Illusions Of Invention

When I am seeking understanding these days I focus on simply being open and honest with myself. The understanding comes in its own time, sometimes almost right away, other times not at all. But one thing I don't do is try to find the “reason” for something, then mistake whatever “reason” I came up with for understanding.
In our world, a world presently dominated by the religion of reason (a.k.a. “science”) we are taught falsely that reasons and understanding are the same thing. If we know the reason for something then we think we understand it. And if we can't find a reason, then we think that understanding eludes us.
Amazingly, we can even have a true and deep understanding while thinking that we don't understand at all, simply because we cannot put our understanding into the terms of reason (i.e. words). This, in fact, is the very source of all human conflict and suffering. We defer to reason, and trust it instead of our true understanding which very often can not be verbally expressed or even grasped with images in our mind.
Reasoning and language are not by themselves the problem. It is only when we put our faith in symbols and reasons that we get into trouble. By themselves they are wonderful tools for expressing complex ideas and otherwise sharing our experiences (as I am doing now). But no words, nor any other symbolic system that is the product of human reason (e.g. religion, philosophy, or art) will ever truly express the real beauty of genuine understanding. Nor will these languages of reason ever be able to express or represent the understanding we need to grow out of our dellusional state. As long as we put our faith in science and technology, or religion, or music, or art, or philosophy, then these same will imprison us. Only true understanding, which is direct and unsymbolized by men (yet symbolized by the universe itself perfectly and beautifully!) can set us free from the illusions of invention.