The concept of the “Self” lies at the core of many spiritual and philosophical traditions. It is often described as the most fundamental aspect of our being, the true essence of who we are. However, the Self is not something we can easily grasp through our usual means of understanding, like thought, perception, or intellect. It transcends our physical, mental, and emotional experiences, yet it is ever-present and underlies all of them. In this chapter, we will explore what the Self is, how it differs from the ego or personality, and why understanding the Self is key to realizing true reality. The Self as Pure Consciousness At its essence, the Self is pure consciousness. It is the awareness that observes all experiences, but it is not limited by or attached to those experiences. It is the unchanging witness of all that arises in life—the thoughts, emotions, sensations, and perceptions we experience daily. To grasp this concept, think about a movie screen. The screen remains ...
As
human beings, we often have our own plans and desires that we want to
achieve. We set goals, make plans, and work towards them with
determination. However, as we journey through life, we quickly realize
that things don't always go as we had planned or hoped. It's in these
moments that we need to remind ourselves of the powerful #prayer, "Lord, Your Will be done."
The prayer of "Lord, Your #Will be done" is a powerful reminder that we are not in #control
of everything that happens in our lives. We need to have the humility
to recognize that our plans and desires may not always be in line with
God's plan for us. It requires trust in God's plan and the #calmness to #surrender our will to His.
#Humility is an essential virtue in the #Christian #faith.
It means recognizing that we are not the center of the universe and
that our plans may not always be the best ones. By praying, "Lord, Your
Will be done," we acknowledge that God's ways are higher than our ways,
and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). We submit
ourselves to God's plan and seek His guidance, trusting that He knows
what is best for us.
Trust is another important #virtue that we need to cultivate in our Christian walk. Trusting in God's plan can be #challenging, especially when things don't go the way we had hoped. We may be tempted to doubt God's #goodness and question His plan. However, by praying, "Lord, Your Will be done," we express our #trust in God's sovereignty and His #love for us. We believe that #God is in control, and He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Finally, the prayer of "Lord, Your Will be done" brings #calmness to our #souls. When we surrender our plans to God, we #letgo
of the need to control everything. We no longer have to worry about the
future or obsess over our goals. Instead, we can rest in the #assurance that God is in control, and He will lead us where we need to go. This gives us a sense of #peace and calmness, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.