Self-knowledge makes you independent of the opinions of others. Independence and self-awareness are also linked to confidence. Knowing who you are and what you stand for in life can help to give you a strong sense of self-confidence. In order to be yourself, you have to know yourself.
How to awaken the desire to know yourself? The first thing we can try is to be sincere with ourselves, look inside our hearts, introspect and see what we really need. Do we want material things, positions in society? If yes, let’s see if these will bring us satisfaction, happiness and contentment. At some point in life, we will realize that this is not enough and we look for something else…and maybe this is the moment that will awaken the true desire to know ourselves.
“So any desire that comes in your mind, you should say “Forget it, just forget it.” When the desire is overpowering, you just divert your attention. Any kind of stupid desire can take charge and how do you become desireless is by getting to the thoughtless awareness. Any crisis comes in, you should be able to rise into that state of thoughtless awareness. Just be peaceful. Look at your desires with peace. You can tell the desire, “Oh, I’m very much satisfied, now don’t come, I don’t want.” That’s how you can become desireless.”
Cabella Ligure (Italy), 28 July 1996.
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