Inula Austin Soul Growth

On the lintel above the door of the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, ancient Greece, were written the immortal words; ‘Know Thyself.’

Any spiritual seeker will well know the truth within that simple phrase, which has echoed down through time. One who steps foot upon the pathway of spiritual knowledge can attest to the power and depth of the guidance given in those two words.

But was does it really mean, to truly know one’s self?

Each individual’s journey through life may be passive or creative, we have been given the ability to decide for ourselves which we shall choose (by ‘decide’ & ‘choose’ I mean within the Law of Cause & Effect, Karma and Soul Growth- that which we have earned through our previous incarnations and interactions in this life too).

To live a life of passivity (in terms of seeking spiritual knowledge and Soul Growth) does not mean that spiritual truths are unable to dawn within the consciousness of the individual, though it does however, reflect the thickness of the veil of forgetting that has been drawn down between the spirit of that person and their consciousness. Such a person may only accept the physical and material as ‘fact’ and strive for nothing beyond this, satisfied that they may achieve happiness and a modicum of peace in their lives without ever asking any of the larger questions of life.

These are the ones that may be called ‘unawakened’ at this time. Although this term may seem as a judgement by those who are awakened, it is neither good nor bad, it simply is. In the fullness of time and over many lifetimes such individuals may begin to release the scales from their eyes and enjoy the Light of a fuller and deeper appreciation of themselves and the universe in which they live. Until that time they may wander, as little children, distracted by brightly coloured playthings and all that is perceptable to their five physical senses.

We are told that ‘ignorance is bliss’ and this may be very true of our blinkered brethren, though their cause is not entirely lost and through gradual growth their path to the Truth and the Light may lead them inwards on a journey towards their own inner treasure and the Source of All Creation.

For those that seek the deeper meaning of life, the path may be rocky and thorny.

To Know Thyself is one thing, but to like and accept what one comes to be familiar with is a different thing altogether!

The knowledge of the True Self as Spirit and not merely flesh and blood is a wonderful revelation that brings endless wonderment and a renewed love of life in all of it’s shades, be they good or bad.

The path of the Spiritual Warrior is one of peace; first with himself and then with others, as he learns that all is just a reflection of himself. The Seeker usually steps upon the path of knowledge either through deep hurt, longing, calling or discomfort at what he finds in the earthly world around and about him.

Once launched on this journey, the eyes that have begun to be opened to Truth shall never again be closed to it.

The path will never be easy for those who seek the Light and as one skin is shed another seems to begin it’s peeling, ever onward, ad infinitum. But the benefits of this journey of growth are multitudinous.

Once the journey back to one’s self is underway a greater sympathy and compassion for all things may be found and often expressed. One begins to think, speak and act with a unison that resounds from the heart, wanting not only upliftment for self but for all.

We may find that as we become better acquainted with ourself that the gifts of our spirit bubble up to become a useful and necessary part of our everyday existence, we often begin to seek like minded company, while those who are not walking a similar path to us, appear to fall away from our lives quite naturally.

To truly know thyself maybe a difficult and sometimes harrowing process. To look inside one’s self and calmly assess the personality and spirit takes time, patience and a great deal of will, but healing the lesser parts of self is always available to anyone who truly wishes it.

It is unsurprising that the majority of souls upon our Earth seem to have chosen distraction over deep investigation of themselves, as it may often be a painful process of the sloughing off of lifetimes of accumulated detritus, long held beliefs and identities as well as misguided thinking and their resulting imbalances of our energy system.

Although the benefits massively outweigh the detriments, the path to illumination of the Self is not for everyone.

Once awakened to the knowing of your eternal heritage as a Spirit Being, your gift of discernment should gradually appear. When this happens, you will know within an instant whether what you are being told by another is true or false, on a personal and global scale. You will no longer ever march to the beat of another’s drum as you are freed to decide on your own rhythms and how they will accompany you along your way.

There is great liberation in knowing yourself truly, but only if you continue to walk ever closer towards the Light, for we are told in many works and by many great teachers that with great knowledge also comes great responsibility and the temptations of this physical world are always ready to distract you from your pathway and curtail your progress.

There are greater karmic burdens for those who, once awakened to Truth, choose to think and act in ways that lead them further away from the Light that they have seen.

However, for those who continue along the pathway, they will find more and more of the hidden treasure within their Soul and with every step new worlds will open to them.

May you truly know yourself.