Acting and Growing
Learning becomes valuable when it penetrates the mind, emotions, and actions. It is precisely at this last point that we encounter the greatest difficulties. Thoughts and emotions are relatively easy to express well, but it is very difficult to take a step further and apply the learning in life. Violence or courage in conquering oneself? Violence is not necessary to conquer oneself; courage is. Choosing the first path leads to secure bondage; the second path leads to the freedom of conscious Self.
We should learn to differentiate between three basic types of action:
a) Action that brings us back, which comes solely from the realm of instincts, impulsiveness, and passion, in which our will does not act at all, although we convince ourselves: “I’m doing what I want.”
b) Action that keeps us in one place – not spatially, but evolutionarily. This is mechanical and routine action. Although we certainly need many types of such action to live with a certain comfort and to be able to dedicate our mind to something else, high The hope of automatism, however, ultimately paralyzes the mind. We know that walking, speaking, typing on a typewriter or computer, driving a car, and other similar examples are habits that allow us to save time. But the convenience of personality, which constantly and in every sense tries to save effort, causes this unconscious repetition to be transferred to other areas where freshness is necessary, and that at every moment.
c) Action that promotes growth. This is an intelligent action that we introduce into life in order to achieve higher goals. These are new experiences, new steps we take to conquer our own self.
We can call the first type of action “animalistic”, because passions prevail that we cannot control, like a wild beast that controls a dormant intelligence. The second type of action can be compared to a stone and a tree, with the immobility of a stone that is rarely or never moved, and with a tree that can only move its branches while its roots joice. firmly tied to the land. Only the third type of action reflects the existence of awakened consciousness.
It is impossible to avoid routine and ordinary action. What must be avoided is ignorance of the extent to which such action exists, what it is like, and how it follows us like a huge shadow. We must know ourselves to recognize such action and stop or change habits that paralyze us more than we need them.
A good part of our lives will still be occupied by action driven by passion, however, with the help of intelligence and willpower, we must begin to master this impulse in order to make room for a consistent power that comes from plans that are higher than emotions. The point is not to hide passion but to control and master those passions that are unworthy of a human being.
We should dedicate ourselves most to the actions that stimulate our growth. We must not be satisfied with a certain level of personal development. No one has the right to say, “I have finally achieved!” or “I’m fine.” “Like this, the way I am!”, because by doing so, he accepts himself as someone lacking willpower. Determination plays a prominent role in actions that encourage our growth. In order to grow and move forward, it is necessary to decide to do so. Every growth must come from within. The root makes the tree strong, not the quantity of leaves. We must not forget about the root.
And if problems, be it with oneself or others, continue to prevail; if pride takes priority; if vanity replaces knowledge; if the quantity of activities surpasses their quality, then it is time to stop and think.
Order on a psychological level
Establishing order on a psychological level is difficult without getting to know oneself even a little. It would be ideal if we could bring our psyche in order, solve all the problems that bother us on this level once and for all. But that is impossible; there is no human being who can avoid problems. The point is to establish order despite the problems, and by doing so, solve the problems themselves. That is why we are. They said that it is necessary to get to know ourselves at least a little, to know what worries us, what hurts us, but also what uplifts us.
Once we bring order into our mental world, it will be much easier to deal with problems, because everything will be in its place. There is another relieving circumstance: by organizing problems, it becomes much easier to solve them. It makes no sense to think about solutions for something we don’t know, and for which we don’t know how or why it exists.
And a mental plan also requires order. Ideas must be clear: everything we learn must be put in its place, which will open up the possibility of adopting new knowledge and new ideas. They don’t have to be numerous or complex: just a few solid and simple ideas are worth more than a whole forest of complicated theories that nobody understands. Doubts on the mental plane are a reflection of psychological problems: they need to be localized, recognized, and gradually eliminated by relying on strong ideas that we already have.
Attention is the power of consciousness
There are There are different definitions of consciousness. However, no matter how many there are, they will never be enough to fully describe the richness of this fundamental domain in which all activities of our psyche and mind originate. Consciousness is a spacious stage on which the diversity of feelings, thoughts, and ideas, as well as impressions from our body and the external world, are expressed. It is the core of our inner life.
We can say that consciousness is self-possession, the balanced center of personality, the ability to organize our knowledge and experiences. If we want to attribute value to consciousness, it needs to be equipped with one of its fundamental powers: attention. Consciousness itself is full of capabilities, but in order for these capabilities to become useful and objective, it is necessary to enter consciousness with the light of attention.
Attention is a bundle of light that brings clarity and order. Attention allows us to recognize states of consciousness and give them appropriate value, creating inner order and harmony. That is why attention is the power of consciousness. The power that illuminates, the power that brings order, its center and synthesis. It highlights the essential and leaves aside the incidental. It strengthens ideas, gives permanence to emotions, and helps us recognize friends and enemies of the soul and body.
Setting aside the spontaneous or unconscious attention that arises in unexpected situations or reacts to what we like, there is another type of more authentic attention: voluntary attention. It is activated when we endeavor, of our own volition, to enlighten our consciousness and expand its boundaries. Voluntary attention is like a large beam of light that illuminates the dark corners of consciousness, brings order and clarity to its contents, and allows us to better know ourselves in order to better understand the universe.
Attention is special care for everything: for people, objects, and values entrusted to us, for what we say, for what we do. It is the ability of intelligent choice, focused on those inner and outer experiences that are most suitable for us. Attention is an expression of courtesy and respect. Only those who go through life with their soul’s eyes wide open can establish a connection with all living beings. They know how to display this healthy courtesy that is not the result of cold formalism, but a natural reaction to the presence of others.
Attention is a means of prolonging life. The more attentive we are, the more we act with righteousness, the more life is extended within the same timeframe, as each moment gains a special dimension