Searching for enlightenment

Searching for enlightenment

by Susie Avila — 

Meditation and other practices can prepare the body and mind for both physical and psychological healing, and they also prepare us to directly experience the inner realities of the spirit.

With only a bit of reflection, it becomes clear that we all are searching for something in life. Strangely, though, many of us don’t even know what we are searching for, and some don’t know that we are searching at all. Money, power and material success seem to be common, surface goals for human beings. The abundance of material comforts in our society often give the illusion that we are succeeding in life. Yet, underneath this materialism lies a deeper yearning, an empty space waiting to be filled with answers about the true purpose of our existence.

These inquietudes can echo for a lifetime in the depths of our subconscious. Who are we, and what are we doing here? Can our sole purpose be to go to work every day, return home and go to sleep at night, only to awaken in the morning and start all over again? Is life really that trite?

At times, our quest for higher knowledge can lead us down paths of wonder and discovery. At other times, though, we find ourselves filled with confusion, desperately seeking direction and guidance. Indeed, the path that leads us to these answers is often lined with rose blossoms, but we must be prepared for the times along the journey when we will stumble on the thorns.

The material world in which we live sometimes overtakes the spiritual development of humanity. Likewise, the infinite supply of books and information within our reach present theory after theory, feeding our intellectual center, but lacking the practical steps we need to get started on the path. Knowing where to begin the search is the first step toward the awakening of consciousness.

We must remember that we contain the wisdom of the ages within us, and so this is precisely where the search for higher knowledge must begin. We must get to know our inner-selves and learn to tap into the buried treasure waiting there to be uncovered.

Gnosis, a profound, internal knowledge, is a natural expression of our inner being. The Gnostic Teachings are not new; they have existed since the dawn of time, illuminating the path of all those who seek enlightenment. Gnosis provides us the keys to unlock inner knowledge and can help us learn to balance body, mind and spirit.

Meditation and other practices can prepare the body and mind for both physical and psychological healing, and they also prepare us to directly experience the inner realities of the spirit. It is within this framework that our search becomes real, relevant and alive. Simple, practical meditation techniques can be incorporated easily into our daily schedules.

When we have peace of mind, eventually we obtain more clarity and meaning in our lives. There is no need for us to travel far to seek that which we have within.

Susie Avila is a Gnostic Anthropology instructor, who graduated from the Gnostic Institute of Anthropology of Saint George, Quebec in Canada. Gnostic Institute of Anthropology, a non-profit organization in Phoenix, Ariz., offers free classes on meditation, yoga, metaphysics and philosophy. E-mail [email protected] or 602-373-8980.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 24, Number 3, June/July 2005.