Understanding

In our meeting we spoke about transforming knowledge into understanding through practice. Understanding is a depth of knowing that comes from experience. This comes through work at testing and applying the ideas and models of inner work. Once knowledge has been transformed it becomes part of our being and informs how we are and the quality of what we do. We 'stand under' what we have come to understand.

Implicit in understanding is agreement because understanding is shared. Work on ourselves leads beyond the 'circle of the confusion of tongues' as it is described in the biblical allegory of the Tower of Babel. In our work together we move closer to the truth that is shared in common and make an approach to harmony and even unity. 

Our practical work in the direction of understanding is threefold. 

First, we are sitting with our morning exercise first thing. Try to give yourself 15 minutes minimum for this.  In this way we tune the instrument for the day ahead.

Second is to pause together at noon, to reconnect with presence in our instrument, and tap into the repository of force that we cultivate as a group. 

Third is the theme of the week in the context of driving in cars. When you get in your car, pause, collect yourself, bring to mind where you are going and check that you have everything you need. Then, as you drive, take 5 minutes with no media, feeling hands on the steering wheel and sensing your body and the contact of the tires on the road. Make a real effort for five minutes and then leave it (though of course continue with general mindfulness as best you can). The key is to make a strong effort for a period of time which has greater potency than a half-effort in general. 

Again in the direction of understanding, the above suggestions are not meant to be accepted or rejected but rather tested and employed. This opens the possibility of coming to understand something for oneself, to really know.