Constantly we
allow ourselves to be defined by the other, a natural dance between potential
and becoming where the Self gradually reveals itself, a mysterious core that it
is own cause and effect. Knowledge of Self leads to acceptance and acceptance
of this knowledge leads to mastery of self. In Mastery of Self we find the Focus
of Life where devil and saint is twined on the same axis and generates peace.
Mastery of Self comes with simplicity and compassion, naturally, effortlessly, because
there is nothing to defend from the threat of the other. Life is a series of
changes and life is very much like a river as Lao Tzu perceived it. The more we
flow with the current and seek to understand and take interest in its movements
instead of resisting it the more we will stay as the captain of our Soul.
We are
constantly bombarded with opinions and judgments and it is not always so easily
to not take it personally. But an opinion is a judgment formed by one perceiver
of a limited series of events measured on a rich luggage of morals, ethics and
personal history. We should only accept such opinions and take them personal if
it comes from someone who is truly committed to our wellbeing, someone who is
motivated by love. Naturally, all accusations and opinions we might benefit from
giving an ear to, but this ear should not be choleric or in a state of
anticipation of the need to defend oneself. Choosing to listen we should first
pass the judgment of truth on the opinion. If it is not true, then discard it,
if it is true and it bothers you; make a deliberate statement of change. Change
for your sake, not for the others.
I think in
this we find the essence of freedom, freedom is absence of slavery or unwilling
submission to an external controlling force. Freedom, is a reign where you are
the King and Queen, and your reign is recognized by the absence of fear.
Fear is the
big enemy of freedom and Mastery of Self, fear of failure, fear of success, and
fear of what others think. Fear is the abyss taking shapes that terrifies and cripples,
the cement in any self-created prison, the soul of any self-born demonic entity
that do not seek to work in our favour. Fear hates true freedom…and respects
only Self-knowledge.
Many fear
freedom because the oppressed or enslaved one rarely dream of the absence of
these forces, but more often to oppress the oppressors and enslave the tyrant.
This is not freedom. This is fear and it is despair. Nelson Mandela understood
this vital message after being released from prison; he couldn’t stay in that
environment of fear and unnerving anger if he wanted freedom. Ion smaller
scales I see people giving up their power to others all the time, becoming
enslaved by people’s opinions in becoming reactive and in that very moment a
part of the hateful opinion.
The Self
watches confused through the eyes of the Ego as the storm of emotions and feeling
son injustice unsettles the soul and distort the perception, Self Mastery
becomes more distant as the captain of the Soul is now occupied with riding of
a storm that was never his to deal with, but was nevertheless invited in.
Know Thyself
is the Great Work and indeed it is a project, a process and the storms should
teach us to show more care with our inner peace and keep focus on the good
things, counting our blessings and see curses as the source of lessons that
teaches us how to reap more blessings in in this amazing river known as life.
Art: AOS