The trouble with knowing

The study of spiritual teachings might be the worst thing for our spiritual growth. The more we read and study, the more we think we know. Once we have read a hundred books on yoga, truth, mindfulness and divinity, the mind naturally sees itself closer to those concepts.

We can easily flaunt the garments of spiritual life, look the part and speak the talk—“namaste”, “it’s all one”, “be here now.” But intellectual understanding is not the same as direct realization. And realization is not the same as embodiment. At some point we have to set aside all externally gleaned knowledge and genuinely investigate our own direct experience.

The point is to know ourself fully.

This is the practice of relentless self-honesty.

This is the basis of authentic spiritual growth.