Finding Your Way Back: Understanding the Real Root of Confusion
Ever feel lost? Like you’re navigating a thick fog, unsure of the right path? It’s a common feeling in our busy, often chaotic world. We face personal struggles, relationship issues, and see conflict on a global scale. We try fixing things on the surface – changing jobs, locations, or habits – hoping for lasting peace. But often, the confusion lingers. Why?
Because, deep down, the real root of our confusion, the source of so many problems we face, isn’t “out there.” It’s within us. It stems from a simple, yet profound, misunderstanding: forgetting who we truly are at our core.
There’s a fundamental spark, an intelligent aliveness, that exists within everything and everyone. You can call it many names – God, Source, Pure Consciousness, the Great I Am, Universal Life – the name truly doesn’t matter. As the text beautifully puts it, this is a “graspable unfathomable principle of intelligence,” something science can’t bottle or categorize, yet it’s undeniably real. It’s the unchanging essence of existence itself, the quiet awareness beneath all the noise of our thoughts and the world’s distractions. It doesn’t have a specific shape or form, it exists beyond time and space, yet it is the very foundation of our being.
The Confusion Trap
So, where does the confusion come in? It happens when we lose touch with this core reality. We get caught up in the surface level of life – our thoughts, emotions, identities, possessions, and roles. We start believing that’s all we are. We identify completely with the temporary, ever-changing aspects of ourselves and forget the timeless, unchanging presence within.
This forgetting, this disconnection from our true nature, is the seed of delusion. When we operate from this place of perceived separation and limitation, confusion naturally follows. We make choices based on fear instead of love, lack instead of abundance, misunderstanding instead of clarity. We chase happiness outside ourselves, thinking a new achievement or possession will finally fill the void, only to find the confusion remains.
Think about it: arguments often stem from defending a limited point of view (our ego) rather than seeking understanding from a place of shared being. Worry arises from identifying with temporary problems rather than trusting the deeper intelligence within. Societal issues, from environmental damage to social injustice, often grow from collective actions rooted in this same fundamental confusion about our interconnectedness and true nature.
Why Does Understanding This Matter?
You might wonder, “Okay, but how does knowing this help me with my bills or my stressful job?” It matters profoundly because addressing the root cause is the only way to find lasting solutions. Trying to fix the symptoms of confusion (stress, conflict, unhappiness) without understanding the source is like constantly mopping up a flooded floor without turning off the overflowing tap.
When you begin to reconnect with that deeper intelligence, that true Self within, clarity naturally arises. You start to see through the illusions that cause suffering.
- You gain perspective on problems.
- You feel a deeper sense of inner peace, regardless of external circumstances.
- Your actions begin to flow more naturally from a place of wisdom and compassion.
This isn’t about adopting new beliefs or joining a specific religion. It’s about direct experience. It’s about cultivating self-awareness, turning your attention inward, and directly recognizing that unchanging core of your being. It’s like finding the calm eye of the storm amidst life’s challenges.
As the provided text suggests, solving this core delusion automatically helps resolve the issues that spring from it. By waking up to our true selves, we don’t just help ourselves; we contribute to a more conscious, compassionate, and less confused world. This inner work is perhaps the most valuable contribution we can make.
So, the invitation is simple: begin the journey back to yourself. Get curious about that quiet presence within. Use moments of quiet, reflection, or even challenging times as opportunities to look deeper. The path out of confusion isn’t about finding something new “out there,” but about remembering the timeless truth already residing within you.
Quote:
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” – Rumi
Spiritual Reference:
Consider the wisdom found in the Christian Bible, Luke 17:21: “Nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” This points towards the truth residing not in external places or concepts, but within our own being.
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8 (Bible)
In a world that tries to fit everything into neat little boxes, spirituality stands out as a vibrant splash of color that refuses to be confined. Bentinho Massaro shares an enlightening perspective on this very idea. He suggests that at the heart of our existence lies a principle so vast and profound that it defies categorization. This principle, which could be called God, the Universe, or simply life itself, exists beyond forms, names, and the physical confines of our world.
Think of it this way: just like the air we breathe, this principle of life is all around us, invisible and intangible, yet undeniably real. It’s not something we can capture and analyze under a microscope, yet its presence is what gives depth and meaning to our existence. Ben invites us to explore this realm through direct experience rather than through the lens of dogma or religious doctrine. He believes that by connecting with this underlying essence, we can discover our true selves and, in turn, find peace and clarity amidst the chaos of life.
The journey to understanding this boundless spirituality isn’t about adopting a new set of beliefs or following a specific path laid out by others. It’s about peeling back the layers of who we think we are to reveal the core of our being. This exploration can be likened to navigating through the eye of a storm, where the only way out is to go through. Yet, as daunting as it may seem, this journey is essential for personal growth and the collective evolution of our society.
Ben emphasizes the importance of a spiritual practice that is free from the constraints of tradition and dogma. He advocates for a direct awakening to our deepest selves, a process that promises to resolve the myriad issues we face on a surface level by addressing their root causes. By understanding our true nature, we can overcome the delusions that lead to suffering and discord, both within ourselves and in the world around us.
This message is particularly relevant in today’s world, where many are seeking meaning and purpose beyond the material. Ben’s teachings encourage us to look within and discover the infinite potential that lies dormant, waiting to be awakened. By doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a larger movement towards global harmony and understanding.
Important Considerations
- Self-compassion is key: This isn’t about getting it “right”. Spiritual exploration is messy and ongoing.
- There’s no single “right way”: Find practices that resonate with you personally. What one person finds liberating, another might find confining.
- Small steps: Integrating these practices consistently, even briefly, is far more beneficial than sporadic deep dives.
Practices
- Mindful Observation: Spend a few minutes simply observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Be present. Notice how your mind attempts to categorize and label those thoughts and feelings. Instead, just let them be.
- Questioning Labels: When encountering spiritual ideas or religious concepts, try asking questions: “Where does this belief come from?”, “Does this idea help me connect with my true self?”, and “Does this feel restrictive or liberating?”
- Exploring Meditation: There are countless meditation styles out there. Experiment! Guided meditations on apps or YouTube provide a starting point. You might begin with simply focusing on your breath for a few minutes each day.
- Personal Definition: Take time to write down your own working definition of “spirituality”. What does it mean to you? Allow that definition to be fluid, changing as you do.