It is important to gain knowledge but it is more important to act upon it, says Ajit Kumar Bishnoi
I will cite multiple examples in which we will see that we do have knowledge about certain things but we don’t practise them. Why is thatIJ Because we lack realisation that they are useful. Starting with the example of being truthful, how many of us are entirely truthfulIJ Unfortunately, the number will be very small. Why is thatIJ Don’t we know that being untruthful may give advantages in the short run, but ultimately the truth comes out and we are punished. The worst part is that we teach our young impressionable children the habit of lying. When they see us lying, they do the same. Not only are we hurting ourselves by lying, we condemn our children to the habit of lying.
let us take another example. From our childhood, we are taught to be disciplined. Fortunately, many are disciplined and they succeed in life. The ones who are not, don’t have to look very far. One of the main reasons for their failure is lack of discipline in their lives.
let us take the example of bad habits like heavy drinking, smoking, gambling, etc. Don’t we all know that these are extremely harmfulIJ But the worst part is that we are helplessly attracted towards these, and we don’t seriously try to stop ourselves. Someone offers us a drink and knowing well what this could lead to, we don’t refuse. Same goes for smoking and gambling. We just do not wish to think of their long-term consequences. This is like an insect getting helplessly attracted to a fire.
What about being jealousIJ Does it give any benefit whatsoeverIJ The person or persons we are jealous of may not even know that we are harbouring such negative feelings towards them. They are certainly not getting hurt while we burn ourselves internally.
Being lusty brings no benefits whatsoever. Whether it is in the matter of eating, drinking or in the matter of sensuous pleasures. They all bring unthinkable misery only. What is the major cause of illnesses and obesityIJ
When we have no control over what we eat, we get in trouble. less said the better in the matter of illicit sensuous pleasures. How many families have been ruined because of thisIJ But we don’t learn. We feel we can get away with it. Nobody does.
Avoiding anger is another good example. Does it benefit anyoneIJ The one who loses control over oneself hurts himself or herself as anger produces many harmful toxins in the body. The one who is recipient of such anger feels hurt and may retaliate leading to even physical fights. The last example is that of being greedy. How many have destroyed their lives in not being satisfied with what they have achieved, which is good enough to sustain themIJ The number is significantly large, but we don’t learn.
Then, what should we doIJ Yes, it is important to gain knowledge but it is more important to act upon it, otherwise such knowledge remains theoretical only. We should make sincere efforts to inculcate good habits. It is not going to be easy but can be done with some effort. Advantages of doing so are enormous.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer