and be adopted rapidly, but it isn’t that way. I think that really illustrates Michael Mamas’ point about the “knowledge challenge”.
Very good point about the nature of humans. In the field of psychology, it is a generally accepted premise that most of our conditioning is in place by 5 or 6 years old. So, we already have the blanks filled in about these: I am ______; Other people are _____; The world is ______.
In one way, as I have gone through the phases of my life, I could say my world view changed. In another way, looking at it more deeply, you could say it hasn’t changed much at all. The tonal quality of that view is very similar. So then, the question is, how can I really open up to knowledge and understandings that are beyond my current world view?
Yesterday I articulated how I came to learn about the teachings of the Veda and meeting You. My experience of the knowledge has been in itself a journey, one that has had many manifestations. It has morphed and evolved, each offering different aspects at different times of my life and the life of the school. Trust in You and the teachings enables me to accept and ponder what is offered at the time. I am challenged when it rubs against my current world view. I too resonate with MTW’s experience above. The gradual shifts of what was taught at the time during the appropriate “season” has arrived at this moment in time. I could not fathom where I would be with my relationship with the knowledge from my year 1 (2002) until now. I often think of what you’ve said in class as paraphrased here: “Your karma is what brings you to me. And your karma is what takes you away.” Layers upon layers of delicate knowledge and “under”standing… the concept of time… So many rich topics… possibly future blog topics?
Thank you. There is so much Truth in this blog. In my life I experience a paradox.
On one hand I seek Truth within the depths of my being. On the other hand I remember to be humble because there is more to learn and experience.
Hearing new knowledge and looking inside to feel it’s validity can be tricky, but trusting the presenter, of that knowledge, plays a vital role in my assimilation. Waiting for confirmation may take a long or short time, but my Nature will always guide me in the right direction. I’ve experienced that enough to know it is true.
In the field of Vedic knowledge, as it pertains to deities and the mechanic of yagnas, it is certainly the feeling level that provides me some comfort. My intellect seems far behind the feeling level in this arena. It is my experience that being with this Knowledge makes life better. I feel the power and shakti of Sri Somesvara, Hanuman, yagyas and all of Mount Soma, but I can’t say I really “get it” intellectually.
Michael Mamas helps me see and connect the dots, and as we go deeper the subtlety of the Knowledge becomes an ever greater challenge. Any making intellectual sense of It is a work in progress, likely always will be, and when there is clarity, it results from being with the transcendental Self. I am certain my Teacher is on to something here, as supported by my experiences.
I understand how this arena makes many people uncomfortable, and sadly, causes some to drastically change course or reject what is offered. Many others, who may be comfortable with the cultural backdrop of this Knowledge, miss the essence and refuse, or don’t even consider taking a deeper look. This Knowledge challenges me, and I find it the most difficult arena to convey to others.
Instead of trying, or not trying, to “drink from the fire hose”, it may be helpful to splash in the waters, assessing the temperature and depth before diving in. I’m wading, and although it sometimes feels strange, the water is fine. However, without my experience working with the Knowledge over the past ten years, I don’t where I would be with this. Maybe I too would miss the baby for rejection of the bath water. Perhaps societal norms and cultural discomfort, makes the first small step appear to be a quantum leap.
For many westerners and Christians around the globe, I think presenting Christ’s teachings from the perspective of Vedic knowledge, and vice versa, would be an invaluable bridge.
Chick,
Knowing you as much as I do, I can’t help feel your humility does not allow you to acknowledge that you understand my teachings better than you present here. However, at class it may be helpful for everyone for you to question me relentlessly… insist that it be clear to you.
As per you last comment, I have made comments to a series of Bible verses and they will be posted some time soon. They may even comprise a whole new website dedicated to the clarification of Christianity teachings.
The way that I intellectually “get” the deities and ceremonies, etc., to the extent that I do, is to remind myself that the ceremonies are all about mapping and the deities are all about laws of physics that are inside me, on the one hand, and also personified and throughout nature, on two other hands! I am sure the “getting of it” on an intellectual level will change over time.
On an experiential level, I feel that they are like listening to music. I don’t have to get it; I just experience it and am changed by it.
I love the look at Christianity from the Vedic perspective that has been put out in video clips on Google Plus.
MBS,
Excellent! Sometime it is good to think of the structured, mathematical, aspect of the Veda as like the notes of the musical scale. The personified aspect is like the music itself.
I did not realize that the Christianity videos were posted on Google Plus. Joy Anna, Doug, Kimie, and Barbara are doing a lot to get a presence on social media going.
Very interested in learning all
@ michael mamas – Won’t pretend the see the world through the lens that you do but do believe that I can relate on various levels. Over the years with all that I’ve experienced, learned and ways that I’ve evolved I do see the world in a very different way than the others around me.
I’m a round peg in a square world… but I’m used to it. It is a lonely feeling as I know that much of what I have learned would simply make little sense to most. In so many ways it is like trying to explain the taste of salt to someone who has never tasted it before. There is much more to understand and I know the price of that realization is… everything. Well… at least the illusion of self anyway.