For much of my life I was an avid devourer of non-fiction books on all sorts of subjects. I wanted to know how things happened, when they happened, why they happened, and what the consequences were. I wanted to know about history, psychology, geography, science, anthropology, religion, natural history and music. I wanted to know facts, figures, definitions, alternative opinions, references etc, etc. I thought those books would help me to understand life; I thought they would give me an edge; I even thought they would make me wise. Apart from a very few exceptions, they haven’t done any of those things. All they’ve done is helped me to argue with just a little bit more authority. Big deal.
I had the strongest sense today that all those hundreds of books and all that so-called knowledge – much of which is actually only speculative anyway – were but a pointless veneer cloaking the truth. They’re like a coat of grey paint on a golden statue, or a layer of dust on a diamond.
I don’t expect anyone to agree with me and the point isn't simple anyway, but when I get a sense of something as strong as this, I have to take notice.
6 comments:
There is nothing new under the sun. Knowing or not knowing what is or is not under the sun, or how everything under the sun works, does not make you a better, more well-rounded person. Understanding who you are, what is your purpose in this life-- that is what will give you an edge. If such an edge is needed. If it's truth you seek, you will find it, when you search with your heart and not with your mind. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I agree. This is why I incline towards Zen, Buddhism and the Tao. Not that I need any of them, of course.
For me books were used as companions which isn't a bad thing, but they sometimes have stopped me from connecting with others as a balance as well as clouding up my own wisdom. It was kind of sad for me to become conscious of this. I haven't done a major overhaul yet, but I have bought a Kindle (something I swore I'd never do) and find that I'm much more discriminating with the books I read and that I can get rid of them if they aren't something I'll want to read again. Of course the classics, I'll never read digitally.
The post was very brief, Wendy. I could have gone further and said that this 'sense' only applied to non-fiction, and not quite all non-fiction. I have a different attitude to fiction. I think that can be genuinely enriching. I don't know whether it matters how you read them, unless it changes the nature of how you connect with them
Just finish a book about Buddhism and science written by a Thai author. Thing I remember from the book are pure science is not creating new things, it is to discover things deeper. And how to discover the truth is to open senses and mind. By the practised senses and mind which is powerful and faster than any other energy, light or gravitation, the truth especially the nature of universe can be found.
And also no matter advanced technology human kind gain, thier ignorances about life is always the same. That's why the Buddha who knew all the truth said by himself that 'the knowledge gained via practising senses and mind is like leaves in the whole forest, he decided to teach only a handful of leaves that is essential to getting nirvana, other knowledge is unnecessary.'
I think that about says it, Mei-shan. Which is why I suppose I now have the growing conviction that the vast majority of what I read in books wasn't really important.
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