True knowledge is the knowledge of the truth of things and not of the appearances. By stepping back we identify with the truth of our being and, by extension, with the truth of others as well. Instead of meeting and knowing on the surface by outer senses and reacting on this basis one embraces all things through an inner identity with the Mother. And it is in this identity with the Divine Presence in each thing that one truly understands others including people, situations, circumstances. So they are not two methods but two steps of gaining knowledge. First is to step back from the surfaces of life and discern what is permanent and what is passing appearances. This opens an inner doors to knowledge if one aspires for it. This knowledge grows in degrees until it becomes knowledge in identity which is the final stage. It means shifting the centre of understanding from the outward to inner and from inner to the inmost.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
