Hidden in the Plain Sight: Uncovering the Teaching in the Complexity of Serat Jatimurti

This study explores Serat Jatimurti to uncover its teaching on reality and human nature. The focus is mainly on its complicated textual form consisting of metaphors, abstract terms, and contradicting statements. No study has explored the relationship of such textual elements especially the usage of multiple metaphors in the spiritual teaching of this text or texts of Kejawen spirituality that Serat Jatimurti belongs to. The finding shows that by using a form consisting of the complicated relationship between its elements primarily metaphors, the text teaches that realities, human nature, or God are too abstract to describe in straightforward language. Second, Serat Jatimurti has a negative outlook on realities but a dialectical view on human nature. The finding means that Serat Jatimurti’ dialectical expression and complicated forms could offer a hint of better relation or engagement with the adherents of such spirituality.

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