Self Knowledge
Article by Rokas Leonavicius
Why know yourself?
Knowing what to do: If you will not know yourself you will not know what you want to do and how to do it. By not knowing what you want to do and how to do it, you will not be happy. You wouldn’t live with a roommate which you didn’t know your entire life. So do not live with yourself knowing nothing about yourself. Get to know yourself.Giving to others: The more we know ourselves the more we can offer to others. All the knowledge that we have gained outside is useless if we do not see it inside of us.Ways to know yourself:
Asking: The most simple way to know yourself is to ask. Our mind knows all the answers but sometimes it needs correct questions. Take a piece of paper and a pen and ask yourself a question. Anything that comes to your head will do. For example: “Do I fell happy?”. If not, ask: “Why not?”. Imagine that you are asking a dear friend of yours, but this time you will be answering yourself. If you are not able to answer ask yourself a different question. By knowing more about yourself, you will be able to get back to previously unanswered questions and than it will be easier to answer them this time.
Meditation: A lot of us see a lot of mystique in meditation, though it can be very simple and effective. Just sit back comfortably, close your eyes and allow your mind to wander freely. Do not force to think something, but simply listen. Be conscious of what your mind is stinking, but also be a passive observer. You should be amazed by hearing how much and what things our mind is thinking. By observing it, you should learn a lot about yourself. Then take a piece of paper and write down what became stuck in your head or what thought gave you resistance and anger while meditating. Later you will be able to answer it consciously.
Difficulties of knowing yourself:
Turning on the lights: We do not want to know some parts of us because we are afraid of what is there. We are afraid to ask some specific questions, because we are afraid of what we will answer. We are always afraid of what we do not know, like a little child afraid to step in to a dark room, not knowing what is there. But until you step in to that dark corner you will not be able to turn on the lights. And until you will not be able to step in to it, you will not be able to turn on the lights. And as soon as you turn on the lights half of your fears may simply disappear, because you will now know them, or it will make you stronger, because you will know what lies inside of you.
Knowing your darkest self: We are afraid of what lies inside of us. We do not want to accept our biggest fears or darkest secrets. It may be jealousy or egoism. But until you accept that they exist in you, you will not be able to face them. Some times our fears are not even logical, but until you know them and accept them they will stick around in you annoying your subconscious constantly. And at the moment of acceptance, half of your fears will simply disappear. So do not be afraid to know your darkest self.
About the Author
A devoted and practical student of martial arts, life and self development.
