Interview of Ruth Balsiger with Madhukar for her podcast
July 11, 2022
This is why it is so important to have a living master
August 13, 2022
Self-discovery has a long history. At Delphi, above the entrance to the ancient oracle temple, stood the much-quoted motto: “Know thyself”.
For thousands of years man has wanted to find himself, to know himself. But whom can you find, if you are already here? One can only find something that was not already here. Or something that was hidden, that was lost.
Maybe you lost yourself in the search? Or before that, in the concepts, the ideas of who you are, who you have to be? Or did you get caught up in the idea, the desire to be someone else? After all, growing, learning, is evolutionarily given, and thus something deeply human.
Self-discovery is important
But doesn’t the age-old human striving for self-discovery also result from alienation? From separateness, from pain, from loneliness? Would you look for something in paradise, in oneness with everything, in happiness? Probably not! We search and try because we are not permanently happy.
Self-enquiry is more purposeful
Self-discovery is rather a mental effort. With Socrates it was probably the request to humans to regard its own life guidance carefully. Could one say, psychologically, to optimize oneself in order to attain happiness?
More directly, more purposeful, in my experience, is self-enquiry, that is, getting to the bottom of oneself.
In the doctrine of non-duality, the ancient Indian Advaita, I inquire into myself by aligning my consciousness on consciouness itself, by getting to the bottom of myself and by recognizing who underlies the thoughts and the feelings. Self-knowledge is ergo knowledge of the original reason, the I in everything. That which has always been here. Here and now as transcendent and present I.
For you it is possible!
We don’t know whether Chilon, one of the “Seven Sages” of Sparta, who is regarded as the originator of the inscription “Gnothi seauthon” at the Apollo temple, attained self-knowledge. To you, however, it is possible!
Madhukar
You can also hear what Madhukarji said about self-discovery here on YouTube.
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Learn more
Do you feel like going for it? Then check here (click) when is the next opportunity for a retreat online or on site.
What does self-knowledge mean to you? Share with me in the comments.
