Reason vs. Intuition
Who are the Meek?
Reading and Affirmation for March
From the book The Beatitudes: Their Inner Meaning by Swami Kriyananda
Reason vs. Intuition
Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within.
The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
Jesus, when addressing his critics, appealed to reason and common sense. In his training of the disciples, however, he, like all great masters, encouraged in them the development of a higher faculty: soul-intuition. For it is only by intuition that spiritual perceptions are achieved.
In Chapter 16 of the Gospel of St. Matthew we find Jesus drawing on the intuition of his disciples by asking them who they thought he was, in reality. They immediately understood that what he wanted from them was a subtle answer, not some obvious reply based on his nationality, sex, and the like. Peter it was, at last, who understood and answered the question on its intended level: the spiritual.
“Thou art the Christ,” he said, “the son of the living God.”
“And Jesus turned to him, saying, ‘Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonah: for not by human nature was this truth revealed to thee, but by my heavenly Father. And I tell thee this also: Thou art Peter, which is to say, a rock, and upon this rock will I build my church, and never will the powers of darkness overwhelm it.’”
Jesus was pleased with his disciple for relating to the question on its deepest level. Reason could not have given Peter that answer. The answer came through the faculty of soul intuition, and proved him thereby to be a spiritually advanced disciple. It was his intuitive perception – that insight which cannot be shaken by tempests of reasonable doubt – that Jesus praised in referring to him as a rock. The “church” he referred to, next, was the edifice of cosmic consciousness. Any outer church institution would have to depend, as in fact the Christian churches have always done, on the level of understanding of its individual leaders and members. Peter’s intuitive perceptions could never have been passed on to an outward succession of prelates.
Clarity comes by direct soul-perception. Confusion results from excessive dependence on reason as the guide to understanding. As the second Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita states:
When your intellect, at present confused by the diversity of teaching in the Scriptures, becomes steadfast in the ecstasy of deep meditation, then you will achieve final union with God.
Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.
Whispers From Eternity
120. Receive the orphans and the stricken; they have come to Thy door
The orphans and the stricken have heard of Thy healing power. They have come to Thy door. Wilt Thou turn them away empty-handed? Those whose hearts are breaking with sadness and despair: dry their scalding teardrops with Thy invisible hand. Those who are lost in delusion — to whom shall they turn, but to Thee? Lift Thine unseen veil of silence and appear in Thy overwhelming, divine compassion. Before the coming of the dawn of Thy presence, all their dark troubles will take wing.
Paramhansa Yogananda
Inspiration from the Rays of One Light
“Thou art Peter, which is to say, a rock, and upon this rock will I build my church, and never will the powers of darkness overwhelm it.”
Matthew 16:18
We will take these meaningful words into our meditation together for deep reflection and contemplation. But firstly, we will listen to the beautiful Psalm of David, sung by Mary Kretzmann.
Psalm of David
Listen to the Psalm of David
Reflect, Meditate and Listen to Instrumental Music
Reflection from the Rays of the One Light
Peace Sangha
This week, I invite you all to rest with the words of Jesus from Saint Matthew
“Thou art Peter, which is to say, a rock, and upon this rock will I build my church, and never will the powers of darkness overwhelm it.”
Matthew 16:18
These words reminded me that God builds His church not only in the world, but within each of us, quietly, patiently, peace by peace, love by love. And when Christ’s light fills that inner church, darkness cannot enter. It may come close, it may put pressure on us, but it cannot cross the threshold of the heart where Christ dwells.
Our intuition is the doorway to our inner church. It’s that soft, quiet, intuitive knowing that, beneath thought, the place where God whispers.
Where reason analyses, but intuition recognises.
Where reason seeks, but intuition receives.
When we listen inwardly with sincerity and openness, we begin to feel the “rock” within us, that unmoving centre where God’s presence and strength rest. A foundation that cannot be shaken or moved. From that place, clarity rises naturally. Peace becomes our author, our anchor, and the light becomes our guide.
This is the quiet miracle of our spiritual life, Christ builds His church in the very place where we learn to listen.
Prayer
Build Within us the Church of Your Light
Beloved Christ,
You who called Peter the rock, build also within us the church of your light.
Quietly, patiently, peace by peace and love by love, you shape a sanctuary in the depths of our being. Help us to recognise this holy work, and to welcome it with open hearts.
Let your presence fill the inner chambers of our soul so fully that no darkness may cross the threshold. Though shadows may put pressure on us, let your light stand guard within us.
Teach us to listen for your whisper in the soft, intuitive knowing beneath our thoughts. Where reason seeks, let intuition receive. Where the mind analyses, let the heart recognise. Open the doorway of our inner church so we may hear you ever so clearly and follow you faithfully.
Root us in the “rock” of your peace, that unmoving centre where you dwell. From that place, let clarity rise naturally, let peace become our author, our anchor, and let your light guide every step we take.
Christ, continue your quiet miracle within us. Build your church in our hearts, and make us living stones of your love, your strength, and your radiant peace.
Aum Christ Amen.
