The Process of Knowing

Most people are more used to talking to themselves than listening to themselves. But if we quiet all the chatter and act with patience our inner wisdom will come through. It’s like sitting with a friend who doesn’t talk very much, but has something important to tell us. It calls for an openness and an expectant curiosity. The sensing can come as a comfortable feeling, a oneness, or as an expansion in the self. Tears may flow that have nothing to do with sadness.

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Our bodies are wise in ways hardly ever perceived. We carry the knowledge about how to best live our lives, about what has hurt us and how to heal it, about those we need to embrace, and those to turn away. It’s the compass that keeps us on the right path. Philosopher Michael Polanyi said: “We know more than we know.” Humans have pondered over the ages about what it means to know.

Painting gives some interesting thoughts about knowing. When you begin a painting you have an idea of what the painting should be, and when the picture becomes clear in your mind you have a feeling of revelation, it doesn’t matter if its a beautiful nature scene or a battered old boot. It’s an uplifting of the spirit. I think it’s the reason for the joy of painting. It’s a feeling you can’t put into words. So it is with inner knowing.

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How do we find the time to concentrate on keeping the world out and listening quietly to our body as we would to a trusted friend? it isn’t easy but it’s worthwhile. Sit out in the yard in a quiet spot, or if you live in an apartment , sit on the fire escape. If you have no free time during the day, then do it in bed. Clear all the chatter out of your mind and feel what your body is trying to tell you. As you practice this exercise you will began to make better choices and weed out all the excess activities. You will be better organized at work and at home. Your family will benefit, and you will have more peace and happiness in your life.