"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.

Everday

“There’s a typo on the cover” my brother said as he held up the copy of my book that I had just presented him for his birthday.

“What?” yelled my sister and I simultaneously, and in total disbelief. We both grabbed for the book – and sure enough, there was the typo “Free and Laughing: Spiritual Insights in Everday Moments”. And not only was the typo on the cover, it was also on the spine and the inner page!

How could this have happened? I had looked at that cover so many times, as had my sister, the book designer and so many others! In true free and laughing spirit, my family laughingly went into a discussion about the word “everday”. We decided that since language is always evolving, why not create a new word? In the context of the book, an “everday” would be a day that is so wonderfully perfect, when time stands still, when one is present to the glory of the day. An “everday” moment would be a moment that is so magnificent that it feels like a whole day (or longer). Which is the point of the book – when we are present to the moment, then the moment is all that is and we can see its true wonder and beauty.

I am now going into the second printing of the book (yes, already!) and I have a major decision to make – do I keep “EVERDAY”? For when things like this happen – a typo 3 times! – I always wonder if there is some message being sent to me, some inner, hidden voice from telling me something.

As I reflect on this, I have two questions for you, my dear reader:

1. What does “everday” mean to you?
2. Do you think I should keep the typo when I reprint?

Homework

Yesterday, my 8 year old niece Yeshema came to the office after school. I heard her mother reminding her to do her homework. Shortly after she came to my office door and said “Look Auntie Marguerite” holding up a sign she had made for her mother’s desk. I admired it and asked her to make one for me, which she lovingly did and taped on the door to my office.

As I looked at the sign, and recall Yeshema's face beaming pride and love, I wondered - what really was the homework? Her little act of joyous love made me know that it is this – to show love for those near and dear to us. Yeshema brought a moment of love to her mother and aunt, and to all who enter the office and see the signs. That is the homework of life – to bring love! The other homework is to be open to and receive love!