One of the things I want to talk about today is the role of words, of understanding and speech in the consideration of reality. I want to speak about the role of words, ideas and understanding in the arena that we call self-realization.

I remember that, when I first heard the term self-realization, I thought that was a lot better than enlightenment. It seemed to have a more esoteric and highfalutin sound to it, there seemed to be an aura of special knowledge to it. So, I invested that word with a magical component, which is what we do with words anyway. We have this inclination to think of words as the gateway to understanding, and clarity and, in the spiritual arena, as the gateway to self-realization--a state that we imagine to be outside of, apart from normal experience.

That love affair with the idea of realization did me no good. If it had any effect at all, it was to delay the day when I was done with suffering and misery once and for all.

Live recording of a Worldwide Meeting with John Sherman on March 15, 2008.

Length: 1 h 27 min. File size: 20.96 MB





MP3 File