A Living Fusion of Heart and Mind

Understanding God is not merely a theoretical study of sacred truths, but a living experience that penetrates to the very depths of the soul. Many traditional approaches leave us at the level of dry memorization and intellectual dogmas, which, although important, are unable to awaken a genuine inner feeling. True knowledge is found in the immediate experience of God’s presence, which is reflected not only in our thoughts but also in the transformation of the heart, filled with kindness and moral principles. Indeed, when our perception of God becomes alive, it naturally guides our actions, helping us distinguish good from evil and deepening our spiritual existence. By analyzing our inner sensations and comparing them with what we know through the mind, each of us can achieve a deeper understanding that allows us not only to know but also to feel the Divine presence in every detail of life. Such a synthesis of experience and knowledge transforms ordinary learning into a true spiritual awakening, giving us a sense of closeness to the Divine that changes us from within.
How can one evaluate the depth of one’s knowledge of God?
The depth of one’s knowledge of God can be assessed by analyzing two main aspects: the presence of an immediate, inner perception of God and the relationship of this perception to the knowledge about Him that is acquired through the mind and memory. In other words, it is important to distinguish that knowing God means having that living, immediate experience that fills the soul, while having knowledge about God is merely an external assimilation of theoretical truths.

For example, one source clearly draws the distinction: “Knowledge of God must be distinguished from knowledge about God. The former is the immediate perception of God by the inner feeling, the latter is the domain of the mind and memory...” (source: 1089_5441.txt). Thus, if you notice that your ideas about God are confined solely to intellectual knowledge, you may need to seek a deeper, more immediate experience.

Another text points out that traditional learning and the memorization of sacred truths might remain superficial: “And since the knowledge about God, like any other knowledge, is assimilated only by the mind and memory, the study of God’s Law in school usually becomes an abstract, external assimilation of religious truths that does not penetrate the depths of the soul. The knowledge of God differs from the knowledge about God...” (source: 706_3527.txt). This indicates that to truly assess the depth of our knowledge, one must pay attention to the state of the soul and the inner feeling that allows us to perceive God directly.

There is also an intriguing approach which recommends considering how firmly you perceive God and how closely your concepts of Him correspond to His true essence. One text poses the question: “In our study of God, we must consider, firstly, what kind of knowledge a person has of God, how he becomes aware of Him, how firm his perception is, whether evidence is needed for it, and what kind?” (source: 1177_5880.txt). This implies that self-analysis and comparing your inner experience with what you know through intellectual categories can serve as a test of the authenticity and depth of your knowledge of God.

Finally, another aspect of evaluation is connected to the manifestation of inner kindness and moral qualities. One source states: “He who cannot distinguish between good and evil should not judge who is good and who is evil among people. A person who knows God is kind; and if he is not kind, then he does not know (God)…” (source: 403_2012.txt). In other words, the presence of true knowledge of God is directly reflected in a person’s moral state.

In summary, the depth of one’s knowledge of God can be evaluated by analyzing two levels: the inner, immediate experience of God that penetrates the soul’s depths, and the external, intellectual knowledge that is likely acquired through learning. If one’s inner life is filled with kindness and one’s notions of God are not confined to dry intellectual conclusions, one can speak of a deeper understanding of the Divine.