Light From Eternal Lamps–Essays On Practical Spiritual Life–by Swami Nirmalananda Giri
Take Heed What Ye Hear
“And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear.”
Since Jesus is speaking of what we hear, obviously He is not talking about material things at all, but about divine wisdom. In this world we are groping through the darkness by trial and error trying to find our way out of the labyrinth of ignorance. It is not an easy thing; it is often very frustrating. Even though we have come to know that all illumination, all knowledge, all wisdom–all that we need–is within us, that does not give us the ability to open our inner being and enter into the light, the knowledge, the wisdom, and all we need. Quite the contrary: we must work at it. Interior life is the key, and it is a lifelong process. Those who appear to have attained illumination in one life have really been working on it for many lives.
One thing we must have is direction on the path. “The angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.…Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”
That man was very wise. He understood that the inner eye of his intuition was not yet opened so he could directly understand the inspired words of the prophet. He knew that someone should teach him. And so it is with us; we need to find the writings of the masters of wisdom, or hear verbal teaching in which that wisdom is given. Although we eventually transcend intellectuality, and though in the final analysis mere intellectual concepts cannot give us the illumination we seek, yet they can help us along the road. If we are driving somewhere, we need the map until we get there. If we are flying in a plane we need it until we reach the destination. Just because we are going to leave it at the end of the journey does not mean that we can do without it before then.
So we need to learn, to study. No day should pass that we do not engage in spiritual study of some kind. Authentic religion is not a simple little thing that you can learn by reading a dozen or so pages. It is verily a lifetime study, and it is very important for us to become thoroughly informed in the teachings of the saints. Many times their words illuminate the situation we find ourselves in, and they can also help us to avoid pitfalls and speed on our way.
One of the teachers of wisdom in this country was William Judge, the President of the Theosophical Society in America. He was a great occultist, a man of remarkable evolution and spiritual attainment. A book of his letters to students has been printed entitled Letters That Have Helped Me. That is the heart of the matter: we need teaching that really helps us, not just entertains or imparts useless information to satisfy our idle curiosity. We need practical knowledge–that which we can put to use and get perceptible results. That is why Jesus tells us: “Take heed what you hear.” In other words, we should make sure that what we hear or read is not worthless. And whatever does not help us in the spiritual quest is worthless–and often detrimental. For Jesus also said: “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
The truth is, the highest wisdom comes in the silence, not through words. This is why Shankara wrote: “How strange! The master does not speak, yet the disciples’ questions are answered.” The great yogi Sri Aurobindo lived in seclusion, and once or twice a year on what was called Darshan Day people could see–but not talk to–him. They would fill a huge hall that had a platform with a screen at the front. At one point the doors were locked so there would be no disturbance from people coming or going. The screen was then taken away, and Sri Aurobindo would be sitting there. He would not say a word. But, beginning at the front row, he would look into the eyes of each person in the hall. Then the screen would be replaced and the people would leave. All would have taken place in perfect silence. Many who came there troubled with questions, doubts, sorrows, and problems, would later tell others: “When Sri Aurobindo looked in my eyes I knew the answers to my questions, I knew the solution to my problems, and my sorrows went away.” He did not need to speak; for he knew that in silence truth could be imparted. Yet he gave the darshan because he knew that people do need help from someone like him.
We need the counsel of those further along on the path than ourselves. It is a great help to fill our mind with purifying thoughts and wisdom from the great teachers of spiritual life. It is good to study the scriptures of all religions, and the teaching of saints of all religions, for though they have their distinctive character, yet they all speak the same truth, they all lead us to the inner Christ.
There is a great hierarchy of those who in kindness reach down and lift up those below. Sometimes those who lift us up are only two or three steps ahead of us, but that is just fine. As long as they put us up two or three steps, then someone higher will lift us up later when we need it.
Wise men “of the East” still seek out the Christ, and may we do the same.
1) Mark 4:24-32
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2) Acts 8:26-31,35 [Go back]
3) Matthew 6:23 [Go back]
4) In symbolic terms, “West” means material consciousness and “East” means spiritual consciousness–not geographical locales. [Go back]
