Theos-Talk Archives (March 2012 Message tt00050)

SELF-KNOWLEDGE

    "The first necessity for obtaining Self-knowledge is to become profoundly conscious of ignorance; to feel with every fibre of the heart that one is ceaselessly self-deceived.   The second requisite is the still deeper conviction that such knowledge - such intuitive and certain knowledge - can be obtained by effort.    The third and most important is an indomitable determination to obtain and face that knowledge.     Self-knowledge of this kind is unattainable by what men usually call 'self-analysis." It is not reached by reasoning or any brain process; for it is the awakening to consciousness of the Divine nature of man.   To obtain this knowledge is a greater achievement than to command the elements or to know the future." - H.P.B., Lucifer Vol. 1, No. 2; Oct. 15, 1887.

    "It is not `the fear of God' which is `the beginning of wisdom,' but the knowledge of Self which is wisdom itself." -H.P.B., Lucifer Vol. 2, No. 8; April 15, 1888.

     "Occultism is concerned with the inner man, who must be strengthened and freed from the dominion of the physical body and its surroundings, which must become its servants. Hence the first and chief necessity of Chelaship is a spirit of absolute unselfishness and devotion to Truth; then follow self-knowledge and self-mastery." - H.P.B., Lucifer Vol. 4, No. 22; June 15, 1889.

    "With every effort of will toward purification and unity with that `Self-god,' one of the lower rays breaks and the spiritual entity of man is drawn higher and ever higher to the ray that supercedes the first, until, from ray to ray, the inner man is drawn into the one and highest beam of the Parent-Sun." - H.P.B., S.D. I-639.

     "Unless the higher Self or EGO gravitates toward its Sun - the Monad, the lower Ego or personal Self will have the upper hand in every case." - H.P.B., S.D. II-110.

   "To reach Nirvana one must reach Self-Knowledge, and Self-Knowledge is of loving deeds the child." - H.P.B., Voice of the Silence.

   "Self-Knowledge alone is the direct cause of Liberation." - Sankaracharya, Atmabodha

    "Let the seeker after Self-Knowledge find the Teacher (the Higher Self), full of kindness and knowledge of the Eternal." - Sankaracharya, Crest Jewel o f Wisdom.

                                     (Canadian Theosophist, April 15, 1948)

------------------------------------------


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]