When the early Greeks went to the Oracle in Delphi to ask questions about life and the future, the Oracle often gave enigmatic answers. But behind all the answers was the ages old dictum, 'Man, Know Thyself,' for which the Oracle is remembered.

All questions that we may have about life arise from this one fundamental question: Who Am I? All problems begin with not knowing this answer. The answer changes with time and with changes in consciousness. Our joy comes from an insight into this question. All fulfillment and all healing must address explicitly or implicitly this question. The answer is not information, although information or concepts might be formulated. The answer is always a soul connection. It is an identification with the expression of Spirit within us, which is in part what soul is.

Throughout the ages, the issue of self knowledge has been the most basic teaching of every path of development or expansion of consciousness. It appears to be deceptively simple. Obviously there must be more to it than at first seems apparent, or we would not have to be constantly reminded of it.

When you buy a new car you get an owner's manual to tell you all about it and how it functions. When we come into this life we do not get an owner's manual and don't know very much about how we function. We have to write our own manual - and it will be unique and different from that of everyone else. How are you doing so far with yours?

Does it not seem odd to you that our educational system teaches us about how the physical world is, but does not teach us how we are? This education is left up to each of us to pursue. We have to learn not only about our physical body, but also about our emotional life and our mental life. Without this knowledge we do not take responsibility for our physical well-being, and our thoughts and especially our emotions control us. Personal growth systems, self-help books and courses, and modern psychology to some extent deal with these dimensions of our personality.

But there is much more to self-knowledge. The 'self' is not the self-image we have, but our essence, the soul, of who we are. And without knowing who we are in our essence we cannot be ourselves. We then live superficially, with our 'power' but a temporary illusion and our love conditional. Without self-knowledge we become victims of circumstances. Through the Soul Journey, we find our unique essence, and become adept at expressing ourselves from a very powerful, intelligent and loving center within us.

Exercises:

1. Describe your essence. What few spiritual qualities do you most stand for?
2. In the last week how have you responded to the need of others?
3. What are you victimized by? The system? Your parents or upbringing? Your job? The economy?

Go beyond just understanding and attain more perspectives, experiences and integration to enable you to heal the past and create the future. Take "The Soul Journey" - Andrew Schneider guides you to Know Yourself, understand soul, heal your personality and develop soul consciousness...

The Soul Journey

Daring to be Yourself The aim of the new book, Daring to be Yourself by Peter Shepherd, is to help you achieve a 'wide-awake' state of consciousness, with integrated use of left and right brain abilities, forming the bedrock for breakthroughs in personal consciousness and spiritual insight. The practice is based on the premise that we have learned disabilities which set boundaries to our action and knowing. But no one need accept that they must remain as they were shaped by their hereditary body-mind and by the conditioning of their childhood and culture. This 264-page paperback book is like a "best of" Trans4mind - that you can read snuggled up on the sofa, away from the computer! But much more than that, it's also an incredibly powerful program for personal growth. Remove the barriers to self-knowledge and reveal your full potential with this step-by-step approach... Daring to be Yourself Our Blog features excerpts from the book plus current news, views and links. "I realize many people use praise in ways that sound frivolous...but I must tell you that your book has changed my life AND I mean that in all ways. I found the entire work wonderfully upbeat, readable and valuable! It really was quite a wakeup call. In the midst of my "trials and tribulations" I had failed to be "me." Anyway, this "talk with you" really did change my life. Thank you! I needed this kind of "kick in the pants." It worked. WOW! You made a huge difference in my world."–Becky, USA Daring to be Yourself is included with purchase of the Start a New Life! home-study course, which is effectively the practical "workbook" that accompanies the paperback! Working through this course enables you to dare to be yourself and design a brand new life. Expressing your true needs, wants and feelings, you can start to live your life's purpose! After you have purchased the course, Peter Shepherd is available whenever you wish by email, to guide you every step of the way from where you are now, until you are established in a brand new life - the life that you have designed... Start a New Life!