Wisdom, Sincerity, and the Unfolding of True Nature
As a seeker of truth, there comes a point when the allure of certainty gives way to the quiet wisdom of not-knowing. The sages of old often spoke of a mastery that transcends technique, a depth that emerges from simplicity, and wisdom born not from acquiring knowledge but from allowing it to arise naturally. Lao-Tzu’s ancient mastery, the Sufis’ reflections on sincerity, and the Diamond Approach’s open-ended inquiry into truth all point to this same essential principle: the true path of wisdom is not about forcing answers but cultivating sincerity in our relationship to life and in our relationship to ourselves. This is the way of mastery—an artful balance between knowing and not-knowing, surrendering to the unfolding of true nature.
The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.
Alan Watts
The Quiet Wisdom of Not-Knowing
Lao-Tzu, in his wisdom, described the ancient masters as “subtle and profound,” their way of being so fluid and present that they were “receptive as a valley” and “clear as a glass of water.” Their unfathomable wisdom could not be described, only witnessed in its subtlety, like “someone crossing an iced-over stream” or “a warrior in enemy territory.” This profound description speaks to a kind of wisdom that doesn’t arise from having all the answers but from a deep surrender to the natural flow of existence.
The masters Lao-Tzu speaks of are those who trust the unfolding of life. They do not rush in with certainty but wait, sometimes unmoving, until the right action arises. This is the beginning of wisdom, where we see that true knowing isn’t the accumulation of information or even insight but an openness to what is. In this openness, wisdom reveals itself in often unexpected ways. The muddy water of our mind clears, not because we strive for clarity, but because we have the patience to wait for it.
True freedom is freedom from the known and the unknown.
A.H. Almaas
Sincerity as the Key to Mastery
Sufism offers a rich metaphor for understanding the role of sincerity in spiritual development. In the story of the fox and the lion, the fox’s insistence on proving himself a fox—going as far as to obtain a certificate from the lion—illustrates the futility of seeking external validation. The lion, a true master, doesn’t concern himself with proof of his nature; his being speaks for itself. The lesson is clear: true mastery and sincerity do not need to prove themselves—it is self-evident in their presence, their essence.
Sincerity is about being honest with others and, more profoundly, being honest with oneself. It means to be unwaveringly present to what is, without trying to manipulate, force, or control the outcome. The Diamond Approach® emphasizes this as an essential quality in inquiry—sincerity as the foundation of discovery. To approach life with sincerity is to be willing to see clearly, even when what is revealed may not be what we want or expect.
Sincerity and honesty often walk side by side, but they are not the same companion. Honesty is the act of telling the truth—disclosing facts, being accurate, withholding deception. Sincerity, on the other hand, is more interior; it speaks not only the truth but from the truth. One can be honest without being sincere—reporting facts without emotional presence or alignment. But sincerity carries a flavor of heart-truth, a kind of internal resonance where what is said arises from what is felt or believed in that moment. Sincerity doesn’t always guarantee correctness, but it does offer transparency of intention. Honesty tells you what I think; sincerity tells you where I’m speaking from.
When we recognize our essential nature,
we realize that the most profound truth of all is love.
A.H. Almaas
This sincerity opens the door to increasingly deeper and more profound layers of truth in spiritual practice. It is a vulnerability, a willingness to be exposed to our ignorance and to sit with that discomfort. In that space, true wisdom can arise. In this spirit, the Sufi teaches us to observe the “Commanding Self,” or Nafs, manifesting through our preoccupations, desires, and egoic reactions. By observing the self with sincerity, we become aware of how these forces shape our perception, and through this awareness, we begin the process of dissolving their hold on us.
The Interconnectedness of All Things
As we delve deeper into the path of mastery, we begin to see how interconnected everything truly is. In the metaphor of Indra’s Net, every jewel reflects all others, illustrating that each being, each moment, contains within it the entire universe. This profound image offers insight into the nature of reality as an interconnected web where no single jewel exists in isolation. When one jewel changes, all others are affected.
This interconnectedness is a philosophical idea and a lived reality on the spiritual path. As we deepen in our sincerity and inquire more deeply into the nature of our being, we begin to see how our inner world reflects the outer world and vice versa. Our work of inquiry and self-realization ripples out, affecting not only our immediate environment but also the broader web of existence.
What you seek is seeking you.
