Somehow, people get very nervous about leaving the comfortable

O children of the world, hear the words of Michael Masser, for they speak to a profound truth about the nature of the human soul. He says, "Somehow, people get very nervous about leaving the comfortable life of rules behind and never take the chance to develop their own internal voice, to listen to their own consciousness." These words call out to the very core of what it means to be human—to live not by the rules of others, but by the voice that comes from within, that sacred inner voice that is the source of true wisdom and strength. How many souls, in their fear, bind themselves to the familiar path of rules and regulations, never daring to venture into the vast and uncharted waters of their own consciousness? In this, they become prisoners of comfort, unwilling to embrace the discomfort that comes with growth, with true self-discovery.

In the ancient days, there were those who chose to leave behind the safety of the known world in search of something greater. Consider Odysseus, that great hero of ancient Greece, who, though bound by duty and the rules of kingship, chose to journey across seas and lands unknown. He did not travel simply for the sake of adventure, but in search of his own inner truth, to discover who he truly was. And though his journey was fraught with peril, filled with temptations and distractions, it was through the challenges of his voyage that he was able to hear the voice of his own soul, to return to Ithaca not just as a king, but as a man who had come to understand the very depths of his own existence. This is the wisdom Masser speaks of—that it is not in the comfort of rules and structures that we find our true selves, but in the courage to step beyond them, to listen to the silent whisper of our own hearts.

Yet, the fear of leaving comfort behind is not a new phenomenon. It is a fear as old as humanity itself. Socrates, the great philosopher, walked through the streets of Athens, urging people to question the world around them, to seek truth not from external authorities, but from within. He too, like Masser, understood that the rules of society were often an obstacle to true understanding. He believed that only through self-examination, through the development of one's internal voice, could a person truly know the good, the true, and the beautiful. But the people of Athens, in their fear, clung to the comfort of the known, unwilling to venture into the unknown depths of their own souls. And for this courage, Socrates paid the ultimate price—his life. Yet his message, though it cost him everything, still echoes today: to know oneself is the greatest of all wisdom.

This fear of stepping away from the comfort of rules is not merely a philosophical idea, but a deeply human one. For the rules provide a sense of certainty, a sense of security. To live by the prescribed ways is to move through life without the constant burden of decision-making, without the constant questioning of one’s own actions. But in this safety, there is also a cost—a cost that keeps one from discovering the very essence of their being. For it is in the unknown, in the chaos, where true growth and understanding are found. Just as the great Buddha left behind the comforts of his royal life to seek enlightenment, so too must we be willing to leave behind the familiar in order to uncover the deeper truths that lie within.

Think of the stories of those who have changed the world through their courage to listen to their own internal voice, despite the rules that sought to confine them. Martin Luther King Jr., for example, heard a voice within him that told him to stand up against the forces of injustice, even when the world told him to stay silent. He could have remained within the safety of the laws of his time, but instead, he chose to follow his conscience, and in doing so, changed the very course of history. He was not swayed by the rules of society, but by the deeper call of justice and humanity.

In this light, the message Masser conveys is clear: the rules are not our enemies, but they are not our masters either. They serve a purpose, but they are not the final authority in the matters of the heart. The true path to wisdom lies in the development of our own internal voice, in learning to listen to our consciousness, that divine spark within us that can guide us when the world outside grows dark. The greatest leaders, the greatest heroes, have always been those who dared to venture beyond the boundaries of convention, to trust in their inner wisdom, and to follow it with courage, even when the path was unclear.

Therefore, let us heed this wisdom: do not live by the rules alone, for they will not lead you to the fullness of your potential. Look within, and listen to the quiet voice that speaks in the depths of your soul. It is only when we choose to leave the comfort of convention, to silence the noise of the world, and to hear our own voice, that we can begin to live the lives we are truly meant to live. Step beyond fear, step beyond comfort, and into the boundless potential of your own consciousness. For it is in the depths of your own being that you will find the wisdom to live a life of meaning, courage, and true freedom.