The Arduous Journey
Learning and Transmitting Wisdom Lore
My mentor often said that learning and teaching wisdom lore took five times the effort needed to absorb or teach more mundane subjects like accounting. Was he out to extol topics like Yoga, Vāstu, Jyotiṣ, and their like, topics that were his specialties, or did he have other reasons to tout the value of wisdom traditions? It was a question that had plagued me for years, ever since I had first embarked on the path of knowledge under his guidance.
Often, when I sat in my small study nightly, surrounded by books and manuscripts, I couldn't help but ponder the deeper meaning behind his words. There, the dimmed light from my overhead lamp cast shadows on the ancient texts, as if trying to reveal the secrets hidden within their pages.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years as I delved deeper into my mentor's esoteric teachings. I immersed myself in the philosophy and Sanskrit, the language of Yoga, Tantra, and Vedānta, exploring their intricacies, designed to groom the mind for expertise in practical and esoteric disciplines. With each passing year, I felt a growing, profound sense of connection with something greater than myself.
“Seeing the World Anew
Before learning Zen from my mentor, the world was the world and I was who I had been taught to be.
While learning Zen, the world no longer seemed the same and I strove to no longer be who I had been taught to be.
After learning Zen, the world was the world again, but wider and fuller, and I was all I was born to be.
”
Vāstu and Jyotiṣ: Two Goads
For many years, it was Vāstu and Jyotiṣ that absolutely fascinated me. The ancient Indian views on architecture and astrology spoke to a part of me that yearned for understanding, so I spent countless hours studying their principles. That also meant I dedicated myself to absorbing the broad spectrum of Oriental wisdom lore, immersing myself in its philosophies and practices as relentlessly taught by my mentor. He believed they were the fertile soil that nourished Vāstu and Jyotis, and I was determined to dig deeper, hungrily devouring every morsel until my mind was saturated with their potent teachings.
Student and Teacher Rigors
I realized two challenges awaited the student and teacher of wisdom lore. Topics like Yoga and Jyotiṣ did not hinge only on methods, techniques, and strategies confined to the discipline. They demanded a profound transformation of the practitioner's being. Merely understanding the theories and concepts was not enough.
My mentor often emphasized that the path of wisdom was not for the faint-hearted. It required unwavering dedication, discipline, and a willingness to confront one's deepest fears and vulnerabilities. As I delved deeper into Vāstu and Jyotiṣ, I comprehended the true essence of his words.
The Value of Vāstu and Jyotiṣ
Soon enough, Vāstu, the ancient science of architecture and space planning, taught me that our external environment is intricately linked to our internal state. Every structure we inhabit carries its own energy, capable of influencing our thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being. To become an expert in Vāstu, I had to go beyond theoretical knowledge and immerse myself in practical application of its principles.
I spent countless hours analyzing floor plans, studying the flow of energy within buildings, and experimenting with different arrangements of furniture and decor. It was a journey of trial and error as I rearranged spaces, adjusted the position of doors and windows, and selected auspicious colors and materials. With each change, I observed the subtle shifts in energy, feeling the harmonious resonance that permeated the spaces.
But Vāstu was not just about physical structures; it delved into the realms of energy and consciousness.
The teachings guided me to explore the profound connection between our external environment and our internal state of being. It was not enough to craft beautiful spaces; one had to cultivate inner balance and alignment to truly harness the power of Vāstu.
With this understanding, I embarked on a parallel journey of self-discovery. I delved into meditation and mindfulness practices, honing my ability to observe my thoughts, emotions, and energetic patterns. Through diligent practice, I uncovered the hidden layers within myself, shedding light on deep-rooted fears, limiting beliefs, and unconscious patterns that shaped my perception of the world. And my study of Jyotiṣ doubled down on the same themes of exploring the world to fathom myself.
“By three methods we may learn wisdom.
First, by reflection, which is noblest.
Second, by imitation, which is easiest.
