Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control,
These three alone lead life to sovereign power.
Tennyson

As I said earlier, a vital part of meaningful life for me is striving to know myself better. I am also convinced that we all know ourselves in some measure. No person is completely ignorant, for complete ignorance would make one unable to live. Truth is the essence of life, and the fact that we are alive indicates a degree of alignment with the truth. This is a comforting fact. At the same time we are urged to never become self-satisfied, but to move from our present degree of understanding to a greater degree by clearing away false ideas about who we are. In this process, our life becomes happier and more meaningful.

There is nothing new about an exhortation to know ourselves. At the entrance of the Delphos temple there was an inscription: “Oh man, know yourself and you will know the Universe and the Gods.” Self-knowledge was taught by Socrates, and later by Plato. In the mystical gospel of Thomas, Jesus said: “When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty.”

People were slow to respond to this call, partly because it takes intellectual courage to know ourselves. Our ego doesn’t want to take a risk and to step beyond a comfort zone of its own preconceived ideas. The greatest value of ego is security; so it finds refuge in following traditions, in accepting religious dogmas, and even in compulsive outward activity which leaves no time for a person to think. This is true for most of humanity. Yet there were sages and prophets like Socrates, Jesus, and many others who dared to live differently. They launched into an inner journey and discovered a bright and shining world. Why shouldn’t we join their company?

What will we find within ourselves in the process of self-discovery? Let me suggest several ideas which I proved in my own experience and which were proven by many other spiritual seekers. Again, they cannot give a complete picture of our true nature, but can serve as a useful blueprint for further exploration and practical application of these principles.

First, we will know that there is a hidden core of our being. It is known by various names, such as soul, spirit, superconsciousness, indwelling Christ, divine nature, and so forth. It doesn’t matter how we call it as long as we recognize its existence and its permanence. This core of our being is not conditioned by outside forces and influences, by our inheritance or upbringing. Even more, this core of our being is one in essence with the Source of all things.

“Man is a stream whose source is hidden. Always our being is descending into us from we know not whence”, said Emerson.

Second, we will know that there are gifts and qualities within ourselves which long for their expression. While living at the superficial level, we did not know how talented or capable we are. And we will also realize that in order to be true to ourselves we need to express our potential in full measure.

Third, we will know that we are works in progress – just like the world is a work in progress. Our inner core expresses divine perfection – but our mind and emotions yet have to be aligned with that which is true about us. Our conscious mind should be transformed through the inflow of divine ideas. Our emotions should be balanced. Our will should be centered at a desired goal. Our body should be brought to vitality and wholeness.

Human beings aren’t static – they always change, either willingly or unwillingly. If we know ourselves and our power to rule ourselves, we won’t be threatened by changes. Instead, we will play our part in bringing about changes which will raise the quality of our life.

Not so long ago one person asked me what is the meaning of life for me. Questions like that always give you an opportunity to connect to your highest ideas which you might often forget in the course of your days – this is why I treat them seriously. Here is the answer I gave:

“The meaning of life for me is striving for deeper knowledge of myself and for unfoldment at all levels of my personality, for creative self expression through which I make my unique contribution into the universal evolution. At the same time, meaningful life for me involves non-attachment to particular forms of my inner and outer expression at any given moment”.

Of course, it is a generalization and not all-inclusive or final formula, but it was a good starting point for further discussion. I am aware that many other people have totally different ideas concerning the meaning of life. But no matter what is our understanding, we are to find this meaning.

Victor Frankl, the professor of psychiatry and a Holocaust survivor emphasized this urgent need in his well-known book “Man’s Search for Meaning”.  According to him, “Man’s search for meaning is a primary force in his life and not a “secondary rationalization” of instinctual drives. The meaning is unique and specific and can be fulfilled by him alone; only then does it achieve a significance that will satisfy his own will to meaning… There is nothing in the world that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is meaning in one’s life”. He traced a connection between meaningless of one’s existence and such problems as psychosomatic health disorders, relationship difficulties, and even suicides. The opposite is true as well: people who live meaningfully live longer, enjoy better health and greater success.

According to Frankl, “the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour”. That’s why I am convinced that every person have to search for meaning on his/her own.

Quite often others tell us what the meaning of life is. Their words might sound convincing, but what do we think ourselves? Does our heart agree? If opinions of others don’t satisfy us, let us find our own answers and see whether they will be more suitable for us. But we need to begin this search with an assumption that life is meaningful, even if we don’t fully realize it yet.

The search for meaning, essentially, is a path or ascension. As we grow in wisdom and awareness, we may ascend from a lower meaning to a greater meaning. Whatever we accept as our meaning, let us stick to it – until the course of events will disclose to us something more appealing.

Sometimes we hear that God gives the ultimate meaning to human existence. But this statement frequently brings confusion rather than clarity. And the biggest question is, what is God?

Believers are ready to explain that God is this, or God is that. Atheists and skeptics insist that it cannot be true. These arguments could be insightful, or at least entertaining, but as I observe them I often have a feeling that both sides don’t hear each other. Often I have a feeling that both sides have something valuable to say. Often I have a feeling that both sides are wrong.

