When we only perceive our own concepts [labels, names] in natural phenomena [reality], surely, we are not seeing the phenomena itself [reality] but only our concepts [labels, categories, names].
Nevertheless, foolish [gnostic] scientists, amazed by their fascinating intellect, stupidly believe each of their concepts [categories, names, labels] to be absolutely equal to this or that observed phenomenon, when the reality is different.
We do not deny that all those who are locked into this or that logistical procedure reject our assertions. Undoubtedly, the pontifical and dogmatic condition of the intellect would never be able to accept that any properly conceived concept does not coincide exactly with reality.
As soon as the mind observes any phenomenon [ie. ego] through the senses, it rushes to immediately label that phenomenon [ie. ego] with this or that scientific term ["pride, lust, envy"]. Unquestionably, this serves only as a patch to cover its own ignorance.
The mind does not really know how to be receptive to what is new. However, it does know how to invent highly complicated terminology with which it tries to classify—in a self-deceiving way—that of which it is surely ignorant.
Speaking now in a Socratic sense, we will say that not only is the mind ignorant, but even worse, it is ignorant of its ignorance. - The Great Rebellion
The mind can never annihilate a psychological defect. The mind can hide the psychological defect from itself, justifying it, condemning it, hiding it from the others, and labelling it with distinct names. However, it can never fundamentally alter the defect. - The Great Rebellion
Next time you feel angry or irritated, look at that anger in yourself and question it: is this anger or reflection of God, is this a reflection of divinity or is a reflection of desire? What does it want? Anger wants pain. Anger is pain. When we are angry, we suffer, we make other suffer yet we defend our anger rigorously. When we get angry we do not want to let it go because when we get angry we are also very proud. Anger is arrogant, always, with a very strong sense of "I" (pride). Anger is also afraid (fear) of everything that may undermine it, take it away, or contradict it. Anger does not want to see the truth (thus, it is also lazy). We can get very angry, but if suddenly it becomes evident that what we are angry about is our fault, anger does not want to see that. The pride of anger is afraid of seeing that truth. You see, is hard to simplify an ego to one name; it is not just "anger," it has many qualities. You have to see each ego for what it is, and not put a label.
I remember one time that we were with him in the temple, and one of the students, one of the missionaries, asked him: “Master, please, can you help me to comprehend my ego?”
And the master said, “This is precisely the only thing that I cannot do for you. You have to comprehend your ego! Because if I comprehend your ego, you will remain ignorant. But if you build mastery on the comprehension of your own ego, obviously you will become a master.”
This is precisely the point. Many students think that we will comprehend their egos for them. Even if we would do that, like psychiatrists where you go to therapy and start singing your life story to them, as they try to analyze your traumas for you, in the end it would not help you.
When we only perceive our own concepts [labels, names] in natural phenomena [reality], surely, we are not seeing the phenomena itself [reality] but only our concepts [labels, categories, names].
Nevertheless, foolish [gnostic] scientists, amazed by their fascinating intellect, stupidly believe each of their concepts [categories, names, labels] to be absolutely equal to this or that observed phenomenon, when the reality is different.
We do not deny that all those who are locked into this or that logistical procedure reject our assertions. Undoubtedly, the pontifical and dogmatic condition of the intellect would never be able to accept that any properly conceived concept does not coincide exactly with reality.
As soon as the mind observes any phenomenon [ie. ego] through the senses, it rushes to immediately label that phenomenon [ie. ego] with this or that scientific term ["pride, lust, envy"]. Unquestionably, this serves only as a patch to cover its own ignorance.
The mind does not really know how to be receptive to what is new. However, it does know how to invent highly complicated terminology with which it tries to classify—in a self-deceiving way—that of which it is surely ignorant.
Speaking now in a Socratic sense, we will say that not only is the mind ignorant, but even worse, it is ignorant of its ignorance. - The Great Rebellion
The mind can never annihilate a psychological defect. The mind can hide the psychological defect from itself, justifying it, condemning it, hiding it from the others, and labelling it with distinct names. However, it can never fundamentally alter the defect. - The Great Rebellion
Next time you feel angry or irritated, look at that anger in yourself and question it: is this anger or reflection of God, is this a reflection of divinity or is a reflection of desire? What does it want? Anger wants pain. Anger is pain. When we are angry, we suffer, we make other suffer yet we defend our anger rigorously. When we get angry we do not want to let it go because when we get angry we are also very proud. Anger is arrogant, always, with a very strong sense of "I" (pride). Anger is also afraid (fear) of everything that may undermine it, take it away, or contradict it. Anger does not want to see the truth (thus, it is also lazy). We can get very angry, but if suddenly it becomes evident that what we are angry about is our fault, anger does not want to see that. The pride of anger is afraid of seeing that truth. You see, is hard to simplify an ego to one name; it is not just "anger," it has many qualities. You have to see each ego for what it is, and not put a label.