Inspiring Quotes of the Week...
Knowledge
Commentary by Peter Shepherd
“I shall not commit the fashionable stupidity of regarding everything I cannot explain as a fraud.” ~ C.G. Jung
As George Bernard Shaw said, "Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance." Too often a person examining evidence will discard it as "Can't possibly be true" if it conflicts with established beliefs, which seem self-evident to the so-called expert. Particularly if the evidence is subjective, since many would maintain that is not evidence at all. This stalls progress since fixed ideas, prejudice and vested interests blind the mind. For more on this see the Rupert Sheldrake interview below.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
We all know the value of education. The mind is naturally curious and we want to explore and find out why. The knowledge we gain from learning and research that interests us forms the basis for discovery, invention and career expertise. Albert Einstein also pointed out, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." But imagination builds from a wide knowledge base, covering many topics and specialities, so new possibilities become apparent and creativity breaks new bounds.
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” ~ Aristotle
If you know yourself - if you're willing to look objectively - that's a good start on knowing others, since we all have much in common. It's also a natural result of practicing mindfulness: remaining conscious in the present rather than carried away in reactive or pre-programmed responses.
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” ~ Johann van Goethe
It's easy to agree. But then the tricky bit... That requires motivation that is true to your soul: who you really are, and what you really want. If you are truly inspired then action will naturally follow. Otherwise life just stays the same. Only when knowledge is put into practice can understanding develop; then with experience we have the potential to acquire wisdom.
“Knowing answers does not require stating them; there are times when offering answers is not helpful, as when a person is in the middle of their own learning process.” ~ John Earle
Knowledge is having the right answer. Intelligence is asking the right question. It is tempting to offer someone an insight that you feel is just out of their reach, but to do so is to deny them the empowerment of discovery, especially the discovery of their own inner truth - which may turn out to be a different insight from our own in any case. Another way of putting it: "Knowledge is knowing what to say; wisdom is knowing when to say it."
Here’s some further reading on this theme...
Heretic for Our Times ~ Dr Rupert Sheldrake interviewed by Jay Walljasper
Biologist Rupert Sheldrake’s experiments turn everything we know about the universe inside out. Sheldrake explains that science is being constricted by assumptions that have hardened into dogmas. The 'scientific worldview' has become a belief system. All reality is material or physical. The world is a machine, made up of dead matter. Nature is purposeless. Consciousness is nothing but the physical activity of the brain. Free will is an illusion. God exists only as an idea in human minds, imprisoned within our skulls. Sheldrake examines these dogmas scientifically, and shows persuasively that science would be better off without them: freer, more interesting, and more fun. Continues...
PODCAST: Peter Shepherd about Transitions in Life
