The first step to Knowledge: to know that you know nothing:

*"That Which You Know Already" - Real Life Story !*

'Ouspensky' was a marvelous thinker from Russia. He had written many books, one of which had brought special fame. It was said that there was no book in the world to equal his.

At the time Ouspensky went to visit 'Gurdjieff', He was a famous man, Gurdjieff was a simple 'Fakir'. Ouspensky said to him: ”I want to put some questions to you.”

Gurdjieff handed him a blank piece of paper and said: ”Before we talk, write down all that you know and all that you do not know. Then we shall talk on that which you do not know. That which you know already, needs no elucidation. It will only profit you if we talk on the matters you do not know.”

That was a strange way to greet a famous man! However Ouspensky took the paper and went in a corner of the room He meant to make a long list. But when he started to write, he found himself in a strange predicament!

He asked himself: ”Do I know God?”

The answer came from within him: ”I know about God but I do not know God at all!”

”Do I know the soul?”

”I know about the soul but that is all.”

For almost an hour he grappled with himself but could not bring himself to write anything.

He went up to Gurdjieff and handing the blank paper to him said: ”Forgive me, Sir. I have been under an illusion. I thought I knew, but the way you spoke and the look in your eyes make this seemingly simple question impossible to answer. I cannot dare to get away from you with what I thought I ’knew’.”

”How did you then write all those famous books?” asked Gurdjieff

"They do not matter now. I was under the spell of my so-called learning. When you spoke to me, for the first time the question stood so glaringly before me that I am overwhelmed with my 'Ignorance'!

Now I feel I know nothing! I have revealed enough in words and taken them for knowledge but as far as knowing is concerned, my attainment is zero.”

”In that case,” said Gurdjieff; ”you are qualified to know, for you have understood the very basic fact that you know nothing.”

*This is the first step to Knowledge: to know that you know nothing. This act of concession requires great courage. To acknowledge to oneself that ”I do not know,” is a great feat in itself.*

Source: received through WhatsApp message

From the Ground Up: Why Teams Drive Success and Leaders Pave the Way:

- In the vibrant and often demanding landscape of the workplace, success isn't a solitary achievement. It's a collective effort, a finely tuned craft where each instrument plays a crucial role. And at the heart of this craft lies a fundamental truth: the team actually does the job. They are the engine room, the innovators, the problem-solvers who operate at the ground level, translating strategies into tangible results. We've all seen it – the late nights spent brainstorming solutions, the collaborative efforts to meet tight deadlines, the sheer ingenuity displayed when faced with unexpected challenges. This is where the real magic happens. Teams, empowered and given the space to operate, bring a unique blend of skills, perspectives, and creativity that is essential for navigating the complexities of the work. They understand the nuances, the local context, and can often devise solutions that a top-down approach might miss entirely. But where does leadership fit into this ...

If you stop working, learning, moving… it’s like telling your body and mind they’re obsolete:

- *Howard Tucker*—neurologist, lawyer, and still active at 102—once said: “Retirement is the real enemy of longevity. If you stop working, learning, moving… it’s like telling your body and mind they’re obsolete. I walk five kilometers a day, snowshoe in winter, keep learning, and got my law degree at 67. My advice: don’t retire from life. Retire from inaction.” At his age, many people are just waiting for life to pass by. But he keeps studying, walking, working. Not out of duty, but out of conviction. Because nothing is more dangerous than standing still. Even the heart rusts if you don’t use it. Tucker is not an exception—he’s a reminder: That there’s still time. That purpose knows no age. That every day we choose to move, think, and create… we’re contributing. In April 2023, he contributed a piece to CNBC on five important pieces of life advice: staying active and not spending his days retired, staying in shape, not smoking, not restricting himself to a n...

Improving your perspective-taking skills can help you build stronger relationships:

- Ever notice how sometimes it feels like other people just don't get you? Or maybe you've had that feeling about someone else? A lot of this comes down to something called "perspective-taking"—basically, the ability to see things from someone else's point of view. It's like trying to walk in their shoes for a bit. But it turns out, this isn't always easy, and many of us struggle with it. So, why is it so hard to see things from another person's perspective, and what can we do about it? What is Perspective-taking: Perspective-taking is the ability to understand another person's thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It is an essential skill for building empathy, compassion, and understanding in our relationships. However, many people struggle with perspective-taking. There are several reasons why this might be the case. Why some people lack it: One reason is that people may be too focused on their own thoughts and feelings. When we are constan...

The key to success - Personal life, Professional life, balanced relationships and self-growth:

- Why do you think the 'relationships' are important for growth? Be it a personal life, or professional life. In this article, we are discussing this aspect in three parts. Firstly, the importance of personal life and interdependency: The second part of the discussion is how we can develop our professional life: The Third Part of the discussion is how a team can help each member’s growth: 1. The importance of personal life and interdependency: When we discuss ‘self-growth’, we also include discussions about balanced relationships. Relationship plays an important role in every area of life. At the workplace, we need to have a good bond with our colleagues. And in personal life, we need to have a bond with family members, relatives and friends. Yes, as humans we are always interdependent with each other, in every aspect of life. Thus it is important for us to understand where we stand in terms of this interdependence. Unless we are not related to something or someone, our ach...

