The light of understanding,
From the first time we touched a hot pan as a child, so we began walking the path of understanding. Immediately after that unpleasant experience, we quickly learned that action " A" = consequence " B".
Even most animals have a very basic capacity for understanding, but human beings have a far greater advantage, due to our ability to develop higher reasoning power, and growth potential. So what is the phenomenon of understanding, and how does it affect the human experience?
Understanding, and the freewill choice are interconnected, although a choice can be made at anytime without any true degree of thought, or logic. This " snap decision " happens more often than not, as an emotional impulse, which can, and does cause a person to choose an action. This is not the proper use of freewill, and often ends with very poor results. But it is still the tool that spirit has given to us, so we could lift ourselves from the darkness, and propel us into the light. But like any tool, freewill must be used safely, and properly. One should always learn, and grow from our choices. The better the choice, the greater the understanding. Greater understanding leads to better choices It all comes full circle!
It is not enough to simply predict what will happen when we do, or say this, or think that. This type of understanding is very basic, and really has no spiritual content. True understanding comes from looking at something from all possible aspects, and then accepting the truth of whatever conclusions are reached. Truth often makes us feel uncomfortable, and goes against our personal beliefs, but truth does not need to hold onto beliefs, as truth holds to itself. And only the strongest of us, have the courage to face the truth, especially when it comes to our own individual lives.
For understanding to enhance, and expand our horizons. One must learn to see" both sides of the coin" so to speak, not in black, and white terms, but in an endless spectrum of gray. The greatest understanding occurs from being able to see, and be ok with the prospective, and viewpoints of others. For when we understand the nature of our fellow brothers, and sisters, we are one step closer to learning about what make us tick. Because in reality, we all come from the same place, and we are all made of the same stuff. So chances are very good that the things that influence our thoughts, and behavior, also do the same for others. Understanding this makes it more difficult to judge others for their frailty, because we have stood in that exact same place once, or twice in our lives.
The biggest obstacle for the human race to overcome, is to stop thinking singular," me. " The " I, and I alone must survive" is a mindset brought right out of the cave, some 40,000 years ago. And this attitude is still very much alive, and operating today. We can put a person on the moon, but we have not yet improved the person? After many thousands of years, what is wrong with this picture?
It comes down to priorities. Humanity is capable of far greater use its collect will, than simply trying to get by day to day. The " grind ", the " rat race", and the " I must have" are what holds us in a barely out of the cave state. We are robbed of our dignity, and nobility when our potential is squandered on such primitive concepts, and these illusions of life are all a result of poor understanding, and a closed mind.
We have ovens that cook food in a matter of seconds, and cell phones that are small enough to fit into the ear, but we, the children of planet Earth still have much more growing, and understanding to do about our own nature, and all the wonders of creation! Technology provides lots of lovely gadgets meant to improve the quality of our lives, but isn't it about time we begin construction of a more spiritually advanced human being? Improving life from the inside out?
Love, compassion, and sensitivity are all made possible by stepping into the light of understanding. The entire complexities of the universe can be held in the palm or our hands through the use of an open mind, and a thirst for knowledge, with a dash of faith thrown in there. And the same hunger to know all things should be applied directly to the human spirit. For no instrument of technology can create a worthwhile life, better than a shining soul!
Make no mistake; understanding is the key to unlocking the human possibility.
The real question of a lifetime is. do we have what it takes to step through the door of understanding, once unlocked?
May you all be blessed with the light of understanding!