Steps to Knowledge

The Book of Inner Knowing

HOW YOU CAN BEGIN THE STUDY OF 
STEPS TO KNOWLEDGE  TODAY

Steps to Knowledge has come as a gift from the Creator to enable you to activate your Self Knowledge and to apply it in all areas of your life. Through the study of this Curriculum and in its future application, you will be able to build the foundation upon which to resolve internal conflict, establish your primary relationships and thereby discover your spiritual purpose in life.

As a student of Self Knowledge, this foundation will provide for you the ability to embody the power, the compassion, the patience and the love to serve a world in transition. The Presence of Knowledge is living within you now and wishes to reunite you with your True Self. From this reunion will spring your freedom and your contribution to the world. Steps to Knowledge has been given to prepare you to receive this Presence. 

Steps to Knowledge was received by Marshall Vian Summers in a state of revelation in the spring of 1989. It was the first of the new Books of Knowledge that are providing for humanity's transition into the new millennium.

You can begin the study of STEPS TO KNOWLEDGE today. Below are the first three weeks of practice in STEPS. In beginning the practice, it is necessary to follow the Steps sequentially, one step a day, exactly as they are given. These three weeks of practice can serve as an introduction to all 365 Steps.

STEP 1: I am without Knowledge now.

 There must be a starting point at any juncture of development. You must start from where you are, not from where you want to be. You start here in the understanding that you are without Knowledge. That is not to say that Knowledge is not with you. It is simply to say that you are not with Knowledge. Knowledge is waiting for you to proceed. Knowledge is waiting to give itself to you. Therefore, you are beginning now to prepare to be in relationship with Knowledge, the greater aspect of mind that you have brought with you from your Ancient Home.

 Three times today spend 10 minutes thinking about what Knowledge is, not merely applying your own ideas, not merely applying your past understanding, but thinking about what Knowledge really is. 

Practice 1: Three 10-minute practice periods.

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STEP 2: Knowledge is with me. Where am I?

 Knowledge is with you, completely, but it resides in a part of your mind to which you have not yet gained access. Knowledge represents your True Self, your True Mind and your true relationships in the universe. It also possesses your greater calling in the world and a perfect utilization of your nature, all of your inherent abilities and skills, even your limitations—all to be given for good in the world.

 Knowledge is with you, but where are you? Today think about where you are. If you are not with Knowledge, where are you? Therefore, three times today, 10 minutes each, think about where you are, not just physically or geographically, but where you are in terms of your awareness of yourself in the world. Think very, very carefully. Do not allow your mind to distract you from this orientation. It is essential now at the beginning of your preparation to ask these questions very seriously. 

Practice 2: Three 10-minute practice periods.

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STEP 3: What do I really know?

 Today ask yourself what you really know and distinguish what you know from what you think or hope for or want for yourself or your world, what you are afraid of, what you believe in, what you cherish and what you value. Distinguish this question from all such orientations to the very best of your ability and ask yourself, “What do I really know?” You must continuously examine whatever answers you give to this question to see if they represent your beliefs or assumptions or the beliefs or assumptions of other people or perhaps even of humanity at large.

 Three times today, for 10 minutes each, ask this question and think very seriously about your response and about the meaning of this question, “What do I really know?”

Practice 3: Three 10-minute practice periods. 

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STEP 4: I want what I think I know.

 You want what you think you know, and this is what constitutes the basis of your understanding of yourself and your world. In fact, this constitutes the basis of your whole identity. You will find, however, upon honest examination that your understanding is based upon assumptions primarily, and these assumptions have not been founded upon your experience to a very great degree, if at all. 

 Today in your three brief practice periods, in which you devote your total attention to examining your assumptions, think about the things you really think you know, including things that you have not thought to question before—things that you think you know. Today’s exercise, then, carries forth from the previous steps where you begin to see the difference between what you think you know and real Knowledge itself and the relationship between what you think of as Knowledge and your own assumptions, beliefs and hopes for things. 

 Therefore, in each practice session it is very essential for you to think about the things you think you know. When you realize they are based primarily upon your assumptions, you will realize how weak is your foundation in the world. Understanding this may be upsetting and disconcerting, but it is absolutely essential for you to give you the impetus and the desire to discover your true foundation in the world.

Practice 4: Three 10-minute practice periods.

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STEP 5: I believe what I want to believe.