30 simple life skills for 30 days:

*How can I improve myself within a month?* This is a plan for 30 days. You can start practicing it from tomorrow. Follow one life skill per day as per the numbering 1-30 below. So if you follow order without miss, you will be able to do this whole exercise in a month. Many times we want to bring many habitual changes in us, but we fail to do it because of lack of initiative and many more reasons. Let us take this opportunity to imbibe this 30 better life skills in us. For better planning and implementation of this 30 skills. You should plan for the day one day prior. So that you can start your day afresh with a skill. *30 simple tasks for 30 days -:* *Day 1*. Greet people with smile. Life is short. Life is simple. Do not complicate it. Don’t forget to smile.. *Day 2*. 'Greet first'. Make an habit of, you greeting the person before he greets you 'Hi, Good morning'. *Day 3*. Start planning your day. It will take a few minutes but ...

Judging Others: (Poem)

- Judging Others: Sadly, we are always critiqued, By the people that we know. By title or occupation, And by the possessions that we show. We judge by skin colour, Or by awards received. By the denomination, And by what we believe. We're judged by what we spend, Or by what we give. We're judged by age and gender, And by where we live. We're judged by our past, And by our education, By the language that we speak, Or by our nation. We evaluate cosmetically. We judge both fat and small. We judge by ones appearance. Fact is, we judge it all! Some judge because they're paid to. Some judge intentionally. Some judge to build self worth, Some judge unwillingly. BEWARE, for there is only One, Who evaluates every stain and smudge. Good luck amateur critics of humans, When you face that Wise & Mighty Judge! Source: received through WhatsApp message

The concept of unique adaptability in elephants:

- Baby elephants can walk very shortly after birth. They are typically able to stand within 20 minutes and walk within an hour of being born. This is a survival mechanism, as it allows them to keep up with the herd, which is crucial for finding food and water and staying safe from predators. Here's a more detailed look: Standing: A newborn elephant calf can usually stand on its own within 20 minutes after birth. Walking: Within an hour, the calf will be able to walk, though it may be wobbly at first. Keeping Pace: After just a couple of days, the calf will be strong enough to keep up with the herd as they move and migrate. Survival Advantage: This ability to quickly walk is a crucial adaptation for survival in the wild. Tending to the Calf: The mother and other females in the herd will help the calf stand and nurse, guiding it and providing support until it can walk independently. Source: Gemini AI search

We, the people who were born between 1940-1985 are the blessed ones. Our life is a living proof of simplicity and tranquillity:

- What a beautiful answer! Comparison between two "Generations" ....... Everyone must read 👌👌 A youngster asked his father: "How did you people live before with- No access to technology No aeroplanes No internet No computers No dramas No TVs No air cons No cars No mobile phones?" His Dad replied: "Just like how your generation lives today with - No prayers No compassion No honor No respect No character No shame No modesty No time planning No sports No reading" "We, the people that were born between 1940-1985 are the blessed ones. Our life is a living proof: 👉 While playing and riding bicycles, we never wore helmets. 👉 After school, we played until dusk. We never watched TV. 👉 We played with real friends, not internet friends. 👉 If we ever felt thirsty, we drank tap water not bottled water. 👉 We never got ill although we used to share the same glass of juice with four friends. 👉 We never gained weight although we used to eat a lot of rice ...

Beyond the Clock: Reclaiming Our Most Precious Hours for Family:

- The sun climbs, painting the morning sky with hues of promise. For many, that daily ascent marks not the beginning of personal pursuits, but the quiet march towards another workday. From **8 AM to 5 PM**, five days a week, the most vibrant, energetic hours of our lives are often exchanged for the steady hum of the office. This isn't just a block of time; it's the very core of our waking, productive selves, poured into tasks and targets that shape our careers, but often leave precious little for the dreams that stir outside the cubicle walls. Think of it. These are the hours when the mind is sharpest, the body most resilient, the spirit most eager. It's when children are at school, when the daylight holds the most potential for outdoor adventures, creative projects, or simply quiet reflection. Yet, for nearly a decade or two, sometimes even longer, this prime segment of our existence is dedicated to the demands of professional life. We arrive, often before the world fully...

What if we could learn to value the things we have, just as we did in those simpler times:

- The Sweet Taste of Nostalgia: When Ice Cream Was a Yearly Treat Do you remember a time when the simplest of pleasures held extraordinary value? When a single scoop of ice cream was a cherished event, not just a casual indulgence? I do. I remember a time when our small town boasted only one ice cream parlour, a magical place we visited perhaps once or twice a year. Those visits were etched in our memories. The anticipation, the sweet, creamy taste, the shared joy with family and friends – it wasn't just ice cream; it was a celebration. We savored every lick, every melting drop, because we knew it was a rare treat. We valued it because it wasn't readily available. Fast forward to today. Ice cream parlours dot every corner, and frozen treats are accessible at any hour, in any flavour imaginable. The same can be said for countless other things that were once considered special. We live in a world of abundance, where instant gratification is the norm. And yet, something has been ...

Life Skills

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