The Godhead is never an object of its own knowledge. Just as a knife doesn't cut itself, fire doesn't burn itself, light doesn't illuminate itself. It's always an endless mystery to itself.
Alan WattsRead
We are completely unaware of our true nature because we identify ourselves with our body, our emotions and our thoughts, thus losing sight of our unchanging centre, which is pure consciousness. When we return to our true nature, our thoughts and perceptions no longer appear as modifications of a single substance, they come into being and subside like waves of the ocean.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We often lose sight of our true selves by identifying with our physical and mental states.
In this quote, Jean Klein suggests that human beings typically define themselves through their physical bodies, emotions, and thoughts. This identification clouds our understanding of our true essence, which he describes as pure consciousness. By recognizing and returning to our true nature, we can see our thoughts and emotions as temporary fluctuations, much like waves in the ocean, rather than as the essence of who we are.
Themes
SelfConsciousnessIdentityThoughtsEmotionsTrue Nature
In practice
Example use cases
In a mindfulness workshop, to illustrate the nature of consciousness.
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