What is Knowing?
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The key to knowing is to recognize that for the most part, we know far less than we think.
Knowing how little we know is extremely important. Why? Because there will always be something new to learn. There are new experiences to be had. New people to be met.
How many languages do you speak? Do you know how to fence with a sword in each hand? Can you drive a semi-truck? Have you traveled to Australia? There is always something we might know, but by the same token there is likely more that we do not know.
Too many people think they know a lot. Maybe you do. But the real importance of knowing is recognizing that no matter how much you know, there is plenty more you do not.
Many people think that the idea behind enlightenment is knowing everything. But that’s not what it’s about. No, gaining enlightenment is about becoming one with mind, body and spirit…becoming aware of the now, and losing fear and anxiety.
Every single one of us has various things we know. Since you are reading this, you know how to read and write. Likely you know how to speak. You know what name you call yourself, and in the general sense of placement where you are in the world.
The thing is, for all that we know, there is an equal or greater amount that we don’t. Trouble is, when people think they are knowing, they sometimes begin to believe that they know better.
Knowledge is power. But this is a power of abundance, and as such need not be hoarded or jealously guarded and protected. Knowledge in its vast abundance is meant to be shared.
How do we really know something?
While there is much we do not know, and more to be learned and experienced, most of us do possess things that we know.
However, the things that we really know are much more personal and individual that we tend to realize. We think we know certain external matters, such as politics, business, economics, religion and so forth. However, what we truly know are not these great abstracts, but rather our own impressions and perceptions of them.
If you come from a deeply religious family, you probably know the religion you practice. If you are entrenched in politics, you probably know the party you are affiliated with. But more specifically, you know your particular version of this, defined by your own impressions of and experiences with it.
What we really know is just a small slice of reality, which we know is much more of an illusion than we probably care to admit. Nobody is in your head but you, and as such you alone think, feel, and sense the world around you as you do.
What do we each really know?
That’s dependent on a number of factors. Sure, we think we know ourselves, but how many of us are mostly only scratching the surface of that? How many of us question our own thoughts, feelings and actions because of a lack of knowing?
But this does not mean we know nothing at all. (“You know nothing, John Snow!”)
We can really know things, and that is surprisingly easy to recognize. The things we really know are strictly about ourselves, who we are, what we are, and so on. We find that our mind, body, and spirit are in harmony in that knowledge, and our thoughts, feelings and actions constantly reinforce that knowledge. That is how we really know something. But the only real something we can ever truly know is ourselves.
Are we really capable of knowing?
In a broad, general sense, yes. But in truth, for as much as we know about the people in our lives, the world that we live in, and the Universe in which we exist, we truly know very, very little.
But this is a really good thing. Why? Because this means that there is always more for us to learn. There are new discoveries to be made, experiences to be had, and much more.
Consciousness creates reality. When we truly learn to know ourselves, the one thing in the entire universe that we are capable of really, genuinely knowing, we can change our lives. The knowledge of ourselves, how we think, what we feel, and the intent behind our actions, can build our reality. When we know ourselves, really know ourselves, we gain a wider perspective.
Yes, I know that some might think this is selfish. That’s untrue, because this is not about denying others for yourself from a place of lack and scarcity. What this entails is realizing our own abundance, and exploring what we can do with it. Abundance means there is more than enough for all, and when we see that we are each more than enough, we can more easily and happily share that. How can so much sharing possibly be selfish?
Many of those in power are so afraid of losing the control they so desperately desire, they will do anything to disempower those around them. No, boasting about our own greatness to everyone is narcissistic and unhealthy…but being aware of our greatness, and sharing that to help others find the same improves the whole world.
Does learning lead to knowing?
When it comes to ourselves, the only thing we truly can really know, yes. Our minds, bodies and souls only we each individually can know. Nobody but you is in your heart, your head or your spirit. As such, this is the only real knowing we are capable of.
But in recognizing this, we can better see that the things we can learn and know are fleeting and changeable. Because the world is always changing. As such, so too is knowing what we know.
Once upon a time, everybody knew the world was flat, and you would fall off at the horizon. Now everybody knows the earth is round (sorry, Flat Earthers, but it is). Everybody knew the earth was the center of the galaxy. Now, we know that at the galaxy’s center is the sun. Knowing changes.
This is a good thing. Why? Because it means that things as we “know” them now, but which we would rather not experience, we can change. The world as we “know” it can be altered for the better. How incredible is that?
Do you see how much more knowing we are capable of by knowing ourselves first?
This is the three-hundred fifty-seventh entry in my series. These weekly posts are ideas for, and my personal experiences with, walking along the path of life to consciously create reality. I share this journey as part of my desire to make a difference in this world along the way, and empower myself and my readers with conscious reality creation.
Thank you for joining me. Feel free to re-blog and share this.
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