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Self Realization

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Astrology, Numerology, Divination

Regardless of whether or not you believe in astrology, numerology etc, it is worthwhile obtaining readings from one or more divinatory systems. The very fact that such systems have survived across the centuries suggests they might just have something to offer. But even if they don't they will serve the valuable role of providing something to measure yourself against. If you look at the interpretation of your birth chart and disagree with just about every point you are i) thinking about yourself, and ii) gaining knowledge as you assess yourself against the reading.

Dreams

The world of dreams may provide insights to the true self lying behind the facade of conscious civility. Get into the habit of recording dreams as soon as you awake. Keep a dream diary in which you write down everything that comes to mind on waking. Don’t try to censor your words. Indicate the “vividness” of the dream together with any that provoked especially strong emotions.

Wait a few days before re-reading the dreams you have written. Recurring dreams, themes and patterns as well as those associated with especially strong feelings should be given particular weight in your analysis.

For more on dreams, see Dream Meanings.

Views of Others

Oh wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursel's as others see us! Rabbie Burns

It can be very enlightening to gain the benefit of the opinion of others. But we must first overcome the embarrassment of asking, "what kind of person do you honestly think I am", and our observers must overcome the embarrassment of being totally honest.

Short of "bugging" our friends to discover what they say behind our backs, the best people to ask are those closest to us. True partners - or soul mates - can easily be frank without fear of hurting the other's feelings.

It is important to canvass the views of a wide circle since we tend to show a (slightly) different face depending on circumstance and situation, though through better self-knowledge such differences should diminish.

The less close the person the more they will hold back on the whole truth, but nevertheless they can still provide some valuable, and previously unnoticed, insights.

Nature or Nurture

The question of whether our character is born with us or created by our upbringing is age old. The truth is that it’s a bit of both. We are unique souls on the earth to fulfill a specific purpose and are given a definite character to allow us to learn the lessons and gain the experiences we need.

However, as we go through life we are receptive to, and changed by, the things we experience. As such our characters are also influenced. In the early years when our experience is near zero, experience makes a major impact on the self. As our body of experience builds, so we are less influenced by new inputs. Nevertheless, we continue to change ever so slightly throughout our lives.

The Need for Review

As mentioned above our personality continues to change subtly throughout our lives. We are also subject to ever-changing circumstances. Goals and directions decided in the past may no longer be applicable today. Because of this it is beneficial to carry out periodic reviews both of character, purpose and major activities in the pursuit of that purpose.

How often such review is conducted is a matter for the individual. It should not be so frequent that one spends more time navel-gazing than actually doing, but should not be so infrequent as to be of no use. It would be no bad thing to match the rhythm of nature by conducting such review annually, and a good time for many may be the lull between Christmas and New Year, especially as this is traditionally a time for renewal and the making of resolutions.

In Conclusion

Self relization does not come easy. It’s as though the mind tries to shield the underlying nature of the underlying nature of the soul.

True self realization can take a lifetime to acquire, but such acquisition is worth the effort because it ensures we make best use of that precious and finite gift that is life itself. We are each of us unique. What others tell us is right and best may be so for them, but not necessarily for us. Without knowledge our life path is determined by guesswork and the winds of chance, with it we make informed choices for ourselves.