Tuesday, July 07, 2015

Knowledge Vs Wisdom

While we strive to acquire more knowledge and our areas of expertise, wisdom is something that cannot be acquired by reading, listening or experiencing. You cannot 'acquire your way' to wisdom. You need to 'let go your way' to wisdom....read on...

"Dad, why are you always against mugging up of things? It is also important to get good marks. Isn't it? And for that, knowledge is important, and I cannot ignore it."

"Well, all knowledge is important, and I am not asking you not to acquire knowledge. All I am saying is that while knowledge is important, wisdom is the key to our life."
"And how do we acquire wisdom?"

"It is just the opposite of knowledge."

"Means?"

"You get knowledge by acquiring. You get wisdom by letting go. So, they are exactly the reverse of each other."

"You got to explain me that Dad. I mean how can we become wiser by letting go."

"OK, tell me how do you gain knowledge today?"

"Well, by reading books on different subjects, appearing in tests, watching television and videos. I can only recollect these ways."

"Yes, you are right, but you also gain knowledge through your other sense organs like by seeing what is happening all around you, by touching and experiencing things, by sensing, smelling, tasting etc."

"OK"

"So, you are continuously feeding in to your brain and becoming more knowledgeable every day, right?"

"Right."
"And you are also flooded with so much information that you are short of time to acquire all the knowledge that you would want to, right?"

"Right."

"While we are all trying to get as much knowledge as we can in the limited span of time, the real success and happiness lies with those who have learnt the art of acquiring wisdom by letting go."

"Letting go what Dad?"

"Letting go off your bad experiences after you have learnt from them, letting go off the grudge, frustration and anger against a person who hurt you last time, letting go off your ego, letting go off whatever is a waste for you - and kills your time and energy."

"Interesting, but why is that wisdom?"

"As I said, not letting go drains off your energy and time, which you could have perhaps utilised in experiencing happiness, joy, laughter with your family and even in gaining more knowledge for that matter. Is it not wiser to create more time and energy in your life?"

"It definitely is. I understand what you say Dad. Can you give me some more examples of gaining wisdom by letting go?"

"Letting go when someone hurts you.
Letting go when things are not going as per your plan.
Letting go when you fail to reach your goals.
Letting go when our child doesn't score well in the exams.
Letting go when your new car gets a scratch.
Letting go when someone close to you dies in your family.
Letting go when someone surges ahead of you at your workplace.
....and it goes on and on..."

"Each of the above let go actions will make you a wiser human being. You would be more welcomed among your peer group. Wisdom is difficult to implement, and hence a rare skill. The earlier you start letting go, the wiser you would become."

"Thanks Dad. I think this is so important for us. In the race to acquire more knowledge, we forgot that we have to let go, to become wiser. I will remember this Dad."

The book Happiness Unlimited shows you many such lessons to lead a happier, contented life.

Cheers

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