Plato, the renowned philosopher, believed that the best leaders should govern a country, and similarly, the best part of ourselves should guide our personal lives. But what exactly is the “best part” of us? Some argue it’s the mind, others say it’s our emotions, and some even suggest it’s our physical body. However, the true leader within us is something deeper, residing beyond our mind and emotions.
What is the essence of reality, and how do we reach it? This journey is deeply personal and cannot be fully communicated or understood through words alone. It requires personal experience. To truly connect with this reality, we must open our inner selves to something greater than our minds, using our mind, emotions, and body as tools for a higher purpose.
Throughout history, various teachings have aimed to help individuals connect with their higher nature. These doctrines encourage us to transcend even the most advanced aspects of our minds to experience reality directly. A key teaching from ancient scriptures is the phrase, “Be still and know that I am God.” This statement holds significant importance in one’s spiritual journey.
Achieving stillness is not easy. If we are too attached to material things, we might mistake stillness for inactivity, but this is not the case. To explore the mysteries of our inner selves, we cannot force our way in; we must approach it with the right mindset. Ethics, morality, and integrity are crucial in this pursuit.
In a mystical sense, being still means freeing ourselves from the distractions of the mind and emotions, as well as any physical disturbances. This allows our true self to emerge. The “still, small voice” can only be heard when we stop talking long enough to listen, which is a rare occurrence.
Often, we make decisions based on mental, emotional, and physical levels, rather than from a higher source. We must find a way to tap into the mysterious realm of intuition. In today’s world, being still means halting unnecessary and unhelpful actions. We must confront the reality that we cannot be right if we continue to act wrongly. There is a connection between our behavior and consciousness, as well as between our material personalities and the higher self we seek to understand.
To truly understand this, we must begin refining ourselves, eliminating obstacles that hinder our natural growth. Dwelling on past mistakes can be detrimental. Instead, we should focus on positive thoughts and allow for growth. If we desire improvement, we must recognize that our current state is unsatisfactory and strive to move forward without being burdened by our past.
Breaking the cycle of negative thinking is essential. We must learn to be quiet without being plagued by unhappy thoughts and to think without being destructive or critical. Some people try to escape their personalities through harmful behaviors, but deeper thinkers understand that this resolves nothing. The challenge is to confront these issues rather than postpone them.
In our inner search, we must understand that our natural state is cooperative. Our bodies, with all their functions, are remarkable entities governed by laws that, if respected, will sustain us. However, when we neglect our responsibilities to our bodies, we encounter problems. We often become so engrossed in our mental and emotional pursuits that we neglect our physical well-being.
Many people desire growth but struggle with their accumulated mistakes. The old mystics had a simple answer: “Be quiet and know that I am God.” This statement is not just theological; it suggests that when we stop creating our own problems and cease to feed our negative tendencies, those issues will fade away.
The way we live physically, which promotes longevity, mirrors the discipline required for our minds and emotions to function optimally. When our emotions are calm and focused on genuine values, we protect our well-being. Similarly, if the mind is used for the common good and not for self-interest, we can avoid mental breakdowns and other issues.
Each aspect of ourselves has its own rights and needs. Many individuals have diligently supported religious practices, hoping to alleviate guilt, but often miss the deeper experience of connecting with something higher. This disconnect arises from an inability to quiet the different levels of consciousness and their relationships with one another. Conflict leads to destruction and decay, while selfishness and jealousy are forms of sickness that must be addressed.
To overcome these challenges, we must eliminate the sickness stemming from the misuse of our faculties. If we fail to do this, we will remain in turmoil, regardless of our outward appearances. It is essential to recognize that religion requires more than mere allegiance; it demands personal growth and responsibility.
To be “born again” in a spiritual sense means to not repeat past mistakes and to start anew with a clear and honest mind. Everything detrimental must be set aside. This process involves more than just maintaining morality; it is about achieving inner peace. Every negative attitude poses a threat to our inner life.
Engage in a reflective journaling exercise where you explore what the “best part” of yourself means to you. Consider how your mind, emotions, and body contribute to your personal leadership. Write about experiences where you felt guided by this inner leader and how it influenced your decisions.
Participate in a group discussion where you analyze the phrase “Be still and know that I am God” from ancient scriptures. Discuss its relevance in today’s context and how it can be applied to achieve personal growth and self-governance. Share insights on how stillness can lead to a deeper understanding of reality.
Attend a workshop focused on mindfulness and meditation techniques that help achieve stillness and access higher consciousness. Practice exercises that quiet the mind and emotions, allowing you to listen to your “still, small voice.” Reflect on how these practices can enhance your personal and academic life.
Analyze case studies of leaders who exemplify ethical leadership and self-governance. Identify the qualities that align with Plato’s philosophy and discuss how these leaders use their mind, emotions, and body as tools for a higher purpose. Present your findings and propose ways to cultivate these qualities in yourself.
Create a personal growth plan that outlines steps to refine yourself and eliminate obstacles hindering your natural growth. Set goals for improving your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Share your plan with a peer for feedback and commit to regular check-ins to track your progress.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
[Music] Plato said that a country is best ruled when the best individuals lead. A human being is best governed when the best part of themselves is in charge. Some believe the mind is the best part, others the emotions, and some the physical body itself. However, all of these aspects ultimately come under the leadership of that which dwells within the body, behind the mind and emotions.
What is the basis of reality? How are we going to reach it? This search must be personal; there is no way to communicate this reality in a manner that solves individual problems except through personal experience. We need to find a way to open the inner life so that something greater than the mind can guide it, using the mind, emotions, and body as instruments for a higher purpose.
