"I Know"

Months ago I viewed the movie “The Secret” with great expectation as I had heard so much about it. I awaited the revelation of this thing that had been hidden for millennia and that would magically change my life. When it was finally revealed, my response was: “That’s it? I already know that”. Indeed, I tuned out during the rest of the movie and drifted in and out of distanced sleep. Since then, whenever conversations raving about “The Secret” have come my way, I have been dismissive and even blasé. “I know that” said I with great certainty, having studied the principles of Science of Mind for many years, read numerous books and attended many a self-development workshop.

Recently however, in the past two weeks two friends have mentioned to me how much their reading of “The Secret” had changed their lives. One magically lost weight and the other significantly improved her finances – both areas in which I desire significant and lasting results. Now, when things happen like this – two friends telling me about the same thing in a short time period, I figure the Universe is telling me something. And I have learned to listen. So I hurriedly retrieved the copy of the book I had given my mother and started to read. I could not put it down! There was so much in that book that I knew, yet did not know! I literally sped-read through the book, so eager was I to get as much as I could in as short a time as possible. The book is now permanently housed on my bedside table, and I read it every day. My life has already started to shift as I absorb and apply this new knowledge.

And as I do so, it occurs to me how dangerous the words “I know” are. For what did I really know about the secret? Did I know everything there is to know about it? Did I know the perspectives of all the experts on the Law of Attraction (which is the secret), which has been practiced for eons? Did I know every single miracle that the practice of the secret has produced? Indeed, I knew very, very little – an infinitesimal drop in the vast ocean of knowledge. Yet, so quick was I to say “I know” and thus cut off further exploration, discovery and knowing. In so doing, I also cut off new, grander and more magnificent results in my life.

This experience has taught me that I know nothing. What does it matter what I know? I only think I know. I may have a few facts about something, but I can never know the totality of the thing. I will always know only a part – and it is impossible for me to know how large or small a part until I know the whole. How will I know when I know everything? It’s actually impossible. So perhaps the safest thing is to say that I know NOTHING. Once I acknowledge that, then I am now open to explore the world of infinity – where there is no end to knowledge and learning. Once I say “I know” I limit my learning and therefore my growth. My growth and enlightenment depends on my being able to maintain a mind that is open, enquiring and learning – a mind that doesn’t know.