"When a man reflects, then he understands; without reflecting one does not understand. Only by reflecting does one understand. But one must seek to understand reflection." "Venerable sir, I seek to understand reflection."
Browse topics
Source
- Tradition
- Hindu
- Source text
- Chandogya Upanishad
- Chapter
- Chandogya Upanishad
- Verse / page
- ChU.7.18.1
- Topics
- IntrospectionUnderstandingThinking
Same theme, different voices
One should raise the self by the self; one should not let the self fall. The self alone is the self's friend; the self alone is the self's enemy.
Not to be aware of one's own shortcomings is the greatest human shortcoming. To see one's own fault is the sign of modesty.
The method of spiritual purification is to reflect and meditate on the evil of this world and to perceive that it is false and fleeting, and to make the heart empty of it.
Those seeking to satisfy their desires and experience pleasure will instead find spiritual dryness and distraction, as true fulfillment can only be found through introspection.