KNOW THYSELF

Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.”
-Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor (A. D. 161-180)

K is for "Know thyself":

Since the beginning of humanity, great philosophers of the world had been delving deep into the intricacies of our elusive selves.

The ancient Greek aphorism ‘KNOW THYSELF’ is one of the Delphic maxims inscribed in the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.  The curious believers since then always pondered over it.

Later on, Socrates expounded it in many of his discourses. For him “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates even maintained, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

His disciple Plato took it up extensively in his scholarly creations. He was the forerunner of Western philosophy and science. He propounded, “Essence of knowledge is self-knowledge.”

The quest for knowing the truth and establishing identity has been going on since antiquity. Great philosophers and thinkers of the world have all tried to comprehend the mysteries of the self. They came up with numerous insights, which inspired humankind to carry on with this endless search.

The understanding of self-awareness, in fact, opens the doors for realizing one’s potential for a productive life. In our short odyssey on the earth, frequent episodes of inner dialogue happen.  They serve as revelations. A conscious individual always endeavors to extricate self from the limiting absurdities around.   

“The knowledge of self will preserve your from vanity.”

                                        
Miguel de Cervantes

However, in the rat race of modern life, is it possible to listen to the internal voiceless flow? It may appear paradoxical yet in spite of this fast-paced existence, a desire to make life exceptional and more dynamic has to be developed.

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Here is an attempt at loud thinking based on  impressions gleaned over the years:

One thing, which helps in discovering ourselves, is our interactions with others. Reactions good or bad in specific or everyday situations of people close to us or our acquaintances or our friends or others throw useful learning lessons. Self-knowledge acquired thus help us in adapting our self-image vis a vis others.

In a way, the behavior of others educates us about those whose association leads to pessimism, brooding and pulling us down. It signals us to be friends with those who perk up our confidence and shun the naysayers. Developing links with people who raise us and enhance the positive aspect of life should be assiduously pursued. Being aware of this option becomes an inspiration for better management of our lives.

Self-awareness is akin to mindfulness, exhorting us to devote a single-minded approach to our life tasks. As Swami Vivekananda succinctly puts it,

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.”

Writings of great philosophers especially Socrates' polemics with his listeners and Plato’s dialogues are great influencers in clearing doubts and bigoted perceptions.

Looking inside for analyzing our fears and anxieties objectively is conducive to finding solutions. A free and relaxed mind expands the creative horizon.

A serious evaluation of our experiences can help in making better decisions for self-improvement.

Self-knowledge also means being true to one’s core values. Honesty truthfulness and probity are our treasures and under no circumstances should ever be compromised.

Our internal invisible monologue says a lot about our thinking process, which defines our personalities. All its warnings and appraisals nudge and activate our receptiveness to change and to act courageously.

Acquiring self-knowledge is an exercise, which continues throughout life.  It is rightly pointed out that we are always in the act of becoming.

Friends welcome here as always!               Images, courtesy Google.

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KNOWLEDGE EMPOWERS

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K is for Knowledge

How often do we hear the words “Knowledge is Power”? However, the one who made this seminal statement was Francis Bacon the 16th century essayist. The concept underlying this assertion has generated  deep resonance in thinking minds all along. Ironically, most of us don’t care to mull over the significance of these words which can be life changing.

What does knowledge mean? In simple words, knowledge is what you have imbibed through study, observation, traveling and interaction with different types of people in the course of your life.

In the present times however, internet has acquired the status of a magical wand possessing a colossal reservoir of knowledge at a click away. You marvel at your luck to be around at such a period of history, where internet is the unique wizard and leaves the likes of Harry Potter much behind. In fact, every literate person with internet connectivity has legendary Aladdin‘s lamp at his disposal. Internet opens doors and windows of information to help you explore the depths of the micro world and the expanse of the macro world. Here you go for any topic and lo and behold, the fairy tale treasures of knowledge present their pearls for you to make a pick.

For knowledge to happen good education is fundamental. It feeds imagination and intellect. It enables you to be informed about things, which were never in the radar of your mind scape.  The learning ability empowers you to understand and cope with life situations, think maturely and decide options freely. The awareness which only education imparts, allows you to weigh the multiple choices you have to steer your life. Moreover, the knowledge, acquired by you, is your power with which to influence others and it results in the cycling of information from one to the other. This is how knowledge multiplies.

Education is a prerequisite for success in any field under the sun. In under developed countries people’s participation in the affairs of their nations is possible only if awareness of world is assimilated via relevant education. In this regard, social networking sites are playing a major role in exchange of information, mobilizing people for concerted actions, highlighting causes and enlightening people about their rights and responsibilities.

Knowledge fuels social movements. The surge of Arab spring protests that jolted the entrenched regimes in those countries is the case in point. Wall Street demonstrations in New York against social and economic inequality are an example too.  

In the overpopulated counties like India, educating women shall be able to have control over their bodies, in the sense that they can restrict the number and manage the spacing of their children. Literacy will enable them to take recourse to family planning measures and have better information about nutrition and health issues.

The idea of self-knowledge in improving your chances of a more purposeful life needs attention. No wonder Socrates said, “Know thyself” and much before that Hindu scriptures critiqued the quest for self-knowledge. The desire to ‘know thyself’ is timeless. However, to achieve it is as difficult as it is easy to spell.

The upside is that even the plain consciousness of the need for such knowledge spurs you to make inroads to understand your personality.  In the process, your strengths, abilities, core beliefs and your limitations, which form a part of the knotted jungle within you, take shape as separate entities for you to explore dispassionately. The knowledge of the self will enhance your capacities for self-improvement and service to others. The freshly roused voice inside you will balk at the violation of your personal values at your work place or in numerous other situations in life. The approach boosts self-confidence and cements the validity of the ethics as a way of life.

Plato the Greek philosopher opined that the essence of knowledge is self-knowledge. Yet to deconstruct the psychic layers of the complex human mind is beyond any mortal being. Moreover, this universal search for decoding the mystery of the self has gone on through ages and will continue.

" ......To know the thoughts and deeds that have marked man's progress is to feel the great heartthrobs of humanity through the centuries......"  Helen Keller