VERNON HOWARD QUOTE: Psycho-Pictography
Knowledge is obtained from study, from books and lectures,
from asking questions, and from attentive observation. But
Knowing is quite a different thing. It is the inward
experiencing of acquired knowledge.
SELF-OBSERVATION: Tom Russell
In ancient Egypt mirrors were placed in underground rooms to
catch a single ray of light. This ray was then reflected,
using additional mirrors, to endless rooms and levels.
As our capacity for self-observation expands we add more
mirrors to reflect the light into increasingly remote
corridors of our inner world. We start to see the little
things - for example, the quick little dart thoughts of anger
or discontent that were previously hidden. As our inner world
is lit up we feel the vitality and cheerfulness of the Light
itself, but we are also stunned that so much dust and debris
has collected.
Vernon Howard said once, "You are the Light - you are not what
it reveals." By allowing the Light to have direct contact
with the dust and debris, the dust and debris are gradually
dissolved. Self-honesty opens the windows for self-
observation. The two working together create an unstoppable
power.
RELATIONSHIPS: SuperWisdom Notebooks
1. You can develop to the point where you can be in a room
full of people and be totally at ease. You can be totally at
ease because you don't want a single thing from anyone there.
2. Watch out for the Remark Shark. This is a person who
passes on his gloom and doom in the form of a quick little
remark.
3. It is possible for you to learn how to see the world's
flood of insanity from a detached viewpoint, realizing that
there is a flood, but you're not in it! Now this is something
to get excited about. This fact is filled with spiritual
enthusiasm.
MENTAL PICTURE: The Parrot, by Vernon Howard
There was once a parrot who trained himself to speak
excellently. This enabled him to teach other parrots to
speak, for which he was honored and applauded. But he had a
secret sorrow. He did not know how to fly. But he devised a
clever method for concealing his humiliation. Using his
superb command of words, he told other parrots how to fly.
His lectures on flying were a huge success. Thousands
assembled each week to hear his dynamic exhortations.
And few of his hearers ever suspected that the parrot himself
did not know how to fly.
Lesson: A man seldom realizes that spiritual lessons apply to him
personally, thus making him an eager reformer of other people.
CHALLENGE: Tom Russell
A key decision point on the spiritual path is: Will I allow
the spiritual knowledge I've collected to transform into
Knowing and dissolve completely, at the core, the fictitious
self I have clutched and defended with such vehemence? Or,
will I choose to identify with the spiritual knowledge, claim
it as my own, and become an "expert" - someone who can "teach"
others?
As stated in "The Parrot" those who make the second choice,
the easy choice, are often superb with words. This is why we
must never judge a spiritual teaching by how outwardly
successful it appears to be.
INSPIRATION: Dr. Paul Brunton
The Overself will not neglect determined seekers and through
circumstances, events, books, or otherwise gives them the
particular guidance or instruction needed at a particular
time.
Reprinted from Super Wisdom Newsletter
The Cats Meow
