KNOW THYSELF

When Human Beings inquire into the insurmountable distances and peep into space and into galaxies that are hidden beyond the best of our telescopes, we gaze in admiration. When scientists scrutinize the tiniest of particles and what lies underneath it with their immaculate theories, we admire them. Yet, we are made to gulp in extreme surprise when we see the same humans totally disillusioned and unable to deal with simple social problems in life. How is it that the same humans who seem to know everything from the Black Hole to the White Nucleus, knows not what to do when about to be swallowed by the wide open jaws of death? What makes us human beings, who know concretely about everything material in this world become helplessly mute before a seemingly abstract thing called death?

True, then that our Quest into nature has made matter deliver to us luxuries unimaginable by us a few years ago. We seem to know about everything objective in this world. Yet, it is ironic that, we do not know much about ourselves. One might ask, what does one mean by “Know Thyself’?” It-just-means-to-know-the-negative-traits-in-one’s-personality-and-replace-it-with-positive-ones’. When we have a quarrel with someone at home, we fumble in our work at the office. Can’t we deal better with these situations in life? We as humans have such an untiring quest for goals, but when they are not met, we become disillusioned. We are overcome by tension, fear and anger and become enslaved by them. The same human being who boasts of making things act at his command is helplessly commanded by these qualities.

Does it not then seem feasible and plausible that our search for knowledge must begin from within and not from without. Knowing oneself thus, we can safely sail through the boisterous sea of life. Similar to the proverb, ‘Charity begins at home’, we can say that ‘Knowledge should begin at home’.

We try to beautify our bodies by wearing the best of clothes and other cosmetic aids. If we even spend a fraction of this time and money in beautifying the mind, won’t we be developing a happy and fulfilling life? After all physical beauty is just like a flower that blooms during youth and withers with the approaching wrinkles. But a happy and joyful mind is a lifelong asset. Shouldn’t we then try to develop it and die a happy soul rather than just another perishable body?