Knowledge is power” is an oft quoted citation from Sir Francis Bacon’s literary works. Bacon was a luminary of his time, an author and philosopher whose words are still quoted today. And he is right of course. To have knowledge is to hold great power.

However, to not use that knowledge is a pointless waste of endeavour. Because one of the biggest inhibitors to using knowledge is indeed, the fear of its power. If we know what we are doing, we use knowledge confidently. If we don’t know what we are doing, we hold back and live with endless self doubt.

So having knowledge and using it are two completely different concepts. In my early years as a buddhist, and I’m talking 25 years ago, I was attracted by the seemingly unerring logic and intellectualism of the buddhist philosophy. However, in those early years, when buddhism was still very unusual in our country, the movement attracted many people like me at that time: people who were more comfortable living with an interesting and scintilating theory than actually putting it into practice! As I grew to realise that this buddhist lark was about hiding, not confronting our demons, I became quite angry with it! I didn’t want to sit in a cosy intellectualism and not move my life on.

Nowadays I realise that the growth of buddhism in this country was very new at that time, and we were collectively anxious about being conspicuous so we hid behind clever theory, always on red alert to be able to defeat anyone’s challenges as cleverly and as thoroughly as possible!

After 25 years, my inner motivations are crystal clear to me. No longer able to blame others for my inertia, I know profoundly it is up to me to carve out how I want to make my life happen….

We can think about things till the cows come home, but until we take action, nothing will happen. So you need to make your intellect your servant and not your master… What does that mean?

Being the master of my mind means I don’t just think about things, I take action. It means I don’t just stay where I’m comfortable, I challenge myself, at times, profoundly. It means I don’t just spout theory, everything I teach you is from knowing profoundly my own human condition, and therefore the human condition of others.

This awareness also means I can feel great empathy and compassion for people, but paradoxically, I do not have to live your troubles with you. I trust that you will find your own solutions with a bit of help from someone who can lead the way.

So if you want to stop thinking and start acting, and start taking charge of your life, you need to start ‘being the change you wish to see’. (Mahatma Gandhi). That means you’ll need support and guidance to blossom into the true you but ultimately it is you that needs to step up to the mark…..and I’m behind you every step of the way.

(c) Jenny Lynn March 2009