How to know thyself…

“To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” -Socrates

_____________________________________________

“Knowing others is intelligence;

knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength;

mastering yourself is true power.” - Verse 33 Tao Te Ching

_____________________________________________

So how does one know themselves? What does this mean?  In Sahm Je Taoist studies there is a concept called “true self,” and that this true self is a state of love, understanding, wisdom, and completeness… That one’s true nature is the Tao itself, and that through meditation and self-inquiry one can hear the voice of their true self. I believe this to be true… And yet I also believe that one cannot force themselves into such awareness. To unveil one’s true nature requires living a life in balance, thinking for oneself, and taking the time to meditate and reflect on life.

I have experienced moments of bliss, inner quiet, and inner radiance through meditation, I have also experienced pain, suffering, depression, anger, and craving. I believe most of us are taught at a young age, by culture itself, to plug up these negative feelings with pleasure through food, distraction through screens, or avoidance through work. The problem is that the more one distracts themselves the more they cut themselves off from the inner radiance and inner quiet that is their birth right.

My various experiences of bliss and inner radiance, (what yogis call Samadhi) were mostly had after 45 to 60 minute periods of meditation, and sometimes experienced in nature while fasting, or through chanting and prayer, and once through the use of a nature hallucinogen. These peak experiences have transformed the way I see the world and myself, however, despite their power I cannot help but feel there are part of me in the shadows that I do not yet know… Why if I’ve experienced my true nature as absolute bliss and love do I still feel the desire to binge eat when in my mother’s kitchen? Why if I’ve felt one with the flow of the Tao do I still get reactive in conversations with my wife or children at the end of the day? Or feel the desire to numb out on screen time?

While I maintain my daily meditation practice, I have found that another powerful way of “knowing thyself,” is to decide to change a habit, track your results, and observe the ups, downs, emotions, and triggers involved. I’m currently working on 7 different habits… (one for every Chakra) that I plan to write and journal about over time. In working with the 1st chakra, which centers around feelings of safety and the basics of life, I am working on improving the quality and quantity of my sleep. Sleep is the primary habit for human beings. (More on Sleep and the 1st Chakra in my next blog.)

So what habits besides meditation are you pursuing to “know yourself?”