When we meet a spiritual "seeker," one quality that stands out is their perennial desire to discover the truth. This person often strives for a life of purpose and depth. They want to know why they are here, where they are going, and how to treat others along the way. The truth they seek may include a desire to know God, as well to know their own Divine essence.
Along with this seeking, often comes the attitude of "unknowing." Many religions and spiritual traditions talk about the value of spiritual "unknowing". The essence of this concept is that, until we meet our Creator-through earthly enlightenment, or upon the end of our physical lives, we really don't know much in the way of spiritual truths.
Too often, we tend to rely on the teachings of our respective religions as if they are "gospel." Interestingly however, at the point when death begins to loom on our horizon, the vast majority of us begin to seriously re-investigate and question our dearest held "truths."
Richard Rohr, Franciscan friar and speaker, has beautiful insights on the value of spiritual unknowingness: "People who have really met the Holy are always humble. It's the people who don't know who usually pretend that they do. People who've had any genuine spiritual experience always know they don't know. They are utterly humbled before mystery. They are in awe before the abyss of it all, in wonder at eternity and depth, and a Love that is incomprehensible to the mind. It is a litmus test for authentic God experience, and is-quite sadly-absent from much of our religious conversation today."
My first introduction to of the practice of unknowingness came through Christian mystics such as the (unknown) author of The Cloud of Unknowing. This book is thought to be written by an English country parson in the mid 14th century. The Cloud guides us, "But now you will ask me, 'how am I to think of God himself, and what is he?' and I cannot answer except to say, 'I do not know!'...of God himself, no man can think.... Because he may well be loved, but not thought. By love he can be caught and held, but by thinking never.... For of that work that falleth to only God, dare I not take upon me to speak with my blabbering fleshly tongue.... So I urge you, go after experience rather than knowledge. On account of pride, knowledge may often deceive you, but this gentle loving affection will not deceive you."
Followers of most mystical traditions-Quakers, yogis, Taoists, Sufis, Zen Buddhists, and others who are "seekers" of direct communion with the Divine, typically cherish the wisdom of saying, "I don't know," when speaking on spiritual topics. Mystics are enthusiastic "unknowers." Mystics tend to rely on personal experience in making decisions about their spiritual path and their journey toward union with the Creator. Wisdom gained experientially (vs. through teachers, writings, or the intellect) can sometimes lead to glimpses of spiritual "knowing."
In contrast, practicers of spiritual unknowing tend to view many of the "firm belief" people as motivated by ego, convenience, vested interests, control, or many times simple naiveté. This assuredness regarding spiritual truth is the dominant way of being in most of the world. Yet it is an issue that deserves reflection and honest inquiry. It is surely true that unknowingness, or emptiness, creates a receptive place for the subtle voice of our Creator. This axiom seems to be honored among all mystical traditions. Perhaps this is one guideline or "truth" that is helpful on the spiritual path. Experience shows that creating a place of "no thought" enables an emptiness that God can fill up. The time-honored tradition of silence or meditation has consistently transformed the lives of those who continue in its practice.
As Lao Tzu, the father of Taoism, has suggested, "In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped."
Another stalwart advocate of unknowing is my own meditation teacher, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, http://www.ishafoundation.org, an increasingly sought-after yogi and mystic from South India. Sadhguru stresses of the value of acknowledging, "I don't know" as the situation calls for it. His students therefore seek to learn through experience and protect that valuable element of doubt. Sadhguru also encourages meditators to retain a healthy dose of skepticism about what is being offered through his Inner Engineering program. He says if it doesn't work through practical application, then reevaluate whether it is for you. Yet the numbers show it is working beautifully since membership is increasing rapidly in the US, Asia, Europe and beyond. In fact, it is being offered on six continents today, solely through the efforts of its all-volunteer organization.
Last year I attended a talk by Rabbi Rami Shapiro, another proponent of unknowingness. Rabbi Rami is a provocative and thought-inspiring spiritual teacher and mystic, as well as sought-after international speaker on world religions (www.rabbirami.com). His topic was "Toward a 21st century Spirituality: Celebrating Doubt, Inquiry and the Wisdom of Insecurity." Rami says that "not knowing is our fundamental situation." He spoke of a woman he encountered at a Buddhist gathering who noted, "It's the questions that unite us; it's the answers that divide us." This mystical rabbi speculates that in the spirituality of the 21st century, "we can offer our willingness to share our unknowing."
In my own life, the "spiritual unknowing" attitude has worked well, though my mind and ego also struggle to convince me that I have access to certain truths. As I practice unknowing and let go of my supposed truths, I am awed by the mystery of the Incomprehensible and more receptive to that which I can learn through experience and the still, small Voice within. Indeed, I am creating an environment more conducive to experiencing the Ultimate awareness.
Rabia Stuve is a seeker of spiritual growth. She has explored many religious, spiritual and mystical paths, and enjoys writing about spirituality and her experience. She chose her spiritual master, "Sadhguru" and Isha Foundation after spending years of exploring a number of spiritual paths. She now practices Isha Yoga which consists of a powerful meditation, "Shambhavi Maha Mudra," which can be practiced by anyone. This Isha Yoga - Isha Yoga is designed by Sadhguru - Mystic and the founder of Isha Foundation. Sadhguru has called this process "InnerEngineering." Inner Engineering InnerEngineering includes a participative class experience and an Online segment for anyone to begin this Yoga practice.
