Manual for Life

By editor in Teaching Anatomy May 30, 2025

The other day, one of my students referred to the Teaching as a “manual for life”. At first, I found the phrase a little strange. But then I realised that it was not strange at all — just somewhat unfamiliar to my ear. I would have found “guidebook” more usual, or, at a stretch, “instruction”. But “manual” — that sounds very modern and colloquial. Then again, why not? The main thing is, it was said truly. The Teaching is a guide to what never becomes outdated: to life itself. It was relevant thousands of years ago, it remains relevant today, and it will still be relevant thousands of years from now. And if today many people find the word “manual” the most comprehensible, then why not use this modern word to name something whose essence does not change, no matter what you call it?

The Teaching truly teaches life. The right way of life. But not through simple directives such as “do this, don’t do that, in such-and-such a situation act like this, because that’s the way it should be”. First of all, it shows the context in which the life of a human being and our world takes place — it speaks of the Universe and of Being itself, boundless and absolute, and the meaning of their existence. The Universe is a particle of Being, with its own place and its own role within it. In the Universe exists the world of humans, by which I mean our planet and its nature — and this too plays its role. Within this world live people, who likewise have their purpose and role in it. But is it only in this world? A person is important to their world, which is important to the Universe, which is important to Being. This means that the person is important to Being. To the great boundlessness, it matters what we know and how we live. And without understanding this, it is impossible to understand the purpose of a human being, impossible to learn how to live rightly — in such a way as to fulfil that purpose. That is why our manual first and foremost explains precisely these things. One must begin with them — for the life of a human being turns out not to be theirs alone, but a part of the life of the Universe and of Being itself.

When this becomes clear — at least in general terms — it then becomes possible to understand what a human being is, why one appears, what the meaning of one’s existence is, and how one ought to live. The particular follows from the general; therefore, a good manual first explains the general principles, and then shows how particular cases follow from them. And when the Teaching says “act this way or that”, we already understand why exactly so, and what it is for. That is, our actions become conscious. Because our manual does not merely teach us to press buttons in a given situation without understanding what is happening — it teaches us to understand the whole system. And this system is the life of a human being. The life of a human being, the life of the Universe, the life of Being — three levels of one whole, one system. The work of which and the work with which is described in this manual.

It is very important to understand that “right life” and “easy and comfortable life” are not necessarily the same thing. And the Teaching does not instruct us on how to turn our life into a holiday, nor how to solve all our problems, provide ourselves with every material benefit and bask in comfort. Such promises are made by charlatans, who secure those very benefits for themselves at the expense of the gullible. The Teaching, however, instructs us how to live rightly — that is, in a way that supports the life of our world, the Universe, and Being. And this is far from always aligning with the selfish interests of a person who has grown used to thinking of themselves as the centre of the Cosmos and placing their desires above all else. Our manual helps us understand the difference between true life (in which “you” is not just you, but also the Universe and Being) and the arrogant and selfish illusion that greatly narrows and severely limits perception — the state in which many live. It does not teach what is convenient or profitable, but what is right — what corresponds to the true essence of a human being. It helps to build one’s life as a part of something greater than a few dozen kilograms of hungry and sweaty flesh. Living rightly can be very difficult; but a person does not come into the world to mindlessly enjoy it. One comes to labour for the benefit of other people, the world, the Universe, and Being. Not only to receive, but also to give. And the more one gives, the better. The Teaching teaches one to understand this. Because if you don’t learn to understand, you won’t learn to wish correctly. And to live rightly, one must first and foremost wish to live rightly. Knowledge alone, without true desire, is not enough.

Our manual teaches how to understand reality, how to wish rightly, and how to live rightly. It describes the world and the human being, speaks of the principles by which everything exists, teaches one to follow those principles, to find the right decisions, to act correctly, and in certain cases gives concrete guidance, explaining it. Of course, it is not an exhaustive exposition or a guide that accounts for absolutely everything. Each person must learn independently, accumulate experience, draw conclusions. The Teaching helps to understand the fundamentals, provides orientation, suggests methods. But independent progress is no less essential. One must be guided by the manual, while also using one’s own mind. I might compare it to a journey. You have a map that shows the world in general terms and allows you to orient yourself according to the cardinal directions. However, you plot your own route on that map, learn to travel, study the terrain along the way and supplement the map with your own discoveries. Much in the same way do we go through life, guided by the Teaching.

It is given to a person as an aid, as a handbook on the world and on life; in a certain sense — as a reference book one must learn to use. After all, it’s not enough to just get the manual. One must also learn to work with it. And simply to understand what it is for. That is why its first page speaks about the manual itself. And if this is read and understood, then one may turn the page and move forward. From the understanding of Being and the Universe — to the understanding of the human being. From the life of the human being — to the life of the Universe and of Being.