My approach is different, and it helps to avoid endless and fruitless discussions abut the nature of God. In our search for better life, let us begin not with God, but with meaning. Let us accept that our life and the world in general are meaningful. Let us accept that our relationships with the world are meaningful. As we ponder upon an idea of meaning, it will become gradually revealed to us. It will be confirmed our experiences. Our understanding will grow even further, and it would be possible for us to recognize the universal order – and to identify it with God.

Love the work you do, and you will do the work you love.  Our attitude will either open for us the way to ascend, to improve our life and work conditions, or keep us closed to all the possibilities of progress. There is no lack of love in God’s universe which is made of love. There is no lack of opportunities to become happy and fulfilled. However, there are various degrees of realization of this universal abundance. Self-absorbed individuals unknowingly reinforce their mental estrangement from the world and their consequent sufferings.

Love makes us attuned to life. What is life? It is the all-inclusive process of growth, development, and never-ending unfoldment. When we act with love, the whole universe responds to us with love and contributes to our own unfoldment. Regress and stagnation are signs of death, and they results from lack of harmonious adjustment to love.

Love makes us attuned to our work. It allows us to see and to use its opportunities for our benefit and all-round development. The fact is, we don’t have to search for the “perfect work” for self-realization. The inner transformation may occur right where we are – there is no need to go anywhere or wait for anything.

Some sociologists talk about alienation of a worker from work. However, the root of alienation is not in a given society or work settings, but solely within an individual. No matter what proponents of social changes could say, our individual lives are lived from inside out. We cannot blame others neither for our lack of love nor for our lack of passion for creative expression. Even if others around us are negative and pessimistic about their work, we can remain positive. Our optimism will become a self-fulfilled prophecy.

Love awakens our creative energy. If we think that we are not capable enough for our job, let love will be our answer. When we work with love, we become patient and persistent. We don’t spare our time or energy. As the result, we become more skilled. New ideas on how to work with efficiency and ease come to us. Energy is generated to be used, and we might never know what our true energy level is until we give ourselves fully to our work.

I would like to finish with insightful and inspiring words from “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran. They are the best description of what is true work.

For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life’s procession that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.

And I say that life is darkness save when there is urge,
And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge,
And all knowledge is vain save when there is love;
And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God.

Many individuals find themselves in situations where their job brings them no satisfaction. They dislike the work they’re doing and working conditions, they dislike their employers, their customers, and their co-workers, and so on. Often they also think that they are trapped in their position, and there is no way to escape. After all, if they could get out, they would did it long time ago! So, they continue their unpleasant routine. Are there spiritual ways to resolve their difficulties? Yes, and one the useful methods is to look for love. Love is the answer they need.

One is the greatest truths about us is that we are eternal beings in the process of eternal journey. At the same time, every work we do is temporary. Rarely do we find employees which occupy the same position in the same company even for 20-30 years, especially in our rapidly changing world.

So, no matter what is our work, there will be time when we will leave it. Every project and every task will be completed, and we will move on. But let us be aware that our attitudes which we developed while we were occupied with our work, will stay with us. Attitudes are mental habits, and they don’t just turn on and off at our will. Once we have a deep-seated attitude, it will take efforts to change it. That’s why I am convinced that we need to develop positive to attitude to any work we are doing – even if our initial reactions to it are negative. Our attitude will cause us either to rise up higher, or to fall down.

Life is progress, and our destiny is to evolve. The universe propels us to greater self-expression, but this process goes along with our growing understanding and inner unfoldment. If there is no progress in our life, it is because we still haven’t learned the lessons at the present level of our development. To put it simple, if we want a better job we should do a better job – an inside job.

There is another reason why we cannot afford resentment toward our work. Resentment creates an attachment to the very thing we resent. This is why so many people feel that they are locked in a prison of unpleasant working conditions. They locked themselves through their own thoughts and attitudes, but they hold the key unlock the door.

Love is the opposite of resentment. We get rid of resentment not through fighting against it, but by giving our undivided attention to love. True love is the universal power of unity. Love recognizes the universal wholeness, and this recognition brings healing.

Love is found in everything and in everybody. Our part is to discern love in everything we encounter. We may affirm:

“The universe is made of love and sustained by love. Wherever I go, I find love.
My inner eyes are open to behold love. My inner ears are attuned to the gentle voice of love.
I recognize love. I radiate love. I attract love”.

As we look for love, let us be persistent. Chances are, soon we will see positive aspects of our work which we haven’t noticed before, while we were blinded by resentment. First of all, we will see opportunities to for spiritual development.

There is no difficulty without a corresponding opportunity – this is one of Life’s greatest secrets. As Marcus Bach advises, let us make it an adventure not to follow our usual behaviour patterns and emotional reactions. Let us make it an adventure to love and to forgive more than ever before. Let us make it an adventure to remain peaceful and to respond to all challenges in creative ways.

There is no place in life where growth is impossible, and growth is the life’s greatest adventure.

We might think that we serve the world by doing things for people. In a sense it is true. But the greatest help to others is the power of our example and the power of our attitude. We translate our influence through invisible channels. We surround ourselves with an aura of love, peace, creativity, and positive expectations. Every person which comes into mental contact with this aura, becomes blessed.