Subject #4: On knowledge

Definition of knowledge is: What is known by perceptual experience and reasoning. That experience can be, for example, studying a book or hearing something from someone or conclusion from action. Roots of knowledge are always in the past. Knowledge is neccessary for us, otherwise we would not survive here. However, knowledge has its limits because it's always based on stabile idea structures of the mind. Knowledge becomes hindurance when one tries to see something as it really is, to have a clear vision. Truth is fresh. And the moment one tries to say something about it, it disappears - it's like trying to catch ocean with strainer.

To know and to be. Human mind can store a huge amount of knowledge but mere gathering of knowledge does not penetrate into being. One may know that hate is futile but to be free from hate is a wholly different matter. Or one may know that love is answer to everything but to really love is something else.

All of us are familiar with learning. Only few of us are familiar with unlearning. Unlearning is about clearing your mind from ideas how to act, how to be, how to live, what things are shameful or shameless, what is right and wrong and so on. These are ideas from society, from your parents, from your friends, from media, from culture, from traditions, from religions, from all external sources. Freedom is not achieved by absorbing such ideas. It should be noted that clearing your mind does not mean forcefully throwing those ideas away (and that does not even work - feel free to try) but instead of taking any such idea into observation. In close observation whatever idea was, it starts to wane as you start to see absurdity behind it.

Knowledge and words have relationship. Big part of knowledge is based on words and ideas about their meaning. It's important to be aware of problems of trying to describe reality with words. One of my favourite stories is about father of Taoism, Lao Tzu:

The disciples were absorbed in a discussion of Lao Tzu's dictum:
Those who know do not say;
Those who say do not know.
When the master entered,
They asked him what the words meant.
Said the master, "Which of you knows the fragrance of a rose?"
All of them indicated that they knew.
Then he said, "put it into words."
All of them were silent.