Knowledge

MONDAY, AUG. 31, 1981, 5:17 AM
FARM, STUDY

Yesterday My servant Theo spoke a bit about knowledge, using a text from Ecclesiastes. Since you are in the “knowledge business”, o son, hear some current words that I have to offer about this subject.

First, let Me reiterate the truth from the Scripture and from Theo’s meditation upon it: striving too hard for knowledge, as an end in itself, is like unto a striving after wind. But then I shall add that this is true of anything you do just for yourself or just for the sake of the “anything” itself. The value of any action is in proportion as it is done for Me or for others or another. And the value increases as the true consciousness of this is greater.

With yourself: I know that if the question were considered directly you would be doing most of what you do… for Me. And yet in the coming and going of daily life you have very little consciousness of this. You seem to be much more self-centered and self-fulfilling than you really are. You have knowledge about ultimate purposes that you just let lie fallow.

Knowledge is that on which understanding should be based, and the repeated considering of your knowledge, in a variety of ways and settings, leads to wisdom. Knowledge develops from awareness, through attention and application. Awareness is, as I’ve said, an aspect of spirit, which means, doesn’t it, that spirit is involved in the true development of knowledge.

Oh, knowledge can be gained just through the mind, but when the spirit is the coordinator and facilitator (and unifier is still the best concept) knowledge gained has the best chance of remaining a functional part of you.

So, we begin with awareness… and then you apply attention. Intensity is important, and so is time. Use of this time is in clearly grasping the facts and ideas, accurately assessing how these mesh with what you already know, and making some trial applications. For it is the utilization of knowledge that “strengthens” it as a part of your being. A simple example: you know that I come to you in this writing meditation, yet the more you apply this knowledge by opening yourself to My teachings the more the knowledge of this aspect of Me deepens and broadens. Conversely, if you ceased coming for several weeks, even, your knowledge would lose its currency and become less relevant.

Repetition or “revisiting” is a mighty principle in gaining knowledge. The more often you are truly open to learning, and to relearning, the greater the opportunity for knowledge to grow.