It is not uncommon for a person to take himself/herself to be someone superior to others based on the knowledge that he or she has. One feels that one has so much knowledge of arts, sciences or even spirituality. This inevitably leads one to believe in his or her greatness and uniqueness. Unfortunately, even pursuit of spiritual knowledge without the guidance of a Guru can lead one to this assumption. Let us go about in seeing how false this assumption is.
Have you ever questioned as to the primary source of ALL Knowledge? Is it not true that unless you are, there can be no question of a 'you' acquiring knowledge of any kind? Then let us start from the very beginning. The very beginning of a "you". Yes, you, the reader. Let us explore as to where you came from. Can you trace yourself back to the beginning? Just try. Going back is simpler than it appears. In your mother's womb, you were not aware of your own existence (the fact that you are). Let us call it 'ignorance' of the fact that you are. However, after the birth of the body, which you now assume as your self, spontaneously and without any particular cause, you came to KNOW you are. From the 'ignorance' sprouted this Knowledge of Being. Initially, this was just a generalized knowledge of Being. Neither being this or that. Just Being. Then, somewhere in your first two years of existence, this Original Knowledge that you are, became identified with the body and the thoughts. With this came the idea of being an entity, an entity with a body and mind. An entity that calls itself "I". Once this "I" idea or thought took hold, there was no going back! The story just became more and more complicated. Concepts were added over other concepts and here you are thinking of yourself as a person. You now want to be free as you are utterly fed up with the continuously changing concepts about your own self. You are unable to find out who you really, really are.
This knowledge 'I am' (or consciousness) is the very foundation on which all other knowledge depends. Because of this Knowledge 'I am" (or consciousness) there is the appearance of the world. This very Knowledge when acting through the senses creates the world for you. This very Knowledge gives rise to the "I" and the feeling of being an entity. This very Knowledge is the source of all that you know and can ever know. It is indeed this Knowledge- 'I am", which is so great since it is the creator of all that is known as well as unknown. It is therefore the most valuable of your assets. Pray to this Knowledge -I am. Hold on to IT. Since IT is the source of a 'you', it is also the source of the way out of a 'you'. It is therefore the gateway to freedom. Hang on to IT. When you thank the Lord, you are actually thanking this Knowledge-I am, for it is the greatest of all. Jnana (Knowledge) is all there is.
Don't you think it is appropriate to go back to where you came from so that you can once and for all identify who you really, really are? Instead of wasting time burying yourself in more and more concepts, is it not appropriate for you to inquire into the primary concept? Do not just read but meditate over what is being said by all the ancient sages. This Great Knowledge I am is available for free to everyone. It is just of matter of paying attention to IT.
