Self-help is limited because the same ego that suffers tries to become its own healer. True spirituality begins when one sees that real help cannot come from the old self trying to improve itself. Real change is not about fulfilling the same desires more efficiently, but allowing the very center of wanting, acting, and suffering to transform.
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Originally published in The Pioneer on 2 mar '23
Spirituality lies in the knowledge that there can be no self-help. The greatest arrogance of the ego lies in claiming that it can be of help to itself. The great Self which you really are needs no help. And that self which you assume yourself to be is always in need of help; unfortunately it also becomes a helper to itself. The wise one, the settled one, the relaxed one feels no need for help. So there is no question of self-help in his case. The one who feels the need to be helped, unfortunately, also decides to become his own helper. And that is the whole absurdity and the tragedy of this matter.
There is nobody who suffers and does not decide to be his own messiah. You go to anybody who is suffering and ask him, “What’s wrong?” He will be able to describe it. You also ask him, “What would relieve your suffering?” That too he will be able to describe. Now, the question is: if you know so much about your suffering and also the solution to your suffering, why are you still suffering? But that’s what the suffering is – you think you know. Have you ever met someone who is suffering and says honestly, innocently, “I do not know why I am suffering?” Had you not known, really not known, you would not have been able to suffer either. Suffering is knowledge.
