THE GIFT OF LEARNING (7): FIRE YOUR DESIRE

“Only through persistent inquisition and ceaseless importunity does a man enter in through the door of knowledge.” - James Allen

Fire your Desire

Suffice it to say therefore, that the man who must learn must develop a habit of insatiable inquisition. He must learn to ask questions and not just wonder how and why things are the way they are. Sterling W. Sill in "Miracle of Personality" narrated a story, that, A young man came to Socrates one day and said, "Mr. Socrates, I have come 1,500 miles to gain wisdom and learning. I want learning, so I come to you." Socrates said, "Come, follow me." He led the way down to the seashore. They waded out into the water until they were up to their waists, and then Socrates seized his companion and forced his head under the water. In spite of his struggles, Socrates held him under. Finally, when most of his resistance was gone, Socrates laid him out on the shore and returned to the market place. When the visitor had regained his strength, he returned to Socrates to learn the reason for this behavior. Socrates said to him, "When you were under the water, what was the one thing you wanted more than anything else?" He said, "I wanted air." Then Socrates said, "When you want knowledge and understanding as badly as you wanted air, you won't have to ask anyone to give it to you."

Understand that every worthwhile venture in life, begins with the process of inquiry. This is Socrates’ view point on this matter, "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for. In essence, If the learner sits and lets knowledge flow over him like water over a rock, nothing is going to happen to him. It is only when a genuine interaction between the learner and the "stuff" of education takes place does any observable change occur.