little bear : weaver of meaning

...progress on the spiritual path?

little bear said Jul 13, 2006, 5:32 PM:
 

A question was posed to Meher Baba and this is his answer (from The Awakener, Volume VI number 3, p. 25):

Do intellectual attainments help or hinder man’s progress on the spiritual path?

Meher Baba: “It is impossible to reach the spiritual Truth and Realization by talks, arguments or by reading books. It can be reached by the heart alone; but that would be a very slow process. But when the heart and the head are equally developed and well-balanced, man’s progress is much quicker.

“The man in whom the head (intellect) is more developed than the heart, is liable to get idees fixes (fixed ideas), and he becomes attached to his intellectual achievements and superiority. The man with a warm heart has greater faith, and for Love and Truth, he will give up all.

“Intellect is the lowest form of understanding, and is developed by reading, listening, reasoning and logic. These processes create and illusion of Real Knowledge.

“The higher form of understanding is permanent illumination through which one experiences and sees things as they are. In this state, one feels in harmony with everyone and everything and realizes Divinity in every phase of life and is able to impart happiness to others.

“The last and the highest state of understanding results from the merging of the soul into the limitless Ocean of Infinite Knowledge, Bliss and Power. One who has himself attained to this can enable thousands to attain Perfection.”