The Way of Peace and Understanding

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Spring Issue

In me there is a light which lights the whole world. It is radiating now, peace and understanding. A text for meditation The mind is always with us, so it makes sense to nurture it in peace and wisdom. This requires effort, but the alternative is to be saddled with an instrument of dubious stability,…

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The View from Nowhere

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Spring Issue

The ‘View from Nowhere’ is one way of defining the special knowledge that we seek through meditation and other practices. Normally, we experience everything through our senses and minds, and no matter how highly we develop them, or enhance their capacities with technical instruments, the mind and senses inevitably present us with a partial picture…

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Walk Through the Garden Free

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Spring Issue

To the one who has understood the spiritual truth, the world is neither a bed of thorns nor a field of fire, nor something entirely unreal like a dream city. To the wise, sansara—the field of changing existence—is to his Atman (Self) what the rays are to the diamond. The Absolute is revealed through sansara.…

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Awakening to the Supreme Truth

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Spring Issue

Let us explore some ideas about the great principle called ‘Truth’ as it is understood in the non-dual teachings. Our purpose is not just theoretical. It is highly practical. For if we can grasp the meaning of Truth in this context and take up the inner practices that are recommended, our mind will be led…

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The Saving Clause

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Winter Issue

In the religion of Islam, there is an expression commonly used. It is ‘inshallah’ or ‘In shā’ Allāh’, meaning ‘God willing’ or ‘If Allah wills’. The context is usually some statement about the future, for example, if we say to our friend: ‘See you tomorrow’, his or her first words in response might well be…

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Inner Progress through Love and Knowledge

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Winter Issue

Life has to be progressive to be worthwhile, and there are many ways in which we do make progress. Progress is often thought of as something which shows itself outwardly and can be seen and admired by others. This might include our educational qualifications, our job title, our property, our holidays in faraway places. To…

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Towards Great Understanding—The Wisdom of China

Cover of Self-Knowledge Journal Winter Issue

Those familiar with the religious history of China will know the expression ‘the three religions’ or ‘the three teachings’. It refers to Buddhism, Taoism and the Way taught by Confucius. Going back to ancient or medieval times, we can say that those with education in China would study all three. The three teachings were competitive,…

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