Not one of us does not have the scars of pressure learning. But some of us, thankfully, wake up in time to start overcoming our conditioning; and more importantly, we stop being a source of pressure to others.

   Let’s look at another aspect of education to discover why knowledge causes guilt. Pressure is not the only problem with education. The other major defect is the basic premise: that man-made knowledge is useful for solving life’s most important problems. Actually, this is is a lie. Reaching pridefully for knowledge is the basis of all the problems you see in society today.

   Only understanding—a deep knowing, like a light, that shines through your consciousness—can solve your problems. This knowing comes from God. It is His wordless Word in your heart. His Light shines on everything, revealing truth from falsity and useful from useless.

   When you reach to experts, books, or dead facts, figures and formulas swimming around in your animal brain—you’re literally reaching away from Living Knowledge to the dead bones of facts. Through your consciousness you can realize Spiritual Insight which wordlessly guides you, and which will slowly transform you into a noble child of God.

   But the prideful soul turns from the humbling gift of life, in order to go its own way and be its own god. Since spiritual insight allows for no pride (how can a humble soul receive the unmerited gift of grace and understanding from God and be proud?), the rebellious soul must reach down into the animal brain for images, thoughts, and words it can take pride in.....

   I’m not saying that all knowledge or art is worthless. I am saying that knowledge without understanding is garnered out of pride, serves pride, supports egos, and as such is a great fraud and hoax. Real art proceeds out of understanding.

   Of course we need basic knowledge about hygiene, balancing our checkbook, nutrition, driving a car, and making basic repairs. But even these basic forms of knowledge should include common sense—our most basic form of understanding from God. And when it comes to delicate matters of the soul or delicate relationships with your loved ones, for example, there is no substitute for common sense and understanding.

    It all depends on the spirit with which the art or science is taught, and on the spirit with which it is learned.

   One person studies engineering because he or she has a spirit of discovery, and because he or she has talents and interest in the field.

   Another studies engineering out of ambition, pride, to overcome a sense of inferiority or to please someone else. This person may secretly hate school or the sciences, but of school traumas, guilts and resentments, has become addicted to school, to proving himself or to doing what everyone else says he should do.

   It all depends on your motivation: whether you’re acting out of wisdom and understanding, or conforming and rebelling against pressures.

   The most important thing you have is character. Character grows only when you learn to overcome your conditioning, fears, rebellions, conformities and brain-washing. You must learn to stand on your own two feet, doing what is wise and just because you see that it is wise and just, regardless of what anyone else says.