Light and darkness, logic and illogic

Originally posted in German on 11^th June 2026

Light arises where knowledge becomes a living part of being. Darkness arises where insights to knowledge become merely collected and possessed¹⁾ Translator’s note: Here ‘possessed’ means having ownership.. Heinz Grill describes the difference between lived wisdom and spiritual consumption as an essential consideration when developing the consciousness.

Light and darkness as soul realities

The two great polarities of light and darkness have less to do with the rhythms of day and night that accompany the outer world as a result of cosmic conditions. They explicitly refer, right into the individual details of the soul-conditions of humanity and individuals.

Ownership of knowledge and spiritual consumption

There is no greater shielding-force from all light and beautiful influences on the human soul than spiritual consumption. Erich Fromm²⁾ The psycho analyst and social philosopher Erich Fromm (1900-1980) developed the difference between a possession-orientated and a being-orientated attitude to life in his work To Have or To Be. differentiated between what he called having knowledge and knowledge as a state of being. In yoga philosophy, ignorance, non-knowledge, avidya³⁾ Avidyā means non-knowing or ignorance. In the Yogasūtras of Patanjali it is considered the fundamental cause of human entanglement and misperception., is representative of a lack of engagement with spiritual content. In the Bhagavad Gita non-knowledge, ignorance is called ajnana⁴⁾ Jñāna means insight or spiritual knowing. In contrast to the mere intellectual knowledge, the term refers to knowledge that is connected with direct insight and consciousness. and the world ajñāna-sambhūtah is the that dimension of ignorance, that is born directly out of darkness.⁵⁾ Bhagavad Gītā, chapter 4, verse 42:

tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaṁ
hṛt-sthaṁ jñānāsinātmanaḥ
chittvainaṁ saṁśayaṁ yogam
ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata

Therefore arise, O Bharata, and resort constantly to Yoga, having cut away with the sword of knowledge this perplexity born of ignorance.

When knowledge does not become being

Unfortunately, many yoga schools and, to much regret, even my own students frequently use the terms jñana, vidya or, in Anthroposophy, ‘wisdom in humanity’ as conceited knowledge, in exactly this materialistic way and describe themselves as those who are higher because they were able to experience spiritual content through fortunate outer opportunities. However, is this knowledge already a state of being or does its first, still new, sparks that ignite very easily in the first flow of interest in getting to know new insights, fade to a nothingness, like a shooting star, then ultimately all that remains is the claim to be a wise person, a jñānin, and in reality, being an ajnānin, a pure possessor of knowledge who has created an illusion for oneself.

The heart centre and the development of jñana

The development of the heart centre requires a sufficient self-criticism, quite particularly in the differentiation between bringing knowledge to an experience in a state of being or only stating to have a claim on the knowledge for oneself. Manas⁶⁾ In Indian philosophy manas is commonly described as thinking consciousness or sensory consciousness. It communicates between awareness, thought and insights to knowledge and forms a basis for the conscious relationship between human beings and the world., the consciousness and knowledge of spiritual wisdoms and deeper impression about life, deeper than the normal outer sources of information provide, make the human psyche, indeed, the whole human soul, a light, suitable instrument of existence. While the owning knowledge is an ajñana, a very powerful lack of knowledge, which feigns the belief that someone is a knower and in reality, the darkness around the soul is great. Metaphysically speaking, owning knowledge actually creates a shadow in the aura.

Development of consciousness as a way to a lighter radiance

Spirituality urgently needs a knowledge that is living by being grounded in being, so that it can develop a strength. Claiming an ownership of truths and wisdoms not only darkens the soul but creates great barriers to general joy of spirituality. Metaphysically seen, these are truly barriers that people develop over their souls through their wanting to take possession knowledge. The aura is as if shielded and trapped. The darkness, although perhaps not subjectively perceived as such, appears real and clear to the sensitive eye. The development of a good self-criticism and the persistent development of consciousness content, so that it does not represent outer dogmas, but rather demonstrates a real, moving, joyful source in the ‘being’ of the human being, like a spring with clear water, are necessary for the unfolding of jñana and ultimately a good heart centre, as well as, a manas, a first spiritual consciousness.

The article highlights the following questions:

What is the meaning of ajñāna in the Bhagavad Gita?

Ajñāna refers to ignorance or the darkening of consciousness. It describes a state in which a person does not clearly recognise reality.

What distinguishes knowledge from wisdom?

Knowledge can be collected and possessed. Wisdom only arises when knowledge is practically realised in life and becomes part of being.

What meaning does the heart centre have in spiritual development?

The heart centre develops through objective awareness, self-criticism and the living implementation of spiritual content. It connects knowledge and a social interaction with others.

What does Heinz Grill understand by spiritual consumption?

Spiritual consumption occurs when spiritual experiences or insights are merely collected without resulting in inner development and without independently forming conscious awareness.