Understanding

Understanding has 4 phases:

1. Understanding a statement intellectually.

2. To comprehend the statement, to relate to it intuitively and heartfelt.

3. When thoughts or impulses emerge that are not consistent with our new insight, to recognize these immediately, to see that they are not actual any more and to let them go in peace.

4. Thoughts and impulses that are not consistent with our insight, do not emerge any more.

Understanding a statement only intellectually can entail the danger, that we do not realize that we have to put it into practice in order to have the benefit.

To pass on an opinion as a truth, without actively willing to integrate it in ones own life is hypocrisy. Regrettably that happens rather often with would be spiritually advanced persons. These "truths" work like a poem that one can beautifully recite but does not understand oneself. They bring about a false self-perception and hamper the own personal development.

To comprehend the statement, to relate to it intuitively and heartfelt..... and then set it aside as too difficult for the own life is one of the most important causes of failing growth. A truth that is recognized as important must be put into practice, if necessary taking into account to have to let go cherished opinions and habits.

Phase 3 is a long way. Now we practice to recognize all upcoming thoughts and impulses that are not consistent with our insights, to consider them and to discard them without much attention.
Old opinions and impulses are engraved in our brain, like the rills in the delta of a river. When they do not get water, they will silt up after some time.

Important: We are not our rills. We are not our upcoming thoughts and impulses. We are the thoughts and impulses that we accept and carry out.

When we want to advance, we have to open up for the not yet understood. When we judge all what is new with our today's insights, we never advance one step. When we long for the highest and never stop seeking, higher truths are presented to us constantly.

In my opinion it is efficient to accept new thoughts without comment. Our subconscious will take its opportunity to deal with them. After some time our intuition tells us, much more reliably than our intellect, if we can use them. Experience will tell us about the importance and way to handle. If not usable, they will be aborted unnoticed.

Adrian

14.12.06