Self Knowledge

There is only one way to get rid of faults and failings, and that is through a clear recognition of them. Everything slumbers in the human soul and can be awakened. A person can even improve his/her intellect and reason if he/she makes it clear to themselves why he/she is weak in this respect.

Self knowledge is, of course, difficult, for the temptation to self-deception is immeasurably great. Anyone making a habit of being truthful to him/herself opens the portal leading to deeper insight.

Rudolph Steiner Cited in Meditation for The New Age

One of the most lasting insights from receiving spiritual formation training was the value of learning discernment. Other than courage, discernment would be among the chief virtues of spiritual life. Other than compassion, discernment will serve you better and more often.

Self knowledge is a cornerstone of any measure of one’s spiritual maturity or depth of understanding. The necessary humility it takes to enter into a more challenging, courageous examination of your own motives and values  is essential, even mandatory- especially if you choose a more religious based or a more spiritually connected approach to life. 

Discernment and self knowledge are protective qualities to cultivate and to develop on a daily basis. Any qualities of self understanding that can defeat arrogance or self importance have to be considered effective tools. 

In my extended foray into the many dimensions of Anthroposophy and Steinerian thought, there was this underlying invitation to greater knowledge of these hidden worlds, but at the same time, there was often the acceptance of how difficult the struggle towards self realization can be. There was an abiding sense of humility that ran alongside all the abstract thinking and esoteric teachings. 

This quote reminded me of that fact, that only through self knowledge can any of our latent abilities be freed to manifest or only through increased spiritual understanding can we develop or become awakened.

The Jesuits put forth the practice of a daily “examin” when one reviews the thoughts, actions and choices of each day and to measure them by those qualities of soul and those virtues one wants to uphold. Other approaches encourage journaling or the keeping of a prayerful log that outlines the choices and interactions of our days.

Whatever improves your self knowledge and capacity for the discernment of our motives and acts would be considered to be a valuable asset.

As it was taught to me, or as I remember it, Arica taught me about discernment or the deepening of our self awareness and knowledge that comes from the recognition of our ego defenses, and how they will subvert mindfulness, clarity, and inner harmony or peace. There were three primary ways: ego identity; ego rationalization, and ego justification.

Without getting into an essay of explanation, and what would be true for any spiritual methods of freeing the Self from the attachments and clutches of ego-based living, the qualities of detachment and discernment are essential tools.