The real meaning and purpose of knowledge.

It is fair to say that all men are innately driven to be curious about one thing or the other, and that our curiosity dictates the direction of our search or experimentation. At a minimum this curiosity may be limited to one’s personal experiencing.

Gradually curiosity may expand to include one’s immediate environment. This may expand further to wondering about the greater environment, and ultimately about the meaning and purpose of our world, and even of our very existence. No individual or society is immune from this process. It just happens to be so. It is this curiosity that is responsible for our individual and group search for knowledge, that is, the desire to know. In fact, Knowledge can be defined as the Theoretical or Practical understanding of a subject.

Since theory is merely a hypothesis i.e. not proven or validated, it should behoove us to recognize when we have a practical versus theoretical understanding of a subject. This can mean the difference between success and failure, or worse. So, let us first review the process by which we acquire Knowledge, because this can help us in recognizing this important difference.

In the urge to satisfy our curiosity, we generally proceed along various paths on which we observe, experience, or learn things related to our curiosity. From the body of information that we gather, we draw conclusions or formulate hypothesis about the phenomenon that peaked our curiosity. However, the thoroughness and diligence with which we conduct our investigation varies by individuals and even societies.

Unfortunately, it appears that many are happy to do no more than entertain the curiosity and let others investigate. They then rely on conclusions that have been drawn by these others who are then deemed experts on the subject. But, many experts make little or no effort to test their hypothesis or conclusions against the experiences of people outside of their study pool. Besides, a close look at their study methodology will show that most of these investigators simply collate data to analyze them in hopes of identifying relationships that suggest or support the hypothesis they already have in mind. No matter how tenuous the relationship that they claim exists they immediately cry Eureka! and declare that they have answered the question. Conclusions are then drawn from this so called “Scientific” Empirical Research that frankly speaking has not shed any more light on the subject. For example, the statement below is typical of empirical research finding which only restates the curiosity that initiated the search in the first place. It does not answer the questions of How or Why the observed phenomenon……

"A survey of 1000 individuals found a strong positive correlation between hours spent exercising and overall self-reported happiness." 

At best this study generalizes what is observable by everyone, including the common man. It does not explain the mechanism by which the observed effect occurs or works. Yet, only with such complete understanding can the phenomenon by applied to better and lasting change for the individual and society. In this particular example, other studies suggest that happiness can be attributed to:

·        Practicing gratitude for what you have. 

·        Practicing kindness and being forgiving. 

·        Nurturing optimism. 

·        Fostering and maintaining close relationships with family and friends. 

·        Engaging in activities that you enjoy, like spending time in nature. 

·        One's physical and mental health. 

·        Having a sense of purpose and feeling in control of one's life. 

·        Financial stability which lessens anxiety and leads to a happier life.

Therefore, there are many more factors that contribute to happiness than exercising. Furthermore, exercising does not equate to Physical and Mental health. Yet, despite this contradictory evidence, some researchers, satisfied and believing that they are now knowledgeable about the subject, will proceed to peddle their hypothesis, even in the face of contradictory evidence as shown above. Depending on how persuasive they are they may accumulate disciples who base their own further “studies” on the hypotheses and thus add to its spread. Soon, this unproven theory assumes the mantle of the “governing principle” of the phenomenon.

For example, supported by such science, formal and informal exercising has become almost universal in many Western countries, marked by a plethora of public and private gyms, personal trainers along accompanying paraphernalia. All of this is of course promoted by big business and services that are cashing in on a mania that promises health and happiness. Though benefits may arise for the individual from exercising, it is quite clear that, given the many factors that contribute to happiness, it alone cannot lead to happiness! In fact, ill-advised exercising could lead to other health issues or death. 

Therefore, it behooves any individual to assess the comprehensiveness of any conclusion that is offered by the so-called experts.

Thus it is that much of today’s social, political and economic policies are driven by unproven Theories emerging from “findings from Empirical Research”.

As impressive as the association of these policies to “Science” may sound, the fact remains that the studies have not provided any concrete understanding of the immutable governing principles of the relationship the researchers were seeking. Rather, as already stated, these policies are based on the conclusions of the advising experts, whose theories or hypotheses are yet to be proven in the real world. Yet leaders are subjecting their citizens to social experimentation by applying these unproven theories. The chaos and confusion that many of these policies cause are ignored by pointing to the scientific underpinnings of the theory. But, as the popular saying goes, “The proof should be in the pudding" Meaning that the true value of something can only be determined when we see its effectiveness in using it.

