Well, Since You Asked ...

> So, what do YOU think you know about this,
> that or the other?

Gordon,

What seems like a long, long time ago, I sat down on a settee next to a fireplace. I was alone. As I sat there, in my mind's eye I quietly pictured out in front of me, one by one, each of the following:

Everything I learned from newspapers and magazines.

Everything I learned from radio, TV and movies.

Everything I learned from my parents.

Everything I learned from friends and relatives.

Everything I learned from my religion.

Everything I learned from my education.

After I assembled the first of these mental packets of outside influence, I placed it behind me. I then assembled the next one and placed IT behind me, and so on.

Then, when I could come up with no more data to view and no other outside sources of influence to put behind me, I decided “OK, now *I’m* going to look FOR MYSELF!” As I began to peer into the void now stretching out in front of me, a question spontaneously arose:

“What do *I* know, FOR SURE?"

The answer came quick and easy.

After having looked FOR MYSELF for the first time without any outside influence, I discovered that there was indeed ONE THING, and ONE THING ONLY that *I* knew FOR SURE. And that was ...

That I knew *NOTHING* for sure!

While some might find this answer disquieting, for me it was a comforting revelation. Prior to this I had BELIEVED that I knew many things without REALLY knowing anything. There was now one thing, discovered on my own, that I ACTUALLY knew --- that I knew NOTHING for sure! And I didn’t just BELIEVE it. I *KNEW* it with complete and total, unshakable certainty!

I had made my very first advance!

And that, Gordon, was the beginning of a most fascinating journey.

---- Hugh

Hugh -

Well said! I once went thru a weekend meditation retreat where you continuously asked yourself,"Who am I?" (based on the writings of Ramana Maharshi).

In the end, after discarding all of the labels I and society put on myself and getting thru a lot of mental frustration, I ended up in kind of a "blissful" mental silence, knowing that I was both nothing and everything.

As with you, it's been the basis for a fascinating journey! Can't say I always maintain the "bliss", but I can return to center.

Thanks for the starting the thread, Gordon.

Bob

I can relate to looking deeply...I have
seen where "i am nothing"..it's the
"everything" which leaves me puzzled. Could
you tell me more about the "everything"...
sometimes the "words" get in the way...
thanks Bob...
perhaps with a little more insight I'll be
able to understand my "everything"...seeking
to know...(if you know what I mean ;-)

sandy

Hugh -

> Well said! I once went thru a weekend
> meditation retreat where you continuously
> asked yourself,"Who am I?" (based
> on the writings of Ramana Maharshi).

> In the end, after discarding all of the
> labels I and society put on myself and
> getting thru a lot of mental frustration, I
> ended up in kind of a "blissful"
> mental silence, knowing that I was both
> nothing and everything.

> As with you, it's been the basis for a
> fascinating journey! Can't say I always
> maintain the "bliss", but I can
> return to center.

> Thanks for the starting the thread, Gordon.

> Bob

Sandy -

Sorry about the delayed reply. Actually, when I reached the point of "nothing" I realized it was everything!

Email me for further comments as it's difficult to describe.

Bob