In ancient times, various doctrines were developed to help individuals connect with their higher nature. These teachings encouraged people to rise above even the highest aspects of their minds to experience reality directly. One of the key teachings in ancient scriptures is the phrase, “Be still and know that I am God.” This statement is crucial in relation to one’s spiritual life.
The challenge of being still is significant. If we are overly attached to material things, we may interpret stillness as inactivity, but that is not the intended meaning. To truly seek the mystery of our inner selves, we cannot force our way in; we must approach it through the right means. Ethics, morality, and integrity must be considered at all times.
To be still, in a mystical sense, means to free oneself from the distractions of mind and emotion, as well as from physical symptoms that may arise. This allows the true self to be heard. The still, small voice comes to those who stop talking long enough to listen, which is quite rare.
The problem often lies in our attempts to make decisions based on mental, emotional, and physical levels, rather than from a higher source. We must find a way to access that mysterious realm often referred to as intuition. In our current world, being still means ceasing unnecessary, unhelpful actions. Individuals must confront the reality that they cannot be right if they continue to act wrongly. There is a connection between our conduct and consciousness, and between our material personalities and the higher self we seek to understand.
To truly understand this, we must begin the process of refining ourselves, eliminating those things that hinder our natural growth. I once told someone that if he stopped dwelling on his mistakes, he would be better off. He seemed unhappy and a bit indignant, saying that if he stopped thinking about his mistakes, he would have nothing to think about. While that may be true, it is possible to consider thoughts that are not mistakes if we allow for such thinking.
If an individual desires to improve, they must recognize that their current state is intolerable. They may not be satisfied with who they are or what they have been, yet they struggle to move forward without dragging their past with them. This cycle of negative thinking must be broken. The individual must learn to be quiet without being plagued by unhappy thoughts, and to think without being destructive or critical.
Those who seek to forget themselves often attempt to escape a personality that cannot be ignored. Some may resort to harmful behaviors, believing they have achieved something, but deeper thinkers recognize that they have resolved nothing. The challenge is to confront these issues rather than postpone them.
In embarking on this inner search, we must understand that our natural state is cooperative. The body, with all its functions, is a remarkable entity, governed by laws that, if respected, will sustain us. However, when we neglect our responsibilities to our bodies, we encounter problems. We often become so engrossed in our mental and emotional pursuits that we neglect our physical well-being.
Many people desire growth but have stunted their development. They want to improve but do not know how to deal with their accumulated mistakes. The old mystics had a simple answer: “Be quiet and know that I am God.” This statement is not merely theological; it suggests that when we stop creating our own problems and cease to feed our negative tendencies, those issues will fade away.
The way we live physically, which promotes longevity, mirrors the discipline required for our minds and emotions to function optimally. When our emotions are calm and focused on genuine values, we protect our well-being. Similarly, if the mind is used for the common good and not for self-interest, we can avoid mental breakdowns and other issues.
Each aspect of ourselves has its own rights and needs. Many individuals have diligently supported religious practices, hoping to alleviate guilt, but often miss the deeper experience of connecting with something higher. This disconnect arises from an inability to quiet the different levels of consciousness and their relationships with one another. Conflict leads to destruction and decay, while selfishness and jealousy are forms of sickness that must be addressed.
To overcome these challenges, we must eliminate the sickness stemming from the misuse of our faculties. If we fail to do this, we will remain in turmoil, regardless of our outward appearances. It is essential to recognize that religion requires more than mere allegiance; it demands personal growth and responsibility.
To be “born again” in a spiritual sense means to not repeat past mistakes and to start anew with a clear and honest mind. Everything detrimental must be set aside. This process involves more than just maintaining morality; it is about achieving inner peace. Every negative attitude poses a threat to our inner life.
[Music]
Plato – An ancient Greek philosopher who was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, known for his works on forms, justice, and the ideal state. – Plato’s theory of forms suggests that the material world is only a shadow of the true reality, which is unchanging and perfect.
Leadership – The ability to guide, influence, or direct a group towards a common goal, often discussed in the context of ethical and philosophical frameworks. – In philosophical discussions, leadership is often examined through the lens of moral responsibility and the impact of decisions on society.
Reality – The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to how they may appear or might be imagined, often explored in metaphysics. – Philosophers have long debated the nature of reality, questioning whether what we perceive is truly reflective of the world around us.
Stillness – A state of inner calm and tranquility, often associated with meditation and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. – In many religious traditions, stillness is seen as a pathway to deeper understanding and connection with the divine.
Intuition – The ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning, often considered in discussions of knowledge and epistemology. – Philosophers like Kant have explored the role of intuition in the acquisition of knowledge, suggesting it as a complement to empirical evidence.
Consciousness – The state of being aware of and able to think about one’s own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings, a central topic in philosophy of mind. – The nature of consciousness and its relationship to the physical brain remains one of the most profound questions in philosophy.
Growth – The process of developing or maturing physically, mentally, or spiritually, often discussed in the context of personal and philosophical development. – Philosophical growth involves the continual questioning and refinement of one’s beliefs and values.
Peace – A state of tranquility or quietness of spirit that transcends external circumstances, often considered a goal in both philosophical and religious contexts. – Many philosophical traditions emphasize inner peace as essential for achieving a harmonious life.
Ethics – The branch of philosophy that deals with questions of morality, including the concepts of right and wrong, virtue and vice, and justice. – Ethical theories provide frameworks for evaluating the moral implications of human actions and decisions.
Responsibility – The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone, often discussed in moral and philosophical contexts. – In existential philosophy, responsibility is a key concept, emphasizing the individual’s role in creating meaning and values in their life.
