The Best Part of Knowledge
The whole of the spiritual
life is an acquiring of spiritual knowledge. The guru is a source of
spiritual knowledge: Scriptures are the source of spiritual knowledge. Special
books on specific topics or aspects of the spiritual life and sadhana
are also a source of spiritual knowledge. The function of knowledge is to
remove ignorance. We replace ignorance by knowledge. It is knowledge itself
that does this function of getting rid of ignorance and taking its place. It
removes darkness and brings light.
But, apart from its function
of getting rid of ignorance, let us ask a different question about knowledge
itself. We have knowledge, but what is the best part of this knowledge that we
have acquired? We may say that knowledge by itself is undivided—it is one
integrated thing—but there are parts of knowledge in relation to us.
When we consider knowledge and
ourselves, when we consider knowledge and its relationship to ourselves, it is
dual. We are related to knowledge, and knowledge is related to us. Therefore,
the question of what is the best part of knowledge acquires a certain relevance
and importance.
The first part of knowledge is
that we now know something that we did not know before we acquired this
knowledge, before we were blessed or graced with this knowledge. The guru
gives blessings in the form of the knowledge that has the power to gradually
liberate us. Thus, you did not know, and when you got the knowledge, you knew.
So knowing is a quintessential part of knowledge—enabling us to know things
that we did not know until it came into our experience. Knowing, therefore, is
the essence of the matter.
However, what is the
difference between a person who does not know and a person who knows? Is there
any difference at all? That is the next part of knowledge—when the knowing of
the knowledge makes a difference in the person. The person is more perceptive,
more understanding, more tolerant, more sympathetic. They act with a greater
spirit of give and take. Knowledge can do all these things, but there is a big
IF. That big IF is that knowledge can do all these things only if the person
allows this knowledge to have a transforming effect upon their being. They
become a better person because before they got the knowledge they committed
many errors. After they acquired this knowledge they begin to avoid all those
errors. They act in a different way, a better way, a nobler way.
So, knowledge is knowing, and
when this knowing brings about a change for the better in us, it also becomes
being. Knowledge first becomes knowing when previous to that we did not know.
But then, if we are satisfied with keeping it at that level, and it does not
bring about any change, then there is only one part of knowledge that is
present—not a better part of knowledge. The second part of knowledge is
becoming someone different in a positive and creative way because of the
knowledge. The second part of knowledge is being.
And there is still a better
part of knowledge. This change must become a social asset. It must become a
value that has an effect in terms of other people’s well-being. It is here that
the third part of knowledge comes into our consideration. Out of becoming a
knowing person and then a changed person, we turn this knowledge and its
knowing and being into a social asset, a value in human relationship—a value
not only to our own self-culture, self-evolution and ethical and spiritual
progress, but a value also in terms of the well-being and happiness of others.
Perhaps this is the best part
of knowledge—the doing part of knowledge—bringing knowledge into actual
manifestation in a creative pattern of human relationship, behaving with others
so that every act that you do becomes a source of benefit to others, every act
is, as it were, a seed for the well-being of others, the good of others,
bringing into their lives something positive, something helpful, something for
which they feel grateful. That is the third part of knowledge.
Knowing is good; it is a
wonderful part of knowledge. Being is better. It is really a very praiseworthy
part of knowledge, a very, very valuable part of knowledge. But doing is best
because it affects in a positive, creative and beneficial way all other lives
whom you touch as you move about in this world and live your life. It becomes a
benediction, a boon, a blessing, a great desirable value in your life with
others—all others, all of God’s creation. Therefore the best part of knowledge
is knowledge in practice, the transforming effect of knowledge upon your being
being a source of auspiciousness, good and benefit to others.
Excerpts from:
The Best Part of
Knowledge by Sri Swami Chidananda
If you would like to purchase the print edition, visit:
http://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?
http://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?
If you would
like to contribute to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge please contact
the General Secretary at:
No comments:
Post a Comment