Along with this seeking, often comes the attitude of "unknowing." Many religions and spiritual traditions talk about the value of spiritual "unknowing". The essence of this concept is that, until we meet our Creator-through earthly enlightenment, or upon the end of our physical lives, we really don't know much in the way of spiritual truths.
Too often, we tend to rely on the teachings of our respective religions as if they are "gospel." Interestingly however, at the point when death begins to loom on our horizon, the vast majority of us begin to seriously re-investigate and question our dearest held "truths."
Richard Rohr, Franciscan friar and speaker, has beautiful insights on the value of spiritual unknowingness: "People who have really met the Holy are always humble. It's the people who don't know who usually pretend that they do. People who've had any genuine spiritual experience always know they don't know. They are utterly humbled before mystery. They are in awe before the abyss of it all, in wonder at eternity and depth, and a Love that is incomprehensible to the mind. It is a litmus test for authentic God experience, and is-quite sadly-absent from much of our religious conversation today."
My first introduction to of the practice of unknowingness came through Christian mystics such as the (unknown) author of The Cloud of Unknowing. This book is thought to be written by an English country parson in the mid 14th century. The Cloud guides us, "But now you will ask me, 'how am I to think of God himself, and what is he?' and I cannot answer except to say, 'I do not know!'...of God himself, no man can think.... Because he may well be loved, but not thought. By love he can be caught and held, but by thinking never.... For of that work that falleth to only God, dare I not take upon me to speak with my blabbering fleshly tongue.... So I urge you, go after experience rather than knowledge. On account of pride, knowledge may often deceive you, but this gentle loving affection will not deceive you."
Followers of most mystical traditions-Quakers, yogis, Taoists, Sufis, Zen Buddhists, and others who are "seekers" of direct communion with the Divine, typically cherish the wisdom of saying, "I don't know," when speaking on spiritual topics. Mystics are enthusiastic "unknowers." Mystics tend to rely on personal experience in making decisions about their spiritual path and their journey toward union with the Creator. Wisdom gained experientially (vs. through teachers, writings, or the intellect) can sometimes lead to glimpses of spiritual "knowing."
In contrast, practicers of spiritual unknowing tend to view many of the "firm belief" people as motivated by ego, convenience, vested interests, control, or many times simple naiveté. This assuredness regarding spiritual truth is the dominant way of being in most of the world. Yet it is an issue that deserves reflection and honest inquiry. It is surely true that unknowingness, or emptiness, creates a receptive place for the subtle voice of our Creator. This axiom seems to be honored among all mystical traditions. Perhaps this is one guideline or "truth" that is helpful on the spiritual path. Experience shows that creating a place of "no thought" enables an emptiness that God can fill up. The time-honored tradition of silence or meditation has consistently transformed the lives of those who continue in its practice.
As Lao Tzu, the father of Taoism, has suggested, "In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped."
Another stalwart advocate of unknowing is my own meditation teacher, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, http://www.ishafoundation.org, an increasingly sought-after yogi and mystic from South India. Sadhguru stresses of the value of acknowledging, "I don't know" as the situation calls for it. His students therefore seek to learn through experience and protect that valuable element of doubt. Sadhguru also encourages meditators to retain a healthy dose of skepticism about what is being offered through his Inner Engineering program. He says if it doesn't work through practical application, then reevaluate whether it is for you. Yet the numbers show it is working beautifully since membership is increasing rapidly in the US, Asia, Europe and beyond. In fact, it is being offered on six continents today, solely through the efforts of its all-volunteer organization.
Last year I attended a talk by Rabbi Rami Shapiro, another proponent of unknowingness. Rabbi Rami is a provocative and thought-inspiring spiritual teacher and mystic, as well as sought-after international speaker on world religions (www.rabbirami.com). His topic was "Toward a 21st century Spirituality: Celebrating Doubt, Inquiry and the Wisdom of Insecurity." Rami says that "not knowing is our fundamental situation." He spoke of a woman he encountered at a Buddhist gathering who noted, "It's the questions that unite us; it's the answers that divide us." This mystical rabbi speculates that in the spirituality of the 21st century, "we can offer our willingness to share our unknowing."
In my own life, the "spiritual unknowing" attitude has worked well, though my mind and ego also struggle to convince me that I have access to certain truths. As I practice unknowing and let go of my supposed truths, I am awed by the mystery of the Incomprehensible and more receptive to that which I can learn through experience and the still, small Voice within. Indeed, I am creating an environment more conducive to experiencing the Ultimate awareness.
Rabia Stuve is a seeker of spiritual growth. She has explored many religious, spiritual and mystical paths, and enjoys writing about spirituality and her experience. She chose her spiritual master, "Sadhguru" and Isha Foundation after spending years of exploring a number of spiritual paths. She now practices Isha Yoga which consists of a powerful meditation, "Shambhavi Maha Mudra," which can be practiced by anyone. This Isha Yoga - Isha Yoga is designed by Sadhguru - Mystic and the founder of Isha Foundation. Sadhguru has called this process "InnerEngineering." Inner Engineering InnerEngineering includes a participative class experience and an Online segment for anyone to begin this Yoga practice.
