The practice of Self-Observation such as all the other related activities in a Spiritual Path, should be always considered as means, not goals. Self -Observation is not the goal but the mean through which to obtain the answer to the question, “Who/what am I?”. Such realization, the answering of this question through experience and not in conceptual terms, opens the possibility towards an awakening to our True Nature.

But this awakening, because it is a rare, extraordinary event in the existence of a human and of all who are in contact with him, can’t be the ultimate aim.

To become more conscious, to grow in wisdom, and to realize ourselves, should be universal virtues, intended for the good of all  sentient beings.

In reality, the final aim should be just that: allowing  all  beings to free themselves from the chains of what in Buddhism is known as suffering, and not only to free ourselves from this. Focussing an Inner Work only and exclusively for ourselves, would really be an egoistic act, and not an act of Love and openness.

It very often happens, that people involved in a path of self- development, lose the sight of  this, focussing only on themselves, becoming even less human. This is the moment when it’s time to gather ourselves in silence.

Not a colloquial silence nor the silence of the mind. I would rather call it the silence of the heart, a condition which is very difficult to explain to those who have never experienced it, but very understandable to those who have had this sacred experience.

Silence of heart – listening through the heart: because only heart can really listen, and only heart can really stay in silence and grasp what in some traditions, has been called the “Word of God”.

If we are gathered in silence in our heart, then it will become impossible to ignore the call to compassion which is a further, higher and demanding step in the path of Inner Development. Actually, we can say that it’s just in such a condition that a real Path begins or, if this has already happened, it’s the place where to reacharge our own vigor.

To gather means, simply staying at the center of our Being; to endure in a natural state of listening and openness, until, to use a Taoist metaphor, the song of the Sky becomes unified with the song of the Earth and, in the center of ourselves, the compassionate intent becomes clearer and clearer.