I admit to being ignorant.
How am I being ignorant? Ignorance is not knowing. It is not being aware of a certain level of information that helps to formulate intelligent responses in life. Each moment of my day requires different degrees of discernment. How do I make the most appropriate responses to that which I encounter? Knowledge and information become important in navigating those encounters. But of course, learning and accumulating knowledge on whatever subject can be a never-ending task. Learning is not a closed end system.
In that case, I, we, can never ultimately escape the classification of being ignorant. There is always more to know. Alternate ways to accomplish a goal.
Obviously, I must function in this world based on the information and knowledge that I have on hand. Or at least have access to information that would assist in that process. Then apply it and see how that works. That leads to feedback from the outer world, and contributes to a greater understanding of what is taking place. Here I become a co-creator on this world. This is typical of what I did in my career.
However, this, as part of my involvement with this third dimensional world, pertains more to the physical manifestation, the bricks and mortar required for life to exist. But this is only one part of the duality we experience as incarnate beings.
My other ignorance lies in the nonphysical, mind interaction with the people and the world around me. Thoughts, opinions, personal interactions, beliefs, perceptions, projections, assumptions, and the list goes on. What and how do I to formulate responses to all the interactions that I have each day? Even just sitting here typing requires pushing back the boundaries of ignorance as much as I can. And recognizing I can become overwhelmed by that process. Not even knowing what I don’t know.
My brain continually searches for a way out of this predicament. The ego always feels quite insecure when I might have to admit “I don’t know”. But it loves to jump into the forefront by offering an opinion. (Which I have recently seen described as the “lowest form of knowledge” – no comfort there). Thoughts in the mind abound. What is valid? But this opens up the Pandora’s Box of where thoughts come from and where I assemble them into some kind of understandable form. How do I really know anything? More ignorance.
With that ignorance comes the other fatal flaw of my existence. That being a rush to judgment about circumstances and other people. I will have to blame my ego as well, and its insecurity wishing to place me above other people, and situations. “I know the answer. Because it’s me, I must be right”.
Judgment is so easy to do, to fall into. My ignorance quota be damned. No need to wonder about what I don’t know in the circumstances. It just makes me feel good and superior to offer a few thoughts about a subject I may know little about.
I live in a world of staggering complexity, with an incessant bombardment of information. Growing up in a pre-computer era and having witnessed incredible changes, required continual and rapid adaptation. All the while increasing my ignorance level.
Is there a solution to the ever present ignorance inherent in my being? And what to do with the temptations of opinions and judgment? What is the opinion I have of myself when I judge myself for judging? Is there a perspective that I can use, a filter of sort, to keep them from creating more misunderstanding and separation?
Judgement can be transformed into discernment. In my better moments, I try not to condemn anyone for expressing their own reality, the truth as they see it. It is impossible to know the how and why they have arrived where they are. Discernment let’s others be as they are, yet recognizes that such an expression may not be compatible with where I wish to be. I can express my own freedom of choice.
Expressing my own opinions are more challenging. Stating facts as I know them, or just speculating? Brainstorming? My normal state of consciousness only contains so much information to bring to bear on a situation. Yet in order to function and interact, I must make statements or formulate opinions. This can become part of the learning process, or an excuse to insert the egoic self for personal “gains”. Make me right.
Perhaps opinions could be framed much the same as using the scientific method – observing, formulating a theory, testing, reevaluating. In other words, recognize the limitations of an opinion. They are works in progress. They may contribute, but are not the final understanding of any situation or circumstance. More importantly, is the opinion driven by the ego, or the heart? Likewise for judgment. Although judgment is almost impossible to originate from the heart. As with all things, the most clarity and expansive perception comes from humility activating a compassionate heart.
With the acceptance of what I don’t know, ignorance dissolves.
A.S. 2/18/23