 This statement represents the great folly of humanity and humanity’s most dangerous forms of self-deception. Beliefs are primarily founded upon what is wished for, not on what is actually happening and not on what is genuine. They may in fact represent the greater ideals of humanity and in this they bear a true reflection, but on a day-to-day basis, and in most practical questions, people base their beliefs on things they hope for, not on things that actually exist. You must have a very sound understanding that the approach to any resolution and to any constructive establishment must begin with current reality. What you are and what you have today must be your starting point.

 Therefore, in your three practice periods today, think about this statement. Examine what you believe and then examine what you want. You will find that even your fearful or negative beliefs are associated with your ambitions. Only careful application of today’s practice will reveal this to you. 

Practice 5: Three 10-minute practice periods. 

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STEP 6: I have a true foundation in the world.

 Beyond the beliefs and assumptions which mask your own fear and uncertainty, there exists for you a true foundation in the world. This foundation is built upon your life beyond this world, for that is where you have come from and that is what you will return to. You have come from a place to which you will return, and you have not come empty-handed.

 Twice today, spend two longer periods of 15 to 20 minutes in considering what your true foundation may be. Think of all your ideas about this. This is a very important question. You must realize your great need for this to ask this question with sincerity and with penetrating depth. 

 Without a true foundation, your real accomplishments and advancement would be without hope. It is a great blessing, then, that you possess this, even if it is unknown to you.

Practice 6: Two 15- to 20-minute practice periods.

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STEP 7: REVIEW

 In today’s two practice periods, review all that we have covered thus far, beginning with the first step and continuing on up to include the preceding day’s step. Then consider the entire sequence of the steps together. It is very important at this juncture that you not require that you have any conclusions, but that you ask questions and realize the extent to which you need true Knowledge. If you undertake this practice today sincerely, it will be most evident that you have this great need. You are vulnerable without your assumptions, but you are also in a position to receive truth and certainty in life. 

 Take two practice periods today, 30 minutes each, to consider these things.

Practice 7: Two 30-minute practice periods.

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STEP 8: Today I will be still.

 In your two meditation practices today, practice stillness for 15 minutes. Begin by taking three deep breaths and then focusing on an internal point. It may be an imaginary point or it may be a point in your physical body. With eyes closed, simply give this your full attention, without judgment and evaluation. Do not be discouraged if early attempts prove difficult. Beginning anything important in life can be difficult at first, but if you persist, you will achieve this great goal, for in stillness all things can be known.

Practice 8: Two 15-minute practice periods.

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STEP 9: In stillness all things can be known.

 Stillness of mind allows a Greater Mind to emerge and to reveal its Wisdom. Those who cultivate stillness with a desire for Knowledge will be preparing themselves for greater revelation and true insight to emerge. The insight may emerge during practice or during any normal activity. The important aspect here is that the preparation has been made. 

 Twice today practice yesterday’s practice of stillness, but practice without the expectation of a result. Do not use this practice to ask any form of question because you are practicing stillness, in which all speculation, all questions and all searching end. For 15 minutes, twice today, practice stillness once again.

Practice 9: Two 15-minute practice periods.

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Why am I doing this anyway?

 Very good question! Why are you doing this anyway? Why are you asking such questions? Why do you seek for greater things? Why are you exerting the effort? These questions are inevitable. We anticipate them. Why are you doing this? You are doing this because it is essential. If you wish to live anything greater than a purely superficial and unstable life, you must penetrate deeper and not be confident based only upon weak assumptions and hopeful expectations. There is a greater gift awaiting you, but you must prepare yourself mentally, emotionally and physically. Without Knowledge, you are unaware of your purpose. You are unaware of your origin and your destiny, and you will pass through this life as if it were a troubled dream and no more.

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STEP 10: What is Knowledge?

 Let us say that Knowledge is not the things that are usually associated with it. It is not ideas. It is not a body of information. It is not a system of belief. It is not a process of self-evaluation. It is the great mystery of your life. Its outward manifestations are profound intuition, great insight, inexplicable knowing, wise perception in the present and in the future and wise understanding of the past. But despite these great achievements of mind, Knowledge is greater than this. It is your True Self, a Self that is not apart from life.

Practice 10: Read the lesson three times today.

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STEP 11: I am not apart from life.

