The Best
Part of Knowledge
By
Sri Swami Chidananda
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. What is the best part of knowledge?
Have you ever considered this? 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. It also acquires an 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 affect 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, the best 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, and 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.
Compiled by
Nathan Mohanan - SVT Youth Group