Fortunately there are still a few who after formulating a hypothesis endeavor to test it in other similar circumstances. These few are the only ones who can be said to be really engaged in the search for knowledge, because they understand that “Knowledge is of no value until it is used to produce effective and lasting results or change”.

But, after having come to this recognition, there is yet another obstacle that genuine seekers may have to overcome. This concerns the word “learn”.

As mentioned above, learning, along with experiencing and observing, are steps in the process of seeking answers to our curiosities. Generally, such learning comes from listening to other investigators or from studying their works. But, occasionally we have bursts of intuition or insight on the subject.

Such insight is usually so different as to appear improbable at first. However, those who have had the courage to listen and apply this intuition find that it suddenly opens a new path to investigation, which eventually leads to greater knowledge and a wider vista of experiencing and understanding. Also, the practical application of the emerging knowledge from such intuition generally results in more extensive and wider benefit to the individual and society. For example, Einstein’s sudden insight on relativity of motion opened up vistas whose benefits are still being discovered today. This phenomenon may not be explainable, but it is a well know occurrence in almost every field of search conducted by man.

Now let’s see if we can explain this phenomenon using knowledge based on the Spiritual laws of Creation.

Since this burst of insight is not associated with the thought process, it must surely come from another source. Our psyche, perhaps, or from our extra sensory environment? Regardless of what we choose to call this source, it does not change the indisputable phenomenon. For our purpose, we shall call the source of this insight Spiritual, which would mean that man must harbor something of the Spiritual in order to be able to perceive insights from this source. After all, like can only perceive like.

Events like this should make us appreciate that purely environmental experiences cannot lead us into all knowledge. Intuition and bursts of insight are evidently the pathway to extra-terrestrial learning that expand our vistas, even to a fuller understanding of an earthly question. Besides, although most of us are not conscious of this, intuition, or lack of it, comes into play in almost every aspect of our daily life. It comes into play when we assess or reflect upon present, past or future events. We call it conscience, or lack thereof, when it appertains to how we “feel” about actions that affect others. We call it insight when it applies to future or on going plans. Everyone possesses of this ability. But, like all of man’s endowments, it must be used in order to become developed or maintained in good health. Just as a muscle that is not used actively will atrophy, so too the intuition that is not used. In this we see that the Biological law of Movement operates in the physical as well as in the psychic/Spiritual.

Today, many are shunning intuition and relying instead on physically observable phenomenon. Thus it follows that our world is less and less open to learning and guidance from the Spiritual through the intuition.

The consequence of this trend will manifest in time for the individual and society at large. Already we can see that most personal and social decisions are guided by the mantra of “first take care of my own interest, and then perhaps the other person’s”. We do not appreciate that this common attitude is manifestation of the weakening or loss of conscience, one of the attributes of intuition. For example we are quick to send aid to victims or those suffering from the consequences of social activities, but we are not ready to change our way of life when it can be shown that we are somehow remotely contributing to the chaos in the faraway place. An illustrative example is how we overlook the fact that our craving for cheaper goods to feed our consumption life style is the cause of the exploitation and political crisis that has resulted in the suffering that we feel “so bad” about.

Thus, the individual who is willing to consider these points needs to appreciate that the surest way of assessing any situation, answers, or the long term and effective benefit of any experience, learning or theory is through the exercise of intuition. With this recognition they will hopefully desire to know more about this gift which we all possess. More important is how to use it to govern our lives. While it is true that we live as a community on Earth, each person ultimately lives their own life for which they are fully responsible in the eyes of the Spiritual Laws. True intuitive perceptions leads man to recognize these laws. How this recognition occurs is clearly explained in the book “In The Light of Truth” (The Grail Message) by Abdrushin.

The knowledge contained in this book can lead the discerning seeker to higher Spiritual recognitions and thereby growth. However, from the very beginning of the book, Abdrushin makes it clear that any knowledge that does not point or lead man to the Spiritual is inadequate. He emphasizes too that the path does not necessarily have to go through Religion. This he explicitly states in the forward to the book, reproduced below.

The following Word does not bring a new religion, but is intended as the torch to help all serious listeners or readers find the right path, which leads them to the longed-for height.

Only he who bestirs himself can advance spiritually. The fool who uses extraneous aids for this, in the form of the ready-made opinions of others, only walks his path as if on crutches, while ignoring his own healthy limbs.

But the moment he boldly uses all the abilities which lie dormant within him awaiting his call, to help in his ascent, he is employing the talent entrusted to him in accordance with his Creator’s Will, and will easily overcome all obstacles that seek to divert him.

Therefore awake! Genuine faith lies only in conviction, and conviction comes solely through an inflexible weighing and examining! See that you are truly alive in the wonderful Creation of your God