 Regardless of the great establishments built upon your individuality and all that is associated with you personally—your body, your ideas, your difficulties, your specific forms of expression, your idiosyncrasies, your talents—you are not apart from life. This is so obvious if you look at yourself with simplicity and realize that the very makeup of your body, the very fabric of your physical life, is completely made of what life is in the physical. It is quite apparent that you are made of the same “stuff” as everything else around you. What is mysterious is your mind. It seems to be a distinct point of understanding, but it is as much a part of life as your physical fabric. You are an individual unaware of your Source and your total inclusion in life. Your individuality is a burden now, but it will be a great happiness to you when it can express life itself.

Practice 11: Read the lesson three times today.

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STEP 12: My individuality is to express life itself.

 Here your uniqueness is a great asset and a source of joy, not a source of painful alienation and not a source of painful judgment against yourself or others. This distinction does not elevate you above or place you below anyone else. It merely pinpoints the real purpose behind your individuality and its great promise for the future. You are here to express something. That is the real meaning given to your individuality because you do not want to be separate anymore.

 On two occasions today, practice two periods of silence exercising the practice that we have illustrated thus far. 

Practice 12: Two 15-minute practice periods.

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STEP 13: I want to be separate to be unique.

 This thought represents the true motive for separation, yet it is unnecessary. We do not give it here as an affirmation but as an expression of your current state. You want to be separate because this defines your self; your self is defined in terms of separation, not in terms of inclusion. Separation is the source of all your pain and confusion of mind. Your physical life demonstrates a separate life but only from a certain point of view. Given another point of view, it does not demonstrate separation at all. It demonstrates a unique expression of a Greater Reality.

 On two occasions today, spend 15 minutes concentrating upon the idea for today. Think seriously what this lesson means and call upon your own experience to reflect upon its relevance to your life. Reflect upon what your desire for separation has cost you in time, energy and pain. Realize your motivation for separation and you will know that you want to be free.

Practice 13: Two 15-minute practice periods.

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STEP 14: REVIEW

 Once again review all the prior lessons given. In this Review reread the instructions that have been given in each step. Also review all of your practice sessions to determine the depth of your involvement in practice and the results that you have experienced. Throughout your study plan, you will be investigating the content of your own experience. This will build upon itself and eventually will reveal to you the realization of your own Knowledge. 

 Spend one practice period today of approximately 45 minutes to review all of the instructions and to review the results and quality of your practice. Tomorrow we shall begin the next stage of our preparation together.

Practice 14: One 45-minute practice period.

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STEP 15: I shall listen to my experience today.

 “Today I will listen to my experience to find out the content of my mind.” 

 Realize that the true content of your mind is buried beneath all that you have added since the day you were born. This true content wishes to express itself in the context of your current life and current situation. To discern this you must listen carefully and in time realize the difference between the true content of your mind and its messages for you and all the other impulses and wishes that you feel. To separate thoughts from Knowledge is one of the great accomplishments which you will have an opportunity to learn in this course.

 The one practice today of 45 minutes will be devoted to inner listening. This will require that you listen without judgment of yourself, even if the content of your thoughts is disturbing. Even if the content of your thoughts is disagreeable, you must listen without judgment to allow your mind to open. You are listening for something deeper than the mind, but you must go through the mind to get there.

Practice 15: One 45-minute practice period.

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STEP 16: Beyond my mind is Knowledge.

 Beyond your mind is Knowledge, the true core of your being, your True Self, not the self that you have constructed to negotiate the world, but your True Self. From this True Self come thoughts and impressions, inclinations and direction. Most of what your True Self communicates to you you cannot yet hear, but in time you will learn to hear as your mind becomes still and as you develop the necessary refinement of listening and discernment. 

 Today practice in three periods of 15 minutes each. Listen more carefully than the day before. Listen for deeper inclinations. Again you must listen without judgment. You must not edit anything. You must listen deeply so that you may learn to hear.

Practice 16: Three 15-minute practice periods.

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STEP 17: Today I want to hear the truth.

 The desire to hear the truth is something that is both a process and the result of true preparation. Developing the ability to hear and the desire to hear will yield to you that which you seek. The truth is utterly beneficial to you, but at first it can be quite shocking and disappointing to your other plans and goals. This you must risk if you wish to have the certainty and the empowerment that the truth will bring to you. The truth always brings resolution of conflict, always provides an experience of self, always gives you a sense of current reality and always provides direction for you to move forward.

