Knowledge and liberation

I had a (näive) belief that knowledge brings liberation and thereby by knowing how universe works, I thought I would also get an insight into the nature of suffering of sentient beings who inhabit it. This journey has led me to learn various bodies of knowledge and I ended up publishing a lot of books that are widely received and my hat was filled with accolades. However I slowly began to see through the things.

I would characterise my knowledge as “lip-stick” knowledge: it stayed on my lips and impressed people but it didn’t reduce my own suffering, let alone that of others. Knowing about the origin of universe, I had no idea about the origin of stupidity and hatred within me nor did I know about my own body. No one, who read my books, told me that they suffered less after reading them and I often feel that trees that were cut down to print my books could have given more solace to people in their former form, than in their new paper form. It is certainly important that we learn about the world and publish what we know. But we must be succinctly aware of our motivation that is driving our explorations.

The volition with which we approach determines whether our inquiry becomes an act of communion or an act of conquest. Why do we wish to learn? What motivates our quests and pursuits? Is it mere craving for name and power disguised as curiosity or is it motivated by a great vow to alleviate the suffering? Our ethical stances, slowly sculpt the way we produce and engage with knowledge and that would decide if our knowledge alleviates our collective suffering or furthers it!

There are those amongst us who possess a different kind of knowledge. Calming their hearts, they have seen through the nature of anger and hate and transformed it into loving kindness. Being connected to their bodies and to the earth, they devote each moment of their life to serve all beings. Every word they utters brings healing and every act they perform, nourishes peace and joy. They are the possessors of true knowledge. Teachers of gods and humans. Benefactors of all. It is from those, we must humbly seek instruction and it is to those we must always bow down in reverence~

Reflection