Third, by experience, which is the bitterest. ”
The Growth of Responsibility
As the years went by, my mentor's words became etched into the very fabric of my being. Little by little and more and more, I lived and breathed the wisdom traditions I had so diligently studied. It was as if they had become a part of me, guiding my every thought and action.
This newfound knowledge brought a profound sense of responsibility. I realized I had been entrusted with a sacred duty to carry these ancient traditions forward, to ensure that their wisdom would not be lost among the grains of sand in a cosmic hourglass.
And so, I made a solemn vow to dedicate my life to teaching others, to imparting the invaluable lessons that had been bestowed upon me.
I began traveling far and wide, seeking out those who were eager to learn, to delve into the depths of their own consciousness and connect with something greater. From bustling cities to remote villages, I crossed boundaries and bridged cultures, sharing the wisdom traditions that had touched my soul.
The Labor and Joy of Teaching
But teaching was not always an easy task. Just as my mentor had warned, it was not simply a matter of gathering information, organizing it, and teaching it in a logical sequence which, for example, is what academics often do. Rather, it also involved constant and consistent embodiment of wisdom lore's spirit, a spirit focused and transmitted along with methods, techniques, and strategies taught — a spirit behind the words and transmitted through them.
As my understanding deepened, I realized teaching wisdom lore required more than just intellectual knowledge or technical proficiency. It demanded an authenticity of being and a genuine connection with the teachings. To the best of my growing abilities, I had to embody the very essence of Vāstu, Jyotiṣ, and all the other wisdom traditions I had dedicated my life to.
My approach to teaching shifted from a mere dissemination of information to a transformational transmission. I created immersive seminars. They invited participants to not only learn principles but also to engage in experiential practices that would facilitate their personal growth and inner transformation.
Whenever and wherever possible, my seminars became a sacred space, carefully infused with the principles of Vāstu, Jyotiṣ, and Oriental wisdom lore to create an environment conducive to deep introspection and spiritual exploration. At their best, the energy in classes and seminars flowed freely, enveloping participants in a cocoon of wisdom and inspiration.
Just Teaching Is Not Transmitting
I urged students to plunge into the depths of their own consciousness, delving fearlessly into the unknown and unearthing the buried truths that lay dormant within. Through intense presentations, discussions, meditations, demonstrations, and relentless self-reflections, we sought to unlock the secrets of our inner selves.
Our focus was not just on learning methods and techniques, but on embodying the ancient wisdom and traditions handed down by past sages. Each discipline became a vital chapter in the epic saga of enlightenment — a tangible manifestation of timeless, practical, and esoteric teachings that held the key to unlocking our true potential.
And so it is that when in the flow, a teacher of wisdom lore brings a proliferating lifetime of experience to every transmission of the wisdom tradition he or she has honed over too many days to count. And students return the favor by immersing themselves wholeheartedly in the teachings, allowing the wisdom to permeate their being and guide their every thought and action. It is a symbiotic relationship, a dance of trust and vulnerability as both teacher and student embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Transmitting Woos Transcending
As such, wisdom lore is not a bundle of superstitions; it is an invitation to a profound spiritual quest that challenges the very core of our existence to arrive at an enlightened point of view. Each discipline beckons us to embark on a transformative journey, regardless of our personal beliefs and cultural background.
Genuine learning and the transmission of wisdom lore have always been crucial for the survival of our world and our well-being. In today's fast-paced and chaotic society, this holds even more true. Without the arduous journey of learning and transmitting wisdom lore, without passing down wisdom from one generation to the next, our world and our place in it crumbles and falls into disarray. But with the guidance of wisdom traditions, we can thrive and endure any challenge that comes our way.
It is in wisdom lore teachings that our true strength lies, for without them, we are lost in a tumultuous sea of uncertainty and ignorance. Let us hold onto this invaluable treasure so that we may continue to grow and prosper with others among all else in our world.
“May you always do what you are afraid to do.”
Article used by permission. © 2024 Hart deFouw. All Rights Reserved.