Growth in self -knowledge

"Ultimately the only way that I can be myself is to become identified with Him in whom is hidden the reason and fulfillment of my existence. Therefore, there is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace and my happiness depend: to discover myself in discovering God. If I find God, I will find myself, and if I find my true self, I will find God. But although this looks simple, it is in reality immensely difficult. In fact, if I am left to myself it will be utterly impossible. No man can ever do it alone. Nor can all the men and all the created things in the universe help him in this work. The only one who can teach me to find God is God, Himself, alone." (Thomas Merton)

"There is no deep knowing of God without deep knowing of self and no deep knowing of self without a deep knowing of God" (John Calvin)

"A humble self-knowledge is a surer way to God than a search after deep learning."

(Thomas a Kempis)

"Grant, Lord, that I may know myself, that I may know Thee." (St Augustine)

It would seem that the spiritual giants who came before us knew very well the importance of self-knowledge. This is something that we have overlooked in our desire to help people "put on" Christ. There are of course teachings on what we have to "put off" but not much assistance in helping people name and acknowledge their "baggages" which may be very heavy indeed. Therefore, we often struggle with the question: where's the transformation? Indeed we wonder why we continue to sin when we 'know so much'. How frustrated with ourselves and how helpless to get out of this cycle of sin-repentance-sin. Maybe we are getting it the wrong way round. Maybe first of all we need to sit with the Lord "in the weeds" (St Teresa of Avila) and experience true self-knowledge. When we have done this long enough, and have experienced the Lord's compassionate 'gaze' upon us, maybe our frustrations with self (and try harder attitude)will be given up in true surrender to the Spirit who alone has the power to transform our inner heart.