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Gaining the fruit of all knowledge Given during a Transcendental Meditation Teacher Training Course in Mallorca, Spain, in February 1971, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi began by pointing out that direct perception can be deluding.* Therefore perception alone cannot be a firm criterion for right knowledge. 'Understanding must support perception in order for perception to be an authentic means of gaining knowledge,' Maharishi said. 'Perception satisfies the heart, and understanding satisfies the mind. Right understanding along with direct perception is necessary to give complete knowledge.' On levels where perception and understanding differ—in the relative field of life—knowledge may remain incomplete. At the unmanifest level of Creative Intelligence, where existence and intelligence are the same, perception and understanding are not different. 'At this level, where perception and understanding are most refined, knowledge is right, complete, and therefore fulfilling,' Maharishi said. Maharishi then spoke about Ritam bhara pragya—'that intelligence which fathoms only the truth'—the level of awareness where mental activity is at its finest level. 'Perception belongs to the field of the senses,' Maharishi explained, 'and understanding belongs to the field of the intellect. At the level of Ritam bhara pragya the difference between the intellect and the senses is minimal because that is the level which is closest to Transcendental Consciousness, where no differences exist. 'At this level, knowledge derived from perception, and knowledge derived from understanding will be in perfect accordance with each other.' Maharishi also teaches that knowledge is structured in consciousness, and knowledge is different in different states of consciousness. Therefore the different means of gaining knowledge—perception and understanding—depend upon one's level of consciousness. For knowledge to be complete and fulfilling, it must be based on pure consciousness. 'The field of Creative Intelligence, pure consciousness, is the basis of all knowledge,' Maharishi continued, 'and the fountainhead from which all the streams of knowledge arise. Gaining this level of awareness through the Transcendental Meditation Programme, one is able to derive the benefit of all knowledge. 'By developing the full potential of Creative Intelligence in one's awareness one is able to fulfil all one's desires and be successful in all fields of life.' Maharishi's Science of Creative Intelligence provides the experience and understanding of the basis of all knowledge, the field of pure Creative Intelligence. The purpose of the Science of Creative Intelligence is to develop an individual who is most progressive, creative, and able to apply his Creative Intelligence to all fields of activity. 'It is vital to gain the benefit of all knowledge,' Maharishi concluded. 'This can only be accomplished by gaining the basis of all knowledge. However, it is also important to study different fields of life in order to be of maximum benefit to oneself and to society. 'For the full development of Creative Intelligence, it is necessary to alternate meditation and activity. In this way one develops the ability to maintain inner silence along with dynamic activity, and thus is able to draw upon the reservoir of Creative Intelligence to achieve maximum in life.' *This talk was published in the book Maharishi Speaks to Students: Mastery over Natural Law. © Copyright 2008 Global Good News®
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