There are two types of knowledge: intuitive (divine) knowledge and acquired knowledge. What is true knowledge? Sri Krishna Prem explains that true knowledge is found within the Self and that knowledge gained from outside influences is not true knowledge (Prem, 34). Divine knowledge cannot be taught or acquired. It is the question and the answer that is already inside a being. Books and words of others can guide to deeper understanding but it does not take the place of divine knowledge.
The
physical and spiritual practice of Yoga is done by many to unveil the true
nature of the soul. The soul’s true nature is revealed after much work (tapas) has been done[1] and the austerities have been practiced to
work through the physical and energetic layers (koshas) of the individual to reach the layer of the true self (anandamaya kosha). This process of self
study (svadyaha) requires an initial
desire to know the Self.
In
the modern day, Yoga is a practice done by many people for many different
reasons. Most commonly it is preformed as a purely physical practice with no
spiritual motivation or perception of the existence of an immortal Self.
However, the more often one returns to their physical Yoga practice, the
processes of svadyaha begins without
their knowledge. The effects of Yoga are felt on a subtle level, and those
small changes in the mind, body, and soul are why people keep coming back to
Yoga (whether they know it or not). As more work is done, more space is made,
and slowly the koshas begin to reveal
themselves.
This work is deep.
In the physical body it can be foreign and scary, and the deeper into the body
it goes, the vaster it becomes. So teachers are sought out. “The work of any
real teacher is to bring to birth that which already exists within” (Prem,
34). In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains aspects of the universe to Arjuna.
His lessons force Arjuna to look within and think about his actions. Krishna
never tells Arjuna to fight or not fight, he simply explains the cosmic of
effects of his actions. Arjuna takes Krishna’s advice and looks within with to
find the answer. If Krishna was to just give Arjuna the answer, Arjuna would
have blindly followed the advice. Blind belief is not the path to the Self.
Understood knowledge is. The soul must realize and understand the question and
the answer in order to Know.
It is continual
practice that leads to freedom, not lessons from teachers. Teachers are merely
vehicles on this quest; the journey belongs to the seeker. Svadyaha is the only way to truly know the Self, and that is a
commitment of many lifetimes. The divine within us all wants the Yoga, but it
is not all of us who will answer that call.
[1]
This “work” consists of practicing Patanjali’s 8 Limbs of Yoga.
Source:
The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna Prem
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