Tao of Understanding and Comprehension

Sometimes a guide, presenting as “authority,” gives a talk about the “genuine self,” and I accept that extract as meaningful. I listen from the conclusion that I know what it means. But in contemplation, there is the realization I have no idea what it is, the “genuine self.” But for a long time, I would listen to those words and believe that in some way I understood what they meant. I don’t understand it now, nor I suspect, will I ever. The words have an agreed upon meaning that is based on nothing except understanding the agreement. It’s the common, “I know what I think it means, I can’t define it, but since everyone else seems to know, I’ll pretend I understand” position.

For me, I would rather live my life experiencing clarity in ignorance, than feign knowing something because some authority and/or famous person said so and its popular with other people. When I stop questioning, I stop growing.

Bryan Wagner