The first four impressions of I look at our ability to engage with ourselves and all that is not us. Tonight consider the impression of understanding.

We use the word understanding all the time. I understand this. I understand that. Understand is a verb - it is something you do with your consciousness.

When we understand, we grasp meaning, substance, cause, process, and mystery in all simplicity and all complexity.

It is not analysis nor sentiment. It is not wisdom nor love. Perhaps it is the middle point. The I understands beyond the functions of the heart or intellect. You do not need language to understand. Do not confuse understanding with knowledge or feelings.

Let me write about this with some Christmas metaphors:

In the first Christmas, the simple shepherds stood under the heavens and understood the heavenly hosts. The three magi, stood under the great star and understood its significance.

In the stable, the manger with the Babe stood under the mother. The infant looked up at his mother and understood her.

You might imagine the planets understanding the sun, the sun understanding the galaxy.

The Holy Nights I stands under all things and understands all things and doesn't need words. The I understands everything as heaven understands earth, child understands mother, acorn understands oak.

Dark forces want us to doubt our understanding I. don't doubt your understanding I. Let it impress you with its validity.

You stand under your I and understand it!

If you can describe your I, it's not your I. Do you understand this?

When I began to write this message on understanding, I didn't know what I would write. I had an understanding that I must begin with understanding as the first impression of the I. But I didn't KNOW. I trusted my understanding.

I have written 382 words pointing toward understanding, not defining it.

Suggestions:

Do you trust your understanding? Or do you think you can only trust what you can language?

Write down a memory of an experience of understanding. You have lots of them!

The practice of writing a poem, where language is indication, not definitive description, might be an artistic practice for 2013.

Go out and look at the sky and feel your I understanding the stars. So sweet and so powerful.

In awe and with love,