In Genesis 1:26, God said,  “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.”

So the very beginning of the Old Testament throws down the gauntlet. We are made in the image of God

What is this concept called, ‘God?’ 

“The Supreme Spirit is designated in the Vedas as THAT. Words cannot limit IT and hence, IT could only be described as, ‘not this, not this.’ THAT is perceived when the mind conditioning is blasted.”

The idea is that by the process of elimination, we can eliminate so much, such that the only thing remaining is GOD.

Similarly, with our search within. I’m not my job, not my social status, not my personality and—contrary to some bigots—not my skin color– and not my Facebook profile, for sure. 

NETI, NETI—  You are not your thoughts.

                         You are not your labels.

                         You are not your narrative.

                          You are not your job.

                          You are not your social role.

                          You are not your personality.

                          You are not your self-story.

What’s left gets us closer to WHO AM I?

Being born in the image of God at first glance may seem like a complete blessing without a downside.  However, using this birth RESPONSIBLY goes along with this gift. That is no small thing. USE IT OR LOSE IT, goes the popular saying.

This business of self-study has an Achilles heel. How do I study my self without becoming overly consumed by the process? In other words, how can I serve (others) while staring at my navel?

First, let it be understood that this is not a tit for tat endeavor. It is not a Lego project. It may be more like putting together a difficult puzzle, but bits of self-realization (may we label it?) can unfold while folding diapers, emptying diapers, buying diapers.

And psychologically, there is a difference between ‘rumination,’ (unhealthy self-focus) and ‘self-reflection,’ (healthy study of self).

RUMINATION:

                  Why am I like this?

                  What’s wrong with me?

                  What does this mean about me?

SELF-REFLECTION

             Interesting reaction I am having.

                  There is fear here.

                  There is ego here.

Then there’s attachment.

“Creative powers and true knowledge dawn through Tapa (self-discipline). If we remain UNATTACHED to these creative powers and do not hanker after them, we enter higher states of consciousness.” (“Light Toward Divine Path,” page 18)

“Let us learn to fill this moment with love and nothing else is required. Let us fill all the spheres with love.” (op. cit. page 2)

Easier said than done, you wonder. Perhaps; but big rewards require big effort.

And, furthermore, all journeys are never the same for each of us. We all may end up in New York City eventually, but how painful or how joyous or how timely the trip is depends upon us—the current us, the old us, and even the previous incarnation us (for those so inclined).

Since it is unlikely that we can discern the previous incarnation, HUMILITY is a necessity as NONE OF US KNOW FOR SURE WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!

If you think you do know, think again. Or better, do not think at all. And embroider IDAM NA MAMA on your favorite towel. Tatoo it on an easily visible location. 

Idam na mama—this is not mine—not my will but THY will be done. Suffering can increase when we try to own our success, our reputation, our insight, and certainly our suffering. Much better to turn it over to the Divine.

Call it FAITH, if you wish, but the hope, the premonition, the instinct all point towards our journey to home, or to New York City or to our ultimate Home as being the most important game in town. And we all must play this game. Our FREE WILL determines whether we do this the easy way or the hard way.

Good if we choose carefully and wisely. SERVICE, HUMILITY, HUMOR help our choosing.