I heard this statement in a Vedanta discourse and it made so much sense. It helped me connect many dots.
"As you gain more and more knowledge, you will have more and more dilemmas".
Let's unpack this statement.
At first glance, it might sound - "It is better not to pursue more knowledge as it might be unproductive. Ignorance is bliss".
We arrive at this conclusion because of the belief that dilemmas are bad or unproductive. We consider the effect (dilemmas) "not good" and so we end up blaming the cause (more knowledge).
Let's define the two terms in this statement:
Knowledge - any input or information coming from an external source
Dilemmas - having to decide between multiple options or choices
Let's say, a person ABC is affected by diabetes, but he is unaware that he has diabetes. When a sweet is offered to him, he accepts without any hesitation. He might even go for a second helping.
ABC now receives the knowledge through a routine blood test that he has been diagnosed with diabetes. When a sweet is now offered, he is in a dilemma - to accept it or not. Even if he accepts the first piece, he will hesitate to go for the second one. The knowledge has caused the dilemma.
If his mind overpowers his intellect, he will succumb to his temptation and prioritize immediate pleasure. He might even go for the second piece.
If his intellect is more powerful than his mind, he will gracefully say NO without being upset about his choice.
For the intellect to make the right choice, the knowledge required:
- Awareness that he has diabetes
- Sweet foods will spike his blood sugar levels
- His health is a priority - for his own sake and his family
- By gracefully saying NO, he wouldn't be disrespecting the guest who offered him the sweet
Dilemmas help us evaluate life choices and take us to the subsequent levels in our journey - self-awareness, self-growth, or spiritual journey - however you might want to call it.
Resolving dilemmas with the help of gathered knowledge awakens our intellect.
Resolution with objectivity - taking into account, various inputs and making an informed decision with the available knowledge sharpens our intellect.
We raise ethical and moral questions in our minds. We do not merely follow the herd.
We use our intellect's discriminatory powers (to discern between right and wrong) more often.
There are two challenges in this process:
- Dilemmas in terms of the quantity or the number of attributes have to be manageable, or else we might end up in choice paralysis.
- If the mind also gets involved in resolving dilemmas, when emotions start to play a predominant role, the process of discernment gets affected.
Without knowledge, there is no conflict or confusion. There is no awareness. This gives room for people with malicious intentions to exploit our ignorance for personal or business motives.
When we approach life with the belief that ignorance is bliss, we end up being at the same spot where we started. Life moves on, and years roll by. It might seem blissful at the outset, but you feel a sense of vacuum or unexplained emptiness.
Knowledge helps to "activate" the inherent intellect present in all of us. The activated intellect gets charged every time we gain new knowledge and resolve more dilemmas.
Given this importance, we should prioritize seeking knowledge and continuous learning throughout our lives. Knowledge from reliable, trustworthy sources with the right intentions makes all the difference.