As conscious beings, we have five sense organs which are also called doors of knowledge. Hence it would not be a wrong statement to make that, because of our very nature, we cannot be without learning. Like, our ears are always open, so we are constantly listening. The words that go through our ears to our brains are like lessons that we receive constantly. Similarly, we see the whole world through our eyes which also results in learning good things as well as bad things.

The electrical impulses that we receive through our skin or taste buds, reach our brain which is also a kind of learning for us. However one must understand the fact that all the above-mentioned processes of learning take place by awareness or consciousness that is present in our brain without which learning is next to impossible.

In this context, we should know that our sense-organs are only the doors, learning is a process that is undergone by the consciousness. It may be called  ‘mind-intellect-memory-feeling’ combined or we may simply call it a ‘Soul’. So, all bits of information or all messages that we receive influence the Soul.

And they give good or bad experiences to the soul. Further, we must know that there are two kinds of information or knowledge we acquire.

One is the knowledge of material things; the other is about the soul, karma, supreme etc. The latter kind of knowledge, when put into action, results in some sanskaras or as we call it personality traits.

Most of our actions performed again and again under the influence of a sanskara, result in experiencing happiness or sorrow. Throughout our journey of life, we constantly learn some such lessons that result in the formation of sanskaras according to our karma.

Hence, if we know clearly that learning is unavoidable and that we are always learning good or bad things, resulting in good or bad sanskaras that lead to happiness or sorrow, then we will

never say that we have no time or no interest in learning.

Likewise, if we know that our sanskaras go along with our life after life, then we will be more careful in learning good things and in giving up bad things because education seems to be an elixir that can bring us a healthy mind & body along with a lasting fruitful life.

We all know this fact very well that in the present day life, nobody is perfect as far as goodness and virtues are concerned. Hence, it cannot be denied that we all need to be enlightened and we urgently need to improve the quality of our thoughts, speech and actions.

Since we cannot avoid learning, even if we wish, why don’t we then learn to inculcate, in us, moral values, virtues or good qualities so that we may make progress towards perfection? Why do we wish to carry a heavy load of rubbish on our heads? Why do we want to delay our march towards our goal? What do we gain by making lame excuses, saying that we have no time or that we are not interested? What is it that we are interested in?

 Are we interested in our downfall, decay or doom? In sinking and drowning deep down in the quagmire of vices, evils and mud? Remember !! The more we delay, the worse will be our condition and the more difficult it be to rectify our ways.

The process of learning, as was said earlier, is ceaseless and continuous and hence someone has rightly said “we learn everyday & shed the ego and the perception that I know everything”.

Hence we cannot stop it even if we try our best, putting all our might into it. So why not we remain alert & follow the right path that saves us from tragedies, traumas, tensions and turmoil of life?

Right learning is important what we learn defines us. It is simple yet a profound change we go through. Right learning can make us a better person, someone who has right frame of mind and is aware about his responsibilities and strives to make this world a better place.

(The writer is a spiritual educator and popular columnist. Views are personal)