Knowing Oneself

Knowing Oneself

To be able to move forward on this path, one must first have a sense of inner freedom… What is this inner freedom? How can it be attained? Inner freedom is true freedom. The first sprouts of inner freedom grow within the desire for change… So what is it that must change?…

Inner Freedom

Krishnamurti is one of the great sages who ignited the first sparks of the understanding of freedom that began to emerge in our world at the beginning of the last century. Especially in the Western world, his value has been much better understood in recent years.

Krishnamurti, who wrote his first book at the age of just 15, expressed his thoughts on the necessity of human transformation and inner freedom as follows:

Krishnamurti says:

If you do not know how your mind reacts, if your mind is unaware of its own influences, you will never learn what society is. Because your mind is a part of society—or society itself. Separate from society, outside of it, a truly independent “you” mostly does not exist.

Society constantly influences us and shapes our thoughts. Unless you recognize the social pattern and free yourself from its yoke, even if you think you are free, you are still a prisoner in a jail. Try to observe your mind and correct your thoughts. Do not arrive at judgments such as “This is right” or “This is wrong.” Simply watch what passes through your mind as if you were watching a movie.

Your mind is humanity itself. And when you understand this, your heart will be filled with compassion blended with love, and from this understanding a great love will be born. Then, when you see beautiful things, you will understand what beauty truly is.

Confidence Born of Detachment

Thoughts such as “I did this,” “My ideal is very important,” or “Our group won” make a person feel proud. This sense of “I” or “mine” is accompanied by a feeling of confidence that arises within the social prison. However, this kind of self-confidence—since it is not nourished by our own inner energy—is doomed at any moment to collapse and deteriorate.

If you can tear down the walls of the special prison of the society to which you belong, you will see that your inner being is filled with a sense of confidence that does not arise from arrogance. This is the confidence that comes from detachment.

You cannot find God or truth within the prison. But by realizing that you are imprisoned and by breaking down the prison walls, you can begin this understanding. At that very moment, every step you take toward freedom will create a new culture, a new world.

Someone who does not realize they are in prison cannot feel the desire to escape… People dig themselves a small pool beside the rapidly flowing river of life; they stagnate in that pool and eventually perish there…

Freedom

Is freedom doing whatever you want, going wherever you wish, thinking whatever you like? You are already doing these things. Is independence enough to be free? There are many independent people in the world, but very few who are truly free…

From the moment we want to become something, we begin to lose our freedom. Freedom is not achieved by trying to become someone other than what you are, nor by doing everything you desire, nor by following the path shown by tradition, nor by doing what your parents or teachers tell you; it can only be attained by observing and understanding what you are from moment to moment.

You see, you have not been educated for such a purpose; your education encourages and provokes you to become important in one way or another. As long as you try to become an important person or resemble a respectable model, you cannot be free.

Listen Within

Have you ever sat quietly with a truly clear mind—without fixing your attention on any particular subject, without concentrating on anything specific? Then you will hear everything; your mind will not be confined within a narrow channel. If you listen in this way, an extraordinary transformation will take place within you. It will grant you depth and insight. You will see that you go beyond the words that influence you so strongly; you transcend their literal meaning.

Real life requires having a mind capable of clear thinking—untripped by prejudices, fears, blind beliefs, or hopes. Sit quietly, keeping your back straight, and observe the thoughts passing through your mind without trying to control them. Watch how your mind jumps from one thought to another, from one subject to the next. And when your mind naturally becomes calm, you will discover what it means for your heart to be joyful.

If you cling tightly to certain beliefs and view everything from the perspective of specific prejudices or traditions, you cannot establish any connection with truth. If you continue to observe with sharp attention and open eyes—without immediately judging or reaching conclusions—you will see that your thoughts become astonishingly clear.

Do not allow your prejudices to prevent you from seeing things as they are. Simply by observing trees, birds, and the people walking, working, and smiling on the street, a great transformation will occur within you.

Whatever the reason may be, please do not allow the difficulties and various troubles of life to discourage you…

Believe in the power within you…

Remember that you are not alone and never have been…

The magical power within you will lift you above every hardship…

(Note: This text is quoted from Ergun Candan’s book “Techniques for Developing Spiritual Powers.”)