 Today, in your three 15-minute practice periods, practice listening to the truth, trying to listen beyond the mind and emotions. Again do not be concerned if all you hear is the rushing about of your own thoughts. Remember, you are developing listening. That is the most important thing. Like exercising a muscle in the body, you are exercising the faculty of mind called listening. Therefore, this day practice listening, taking these practice periods to devote yourself so that you may feel the truth arising within you.

Practice 17: Three 15-minute practice periods.

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STEP 18: Today I feel the truth arising within myself.

 The truth must be fully experienced. It is not merely an idea; it is not merely an image, though images and ideas may accompany it. It is an experience, and so it is something that is deeply felt. It may manifest in slightly different ways for those who are beginning to penetrate it, but nonetheless it will arise. It is something you must feel. To have a feeling orientation, your mind must be still. Truth is something you will feel with your entire body, with your entire being. 

 Knowledge does not speak to you at every moment, but it always holds a message for you. To come into the proximity of Knowledge means that you become more and more like Knowledge itself—more whole, more consistent, more honest, more devoted, more concentrated, more self-disciplined, more compassionate and more self-loving. All of these qualities are developed as you approach that which is the source of these qualities. 

 It is in this direction that you will practice moving today as you feel the truth arising within yourself. This will join all aspects of you, giving you a uniform experience of yourself. In your three 15-minute practice periods, give your full attention to feeling the truth arising within yourself. Practice in stillness, and do not be discouraged if it is difficult at first. Simply practice and you will proceed. 

 Throughout the day as well, without doubt or hesitation, pursue your true goal in life. From this true goal will come all of the important things that you will need to accomplish and the great power of vision and discernment that will allow you to find those individuals that you have come into the world to find. 

Practice 18: Three 15-minute practice periods. 

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STEP 19: Today I wish to see.

 The desire to see is like the desire to know. It too requires a refinement of your mind’s faculties. To see with clear vision means you are not seeing with preference. It means that you are able to perceive that which is actually occurring rather than that which you wish to see. There is something actually occurring beyond your wishes. This is very true. The desire to see, then, is the desire to see a greater truth. This requires a greater honesty and a greater openness of mind.

 Today in your two practice sessions, practice looking upon one simple mundane object. Do not take your eyes off of that object, but look and practice looking very conscientiously. You are not trying to see anything. You are simply looking with an open mind. When the mind is open, it experiences its own depth, and it experiences the depth of what it is perceiving. 

 Choose one simple object that has very little meaning for you and gaze upon it twice today for at least 15 minutes. Allow your mind to become very still. Breathe deeply and regularly as you gaze upon this object. Allow your mind to settle down into itself.

Practice 19: Two 15-minute practice periods.

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STEP 20: I will not let doubt and confusion slow my progress.

 What can slow your progress but your own indecision, and what can breed indecision save that which produces confusion of mind? You have a greater goal which is being illustrated in this program of preparation. Do not let doubt and confusion be an obstruction to you. To be a true student means that you are assuming very little and that you are directing yourself in a manner that you do not prescribe for yourself but which is given to you from a Greater Power. The Greater Power wishes to raise you to its own level of ability. In this way, you receive the gift of preparation so that you may give it to others. In this way, you are given that which you cannot provide for yourself. You realize your individual power and ability because they must be developed in order for you to follow a program of this nature. You also realize your inclusion in life as life strives to serve you in your true development. 

 Therefore, practice the same practice that you attempted in the previous day in your two practice periods, and do not let doubt or confusion dissuade you. Be a true student today. Allow yourself to concentrate on your practice. Give yourself to practice. Be a true student today.

Practice 20: Two 15-minute practice periods.

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STEP 21: REVIEW

 In your third Review, review all the lessons of the past week and the results of those lessons. Practice today not making any conclusions, but simply recognize the line of development and take note of the progress that you have made thus far. It is too early to make genuine conclusions, though it may be very tempting to do so. Beginning students are not in a position to judge their curriculum. This right must be earned and comes later if you wish for your judgments to have true effect and to be wise.

 Therefore, in your one practice period, review the last section of practice and all that has been experienced thus far. 

Practice 21: One 45-minute practice period.

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This is only the beginning. Continue the journey in Steps to Knowledge.
 
 

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