British empiricist Francis Bacon once said, “Knowledge is power.” Yet, to keep the vaults brimming with this treasure, one must toil relentlessly, moving up and down, to and fro. The moment a seeker falls into the illusion of having acquired enough knowledge, he unknowingly becomes a victim of ignorance.
The pursuit of knowledge is like a rolling sphere of snow. It grows only when it continues its journey through crests and troughs. Movement is essential; to halt is to embrace stagnation. As William Blake wisely warned, “Expect poison from stagnant water.” Stagnation poisons the flower within you, a flower meant to thrive under the radiant rays of knowledge.
The Master and Mystic
Many centuries ago, a well-known mystic was basking under a tree, collecting pearls of wisdom from his book. Out of nowhere, a man clad in black paid him a visit and inquired about the book that had gripped his attention so tightly. The mystic, disturbed by the stranger’s inquisitiveness, replied in agitation, “Whatever I am reading is beyond your comprehension.” In response, the man snatched the book and threw it into a nearby pond. Shock washed over the mystic’s face. In utter disbelief, he shouted, “How could you do this? Can you explain this act of insolence?”.
The man in black remained calm. “What I have done is beyond your comprehension,” he replied. The mystic, shrouded in sorrow, watched as the man tapped him on the back and asked, “Would you care to retrieve the book from the water?” Though convinced that the man was out of his mind, the mystic obeyed. To his astonishment, the book emerged dry, as though untouched by water. Even dry dust flew from it as he tapped it. Lined with disbelief, his face turned toward the man in black, his heart pounding for an explanation.
The stranger then said, “You have learned much from books, but other landscapes of knowledge remain unexplored. You were cocooned in books, believing they were the sole gateway to wisdom. But there are other paths, other terrains that lead to higher knowledge.” From that day, the mystic became his disciple. Today, he is known across the globe as the epitome of wisdom, Jalaluddin Rumi. And the man who opened new avenues of knowledge to him was Shams of Tabriz.
This story, though legendary, conveys a profound lesson: one should never stop at the pinnacle, for in the terrain of knowledge, there are endless summits to conquer.
From Rumi to Rock: The seeker of a different kind
Now, let us shift from the mystic lands of the Middle East to the electrifying era of 1960s Britain. It was a time when the world was enthralled by a young pop group called The Beatles. The band, consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, had the entire music world dancing to their tunes. Their colossal fame led one of them to remark, “The Beatles are more famous than Jesus Christ.” Their albums sold in staggering numbers, and their influence was unparalleled.
Yet, despite the frenzy, one member of the band was not fully satisfied, George Harrison, the quiet one. The fire to learn and evolve still blazed within him. Around the same time, an Indian sitar maestro, Ravi Shankar, arrived in the West, mesmerizing audiences with a sound they had never heard before. The sitar’s hypnotic resonance captivated listeners, sending them on an otherworldly journey. Harrison, too, was drawn to this mystical sound, igniting his desire to master the instrument.
He befriended Shankar, and a deep bond blossomed between them. Ravi Shankar took Harrison to India, where he immersed himself in learning the intricate art of sitar playing. For years, George accompanied Shankar, refining his skills. Soon after, he introduced the sitar in The Beatles’ album Rubber Soul, pioneering a fusion of Eastern and Western music. The distinct sitar-infused melodies opened new dimensions in Western music, setting a precedent for future artists to explore Indian influences.
Had Harrison been content with his initial success and never ventured into new realms of knowledge, The Beatles might not have reached the towering heights they are celebrated for today. His thirst for learning transformed not only his own musical journey but also the landscape of global music.
These tales illustrate an essential truth: rather than sailing on a boat called I know everything, one must be open to new knowledge, imbibing it like sun-scorched earth absorbing even the smallest drop of water. Those who believe they have learned enough see only the blue sky, failing to behold the infinite marvels of the universe adorned by countless stars. Knowledge is an endless ascent, one that rewards those who continue to climb.
( The Author can be reached at owais90gora@gmail.com )
