The Journey Within

[Guest guest]

Turning inwards proves to be as much of an adventurous journey as any

external voyage. While we might plan for months or years for an

important journey, and certainly spend considerable time navigating

the waters of our physical reality, it is surprising to realise how

little time is actually given to the self. As this question begins to

be explored, it can be found that we do not even truly know the self.

This perhaps explains why we do not always have self-love and self-

respect.

 

In terms of our external relationships, the development of a relation

with someone is based on various factors. Depending on our interest

and inclination, we are willing to give our time and attention to

someone. Similarly, finding space for silence to explore the inner

world creates the possibility of knowing the self. Silence allows the

soul to discover what lies below the image, beneath the mask, and see

the core of the self. What is it that I really want? What are my

deepest desires? Knowing myself and my motivations forms a basic

foundation for acquiring stability and moving in a positive

direction. In today's degrading world, it has become crucial to find

the point of stability within myself, for certainly there is none

outside.

 

At the very heart of the eternal being that I am, is peace. Awareness

of the self, soul consciousness, encourages the conscience to lead,

so that I keep moving in the right direction. Two of the most

powerful aspects of the inner world are our feelings and our

conscience. Turning inwards enables the soul to understand, cleanse

and balance. Feelings of love and humility, balanced with clarity and

the power of the conscience, are the basis for joy in one's life and

a positive contribution to the world around me.

 

The tensions and conflicts that we experience in the outer world,

are, in reality, projections of the state of the inner world. The

quiet voice of the conscience speaks to us, and on the other side the

senses are pulled by external attractions. The mind allows the

mischief of the senses to be expressed in action. At a certain point,

there is a clear awareness of what needs to be done, yet the force of

the mind overrules this understanding from within.

 

This creates a tendency for the same behaviour pattern to be repeated

time and again. In the first instance, at least the line between

morality and immorality is clearly visible. In the latter case, the

degeneration reaches the point of amorality without recognition of

the difference between the two. The world today reflects this inner

functioning - it seems to be in a state where morals and values do

not exist any longer. Making time for silence and turning inwards

allows the possibility of seeing the situation in a different light

and reversing the process so that the conscience begins to lead once

again. The knowledge of the eternal self empowers the conscience, and

instead of it being pulled by the fickle desires of the mind and

senses, it exerts its authority and influences action.

 

One of the factors that has led to the state of a lack of self

respect, and thereby the lack of respect for others, has been that we

cannot really respect ourselves if our lives and character are

contrary to the soft voice within. Whatever the situation with social

laws may be, whether I am successful in camouflaging my behaviour, or

the truth is revealed, my own personal level of self esteem is

governed by this. Research gives evidence that people who display

discriminatory behaviour have a lack of self-esteem, where those who

have self-respect have greater tolerance for people of varied

religions, races and backgrounds.

 

Medical research has indicated that our feelings dictate the state of

physical health as they directly influence the nervous and endocrine

systems. What is not always acknowledged is the fact that our

feelings are governed by our thoughts. Within the course of any one

day we allow people and events to affect our feelings. The result of

this is that our feelings fluctuate and external factors control our

lives. Freedom is the ability to decide what I wish the quality of my

life and feelings to be, and the ability to create that state.

Returning to the point of stability and peace within, develops the

power to discern the difference between waste and pure thoughts and

filter them. The health of the body is maintained only if waste is

eliminated. So too, the health of the mind is possible when we learn

to eliminate negative and waste thoughts. Awareness of the self

creates thoughts which are pure, positive and powerful. These result

in good feelings and feeling good, consistently.

 

There are three specific methods to develop the awareness of the self

and move towards a state of independence and self-sufficiency. One is

to spend time each morning creating the awareness of the eternal

self, described as soul consciousness. The experience of the soul's

natural qualities of love, peace and power influences the awareness

for a stretch of time afterwards. The second method is to find a few

moments in each hour to re-centre, to return to the basic

understanding of the self.

 

Even in the busiest of lives, people take a moment for a break in

order to return to their responsibilities with freshness and vigour.

Taking the time for balancing the self means that this balance is

carried through into my work and relationships. However, the third

and most valuable application of this awareness is to maintain this

consciousness as I walk, talk, listen and work. Being soul conscious

is just a factor of attention, it does not take any labour or

external effort. In soul consciousness the light of the soul shines,

the peace, purity, love and joy that are the intrinsic, eternal

qualities of the self blossom and manifest in my life. My own world

is filled with these, but I also share these with each one who enters

my sphere.

 

As I begin to know myself at deeper and deeper levels, I accept the

inner beauty of the self as well as the dark patches and stains on

the soul. Knowing my beauty helps to restore self respect and love,

and my life is based on an inner dignity. We tend to build support

systems that we become dependent upon without realising it, whether

it is people, places, possessions or even our own habits. Creating

respect and love for the self leads us to our true state of freedom

from dependencies. Looking inside, seeing my inner world of truth and

beauty, I then begin to express these in my life, and in my relations

with others.