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 explained that, the spiritual path is somehow different. Spiritual well being is not originated in knowledge; it is absolutely just how life is developing in front of you, not what you "want" it to be.
You can be happily having a talk with a person about what Buddha has actually shared with his disciples, feel good for a little while yet still, you know the "problems" that are awaiting you as you leave this talk. Your partner, your employer or your bothersome kid are waiting for you and you understand very well that you cannot escape them! In these circumstances, what is taking place behind-the-scenes, behind your "desire" of well being -by sharing nice things- is your genuine experience. Your issues did not vanish, they're just on stand-by.
You might try to hide that with denial, food or work. However it will certainly never last. Eventually you will experience some despair or whatever emotion you have been bottling inside of you.
To answer the question: Can knowledge bring me spiritual well being? I would say that knowledge can be a great introduction to it but by itself it would never bring you to it. Curiosity and the yearning have certainly their place on the spiritual path. But the real yearning, beneath the one to learn is the one of liberation. Knowledge doesn't liberate you for too long. In the long run it can actually get you further and further away 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.
See how it will be if you're in touch with a continuous "understanding", a minute to minute "knowing of the beautiful truth", regularly there in your heart (not in your head), regardless of what unthinkable 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 explained that, the spiritual path is somehow different. Spiritual well being is not originated in knowledge; it is absolutely just how life is developing in front of you, not what you "want" it to be.
You can be happily having a talk with a person about what Buddha has actually shared with his disciples, feel good for a little while yet still, you know the "problems" that are awaiting you as you leave this talk. Your partner, your employer or your bothersome kid are waiting for you and you understand very well that you cannot escape them! In these circumstances, what is taking place behind-the-scenes, behind your "desire" of well being -by sharing nice things- is your genuine experience. Your issues did not vanish, they're just on stand-by.
You might try to hide that with denial, food or work. However it will certainly never last. Eventually you will experience some despair or whatever emotion you have been bottling inside of you.
To answer the question: Can knowledge bring me spiritual well being? I would say that knowledge can be a great introduction to it but by itself it would never bring you to it. Curiosity and the yearning have certainly their place on the spiritual path. But the real yearning, beneath the one to learn is the one of liberation. Knowledge doesn't liberate you for too long. In the long run it can actually get you further and further away 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.
See how it will be if you're in touch with a continuous "understanding", a minute to minute "knowing of the beautiful truth", regularly there in your heart (not in your head), regardless of what unthinkable 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 spiritual well being. You can find it on his latest website that teaches exploring and sustaining the spiritual path without having to change your current daily activities.
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