IGNORANCE – Bliss OR A Curse.

“To know that you do not know is the best. To think you know when you do not is a disease. Recognizing this disease as a disease is to be free of it” LAO TZU.

‘Ignorance’ and ‘to ignore’ – may look like words with similar meanings. But if you go into their souls, there is a sea difference.

Ignorance – is a noun – a lack of information, knowledge or awareness.

To Ignore – is a verb – to pay no attention (intentionally or unintentionally) to somebody or something.

The eighteenth-century poet THOMAS GRAY is responsible for the often-quoted phrase: where Ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.

Imagine if a gadget had fitted into our cerebrum — or our intellect was so evolved that we could decipher the person’s mind vis a vis – Gosh – it would be the end of social life and relationships. There would have been a natural demise of at least ninety-nine per cent of people who would adulate someone in the face and mentally abuse him.

Hence the phrase – “Ignorance is bliss”.

Plentiful information and awareness about events and situations, particularly Google Knowledge about one’s illness and disease, can be loathsome and painful for oneself and the Healer(A Doctor). I face an uphill task every time explaining and convincing a Google savvy patient about his illness and his unnecessarily detailed queries. Too much of the patient’s mundane knowledge upsurges into anxiety resulting in the forceful prescription of redundant tests and drugs by the Doctor.

‘Lessons from the past – Experience from the present – and Ignorance about the future is the best way to live.’

All the astrologers, soothsayers, fortune-tellers and clairvoyants will be jobless if the people resolve to be ignorant about their futures. Half baked knowledge leads nowhere. Why should I carry the burden and apprehension of knowing that I will die in ten years?

Ignorance should be by choice, not compulsion. It should be used when necessary, and we shouldn’t ignore everything completely. To acquire and at the same time quit what is not required is called Evolution. There should be a perfect steadiness between acceptance and Ignorance. Don’t be trapped by new things; it is better to ignore habits that may be damaging physically and mentally.

“Ignorance is like salt; too little or too much ruins the taste.”

I feel Ignorance even when surrounded by people and a dense crowd – but I feel sanctified in solitude; I love to be left alone. One mind with two choices in different situations . . . Ignorance makes me feel like a free bird. No one is responsible for the envisioned freedoms but me.

Inner peace dwells upon the art of ignoring. “Admission of ignorance is often the first step in your educational journey”.

But there is a paradox . . .

The truth needs to be revealed – “keeping a blind eye to the fact is harmful. Ignorance is toxic and mentally lethal because it is an enemy, even to its owners.”

TO BE IGNORED . . .

How many times have you faced the menace of being ignored? It is most demeaning and exasperating when your beloved or bosom pal simply sees through you without acknowledging your presence. To be ignored in love is catastrophic; it can instigate suicidal tendencies. “Most of the worst paths are walked by the ones who are ignored.” How do you feel when a person decides not to pick up your phone or is ‘online’ and still ignores your emotive messages? – such a person should be suitably rewarded by forgetting and overlooking them through self-realization, instead of self-pity and self-doubt. The gift of their Ignorance is far more treasured than the annoyance that you will hold on to otherwise. Remember, no one has a right to ignore you unless you choose to be ignored.

Knowing when to ignore something is INTELLIGENCE – Ignoring things based on a self motive is a WEAKNESS.

Don’t ignore because of ego or pride . . . it shows weakness. Ignore, if it gives you mental peace and happiness.

Most of the time, we tend to hold on to negative people and their toxic and annoying talk and, for some reason and pretext, cannot ignore or avoid them. We think a lot instead of releasing ourselves. The things that should genuinely be ignored find a place in our hearts – and we ignore things that need appreciation . . . thus creating a commotion in our lives.

People with an abundance of knowledge give statements – People with Ignorance keep their mouths shut – People with half-baked knowledge and in trying to sheath their inanity share Opinions. The world is swarming with people who give uncalled suggestions and opinions about everything. Educated people remain silent, and the ignorant, of course, don’t interfere.

“The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore.” RUMI

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