Turning Knowledge Into Skillfully Applied And Beneficial Power

Knowledge is complete onto itself. It marks something that simply is (and is often multifaceted).

Intelligence is measured by how well you are able to gain, process, and use/apply any given bit of knowledge effectively to a given situation/context and/or whether you are able to apply knowledge at all.

Knowing that a stove is hot and intelligently responding to being around a hot stove are two different things, but, again, the knowledge/fact remains unchanged.

Neither the lack, nor the presence, of knowledge creates the optimal conditions to intelligently make decisions. The effective and/or appropriate application of information is always up to you and depends on a number of different factors such as your cultivated capabilities, intentions, unique situation, context, etc.

Lack of knowledge, however, (known as ignorance) is a guaranteed way to remain permanently in darkness and trapped in suffering.

It is, therefore, recommended (if you strive for something different than entrapment in suffering) that you strive to acquire “right” and useful knowledge instead of remaining ignorant…to become aware of what is Real and unreal through observation, experimentation, and study (because understanding has immense value to set you free). This way, you will have the necessary tools/materials to then intelligently apply what you know in/to your life in a way that is truly beneficial to you.

And this small detail, of understanding what is beneficial to you, is the true mark of intelligent understanding.

As a unique individual expression in the world, your intelligence is marked not by your generic application of information to your life that looks the same as another whose existence manifests in a wholly different way. Your intelligence is marked by your understanding of your own self-expression, needs, context, and goals within space and time and your ability to use your knowledge/understanding effectively to secure what is right for you (while adhering to what is Universally True).

A baby and firefighter may both know that fire is hot, but intelligence is marked by each individual being responding to fire in a way that is appropriate to the situation that they are in at any given moment. Intelligence, and, therefore, intelligent application of the right/appropriate knowledge (for you and your given situation), is never marked by blindly following others.

This is the reason why, though there is structure in Yoga that shares Absolute knowledge to enlighten practitioners, one must still create and walk his/her own unique path for optimal results and best outcomes on their journey.

There are multiple ways to move through one door; but the fact that an opening, in you or in the door, has to be created in order to make this possible is what remains unchanging in all situations.