Rumi
The Diamond Approach teaches that as we become more aware of true nature, we also become aware of how that nature is not separate from the world around us. This aligns with the teachings of Sufism, where self-realization is viewed as inherently linked to the understanding of oneness with all beings. In this way, by liberating ourselves, we participate in the liberation of all.
Reflecting on this principle, Gandhi famously remarked, “I am here to serve no one else but myself, to find my realization through the service of others.” His words highlight the paradoxical truth that in serving the whole, we serve ourselves, and in realizing our true nature, we are serving the whole. This web of interconnectedness, sincerity, wisdom, and love all express themselves.
Beauty as the Expression of True Nature
True mastery is not only about wisdom and sincerity but also about beauty. In the Diamond Approach, beauty is seen as an essential quality of true nature, a radiant expression of the divine. It is not just about physical aesthetics but the harmony and grace that arise when we are aligned with our true selves.
In this sense, beauty is both a reflection of truth and a doorway to it. The sacred art of many traditions—whether the intricacy of Islamic geometry, the fluidity of Chinese landscape paintings, or the quiet presence of Zen rock gardens—reflects this principle. These works of art do not impose themselves on the viewer; instead, they invite contemplation, a deepening into the present moment where the beauty of the divine becomes evident.
The river that flows in you also flows in me. Beauty is not in the skin; beauty is in the heart.
Kabir
Similarly, in the path of spiritual mastery, our lives can become a reflection of beauty. As we surrender to the unfolding of true nature, our actions, words, and presence embody the harmony and grace of the deeper truths we have discovered. Lao-Tzu’s masters did not seek to impress or control, yet their presence embodied the Tao. This is the beauty of true mastery—a quiet, radiant wisdom that draws others in not by force but by its very nature.
The Way of Mastery
The path of mastery is not a path of conquest, but one of surrender to the wisdom that arises when we let go of control, surrender to the sincerity of our being, and surrender to the interconnectedness of all life. It is a path that invites us to rest in not-knowing, inquire deeply with sincerity, and allow the beauty of our true nature to unfold naturally.
Do not seek the truth, only cease to cherish opinions.
Sengcan, Third Zen Patriarch
As we walk this path, we discover that wisdom is not something to be attained, but rather something already present, waiting to emerge. We need only be still, patient, and sincere enough to allow it to arise. Like the ancient masters, we begin to trust the flow of life, knowing that the right action and proper understanding will come when the time is ripe. And in that trust, we find a deep peace—a peace that is the very essence of mastery.
Practical Guidance for Seekers
As you walk the path of mastery, there are essential qualities to cultivate and pitfalls to avoid that will support your unfolding:
Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.
Abba Moses
What to Embrace:
- Embrace Not-Knowing: Trust that wisdom arises in its own time. Cultivate openness and curiosity, allowing truth to unfold without forcing answers.
- Cultivate Sincerity: Be unwaveringly honest with yourself and life, allowing sincerity to be the foundation of your journey.
- Trust the Natural Flow: Let go of the need to control outcomes. Life’s wisdom emerges when we surrender to its rhythm.
- Honor Interconnectedness: Recognize that your self-inquiry ripples affect the world around you, contributing to the more extensive web of existence.
- Live with Beauty and Grace: As you align with your true nature, allow your presence and actions to reflect the beauty and harmony of more profound truths naturally.
What to Avoid:
- Avoid Clinging to Certainty: The need for certainty can block the openness for wisdom. Let go of the compulsion to control outcomes or hold rigid beliefs.
- Avoid Seeking External Validation: True mastery is self-evident and doesn’t rely on external approval. Don’t measure your progress by external recognition or validation.
- Avoid Forcing Insights: Wisdom comes in its own time. Pushing for answers or clarity too quickly can obscure more profound truths.
- Avoid Insincerity: Be truthful with yourself, even when facing uncomfortable truths. Avoid the temptation to deceive yourself or gloss over your inner experiences.
- Avoid Egoic Control: Let go of the need to manipulate or control life’s flow. Trust the unfolding of true nature rather than imposing egoic desires.
By embracing these qualities and avoiding the traps of ego, certainty, and superficiality, you open the door to true wisdom, sincerity, and mastery.
John Harper is a Diamond Approach® teacher, Enneagram guide, and a student of human development whose work bridges psychology, spirituality, and deep experiential inquiry. He is the author of The Enneagram World of the Child: Nurturing Resilience and Self-Compassion in Early Life and Good Vibrations: Primordial Sounds of Existence, available on Amazon.